Freezers

If you've got the space, the kitchen is the most obvious location for your freezer. An upright frost-free model opens like a basic refrigerator, making it easy to access, and it will include a variety of shelves and drawers for multiple storage options. If this upright freezer is your only frozen food storage option (read: there's no refrigerator freezer combo in your life), placing the freezer in your kitchen is an especially wise idea. You'll save time going back and forth to retrieve food. If style is a concern, you can opt for a built-in freezer that's designed to blend into your cabinets. Or, look for a freezer that's made to be a companion to your fridge for a seamlessly designed kitchen. One thing to note: avoid installing your freezer right next to your oven. The heat the oven gives off may spoil the food inside.

When functionality is your number one priority, consider placing a freezer in your utility room or laundry room. These areas have a lower pattern of foot traffic than the rest of the house, giving you the option to install a chest freezer with a high capacity. For ultimate storage optimization, a chest freezer opens from the top and usually holds more food per square foot than an upright freezer. They're cheaper in price, but they take up more space, making them a perfect fit for an out-of-the-way utility room. Even better, manual defrost chest freezers are more energy efficient than other types and their doors have a tighter seal. Look for a model with lift-out drawers and sliding shelves to optimize organization.

If backyard barbecues and casual cookouts are your entertaining style, storing a freezer in your outdoor shed will make hosting a much easier gig. Keep it fully stocked and frigid with frozen meat, ready to thaw and grill for the next party and have bags of ice ready to for your bar or beverage station.You might also opt for a deep freezer to store several months' worth of food, especially if you often hunt for your own meat. A well-organized deep freezer can store large quantities of food for extended periods of time without using a ton of energy. There are two things to consider with a freezer in an outdoor shed: sunlight and temperature. Try to place the freezer in an area of the shed that doesn't get much (if any) sunlight. If you live in an area that gets very warm during hot summer days, an outdoor shed might unintentionally provide a greenhouse effect and spoil your stored food.

If a noisy, running freezer is a concern, storing this large appliance in the basement is a way to ensure you've got peace, quiet, and extra storage space. Basements are also often dark and cool, allowing your upright freezer to run efficiently and maintain your food. If your basement is carpeted, be aware that you risk staining the run. With a manual defrost freezer, it might be tricky to defrost your appliance without ruining the carpet. If style isn't a concern, you can think about elevating the chest freezer on a couple of two-by-fours and sliding a tarp underneath.

Many homeowners choose to place their extra upright freezer in their garage, and for good reason: garages offer plenty of room for either an upright or chest model, plus freezers tend to run more efficiently in cool, unheated areas like garages. Of course, check your product specifications to understand at what temperature your freezer best operates. Another advantage of having an extra freezer in your garage (and out of the way) is that style is less of a concern than if it were on display in the kitchen. No need to worry about a stainless steel freezer that perfectly matches your fridge; go for an inexpensive white model, or focus on functionality and features rather than aesthetic design.

When you need to escape from the outside world for awhile and sit in your man cave, make sure to take a portable freezer with you. Use the freezer to stash a few frozen pizzas or burritos that you can heat up in the microwave. A compact freezer lets you make the most out of your man cave without emerging for snacks (and potentially getting asked to clean out the gutters). Add an ice maker to really round out your home bar.

The classic place for a mini freezer! When your child is starting college, chances are he isn't quite a culinary expert. He'll be relying on the campus cafeteria for most of his meals, but on the evenings when an all-nighter is on the horizon, a portable freezer will give him the option to microwave a frozen meal and keep hitting the books. Since dorm rooms are so compact, a mini version of a freezer is ideal for saving precious space. Some models might fit under a lofted bed, offering a dark place for the compact appliance to stay cool.