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You can convert old fridges to fermentation chambers using a small electric heater and an STC-1000 controller, it kicks the compressor (for cooling) or heater on to maintain perfect temp.
However I just wrap my fermenting vessel in a double quilt, keeps it just right for me
As Marc says lager is normally brewed at a lower temp, however alot of lager kits come with ale yeast not lager yeast so can be brewed in the 18 - 21C range. If you buy Coopers "European" or "Pilsner" lager kits they do come with a true lager yeast so will need the lower temps, these give a cleaner more crisp taste. Proper lager yeast prefers a 5 - 8C range (strain dependant)
The main thing with home brewing kits is patience, you can pretty much tear up the times they give on the packs, it will never be ready to drink in 7 days! Mine get left for 2 months before trying!
Leave it in the fermenter for 14 days to ferment out, then place some where cool for a couple of days to help clear the beer (don't bother with finnings you don't need them). Once cooled you can bottle or barrel the beer, not forgetting to add the extra sugar to allow the beer to carbonate. (unless you are going to force carbonate it with CO2 in a sankey or cornie keg).
Once bottled / barrelled and the sugar is added, seal them up and place them somewhere warm (I go for about 18C again, for two weeks, this lets the yeast ferment the extra sugar out creating CO2 under pressure and carbonates the beer, then give it a minimum of two weeks in the cold. This will allow the beer to clear, the yeast will fall to the bottom of the bottle and compact out. The longer you can leave it the better really.
I always bottle as its easier to take to mates and can have a varied selection in the fridge
When using bottles you can buy new glass bottles or recycle glass ones (brown is best as it prevents the beer from "Skunking", as UV light affects the hops in the beer and makes a horrible taint to the brew) (the beer you buy in clear bottles has the hop oils isomerized to prevent this), or you can buy PET bottles on the internet. you can use old fizzy pop bottles at a push, but they can allow some CO2 to pass through, where as the Coopers PET bottles have a barrier layer to prevent this.
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