The kitchen's cool zones are hot this holiday season. Whether your refrigeration appliances are built-in or freestanding, undercounter drawers or wine columns, now is the time to chill out and figure out a colder kitchen flow, says architect Michele Alfano, a National Kitchen and Bath Association-certified designer whose eponymous firm is based in Montebello, New York.

"If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the refrigerator is its heartbeat," she says. "Especially during the holidays, refrigerator space may be at a premium with parties and overnight guests."

As the refrigerator continues to evolve, both in form and function, what was once seen as a luxury appliance in the early 20th century is now a necessity in today's home. Even the placement of cold storage has shifted the kitchen's design, as the days of refrigerator/freezer appliances only being tethered to walls are over. "The refrigerated zones in the kitchen anchor its workflow," Alfano says. "Everything flows from the refrigerator and freezer to the sink or the stove."

Full-Size Fridge

There are many cool configurations available for the full-size refrigerator/freezer, says Brian Jones, Sub-Zero Group Inc. spokesperson, based in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1945, Sub-Zero is an American-based manufacturer of refrigeration, freezer and wine storage products.

"Family and friends can treat the main refrigerator as public domain, placing food inside, looking for ingredients or simply getting a glass of water from the door dispensary," Jones says. "The main refrigerator requires a lot of real estate in the kitchen, and the type you have can be based on your style and space available."

The main refrigerator can span from a slim apartment-size 18-inch-wide unit or be quadrupled to 72 inches wide. Configurations can include a refrigerator/freezer combination in a side-by-side fashion or French door-style with refrigerator on top and freezer on the bottom.

"When designing a kitchen, we always determine where the main refrigerator is going to live first," Alfano says. "That's because a kitchen that really cooks uses the refrigerator as a starting and ending point. Ingredients come out of the refrigerator to prepare a meal and any leftovers are returned to the refrigerator."

A refrigerator's face can either be a standout in a kitchen design, with a factory finish in a color or stainless steel, or blend in with custom panels that coordinate with the surrounding cabinetry. Alfano's design of a Hudson Valley, New York, home's kitchen lounge has a large refrigerator unit clad in blonde wood panels, disguised as a cabinet.

"There can be a blurring of lines between the kitchen and the living area," Alfano says. "With a space designed for entertaining, a large refrigerator clad in clean wood paneling doesn't detract from the overall design, and actually, figuratively, can help warm the space."

Undercounter Configurations

While homeowners may be opting for the largest full-size refrigerator the kitchen space allows, supplemental refrigeration can be tucked under the counter with refrigerator and freezer drawers on an island. Instead of having a second stand-alone refrigerator stowed in the garage or basement, undercounter configurations can be stocked for meal prep or a drink station.

In what can be called flexible refrigeration, the beauty of undercounter drawers and units is that the contents can be changed out quickly. "A refrigerator drawer used to stash fresh produce can be transformed into a beverage station for a party," Jones says. "We are even seeing the use of undercounter refrigerators placed in master bathrooms or anywhere in the home where convenient cold items are needed."

Wine Coolers

While undercounter refrigerators are an organized way to store bottled beverages and allow people to serve themselves, more homeowners are raising a glass to toast their personal wine refrigerators.

Space dedicated to wine storage in the home used to be considered a status symbol for the few. But today, with better climate-control technology, wine doesn't even have to be housed in a cellar to be stored properly. Ensuring non-fluctuating temperature control, keeping the humidity level between 60 and 70 percent, and shielding bottles from light are all components of a well-made wine refrigerator.

With wine refrigerators that can house up to nearly 150 bottles, Jones says entertaining with spirits has never been easier. "For the person who entertains, a 30-inch-wide, 86-bottle wine refrigerator -- with refrigerated and freezer drawers on the bottom -- becomes an adult beverage center," he says. "With a freezer drawer that makes ice, the refrigerator drawer can cool bottled beverages and drink garnishes."

Function Over Form

While it may be tempting to focus on the cool looks of the refrigerator, there's a lot that also happens behind its closed door. Shelving units should be easily adjustable to accommodate everything from cake to kale without compromising taste and food preservation, says Jones.

"A refrigerator should prolong food freshness and prevent waste by having the proper humidity, temperature control and air quality," he says. "Having an air purification system in a refrigerator keeps ethylene gas -- naturally secreted from fresh fruits and vegetables -- in check to prevent spoilage and potential mold."

Some refrigerators come Wi-Fi ready, with internal cameras and alarms that can be linked to a mobile device. "With Sub-Zero products, you can receive alerts to your phone if a refrigerator or freezer door is ajar," Jones says. "For that upcoming party, you can also remotely program the freezer to produce more ice."

Regards to Refrigeration

-- To find a certified kitchen professional, go to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's website, www.nkba.org, and click the "Find a Professional" box at the bottom of the page.

-- MicheleAlfanoDesign.com, service area includes Manhattan, Hudson Valley and Westchester County in New York and Northern New Jersey.

-- For more information on Sub-Zero Refrigeration, visit Subzero-Wolf.com and click "Explore Showrooms" or request a free brochure.

You don't have to own a home to make a home your own. Apartment living is a way of life for millennials and baby boomers alike, says Amy Groff, senior vice president of industry operations for the National Apartment Association in Arlington, Virginia. The NAA is an 80-year-old organization that represents more than 82,000 members, with 9.7 million rental housing units internationally.

"People in all stages of life are choosing to live in rental units because of their way of life," Groff says. "People want to live a lower-maintenance lifestyle that comes with renting."

According to second-quarter 2019 census data, the nationwide rental-unit vacancy rate is at 6.8%. While some urban areas may be implementing procedures to regulate short-term rental properties, the NAA projects a need for 4.6 million more rental units by 2030 to keep up with increased demand.

"Today's renters are craving amenities that create community through a shared lifestyle," Groff says. "Customer service should be a priority in rental communities, because an apartment is still a person's home."

Communication between renter and the property manager is key to creating room-and-board bliss, says Kimberly Ramsey, vice president of operations at Kettler, a property management company of 20,000 multifamily units, founded in 1977 and based in McLean, Virginia.

"In general, people are thinking differently about renting. Instead of considering renting an apartment as a temporary step on the road to home ownership, more people are choosing to rent," Ramsey says. "The 2008 recession really wasn't that long ago, and some are still apprehensive when it comes to home ownership."

Before signing any lease, whether short- or long-term, read the fine print. "Make sure pets are part of your lease agreement if you have them, because eventually, they will be discovered," Ramsey says. "In general, an apartment should be left in the same condition as the first day you moved into it."

The persons' space -- rented or not -- reflects who they are, and must fit their lifestyle. "Quality property management companies have an eye toward providing luxury amenities with finer finishes, landscaping and common spaces," Ramsey says. "Because today's workforce can be a lot more transient and not necessarily tied to a home base, apartment living can be right for people who may need to move frequently."

Moving should be seen as an opportunity to clear away clutter, keeping only items that mean something and also fit a personal sense of style. Even though persons pay rent, they can "own" a space by strategically placing their personality into it.

Light Treatment

Enliven a rented space by infusing it with light and color, Ramsey says.

"As property managers, we are constantly upgrading our apartments by watching trends and, in some places, creating an accent wall with a bold paint color," she says. "A renter can also paint walls -- making sure to return the walls to a neutral color when moving out -- or hanging dynamic artwork on a white wall to make a statement."

A bright tip to set the mood is to pay attention to light fixtures. Ramsey says good property managers have higher-end fixtures in apartments already, and renters can illuminate good design with decorative lamps and task lighting.

For the ultimate enlivened accessory, decorate a space with live plants, such as an orchid, low-maintenance succulent plants or a bouquet of cut flowers. Allow a sentimental item to be a show-stopping accessory in a room, and use a well-honed selection of books and meaningful photos to personalize a place.

Soft Touches

A layering effect can also begin on ground level with colorful or graphically dynamic rugs. "With popular plank flooring throughout an apartment's open floor plan, a rug can define a space," Ramsey says. "It can also be the basis for a design and absorb sound, which is important when living in an apartment."

Soft window treatments can add interest and privacy, as a renter mixes fabrics and different styles of coverings -- such as Roman shades or draperies -- with existing standard-issue blinds.

Investing in a neutral-colored, sleek sofa will impart a timeless appeal in your apartment, and the higher the quality of the sofa, the longer you will own it.

Colored and patterned pillows that complement the window coverings and rug can be easily swapped out no matter where you live, and can be the jewels that tie together an apartment's design.

Added Amenities

For many, renting a space to live can also mean a new lease on life. "The goal for apartment buildings should be to create a sense of community among its residents," Ramsey says. "When possible, augmenting apartment life with amenities that enhance the quality of life is great for everyone."

-- Storage space in an apartment can be minimal, but having a separate, secure storage space for seasonal or large items available to residents can free up living space.

-- Pet places, such as on-site doggie day care, are high-end solutions that tend to the furry, four-legged residents.

-- Common gathering places, such as conference rooms with Wi-Fi or comfy larger living room setups, are great places to office from home or watch the big game with other residents, respectively.

-- Fitness centers, such as a workout room or pool, can be a way to actively meet other residents or just relax and recharge yourself.

"There's a rational value to an apartment in that you know you're renting a two-bedroom, one-bath space, or whatever the particulars are," Ramsey says. "But there should also be an emotional value to where you live and a sense of community. It's important that you feel at home, no matter where you live."

Crib Tips

-- KETTLER.com is a company that manages about 20,000 apartments in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States.

-- National Apartment Association (NAA) is America's leading advocate for quality rental housing. Go to: NAAHQ.org.

Little houses pack a big design punch. The trend toward small stick-frame homes can yield great rewards, says John Kernohan, founder and chairperson of the United Tiny House Association, based near Eatonton, Georgia. Started in 2015, the Association touts 34,000 international members affiliated with the tiny house movement.

"Our Association helps recognize tiny houses as viable structures and as an option for affordable homes," he says. "We define a 'tiny house' as any home that is 400 square-feet and under, whether it's on wheels or not."

One of the original obstacles in the tiny house movement was finding a place to build one, since many zoning regulations specified a higher minimum square footage for new home construction on a foundation. To circumnavigate this regulation, some tiny houses are built on trailers with wheels, and, like a recreational vehicle, can be moved easily.

When considering whether to make a big move into a tiny house, it's important to check local codes within a municipality and/or homeowner's association for allowances. Before planning to permanently park a tiny home built on a trailer on an approved property, it's important that the trailer rests on a relatively level and dry spot, and that -- for most homes -- there is access to electrical, water and septic hookups.

In 2014, the first "tiny house-friendly town" was declared in Spur, Texas, with subdivisions dedicated to tiny homes built on a foundation. Kernohan and his wife, Fin, have been living in their off-grid 304 square-foot tiny house, known as Beloved Cabin, since 2011. They homestead in the woods of Putnam County, Georgia, and have embraced solar energy, rainwater collection, raising chickens and growing their own food.

"Since the housing market crash in 2008, we see more people trading stuff for experiences and living a minimalistic lifestyle," Kernohan says. "These tiny houses are in direct contrast to the McMansion."

In a tiny home, a smaller space should still be big in style and substance, says Dan Louche, owner of Tiny Home Builders in Atlanta since 2009. "There is no space that's wasted in a tiny home," he says. "Choosing to live in a tiny home doesn't need to be a permanent lifestyle choice, either."

Based on Louche's experience, a majority of those investing in tiny home living are doing so based on financial considerations. While others are choosing to live in tiny homes for a simpler and greener lifestyle, the financial advantages to owning a tiny home are huge.

"Our most popular home -- measuring 24 feet long by 8 feet wide -- costs $65,000 for us to build on a trailer," Louche says. "This home can accommodate a couch, washer and dryer and a king mattress in the loft."

Tiny Home Builders also sells detailed home plans for littler living quarters, should a homeowner want to build on an approved location with a foundation. Louche says if homeowners want to build a tiny home themselves, they may be able to save up to 30 percent off the company's constructed homes.

Before making the move to littler living quarters, consider the bigger implications of a simpler lifestyle:

Declutter Before Downsizing

One of the tenets of tiny home living is to clear away things you don't use, because there simply isn't space to store unnecessary items. So before making a move from a large family house to a tiny home, it's important to clear away the clutter.

"Giving items away to others who will treasure them, or just getting rid of things you no longer need, is a great way to cut down on housekeeping, too," Louche says. "With less stuff to maintain, people find they have more time to pursue other things they find interesting."

Clean Design

If homeowners are investing in tiny houses, they want to utilize every square inch of space in it.

"When I break down the most important places in a house, one needs to have a bathroom, a place to cook, a place to sit comfortably and a place to sleep," Louche says. "A tiny house layout can be any number of configurations with a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, common sitting area, and, most often, a loft that houses a mattress."

Louche also says it's important to establish if your tiny home is going to be on- or off-grid for power; decide whether to use sewer hookups or house a composting toilet; and determine a water supply source before construction begins. "While the allocation of space in a tiny home is important," he says, "it's the inner-workings of a house that truly make it a functional home."

Bringing the Outside Indoors

Creating a tiny home environment that encourages outdoor living also increases a house's livable space, Kernohan says. "Our tiny home has a large overhang, so we can sit a spell on the porch," he says. "While we're comfortable inside, gatherings can just spill outside into the yard with our chickens."

Design Driven

-- United Tiny House Association: To attend a Tiny Living Festival in the United States, go to: UnitedTinyHouse.com.

-- Tiny Home Builders: To attend a tiny house-building workshop or to view layout designs, go to: TinyHomeBuilders.com.