A tambour door on a refrigerator is a type of door design where the door is made up of horizontal slats or panels that are connected by flexible hinges. The word "tambour" comes from the French term for "drum," which refers to the rolling or sliding motion of the door similar to how a tambourine is played.
In a refrigerator with a tambour door, when you open the door, the slats or panels roll up and disappear into the top of the refrigerator's cabinet. This design is different from the traditional swing door found on most refrigerators, where the door opens outward.
Tambour doors are often used in smaller or compact refrigerators, such as those found in hotel rooms or office spaces, where a full swing door might be impractical due to space limitations. The tambour design allows for easy access to the contents of the refrigerator without requiring extra space for the door's arc.
Additionally, tambour doors can add a sleek and modern aesthetic to the refrigerator's design. They are commonly seen in various appliances and furniture items, providing a space-saving solution while maintaining functionality and visual appeal.