Godrej Enterprises Group is revisiting a legacy it helped create, but with a distinctly contemporary lens. The company, which introduced India’s first refrigerator decades ago, is now repositioning the appliance as a design-led, lifestyle object, reflecting how refrigerators are increasingly expected to blend into modern homes rather than sit apart as purely functional hardware.
This shift comes at a time when kitchen spaces are becoming more open, integrated and visually intentional. As Indian homes move towards modular layouts and living-dining-kitchen zones overlap, appliance design is no longer an afterthought. Refrigerators, in particular, are being judged as much on how they look and feel as on cooling performance or energy efficiency.
Why Refrigerator Design Is Becoming Central to the Buying Conversation
Godrej’s newly introduced Eon Inspire and Edge Impress refrigerator range is built around this evolving expectation. The company says the intent was not to redesign cooling technology in isolation, but to rethink how a refrigerator visually and interactively exists within a modern household.
“Consumers today want appliances that are intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, and seamlessly blend into their homes,” said Anup Bhargava, Product Group Head – Refrigerators at Godrej Appliances. “With this range, our focus was on simplifying the user experience while introducing a design language that feels contemporary and display-worthy, rather than purely functional.”
The most noticeable shift is in form. Instead of conventional straight-lined doors, the new refrigerators feature fluid curved designs paired with nature-inspired patterns and muted colour palettes. Godrej positions this as a move away from the traditional ‘white box’ approach towards refrigerators that visually complement furniture, cabinetry and wall finishes.
Subtle Technology, Not Loud Features
Design is not limited to surface treatment. One of the more notable additions is what Godrej claims is India’s first direct-cool refrigerator with a touch control panel integrated into the handle. The placement allows users to change settings without opening the door, while also keeping the front surface clean and uncluttered.
“The refrigerator is no longer hidden away in a corner,” said Kamal Pandit, Head of Design at Godrej Appliances. “It is often one of the most visible elements in a modern kitchen. Our design approach focused on creating a seamless, minimal aesthetic where technology is present, but not visually intrusive.”
The touch panel is water-resistant and designed for everyday use, offering temperature control and mode selection without disrupting the appliance’s visual flow. According to the company, this integration was driven as much by design continuity as by functional convenience.
The new range spans capacities from 194 litres to 330 litres, aimed at both nuclear families and larger households. Pricing starts at around ₹29,000 and goes up to ₹56,000, positioning the lineup in the mass-premium segment where visual design and user experience are increasingly influencing purchase decisions.
From an industry standpoint, the launch reflects a broader shift across large appliances. As performance parity improves and energy efficiency becomes table stakes, design, materials and interaction are emerging as the next differentiators. Godrej’s emphasis on design signals how Indian appliance brands are recalibrating for a more design-aware consumer.
The Eon Inspire and Edge Impress refrigerators will be available across major online platforms and offline retail stores nationwide.
