A minifridge in the bathroom?! The new trend, explained

We know — you’ve seen it all when it comes to design fads, from the resurgence of avocado kitchens to “blob chic.” Still, the latest trend in home decor might just surprise you: putting a minifridge in your bathroom.

Although it seems a bit weird, there are plenty of reasons you might consider hopping on board this latest decorating musthave du jour — and not a single one involves needing your favorite snacks within arm’s reach of the toilet.

You might, for example, want to store your top-shelf serums and creams in a chilled space without risking them being mistaken for a sandwich condiment. You might also be a fan of enjoying a chilled glass of wine in a bath or a classic shower beer.

Whatever the reason, trust us when we say this latest trend is more than a little intriguing. Here’s everything you need to know about bathroom minifridges and how to add one to your space.

Also called a skincare fridge or a beauty fridge, this newest home decor trend began, naturally, with the beauty industry. More specifically, it emerged in the highly influential world of Korean beauty trends, also known as K-beauty.

“No one dominates skincare like Korean trendsetters,” says designer Nicole Cullum, of Color Caravan. “With K-beauty now leading trends like glass skin, everyone has a minifridge close at hand for all their eye creams, serums, and depuffing tools.”

If you’re unfamiliar with keeping your skincare products cool, the reason behind it is simple: It makes them last longer.

Although many oil-based products shouldn’t be kept in the fridge (due to separation), many water-based ones with ingredients like vitamin C and A derivatives (including retinol) are said to last longer if stored in the fridge. And considering the high price tag attached to some of these products, it makes perfect sense that people are listening.

Even if you don’t keep up with the latest skincare trends, there are still several reasons you might want to get a cool place to stash must-have items in your bathroom. For starters, it’s a great place to store certain medications or keep fresh drinking water handy in larger homes.

“We love adding some chilled wet towelettes to the minifridge for a steam shower,” says designer Bianca Ecklund. “They’re also great for families with young children, as you can avoid going to the kitchen in the middle of the night when your littles need water.”

Speaking of refreshing beverages, we also love minifridges for bath rituals that involve an adult beverage or two.

“You’ll always have a chilled bottle of bubbly to enjoy while soaking,” says Ecklund.

Ready to take the plunge and buy a minifridge for your bathroom? Then keep reading — we’ve gathered up some tips from the experts to ensure you pick the right one and know how to style it.

Where to place a minifridge in the bathroom

For starters, you don’t want to stash a minifridge just anywhere in your loo.

Placement is important in terms of convenience, aesthetics, and safety.

“Tuck your minifridge in a closed cabinet to keep it out of view or neatly next to your vanity so you can pamper your skin without moving a muscle,” says Cullum. “Avoid putting your fridge, or anything plugged in for that matter, anywhere near where water might touch it.”

Ideally, you’ll want your fridge on a raised surface off the floor, so bathroom linen closets and cabinets are a great choice. Consider investing in a minifridge stand if you want it out in the open.

How to buy the perfect fridge

There’s certainly no shortage of minifridges on the market, but some are better than others when it comes to being used in a bathroom setting.

Two that stood out to us are the Chefman portable mirrored beauty fridge ($64) and the AstroAI minifridge ($40).

“The Chefman has a full-sized mirror on the front panel of the fridge, so it can do double duty on your vanity while storing all your skincare goodies or beverages,” says Cullum. “The AstroAI has nearly 40,000 reviews touting its petite size with powerful chilling capacity.”

How your fridge ends up looking in the bathroom will all come down to your styling choices. While throwing it inside a cabinet is an easy solution, it’s not the only way to ensure your new petite fridge looks its best.

“A great design trick is to group items in sets of three, choosing things in varying heights,” says Cullum. “If you’re using your minifridge for drinks, add a chic pair of glassware. If you’re using it for beauty products, place other products nearby in cute trays and organizers.”

Choosing a theme for your fridge and staging similar items around it will be key in integrating it into the space.

“Make your minifridge a moment, rather than having it sit oddly by itself on your countertop,” says Cullum.

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SHUTTERSTOCK Also called a skincare fridge or a beauty fridge, this trend of putting a minifridge in the bathroom began, naturally, with the beauty industry.