A NEW home decor trend is not all gilded frames and floral bouquets.
The “fridgescaping” movement that has taken over social media may be aesthetically pleasing, but it could also make you sick if you’re not careful.
Allen Civlak, a kitchen expert at Mary’s Kitchen Flour Sack Towels, weighed in on the trend that has people decorating the inside of their refrigerators.
“Fridgescaping is essentially like landscaping, but for your refrigerator,” he explained.
“Instead of beautifying a yard, people are transforming the inside of their fridges into Instagram-worthy displays.
“We’re seeing carefully curated shelves lined with fresh flowers, vintage containers, matching Tupperware, and other decorative items that aren’t typically associated with food storage.”
Lynzi Judish (@lynziliving) went viral on TikTok after she decorated the inside of her fridge with pieces inspired by the Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
She stocked the shelves with gold framed 19th-century-style portraits, delicate china pieces, and lots of fresh-picked flowers, playfully dubbing it “Fridgerton.”
However, Civlak warned that there is a right and a wrong way to style your refrigerator when it comes to the viral trend.
“While these arrangements can be visually stunning, they come with risks that shouldn’t be overlooked,” he said.
Fridgescaping may seem like harmless fun, but it could lead to potential food safety issues, according to Civlak.
“The biggest concern with fridgescaping is how it can compromise food safety,” he explained.
“Refrigerators are designed to keep food at safe temperatures, usually between 34°F and 39°F.
“When you introduce non-food items like flowers or antique vases, they can obstruct air circulation, leading to uneven cooling.
“This can result in parts of the fridge becoming too warm, creating an environment where harmful bacteria can grow and cause foodborne illnesses.”
That eye-catching décor could be messing with the quality of refrigerated food.
“Another major risk is cross-contamination,” he said.
“Placing non-food items close to perishable foods is risky — fresh flowers, for instance, can carry bacteria, pesticides, or other contaminants that might transfer to nearby foods.
“This is particularly concerning for items like fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-eat foods that might not be cooked before consumption.”
Civlak also emphasized the risk of injury due to fridgescaping.
“Many of the decorative items used in fridgescaping, like antique vases or glass containers, are fragile,” he said.
“If one of these items breaks, you not only risk injury from sharp shards but also the contamination of food in your fridge, making it unsafe to eat.”
Civlak recommended prioritizing food safety above all else.
“Always store raw and perishable foods in sealed containers to prevent cross-contamination,” he said.
“Place items like meat, poultry, and seafood on the bottom shelf to avoid any drips onto other foods. And keep fruits and vegetables in designated crisper drawers where humidity levels can be controlled.”
