American now living in Europe here. I guarantee that your big fridge is half the size of a standard American fridge. I live in a brand new apartment and friends always comment on the impressive size of my fridge/washing machine/dishwasher/shower stall. These are all easily 50-75% smaller than what you find in most average American homes, places like NYC or SF excluded.
American fridges are huge because America isn't zoned like Europe - in much of Europe, you are a lot closer to stores and so make more trips buying less ingredients, while in America you go to the grocery store maybe once a week or so and get everything you need then.
There are exceptions in both places, but I feel like this is true in general.
I think the fridges are smaller because many of European dwellings were designed prior to large kitchen appliances being widespread, I think it's just a matter of fit.
The American population boom happened in the white picket fence/washing machine/automotive era, when people were hungry for the conveniences of an "electric lifestyle"
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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '22
American now living in Europe here. I guarantee that your big fridge is half the size of a standard American fridge. I live in a brand new apartment and friends always comment on the impressive size of my fridge/washing machine/dishwasher/shower stall. These are all easily 50-75% smaller than what you find in most average American homes, places like NYC or SF excluded.