French Door vs Side-by-Side Refrigerators: Which Layout Is Right for You
Choose a french-door refrigerator if you want fresh food at eye level and open most days to the fridge, and a side-by-side if you want tall, equally accessible fridge and freezer columns. A french-door model like the LG LRFS28XBS suits fresh-food-first kitchens, while a side-by-side like the Forno Salerno suits frequent freezer users.
How the two layouts differ
Both configurations are large-capacity fridges, but they split the cold space differently. A french-door refrigerator puts a wide fresh-food compartment at eye level behind two doors, with the freezer in a drawer below, as in the 27.7 cubic foot LG LRFS28XBS. A side-by-side splits the cabinet into two full-height vertical columns, fridge on one side and freezer on the other, like the 20 cubic foot Forno Salerno. The result is a real difference in how you reach for food day to day.
Usability and access
French-door fridges shine when most of your daily reaching is for fresh food, because the wide upper compartment sits at a comfortable height and the doors are narrower, so they need less swing room. Side-by-side units give you tall, narrow freezer and fridge sections side by side, which is ideal if you use the freezer as often as the fridge and want frozen items at eye level. The trade-off is that each side-by-side column is narrower, so wide items like a sheet pan or a large platter can be a tight fit.
Organization and capacity
For raw capacity, french-door models tend to go bigger; the LG offers 27.7 cubic feet, while the Forno side-by-side provides 20 cubic feet. French-door layouts hold wide trays and party platters easily and keep the freezer drawer for bulk storage. Side-by-side units make it easy to organize frozen and fresh food into clear vertical zones, and many, including the Forno, build in an ice maker for on-demand ice. If you store lots of wide items, lean french-door; if you like everything sorted into columns, lean side-by-side.
Price, footprint and installation
Both are large, heavy appliances. The LG french-door weighs 292 pounds and the Forno side-by-side 213 pounds, so both need a sturdy floor and a measured 36-inch opening. On price, the premium french-door LG lists higher than the Forno side-by-side, reflecting its larger capacity and smart features. Whichever layout you choose, confirm the doorway clearance, the installation gap and the current price before committing, since both are significant purchases.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Picking a layout on looks alone instead of how you actually reach for fresh versus frozen food.
- Assuming a side-by-side holds wide items as easily as a french-door; the narrow columns can be a tight fit.
- Overlooking the weight and 36-inch footprint, which both large layouts demand.
- Comparing only the headline capacity and ignoring how that space is divided between fridge and freezer.
Frequently asked questions
Which has more usable space, french door or side-by-side?
French-door refrigerators usually offer more total and more flexible fresh-food space; the LG LRFS28XBS provides 27.7 cubic feet and easily holds wide trays. Side-by-side units like the 20 cubic foot Forno Salerno divide space into narrower columns, which is great for organization but tighter for wide items.
Are side-by-side refrigerators better for freezer access?
Yes. A side-by-side gives you a full-height freezer column at eye level, so frozen food is easy to see and reach. If you use the freezer as often as the fridge, that layout, as in the Forno Salerno, is more convenient than a french-door's bottom freezer drawer.
Do both layouts need the same space?
Roughly. Both the LG french-door and Forno side-by-side are 36-inch-class refrigerators, and both are heavy, at 292 and 213 pounds respectively. Measure your doorway and installation gap and confirm the floor can take the weight before buying either.