November 24, 2013, will forever go down as the day all white fridges were deemed unchic.
If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s the day Nene Leakes made her infamous “Not a white refrigerator” and “Whew child, the ghetto” comments, which permanently altered the standard for the staple appliance while helping her then-castmate Kenya Moore search for a new pad.
And just like that, white fridges became almost synonymous with less-than-stellar living conditions and a bonafide class indicator in their own right.
It has been over ten years since the episode premiered, and white fridges still haven’t recovered from the blow. Who knew the biggest showdown in The Real Housewives franchise history would be between NeNe Leakes and a machine that keeps your milk cold?
Now, when searching for an apartment, the absence of a white fridge is as important of choice as making sure the place is in a safe neighborhood or has adequate parking.
That short clip gave stainless steel appliances everywhere a lifetime’s worth of good PR. They’ve become the new standard for renters and buyers alike.
But regardless of what one of NeNe Leakes has to say about it, sometimes white fridges are the best option.
White opens up spaces, and in recent years, the design of white fridges has really stepped its game up. You can find white refrigerators that are aesthetically on par with their stainless steel counterparts.
So, in defense of the white refrigerator, we have compiled a list of five of the best white refrigerators because we said what we said!
Cafe 36 Inch Wide 23.1 Cu. Ft. Counter Depth French Door
This French-door fridge is a visual and technical marvel. The gold hardware stuns against the white body of the unit, and did we mention it has Wi-Fi? It’s an unbeatable combo.
iio Retro FF1 7-cu ft Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
More of an eggshell, this retro-style fridge is the perfect addition to any cozy kitchen, adding an aura of nostalgia associated with the times of milkmen and paperboys.
Smeg 50’s Retro Design
Anything SMEG is an undisputed crowd-pleaser for those who love brand status, loyalty and symmetry. This fridge is also more reto in styling and is perfect for those already inducted into the SMEG universe.
Bespoke Counter Depth 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator
This bespoke mirrored white four-door fridge has a futuristic flair that combats the notion that white fridges are outdated.
Insignia™ – 11.5 Cu. Ft. Bottom Mount Refrigerator
For nostalgia’s sake, we have to include a model that looks like the version Nene so publicly shunned. This Insignia fridge has the freezer on the bottom, which adds a little variation from other methods.
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