A new social media phenomenon called "fridgescaping" has emerged, prompting food safety experts to voice concerns. This trend involves adorning refrigerators with non-food items such as embroidered artwork, ceramic ornaments, and wicker baskets.
The Food Standards Agency has issued warnings about the potential health risks associated with this practice. They advise against storing food in containers not intended for produce storage and recommend keeping items in sealed bags or containers to prevent cross-contamination with harmful bacteria. Experts also emphasize the importance of maintaining refrigerator temperatures between zero and five degrees Celsius and keeping raw meat covered.
Laura Mountford, a household cleaning expert with over one million social media followers, expressed skepticism about the trend's practicality. She stated, "It's all well and good being pretty, but if it's not going to add value to your everyday life, it's not going to have any longevity." Mountford also cautioned against using wicker baskets in refrigerators, suggesting acrylic boxes as a more hygienic alternative.
While some proponents claim that fridgescaping serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, critics have labeled it as a waste of time. The trend has even spawned satirical responses, with some dubbing it "fridgerton" in reference to the Netflix series Bridgerton, which has inspired some of the designs.
Shabaz Says, a social media influencer with nearly four million followers, created a viral video mocking the trend. In his satirical take, he quipped, "This is the artistic movement of decorating the inside of one's fridge like Bridgerton," highlighting the perceived extravagance of the practice.
Kitchen design experts have weighed in on the trend's potential longevity. Mioko Fujisaki, who leads Kitchen Bee Design in London, suspects that fridgescaping may remain largely an online phenomenon, noting that UK consumers tend to prefer more understated styles compared to their US counterparts.
"People's fridges can be the most important appliance, so organisation inside of the fridge is extremely important… I don't know how people can put something they don't need in there because fridges are never big enough."
It's worth noting that refrigerators have come a long way since their invention. The first electric refrigerator for home use was introduced in 1913, and the average lifespan of a modern refrigerator is about 14 years. Today's refrigerators are more energy-efficient, accounting for approximately 7% of a typical household's energy consumption.
As the fridgescaping trend continues to evolve, it's essential to consider both the aesthetic appeal and practical implications. While decorating one's refrigerator may be visually pleasing, maintaining proper food safety practices should remain the top priority. As Tanya Weller of Samsung Electronics UK suggests, the trend could potentially align with newer see-through fridge models, combining organization and decoration in a more practical manner.
Ultimately, whether fridgescaping becomes a lasting trend or fades away, it has sparked conversations about refrigerator organization, food safety, and the intersection of social media trends with everyday appliances. As with any trend, it's crucial to balance aesthetics with functionality and safety in our homes.