Fridgescaping Turns Refrigerators into Works of Art

While refrigerator exteriors have long since been a blank canvas for self-expression — think magnets, post cards and to-do lists — a new design trend has social media users paying close attention to the interior of their fridge with what they call fridgescaping. Instead of simply decluttering and wiping down the inside of the fridge before restocking with fresh groceries, individuals are curating their fridge into impressive displays of food complete with beautiful ceramics, colorful florals and even twinkly lights. What I assumed was an idea sparked during the pandemic (back when we all had too much time on our hands) actually began in 2010 with blogger and decorator Kathy Perdue of Good Life Design. The word is a play on tablescaping, the art of arranging a table to convey a mood or theme. Perdue began fridgescaping by adding fruit and eggs to decorative bowls and organizing the drinks in her fridge. She wrote in her "Fridgescaping!" blog post, "Why not put your everyday food items in pretty containers and have something pretty to look at when you open the door?" Today, fridgescaping has taken on a life of its own with decorators mixing and matching with wicker baskets, decorative yet functional ceramics, patterned dishes, glass storage containers, pitchers and more. "Fridgescapers" (if that's a word) have gone as far as incorporating home décor such as small picture frames, sculptures, trays and fresh flower arrangements. Often these fridgescapes are inspired by a culture, theme or even media like "Bridgerton" or "The Hobbit." Prior to reading Perdue's blog post, I did not understand fridgescaping and why it had such an impact online. There are so many corners of our homes and lives that could use this kind of attention to detail, so why pay such close attention to an area where you don't spend much time? It was Perdue's motto, "enjoy the process," that had me singing a different tune. Cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing the fridge is a chore I hate to do. There is no organization within my fridge and most of the time, I'd like to shut the door and forget it; but Perdue's motto is a reminder to take things slow and enjoy things as we go within the flurry of everyday life. In reference to her slogan in her blog post she wrote, "I think you can do that even with the mundane, such as cleaning the refrigerator." Finding joy in the mundane is a golden rule to counteracting the stressors of life, and when so many circumstances are out of our control, opening the fridge to an organized oasis could be a breath of fresh air. But I still can't get on board with the idea of hiding your fresh blooms behind a Frigidaire! If you're intrigued by this idea, there are a few things to keep in mind for a sanitary and food-safe fridgescape. Mainly, keep the air vents clear for proper cooling and ventilation and assure that all containers are food safe. If any containers are vintage or thrifted, lead test to assure food safety. If you're wanting to implement beauty amongst your groceries, start by asking yourself, "What would make me smile more in here?" Like Perdue, start simple. Give the shelves a deep clean and begin by effectively organizing your goods. Small baskets or containers are an easy addition for eggs, fruits and vegetables. Decorative vases are a great inclusion for produce like asparagus and green onions which last longer when stored in water. Even adding beverages to a drink pitcher can make a difference. While your fridge will look beautiful, you'll also remove a lot of logos and branding from your fridge — a win-win! Thanks to elevated presentations, fridgescapers have claimed that decorating their fridges have made cooking more exciting, kept the refrigerator cleaner with more frequent cleanings and even helped to eliminate food waste by having everything visible and appealing to the eye. While I still find the trend to be a bit frivolous, life is all about the small things that bring us joy. If that, for you, is putting asparagus in vase or a bouquet of flowers in the fridge rather than the table, go for it. Find your sanctuary, even if it is in the soft glow of the fridge.