Buying a refrigerator is a big deal. Right? 

This guide lays out the usual mistakes people tend to make when buying a fridge.

Buying the wrong style appliance could mean bad news.

Here are the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a refrigerator.

One is choosing the wrong style and finish for your home's decor.

Today's refrigerators have lots of unique options, features, and styles.

Are there compartments for cold cuts, cheese, dairy? Sometimes a refrigerator will lack dedicated compartments for meats, cold cuts, dairy, or cheese.

If you need a lot of room to store frozen items this style of refrigerator isn't ideal.

While it isn't everyday you shop for a large appliance, a little planning ahead of time goes a long way.

Not surprisingly, there are many pitfalls to avoid. If you make the wrong decision, you'll have to live with it for years, maybe even a decade or more.

The most important thing is to make sure the new appliance will squeeze into the same spot as your current refrigerator.

While bottom freezer models provide easier access to fresh items, frozen food will be tougher to reach. Something to consider. 

Some fridge types generally cost less but won't offer many fancy features. With cheaper fridges, watch out because you might get stuck with a bloated bill, no frills at all, or something that won't fit where you want it.

We think the most important thing when buying a fridge is to decide how much storage space you need and how much space you have for the fridge. If you can spend a little more to reduce power consumption, consider this also.