Will I get used to fridge opening the wrong way?

[Notonaschoolnight]

This is the kitchen plan with the existing radiator down the side which I don’t want. I could put a slim radiator on the wall instead but that would stop the fridge door from opening fully unless I have it opening the wrong way round, the worktop starts right next to the fridge so in my head ,if the hinge goes on the right, I’ll be dancing around the fridge door getting stuff out the fridge onto the worktop but maybe I’d just get used to it

Alternatively I could not have a radiator and get a hydronic plinth heater getting rid of the fridge door issue but I have know experience of them and perhaps they’ll be a headache in themselves

Or have neither and be cold ha

Comments and feedback very welcome

I’m a bit confused by your picture be description but I’m sure my fridge opens the same way. I usually pull it open with my left hand and it opens from right to left - the hinge on the left side.
Thinking about it now it does open the other way to the fridge in my old house but it’s never caused me a problem! So much so I’ve never even realised!

I know what you mean and I think you are right, it would drive you mad.

Could you get a very slim tall radiator for there?
A lot of radiators these days seem to stick out from the wall a lot but if you could find one that is very close to the wall it would be better.

Like this

MIL just got an underunit blower heater in her new kitchen and loves it to bits.

Having the fridge open hinge-right would be awful, don't do it.

No. 6 years I’ve been trying to open my fridge like my old one.

Do you have space to add a narrow dummy panel to the left so that you have room to open the door? You would need to adjust a cupboard or whatever you have further up to the right.
Like this:

Sorry picture not great as you can only see the first tiny bit of worktop next to the fridge. Right now the fridge handle are set for the hinges on the left which is how it should be but that would mean the fridge door hitting a long tall radiator if we put one on the wall and generally stopping the fridge door opening properly

The two potential fixes are putting the fridge hinges on the right so if you can imagine me in the fridge with the door on my right I’ll have to walk around the door to put stuff on the worktop

or I get a hydronic plinth heater but they don’t seem popular and I’m worried they’re not popular for a reason I just mentioned to a British Gas engineer that we were thinking of getting one and he pulled a bit of a face said that if you had any shit in your pipe work it would work it’s way down to the plinth heater as it would be the lowest point and the flexi pipe that come with plinth heaters are quite narrow so could all end as a blockage

Bugger I just don’t know but I’ve got a few weeks to make my mind up

Do you have a plan of the other units up to the right?

Photo of the other side

If it were me I would adjust the cupboards to the right of the fridge to create some space so you can move the fridge along and add a dummy panel to the left of the fridge, that's if your cupboards are fitting exactly to the width ATM, if you have no leaway. You may have to add a dummy panel next to the cupboards or wine rack/gap.

There was a thread on here about 'should I get a plinth heater' the other day and it was almost a unanimous no!

Narrower cupboards and fillers unless it is made to measure.

Yes you'll get used to it. It won't take long. It took a week or so of me reaching for the wrong side when we changed ours.

I have a fridge in this kind of configuration and I have it opening with hinges on the right. That's because with the door the other way with hinges on the left I can't get the shelves out to clean it as the door won't open wide enough with the wall.

I think there is a slight gap to the left of the fridge which will require a spacer once the existing radiator is removed I’ll check the width of it and report back!!

Colette's idea is a good one. Might give you enough space too to move shelves.

I'm used to the right hand hinge now and the door opens fully. There's enough worktop space beyond the door to put stuff.

Mine's freestanding though.

Two things.
Many fridges have doors that can be reconfigured so they can open the other way (read the manual).
Second, you should not have a fridge or freezer next to a radiator as it will make it have to work a LOT harder to keep things cool.

Just doing school run then I’ll screenshot the plan with the dummy size on

Definitely put in a panel at the end. If you can't open the door all the way you may not be able to take the shelves out (ours is like that), it opening in the wrong direction will annoy you every time you do it.

We just don't have a radiator in the kitchen (not our decision, the previous owners). It actually works quite well, we've never found it cold!

There’s an 82mm spacer will the make a difference

I think I'd hate having the door hinged on the right in your kitchen layout. How cold is your kitchen? Ours doesn't have a radiator but it does have a large opening to a warm family room.

Is that radiator running alongside your fridge? I'd get rid or have an upright one.

Anywhere else for a radiator in your kitchen?

Yes that’s the current radiator which will go and a dummy spacer will be in its place. I’ve already agreed to the kitchen plans so no changes can be done I’m afraid it’s just a case of decided about the heat source/hinges left or right