10 Ingenious Spots to Place the Washing Machine
Discover places you wouldn't have thought of to place these cumbersome gadgets
Washing machines are a big boon and a bit of a bane at the same time. Much as they are a necessity, they aren’t exactly pleasing to the eye. In small living quarters, one is not only hard pressed to position these bulky appliances strategically, but do so in an aesthetic manner. Here are 10 solutions for both problems – whether in the bathroom or the hallway, all you need to foresee are the electrical and plumbing requirements.
You can even do away with shutters – just ensure the machines sit flush against the edge of the countertop, or even a couple of inches inwards, so your knees don’t knock against them.
Tip: A standard washing machine is often deeper than standard cabinetry. Keep this in mind if you are buying a flat-pack vanity and you want to hide your appliances behind a hinged door.
See how to fit a laundry room in an 85-square-foot bathroom
Tip: A standard washing machine is often deeper than standard cabinetry. Keep this in mind if you are buying a flat-pack vanity and you want to hide your appliances behind a hinged door.
See how to fit a laundry room in an 85-square-foot bathroom
2. In the shower stall
In case you own both a washer and dryer, steal some space from the shower cubicle by creating a partition (waterproof) to stack the machines. Maximise storage by adding a cupboard on top to keep laundry supplies at hand.
Tip: In a set-up such as this, you could camouflage the appliances with the same shower curtain by re-positioning the curtain rod.
In case you own both a washer and dryer, steal some space from the shower cubicle by creating a partition (waterproof) to stack the machines. Maximise storage by adding a cupboard on top to keep laundry supplies at hand.
Tip: In a set-up such as this, you could camouflage the appliances with the same shower curtain by re-positioning the curtain rod.
3. Under the kitchen counter
An excellent option for residents of apartments with small bathrooms. You can pick either a built-in or a freestanding appliance; either way, get your laundry going while the coffee’s brewing. If leaving the machine uncovered, pick one that blends in with the surroundings.
An excellent option for residents of apartments with small bathrooms. You can pick either a built-in or a freestanding appliance; either way, get your laundry going while the coffee’s brewing. If leaving the machine uncovered, pick one that blends in with the surroundings.
4. In the pantry
It’s best to go vertical if you own both appliances. Carve a little space in the pantry to accommodate them. In this tiny area, neither a swing door nor sliding doors would have been feasible; instead, a hinged folding panel fits into the space between the machines and the refrigerator cabinet and slides out to fold over the gadgets when not in use, creating a seamless façade.
It’s best to go vertical if you own both appliances. Carve a little space in the pantry to accommodate them. In this tiny area, neither a swing door nor sliding doors would have been feasible; instead, a hinged folding panel fits into the space between the machines and the refrigerator cabinet and slides out to fold over the gadgets when not in use, creating a seamless façade.
5. Under an island
This owner uses the island bench as an eat-in area in the kitchen, plus house a washing machine and a dryer that are shut away behind closed doors. Being able to close doors on the functional areas keeps the small flat feeling uncluttered and neat.
This owner uses the island bench as an eat-in area in the kitchen, plus house a washing machine and a dryer that are shut away behind closed doors. Being able to close doors on the functional areas keeps the small flat feeling uncluttered and neat.
6. On the landing
If you’re one of those folks who prefer the laundry on the same floor as the bedrooms, a landing laundry closet could work well for you. In this photo, a stacked washer and dryer unit is built into a long closet with sliding doors, at the top of the stairs. Each panel is scribed to look like three individual doors, as a continuation of the bedroom wardrobe design.
If you’re one of those folks who prefer the laundry on the same floor as the bedrooms, a landing laundry closet could work well for you. In this photo, a stacked washer and dryer unit is built into a long closet with sliding doors, at the top of the stairs. Each panel is scribed to look like three individual doors, as a continuation of the bedroom wardrobe design.
An alternative to sliding panels are bi-fold doors on the landing, which take up less space and make it easier to walk by, than regular swing doors. Plus, the louvred doors provide the required ventilation that the machines need.
7. Under the staircase
Building appliances into the wall is a great way to subtly incorporate a washing machine and dryer into an unused space, especially if you don’t have a whole room dedicated to laundry. The white built-out wall makes the appliances almost disappear. It’s also a great spot for the house cat!
Building appliances into the wall is a great way to subtly incorporate a washing machine and dryer into an unused space, especially if you don’t have a whole room dedicated to laundry. The white built-out wall makes the appliances almost disappear. It’s also a great spot for the house cat!
8. In a wardrobe
Closets are inherently tall and narrow, so remove the standard rod and shelves and you’ve got an ideal spot for stacked units. Here, though, a washing machine and drying cabinet (that’s behind the closed door) have been incorporated into the closet side by side. Mesh doors serve to ventilate both, the appliances as well as the shoes.
Closets are inherently tall and narrow, so remove the standard rod and shelves and you’ve got an ideal spot for stacked units. Here, though, a washing machine and drying cabinet (that’s behind the closed door) have been incorporated into the closet side by side. Mesh doors serve to ventilate both, the appliances as well as the shoes.
9. In the hallway
Many city apartments come with long hallways (at least mine does!) – something that I’ve always considered a huge waste of space. It’s not a place one would normally consider for the washing machine, but then again, why ever not? The long corridor is perfect for barn style doors which slide away from the wall to cover the washer and dryer.
Tip: Freestanding washing machines are the most flexible; able to be positioned anywhere, providing they can be connected to a drain and a plug socket, they are easy to remove and replace.
Many city apartments come with long hallways (at least mine does!) – something that I’ve always considered a huge waste of space. It’s not a place one would normally consider for the washing machine, but then again, why ever not? The long corridor is perfect for barn style doors which slide away from the wall to cover the washer and dryer.
Tip: Freestanding washing machines are the most flexible; able to be positioned anywhere, providing they can be connected to a drain and a plug socket, they are easy to remove and replace.
10. Inside a cupboard - anywhere
It’s easy to design a utility cupboard, even in a small property. A part book shelf in the dining area, or…
It’s easy to design a utility cupboard, even in a small property. A part book shelf in the dining area, or…
…a cupboard in a tiny nook can be turned into laundry cabinets. Here, mesh doors open and slide back into the surrounding cabinetry, so they are completely out of the way when you are using the machines.
Read more:
10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz
Tricks to Hiding Drying Laundry
Tell us:
Where have you placed your washing machine?
Read more:
10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz
Tricks to Hiding Drying Laundry
Tell us:
Where have you placed your washing machine?
The bathroom is the obvious choice for the washing machine – the plumbing and electrical points are already in place. If you have only the washer, put it under the washbasin counter on one side – this way you still have place for drawers. The single swing door, whose front matches the drawers on the left, covers it when not in use, and opens up against the wall, so it does not encroach upon space.