When side-by-side refrigerators were first introduced to market decades ago, they were a hit with consumers because this was the first departure from the traditional top-freezer models. And this design was not only convenient but big on style. If you wanted to spruce up your kitchen, this trendy refrigerator was the way to go.

Although there are more options to choose from today in terms of refrigerator styles, the side-by-side is still the best overall choice for some. There's also more variety in way of capacity - you can now find one suitable even for a small kitchen and prices are much more competitive. In fact, this style may be a better fit for your budget than some other fridge designs.

No one can argue that there's a lot of very attractive refrigerators on the market these days, but the side-by-side model has held its own in way of eye appeal. This style is big on convenience - it's easy to find what you're looking for in either the freezer compartment or the refrigerated side. That means you can easily organize your food storage to save searching time and reduce food waste.

By design, the freezer compartment of this two-door fridge is smaller in capacity from the right side cooling section and though it does reduce your refrigeration space compared to some other fridges, you'll gain in frozen food space than with either a bottom-or-top refrigerator freezer compartment. It's the ideal answer for homeowners who don't want or have no room for a stand-alone freezer in-house, but need more than a small compartment for frozen foods.

Organizing either side is easier with special features such as adjustable shelving and convenient door bins, but the holiday turkey or other bulky items could be a problem, unless you can adjust or remove a shelf. You might want to keep that in mind while checking out fridge features. And if you choose a model with onboard water and ice dispensing, though this would be awesome for today's busy families, you will be cutting down on your freezer space a tad.

As for installation notables, this refrigerator will require less door swing space than some other types, but it should still be evaluated on both sides. And for a successful install, measure the space carefully especially if you have overhead cabinets.

A counter-depth model will protrude less in your work triangle so it's worth considering, but it does cut down somewhat on interior space. Always review the installation guide before buying and note that you'll probably need some help with plumbing if you select a model with water and ice.

On the energy side, selecting a model that is Energy Star qualified is a good way to start. Also compare the Energy Guide labels of several models to ensure you're picking one with the least expected energy use. Since the freezer has its own door and doesn't need to be accessed unless you want to, that will also help to keep energy use down.

Keep in mind though that an upright type freezer section usually inspires more browsing. So to reduce freezer surfing, organize your frozen treats in such a manner that makes for quick retrieval. This is still a very popular and trendy refrigerator design that's more affordable than some other styles and you can find some full-featured models on the market for less than $1000.