Separate freezer compartments: The growing popularity of frozen foods in the 1940s spurred the addition of freezer compartments that could fit more than ice cube trays.
Water dispensers: Water dispensers began appearing in the 1980s, although a water dispenser was included on a custom model in 1969.
New configurations and colors: Amana brand introduced the first bottom-freezer model in 1947 and the first side-by-side refrigerator in 1949. These configurations, along with new color options in the 1950s and ’60s, offered consumers a variety of styles as refrigerators began to be seen as design pieces as well as necessary appliances. In the 1990s, French door refrigerators and stainless steel finishes became popular among homeowners looking for a more modern kitchen look.
Energy efficiency: Advances in insulation and compressor technology helped refrigerators become more efficient, and the ENERGY STAR rating system started labeling qualified refrigerators in 1996.