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From fridge magnets collected during our travels to photos that capture cherished memories, and even grocery and to-do lists, our refrigerator doors often offer a glimpse into our lives.
We love decorating the outside, but have you ever thought about sprucing up the inside of the fridge?
We’re not just talking about neatly organising symmetrical containers, a nearly impossible feat in Indian households, where our moms’ love for hoarding dabbas takes over.
Imagine adding plants, stylish containers, and even photo frames to your fridge interior to elevate its aesthetic. Believe it or not, ‘fridgescaping’ is a real trend, and Instagrammers can’t get enough of it!
“Fridgescaping refers to the organised and aesthetic arrangement of items inside a refrigerator,” explains Dhatri Dabbara, co-founder of Studio Dvara, an experiential design firm in Hyderabad.
She further tells India Today that this trend is gaining popularity due to the influence of social media platforms, where influencers showcase impeccably arranged fridges. It also ties into broader lifestyle trends, such as minimalism and health-conscious living.
“By creating visually appealing and functional fridges, people find a sense of order in their routines. This practice appeals to individuals seeking both aesthetic satisfaction and practical benefits, making it a perfect intersection of style and functionality in modern living,” adds Dabbara.
Adding to this, Chahat Sharma, interior architect and founder of Design Morgans, Delhi, states that fridgescaping is like art. It’s about organising your fridge and decorating it with elements that may or may not belong in the fridge.
She says, “I think it’s great to organise and put a dedicated corner/container for each item in your fridge, but trends now have gone far beyond that, making their mundane routine rather difficult as it’s impossible to maintain these fridges the way they show on social media platforms.”
According to Dhatri Dabbara, fridgescaping offers several practical benefits, including:
For influencer Kushal Bohra, who has 179k followers on his Instagram handle kushalkikhushi, this trend creates a more enjoyable cooking and eating experience while also maximising storage.
“Organising and beautifying what goes in the refrigerator can be therapeutic and stress-relieving. It also helps an individual express their personality,” he adds.
Fridgescaping can be both practical and potentially expensive, depending on how it is approached.
“Practically, it promotes better food management, reduces waste, and encourages healthier eating habits. However, it can lead to unnecessary expenses if one purchases specialised containers, bins, and labels that don’t significantly improve functionality,” says Dhatri Dabbara.
The key to making this trend practical is to focus on efficient organisation rather than overspending on non-essential aesthetic products.
Balancing functionality with beauty ensures that fridgescaping remains a useful, cost-effective practice without becoming overly indulgent.
On the other hand, Chahat Sharma feels, “Design is all about easing the day-to-day functions of a given space, and decorating the insides of the fridge is just pushing it to a level where it would rather take up more space and hamper the functionality of the fridge.”
Sharma mentions that fridgescaping is practical only to a certain extent. “It’s an everyday job and not a cup of tea for everyone.”
Dr Balakrishna GK, HOD and senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, says that while the fridgescaping trend can make the fridge look visually appealing and organised, the focus should remain on maintaining proper hygiene and food safety.
“The primary function of a refrigerator is to store food at safe temperatures to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. Adding unnecessary decorations, especially non-food items, could compromise hygiene or make it difficult to clean and maintain safe storage conditions,” adds the doctor.
He goes on to share that placing non-food items or decorations in the fridge can be a potential health hazard. This is because such items can introduce contaminants or obstruct airflow, affecting temperature regulation.
Dr Balakrishna GK further explains, “Decorations made of materials that aren’t food-safe could harbour bacteria or release harmful chemicals, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.”
“The growing trend of organising and decorating the inside of refrigerators can be linked to a desire for control and order in one’s environment, which can promote a sense of calm and well-being,” Dr Nikhil Nayar, psychiatrist, Sharda Hospital, NCR, tells us.
In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, having a visually pleasing and neatly arranged fridge may provide individuals with a sense of accomplishment and reduce anxiety.
This practice aligns with the broader concept of mindful living, where small, intentional actions, such as organizing food storage, can contribute to overall mental clarity and emotional stability. It can also offer a feeling of self-care and nurturing by encouraging healthier food choices and a sense of routine.
Dr Nayar also mentions, “This activity of putting food in its proper place and designing a beautiful environment can serve as a type of therapeutic relief for those who are experiencing stress or anxiety, giving them concentration and a respite from more difficult emotional problems.”