Today there is a wide range of choices regarding refrigerator style, size, color and features. Two of the most important details are its capacity and door configuration.

When it comes to selecting the size, look first at your lifestyle and the size of your family. For two people, about 10 cubic feet is the minimum, but add at least 2 cubic feet for each additional person. If you entertain large groups, shop infrequently or stock gallon jars of discount mayonnaise, you have to allow still more room.

Once you know how much space you need, you'll be faced with the choice of side-by-side, freezer top, freezer bottom, refrigerator drawers. Consider the qualities of each, and think about who uses the refrigerator, and how often they use it, when making your choice.

There are a lot of modern conveniences in today's refrigerators, including climate zones for different areas, adjustable shelves that are easy to clean and help contain spills, small access doors that put beverages in easy reach, and, of course, the ever-popular ice and water dispenser. You'll find built-in and cabinet depth models that fit flush with standard base cabinets. Sometimes, when covered with panels to match the cabinets, they're hard to find unless you know where to look.

Considering keeping your old fridge and working around it? If your refrigerator is more than about 15 years old, a new one will pay for itself in energy savings over its useful life.

• Side-by-side doors are available on larger models. These tend to consume more energy than others units with the same capacity. Their more compact door-swings, however, permit you to place the refrigerator in narrower walkways and closer to walls. Narrow shelves may not handle wide items, like large frozen pizzas. 36-in. is the minimum side-by-side width.
  
  A lower-cost side-by-side will likely be 31-in. deep, and have a 20 cu. ft. capacity; with wire shelves and a textured white finish. Somewhat higher up the pricing scale you'll find 27-in. deep units that have 24 cu. ft. capacity; glass shelves, adjustable door bins, and a textured white finish. These are quieter, more energy efficient than their low-budget counterparts. Top-of-the-line units are 27-in. deep, with 26 cu. ft. capacity; built-in ice makers, and a cabinet-front trim kit.
  
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• Freezer-over-fridge has been the traditional design for years simply because cold air naturally falls from the freezer, helping cool the fridge below. These are the least costly, but you have to stoop down to find out what's going moldy behind the milk.
  
  Expect lower-priced models to be 31-in. deep, with 18 cu. ft. capacity, wire shelves, and a textured white finish. The middle-range includes 31-in deep units with 20 cu. ft. capacity, glass shelves, adjustable door bins, and a textured white finish. These are quieter, more energy efficient models. In the high-budget bracket you'll find 27-in deep units with 24 cu. ft. capacity, and built-in icemakers.

• Fridge-over-freezer units, also commonly available, place the frequently used refrigerator compartment at eye level. This is much easier on your back. The one drawback—kids can always reach the ice cream!
  
  When you shop in the lower-budget range you'll get 31-in deep refrigerator/freezers with 20 cu. ft. capacity, wire shelves, and textured white finish. Mid-range remains at 31-in deep, but with 22 cu. ft. capacity, glass shelves, adjustable door bins, and a textured white finish. You also benefit from quieter, more energy efficient models. High-end models have 27-in. deep units with 24 cu. ft. capacity, built-in ice makers, and cabinet-front trim kits.