“Fridgescaping: The 2024 Decor Trend That’s Igniting TikTok… and Our Fridges”
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This 2024 back-to-school season is full of surprises in the lifestyle department. For some time now, enthusiasts of fridgescaping have been racking up millions of views on social media, especially on TikTok. Their passion? Decorating the inside of their fridge to turn it into a true work of art. A fun trend, indeed, but one that already has its critics.
What is fridgescaping?
Fridgescaping is a blend of “fridge” and “landscaping.” The goal of this trend is to make your fridge an aesthetic ally that will inspire you to cook more often and healthier. Picture your carrots arranged in a beautiful stoneware vase, a carved wooden egg holder, bunches of grapes mingling with flowers in a crystal bowl, a lovely miniature painting, and even a mirror… This is what you might find in the fridge of a fridgescaper. The idea is simple: you should be amazed when you open the door of your refrigerator, just as you are when you enter your living room.
The Origins of Fridgescaping
In reality, the idea of decorating your fridge isn’t new; it dates back to 2011. It was Kathy Perdue, an American design consultant, who suggested on her blog to arrange your food in pretty bowls and containers and to organize them nicely. The initiator of this trend is herself astonished on her Instagram account at the incredible phenomenon this simple idea has become 13 years later.
And there’s plenty to be surprised about, as this trend now racks up millions of views on TikTok, with fridgescapers competing in creativity to turn their fridge into a true art gallery. Lynzi Judish, a committed fridgescaper, takes the concept even further by decorating and redecorating her refrigerator according to a theme. After going viral with her fridgerton (a blend of “fridge” and “Bridgerton”), she returns with a Halloween-themed fridge, inspired by the release of the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Vases, glasses, bowls, carafes, and even a snow globe: Lynzi’s fridge takes on black, white, and green tones, plunging us straight into a Tim Burton film as we grab our basil. And the clever lady even turns it into a business. You can shop her fridge and try to become a pro at fridgescaping.
A Trend Already Controversial
While the concept of fridgescaping is fun, it is already highly controversial.
What are the Arguments Against Fridgescaping?
First, by overcrowding the fridge with trinkets of all kinds, we are driven to overconsume these trinkets, and this overloaded decor impacts the energy consumed by the fridge itself.
The other argument from critics is the health aspect. Indeed, decorative items like frames or flower pots placed in the refrigerator can introduce contaminants (dust, microbes, chemical residues), increasing the risks of foodborne illnesses without rigorous cleaning.
Additionally, replacing original packaging with decorative containers can be problematic.
Dairy products and meats should remain in their packaging to ensure their freshness and avoid consuming spoiled food. Raw meats, in particular, risk contaminating other foods, promoting the proliferation of dangerous bacteria like salmonella.
5 Tips and Tricks for Healthy Fridgescaping
- Always keep your refrigerator clean (clean it at least once a month), and give it a thorough cleaning before starting your fridgescaping.
- Always clean spills immediately. This prevents the growth of bacteria, prolongs the freshness of fruits, and helps avoid cross-contamination.
- Some decorative items are meant solely for decoration. If you buy an item labeled “decorative only,” do not place food in it.
- Do not block your fridge’s air vents.
- It’s better to keep meat and dairy products in their original packaging to ensure their safety and not lose track of their expiration dates.
Get to your fridges!
Cover photo @lynziliving
