It is impossible to imagine modern life without useful technology. Therefore, a washing machine in the bathroom is simply irreplaceable. It ensures correct cleaning of personal belongings, bed linen, and home textiles. But in rooms with a small area it is not easy to successfully fit large models. In old nine-story buildings and private houses with poor layouts, you need to carefully consider the available options for placing equipment. You can use the free space in the corners, place it between installed furniture and plumbing fixtures. If possible, it is recommended to redo the layout of the room to highlight a central free zone, a passage along the wall adjacent to the doorway. Using simple recommendations will allow you to practically arrange your home. They will help create maximum comfort in using even tiny rooms.
Nuances of installing a washing machine
Placing large household appliances in the bathroom without taking into account some nuances will not create a comfortable environment in the room.
- A washing machine installed on a floor covered with smooth tiles will not stand stable. When it vibrates, it will move from place.
- It will be necessary to extend the standard drain hose if the distance from the machine to the drain point is more than 1.5 m. It should not consist of pieces. Otherwise there may be a leak.
- The distance from the washing machine to the power point should not exceed 1.5 m. The factory power cord for any model is sufficient for this distance. Using an extension cord in a room with high humidity is dangerous.
- The manufacturer is advised to place the machine at a distance of 10 cm from the wall.
Tips for creating a bathroom project with a washing machine
The height of the “washing machine + sink” structure should usually not exceed 90 cm, this should be taken into account when purchasing a washing unit, and the power should preferably be no more than 5-6 kg.
Good ventilation is a necessity, because another source of moisture and sanitary odors requires additional ventilation. If the machine is installed in a closed cabinet, leave the hatch and cabinet door open after washing.
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Location of the washing machine in the bathroom
In the modest space of the bathroom you can place both furniture and large household appliances. It is important to think in advance about the layout of the room and the design of the bathroom with a washing machine. If this is not done, the space will be used inefficiently.
There are many options for placing a washing machine in the bathroom, but there are descriptions and photos of basic proposals. Near the washbasin, when the washing machine and washstand are combined into an ensemble by one countertop.
- This is the most popular interior design option.
Tip: A large mirror above the tabletop will help to visually increase the space of the room.
The design of the bathroom countertop for the washing machine is attached to the wall. The unit itself is convenient to service in case of breakdown if it is open on both sides.
Installation of a washing machine and washbasin at different levels is allowed if they are united by a massive countertop. It is important that the height of the washbasin bowl is comfortable.
Which sink is suitable and what to pay attention to
In addition to the appropriate machine model, you will need to choose the right sink. One of the most popular models is the “Water Lily” sink. It is a small structure with a rectangular, semicircular, square or corner shape, which is intended for rooms with limited free space.
This type of plumbing may have an offset drain and a countertop under the sink. The dimensions of the sink are selected taking into account the specifics of the room. If the bathroom is spacious enough, the use of large structures with good depth is allowed.
Depending on the type of water drainage, the following varieties of “Water Lilies” are distinguished:
- with side shower;
- with vertical drain;
- with horizontal drain.
The latest models are in demand when combining a sink with a washing machine, but they have the following disadvantages:
- with horizontal drainage, the likelihood of pipe clogging becomes high;
- the speed of water passage is reduced;
- choosing a siphon can take a lot of time, because... choosing the optimal design can be difficult.
Classic products with a vertical drain type are more convenient, but they are not suitable for installation above a washing machine, because... Leaked liquid may end up on electrical wiring and cause a short circuit.
Water lily sinks rarely come with a faucet hole. You have to arrange it yourself.
Sink above the washing machine
By design, a regular washbasin and a round sink bowl have a standard siphon, which does not allow the unit to be installed underneath them.
- To create a tandem sink above the washing machine in the bathroom, manufacturers produce a flat model of washbasin with a siphon offset to the wall.
- For ease of maintenance, it is also placed along the flat bowl.
- On sale there is a “sink + washing machine” set in the same style.
The washing machine is connected to the sewer through a siphon. The sink is fixed in place after the unit is completely installed.
If the machine does not fit under the sink
Ergonomics is one of the important conditions in “small-sized”, which allows you to effectively use square meters (and sometimes centimeters).
When purchasing a compact model of a washing machine, it is important to evaluate the ratio of external dimensions and drum loading. Modern models are capable of serving up to 6 kg of laundry in compact sizes without compromising the quality of washing.
If the sink and machine are purchased separately, then the first one must have a horizontal drain. The sink should be mounted on brackets, without using the machine as a support.
It is advisable that the appliance goes 5-7 cm deeper under the sink in order to protect the appliance from splashes.
It is worth installing the machine in this way only in extreme cases, when there are no other options. Due to its design features, a sink with a horizontal drain is prone to frequent clogging. There is a high probability of moisture getting on the body of the equipment and inside it.
In order to place a washing machine under the sink, you need: that the machine has front loading; was no more than 70 cm deep; It is possible to choose a “set”, sink + washing machine, these are already on sale.
If space allows, it is much more rational to place the “washing machine” under the same countertop as the sink, that is, not under the sink itself, but on the side. In this case, a place for washing and a storage compartment are ergonomically equipped under the sink, in the form of a built-in cabinet.
In a niche
According to the project, in the bathrooms of the apartments there are niches where sewerage pipes and hot and cold water supply run.
- Most often, the owners sew them into boxes. Small niches remain.
- This space is enough to install a washing machine there.
- You can construct a shelf on top and hang a water heater.
This way every centimeter of this space is used. There are a lot of options for using niches.
Advantages and disadvantages
It is worth noting that placement in the bathroom has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages include
Easy to install. Here it is much easier to do this, since all the necessary communications are located very close. This will reduce the cost of additional equipment that might be required when installing in a pantry or kitchen.
We recommend reading:
Design of a small bathroom without a toilet with a washing machineBathroom design with shower and bath: interior ideas
- Bathroom design in Khrushchev: photos of interiors after renovation, beautiful ideas for a small bathroom
Convenience. Typically, laundry awaiting washing, as well as washing powder and softener, are stored in the bathroom. When placing the machine in the kitchen, you will need to constantly bring and take away everything you need, which will take up extra time.
And storing powder in the kitchen near food is not very correct. When pouring powder into the compartment, tiny particles of powder will spread throughout the room and get into the food. This is unlikely to improve your health.
Besides, no one wants to collect dirty laundry in the room where food is prepared and eaten.
Silence. A closed bathroom door will prevent noise from a running machine from spreading throughout the apartment, so washing will not distract your household from relaxing or watching an interesting program.
Disadvantages include
High humidity. This problem will occur if the bathroom has a poorly equipped ventilation system and is rarely ventilated.
Under such conditions, metal parts will quickly deteriorate due to corrosion.
Lack of free space. Since the dimensions of the washing machine are quite large, it will be difficult to place it in a small bathroom so that it does not interfere with free movement.
Poor choice. It is worth remembering that usually the door to the bathroom is somewhat narrower than to other rooms. This significantly reduces the number of models you can install in your bathroom.
In the closet
In the combined bathroom, a tall cabinet is installed along the wall. A machine is mounted in its lower part, and the upper part is given for storage.
- The dimensions of the cabinet depend on the size of the room and your own wishes.
- The bottom shelf can be raised above the floor, and the machine will be raised.
- A simple version of a cabinet for a washing machine is a pencil case with curtains.
- You can make such a cabinet yourself to suit your dimensions. Instead of a door, soft or thick roller blinds are hung.
The higher the pencil case, the more shelves you can use to store things and hygiene products.
Near the cabin
Replacing a bathtub with a shower can increase the area of the room. The unit is installed in the space that appears next to the booth.
A vertical loading machine will save the day if there is very little space. With a width of 40 cm, it fits between the wall and the plumbing.
Choosing a top-loading washing machine
If you don’t care what load your equipment will have, but the room is small, buy a load from above. A big plus is the medium size, which can be placed in niches or in different places in the room.
Top-loading models have a fairly narrow body, which allows them to be placed in very limited spaces
On board the bath
Residents of rented apartments cannot afford bathroom renovations. Therefore, in a tiny room, the option of using the “Malyutka” machine is considered as a way out. There are also similar units - “Fairy” and “Otrada”.
This washing machine is installed on the side of the bathtub. A special polymer platform is needed.
What to do if the sink doesn't fit
It happens that the sink planned according to schemes and projects is not suitable for the selected model of equipment, despite all the tricks and distribution of space.
In this case, experts recommend considering the following options.
- One-piece tabletop. You can choose a bowl that is integral with the countertop, if the bathroom space allows it.
- Separate tabletop. You can purchase a countertop specifically for the purchased plumbing fixtures. In this case, you will need to cut out a place to install the bowl.
- Ready kit. There are specially designed and sold together sets of a sink and a compact washing machine.
- A cabinet that combines machine and sink space with a finished countertop.
How to find a place for a washing machine in a small bathroom
For the housewife, an automatic machine saves time, energy, and reduces water consumption.
It is not surprising that various possible options are being considered to add square centimeters of area:
- Installing a short bowl instead of a standard bath frees up 40 cm.
- Work space is saved if the bath is replaced with a shower.
- The washing machine in the niche makes the designed “dead” zone work.
- The “washing machine under the sink” set not only saves space, but will also decorate the interior in a high-tech style.
- Equipment built into furniture fits into any style.
In a super tiny room, the washing machine is installed in place of the dismantled sink. You can wash your face under the bathtub mixer.
In the bathroom, every detail can make it more comfortable or destroy its coziness. Various bottles of chemicals and cosmetics displayed in a prominent place clutter the already small space. They need to be hidden.
A dosed amount of decor will preserve the style of the interior. A glossy stretch ceiling will add height to the room. Mirrors will expand it.
Prerequisites for installation
To select a washing machine for such placement, it is necessary to take into account a number of parameters that are distinctive for models designed for this purpose.
Namely:
- Height;
- Width;
- Depth.
The depth of washing machines can reach almost 85 cm, but when installing a machine of this width, approaching the sink will be very problematic. The most comfortable models for placement are those whose width does not exceed 50 cm. However, if the installed sink is narrower, then it will be necessary to find a household appliance in depth that does not exceed it. Separately, it is worth noting the height of the washing machine; this parameter usually does not exceed 70 cm.
The last parameter, the width of the washing machine, is unimportant. When choosing a device for a sink, the height is determined directly by the amount of free space in the room.
Before buying a washing machine under the sink, you should carefully take measurements.
Another parameter that you will have to consider when purchasing is cost. It is much higher than that of standard-sized devices. This is determined by high demand and the fact that almost all such devices are assembled in the European part. While standard washing machines have already acquired their manufacturers in Asian countries, in particular China.
