The kitchen cognoscenti have spoken: The fridge needs a diet.

In response to what appears to be growing frustration — at least on the part of luxury kitchen designers — with those monoliths that dominate the food-prep area, two new lines of slim food-cooling columns offer the option of "keeping fresh foods by the chopping block and the frozen stuff over by the microwave," says Chuck Bryant of Thermador.

Freedom fridges are available in widths as narrow as 18 inches and cost $2,899 to $6,999.

They echo a longstanding product line from Northland, which runs $3,600 to $7,700. Manufacturers say these high-end units provide not only a more efficient use of space, but also offer front-panel customization that allows the appliance to disappear into neighboring cabinetry.

"This is a long time coming," says Diane Ritchey, editor of Home Appliance magazine. "Consumers are already flooded with options for everything from their washers and dryers to their stovetops and ovens, so why not refrigeration? Now homeowners can truly make the most of the layout in every room of their house."