Swap your fridge-freezer door hinges to the other side so it opens the way that suits your kitchen.
FD-01Empty and unplug the fridgeTake everything out of the fridge and freezer compartments. Unplug the appliance from the socket and let it stand for 30 minutes so any water in the door trays can drain. Lay an old towel or dust sheet on the floor to catch drips and protect it while you work.
FD-02Check the door can actually be reversedNot every fridge-freezer has a reversible door. Check the instruction manual, or look for hinge fittings and blanking plugs on both sides of the cabinet and door. If you can't find them, or the manual says the door isn't reversible, stop here - forcing it can damage the seal or hinges.
FD-03Remove the top hinge and lift the door offUnscrew the top hinge cover, then the hinge pin itself, using a screwdriver that matches the screw heads (usually Phillips or flathead). Lift the door straight upwards and off the bottom hinge pin, then lay it flat on a soft surface such as a towel. Keep all screws and small parts together in a labelled tub.
FD-04Remove the bottom hinge and feetUnscrew the bottom hinge from its current side of the cabinet. If there are adjustable feet or a levelling leg nearby, loosen or remove these too, as they'll need to move across. Keep any shims or spacers with the rest of the parts - they're often reused on the new side.
FD-05Move the blanking plugs and door stopPop out the plastic caps hiding the unused screw holes on the opposite side of the cabinet and door, using a flat screwdriver to lever them gently. Push these caps into the holes you've just uncovered on the original side. Check the top of the door for a stop or pin that also needs swapping across.
FD-06Fit the bottom hinge on the new sideScrew the bottom hinge into the holes on the opposite side of the cabinet, which were hidden by blanking plugs until now. Refit any feet or levelling legs you removed earlier. Tighten screws firmly, but don't overtighten plastic fittings or you risk cracking them.
FD-07Refit the door and top hingeLower the door onto the bottom hinge pin, checking it sits square and swings freely before letting go. Fit the top hinge into its new position, screw it down, then clip the cover back on. Open and close the door a few times to check nothing catches or rubs.
FD-08Check the seal and adjust if neededClose the door and run your hand around the rubber seal - it should touch the cabinet evenly all the way round with no gaps. If there's a gap anywhere, loosen the hinge screws slightly, reposition the door, then tighten again and recheck. A poor seal makes the fridge run warmer and use more electricity.
FD-09Reconnect and tidy upWipe down the door and cabinet, then push the fridge back into place, making sure no cables or pipes are trapped underneath. Plug it back in and leave it running for a couple of hours before you put food back in, so it has time to reach temperature. Recycle or bin any leftover packaging and offcuts.
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