2 best types of shelves above the washing machine: purchased and homemade

Bathroom shelves

If you couldn’t fit an automatic washing machine (WMA) under the sink, you can still save space. Many users use the lids of their washing machines as a surface for placing bath accessories, microwaves, kettles and other items - despite the prohibition in the instructions.

Look up and see wasted space - above the washing machine. Why not add a few shelves here? Or even a small locker? It turns out that this idea has long been picked up by manufacturers - they offer ready-made solutions that differ both in design and in materials of manufacture.

Varieties

Shelves above the SMA can be made:

Open. They do not have doors; any object is easy to reach.
Closed. If you are annoyed by the color cacophony of mismatched jars and bottles, you can hide them behind the shelf doors. By combining the shelves with common walls and doors, you get a wall cabinet with shelves.

Suitable materials:

Plastic. The shelves are not afraid of moisture and are cheap. But not strong enough. And most importantly, mold can grow on plastic. It is recommended to choose perforated products - then moisture will not collect on the surfaces.
Metal. Durable and stylish. But you only need to choose coated metal that is not susceptible to corrosion. Stainless steel and chrome-plated metal are suitable. For interiors in Provence and country styles, forged versions, as well as bronze products, may be suitable.
Ceramics and glass. These are usually small decorative items. They are not afraid of moisture, but are very fragile. As a rule, ceramics and glass are used together with wood or metal.
Tree. Fiberboard and MDF sheets are most suitable - they are durable, light, and look respectable. Minus - susceptible to moisture. But you can use wood impregnated with special compounds that repel moisture.

The shelves are attached - in the bathroom or in the kitchen, using hinges, brackets and corners. Also, shelves can be a single structure united by common components.

The cabinets above the washing machine can have different designs - the imagination of the creators is not limited by anything, you only have to take into account the cost of materials and the size of the room. The cabinet can be made:

Mounted. This is the simplest option. By making it deeper, you can even hide meters or communications in it.
Free standing. In appearance it looks like a cabinet. The shelves are combined by side walls into a single whole.
Floor. This is essentially a shelving unit with open shelves. An example of such a solution is in the photo below.

Under-counter cabinet

When placing a small cabinet under the countertop, it is important that it does not rest on the typewriter

Posting rules

It is necessary to leave a few centimeters between the device and the furniture structure

This is important for:

free operation of the device, especially during spinning,
moisture evaporation,
possible service.

Photo. Once the door is closed, the equipment becomes completely invisible

The countertop can be a continuation of the area with the washbasin; next to it, you can successfully equip a place to place a basket for dirty laundry, a shelf for storing clean linen. Installing the countertop at a height of about 90 cm will ensure ease of use of the sink. The countertop must be long enough, approximately 150 cm, to accommodate the sink and all devices.

With or without door?

In some cases, the washing machine is not closed with a door; it fits harmoniously into the interior. The finishing of the equipment should fit harmoniously into the decoration of the room

It is important to carefully consider the design of the bathroom and choose the right model. For example:

a white machine in the bathroom, decorated in white colors, with snow-white furniture and plumbing fixtures;
a model with a metallic finish in a room with gray ceramic tiles and a gray countertop, as shown in the photo below.

The machine can be hidden by changing the color of the facade by gluing a film finish! If there is no goal to completely hide the equipment behind the door due to insufficient ventilation, you can cover the cabinet with a special film to match the color of the cabinets of the surrounding furniture.

You can leave the machine “in plain sight,” but it is much more interesting to create an aesthetic interior by closing it with a lid, for example, using a movable wall moving along guides. When you need to access the device, the panel moves towards the sink. Guides are installed on the tabletop and floor. To create a door you can use:

opaque plastic,
wood boards,
Opaque frosted tempered glass.

Photo. The equipment is placed under the countertop, masked by a tempered glass door in an aluminum frame (first photo) and a plastic door (second photo)

Table top height

If you need to install the sink lower, you can use a solution with a multi-level countertop:

the countertop under the sink will be lower,
The countertop above the cabinet with the washing machine is higher.

This option looks stylish and interesting.

The cabinet under the countertop can be extended above the countertop. The tabletop in this case can serve as a stabilizing element of the structure. Wall cabinets can accommodate a variety of shelves above the washing machine for:

placement of clean linen,
cosmetics,
hairdryer,
toiletries.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

They cover household appliances from moisture and protect them from corrosion - this applies more to structures with side walls.
If you make doors, you can place not only bathroom accessories on the shelves, but also detergents.
Shelves keep your bathroom tidy. The more shelves there are in the room, the easier it is to clean.
All supplies and accessories not only occupy their assigned “seating” places, but are also easily accessible - to take the necessary product, just stretch out your hand.

The solution in question has no disadvantages - only one benefit. If, for example, when installing an SMA in a cabinet or cabinet there is a danger of not noticing a leak in time, then in the case of shelves there are no such risks.

Features of operation

Choosing a shoe cabinet. Photos of cabinets

Manufacturers of household appliances produce two types of washing machines:

vertical loading - large depth, small width, standard height, requires space from above for work, not suitable as built-in appliances (although there are options), often used in the kitchen;
front loading – access to the front panel is required, equipment can be built into two tiers, large width, standard height, shallow depth.
Some manufacturers have wall-mounted mini washing machines, suitable for those who live alone.

Vertical instrument panels do not tolerate moisture well. When installing them near a sink, the service life is automatically reduced, and there is a risk of electronic failure. A built-in washing machine with standard fasteners for decorative doors lasts the longest.

On the other hand, washing machines contain consumables, the quality of tap water in the Russian Federation leaves much to be desired, and voltage drops are observed in the 220 V network. Therefore, the owner of a household appliance will inevitably have to call a technician more than once as the gaskets, hoses and their fastening units wear out.

During repairs, the machine moves out.

The machine will have to be pulled out for partial disassembly. Therefore, during installation it is better to take care of the maintainability of the structure.

Review of ready-made solutions

Go to any online store of functional furniture, and you will be presented with dozens of models designed for installation above the washing machine. Especially popular are cabinets with many compartments and linen baskets.

Pillar cabinet

Pillar cabinet - ideal for the bathroom. The machine is protected from moisture. The shelves are open and closed, the latter are adjustable in height. It is easy to hide detergents - powders, conditioners, etc. behind the doors; small but important items used daily can be placed in plain sight. The size is designed for a full-size SMA with a width of 60 cm. Material - laminated MDF.

Algot 8 - model from Ikea

You can assemble a variety of combinations from ALGOT series items. In the photo there is a whole wall-mounted module with a pull-out laundry basket. You can make one or two baskets - the module is assembled taking into account the characteristics of the room and the needs of the user. Here, in addition to shelves, there is also a convenient clothes dryer. If there is no dryer in the machine, then small items can be dried on the shelves - no water gets on the cover of the SMA. A variety of materials were used in the manufacture of module components - chipboard, galvanized steel, polypropylene.

Floor cabinet from Leroy Merlin

An elegant solution, laconic and functional. It is possible to save space and create convenient places to store towels, linen, and toiletries. Width - 64 cm. A full-size washing machine with a width of 60 cm will fit here. The design does not depend on the parameters of the load-bearing wall; it can be moved from place to place. The bottom is open at the front and back. The floor cabinet allows you to hide all communications necessary to connect the washing machine.

Mounted version from Vod-Ok

Household wall-mounted module with a niche. This option will be appropriate both in the bathroom and in the kitchen - if it fits into the interior. Made from MDF and chipboard. You can hide a lot of useful things in a niche. The width is designed for a full-size device. The manufacturer also offers a variation with a pull-out laundry basket.

What other options are there?

In cramped conditions, when there is no extra space, SMA owners try in different ways to save space, using the space above the machine. To do this, other household appliances are placed above the device. For example, an oven. A horizon is placed between the washing machine and the oven, located in a single module . True, the oven should be induction - not heated. The same solution will be useful when placing a dryer above a washing machine.

Another solution, simple and practical, is a built-in wardrobe above the SMA. It's easy to do it yourself. Let's look at an example of creating wooden shelves on your own.

Materials

Floor cabinet for sink
Not all furniture can survive in a damp room. In addition to practicality, you also want beauty, so when making bathroom cabinets you choose:

Tree. Some species are less likely to deteriorate from moisture; modern means of processing and impregnation will help, but this is an expensive investment.
MDF is a fashionable and practical material. The method of manufacturing plates and additional processing make it possible to create moisture-resistant structures that are affordable and very diverse. If you assemble the cabinet yourself, then preference is usually given to fiberboard and MDF. The remaining materials will require special skills and knowledge; in addition, equipment for working with them is more difficult to find.
Glass and mirror are controversial materials. They are successfully used to visually increase space. Processing options expand decorative possibilities. Fragility and high cost will scare off many, although this is a matter of taste and budget...
Plastics and polymers are an economical option, easy to use, convenient and varied. Plastic is not durable, although it will help solve the interior issue for a while.

It’s important to remember that the cabinet will be in your bathroom, which means it’s up to you to decide how much to spend on it and how long it will stay in the room.

DIY rack

Don’t want to spend money on ready-made furniture, or maybe you have your own ideas? Then you can design or make shelves yourself. Home craftsmen can easily cope with the task - the main thing is to find a suitable material - durable and moisture-resistant.

Preparation of the drawing

Let's consider an example of creating a rack - a simple and affordable design. Start by drawing up a drawing. Only by making an accurate calculation will it be possible to purchase materials. In the drawing, reflect the exact dimensions - height, width and depth of the structure. The dimensions will depend on the size of the washing machine - it must fit completely into the niche of the rack. Choose the height at your discretion. But keep in mind that an excessively high structure will be unstable and bulky.

The width of the rack should be 3–4 cm larger than the width of the machine.

Preparation of materials

To create a rack you will need the following tools and materials:

Chipboard. There must be a moisture-proof coating. The PVC layer allows the use of chipboard for furniture installed in the bathroom. It is not recommended to use laminated MDF sheets - they will swell from moisture and lose their original appearance
Metal corner.
Self-tapping screws.
Four legs.
Screwdriver or screwdriver.
Marker and tape measure.

How to assemble?

Assembly order:

Referring to the drawing, mark the materials and cut out the parts. So, if the rack has dimensions (HxWxD) 250 x 45 x 64 cm, the following parts will be needed:

2 side panels 247 x 45 cm;
4 shelves 64 x 45 cm;
top panel 67 x 45 cm;
bottom lintel 67 x 10 cm.

Assemble the finished parts using self-tapping screws and corners. First attach the roof and bottom lintel. At a distance of 85.5 cm, fasten the first shelf, after 38.5 cm - 3 more pieces.
Screw the legs to the side walls. That's it - the rack is ready.

Installing a glass shelf

If there is no space for a rack, limit yourself to the simplest solution - make a glass shelf above the machine. It won’t fit many accessories, but it certainly won’t be superfluous. Buy a glass shelf at any construction market; your task is to install it correctly. The width of the glass must be at least 0.4 cm. Glass installed in bathrooms must be covered with a special film.

Make fastenings from aluminum profiles or decorative holders. To attach them to tiled walls, you will need a drill. But do not turn on the hammer drill mode. Insert dowels into the holes made, and holders into them. Secure the glass surface and the job is complete.

Thanks to the shelves installed above the washing machines, it is possible to obtain significant space for useful items and accessories. In addition, by browsing the assortment of online stores and showing your imagination, you can enliven the room with interesting interior solutions.

Customer Reviews

Now let's find out what customer reviews are about bathroom furniture from IKEA.

Liliya, 32 years old, Astrakhan: “I bought a Hemnes washbasin cabinet from Ikea. I've had it for three years now and it's completely intact. But for some reason the mirror cabinet from the same series could not withstand the load. It also hangs for three years, but the film peels off.”
Marina, 28 years old, Izhevsk: “I was looking for a compact mirror cabinet above the washbasin. Lillongen came up with one door and glass shelves. Despite its compactness, all my cosmetics fit safely in it. I’m very pleased.”
Lyudmila, 33 years old, Kaspiysk: “We took a two-door Silveron into the bathroom. We thought it was temporary until we found the furniture of our dreams. But this cabinet has been standing for 5 years, and last year we also bought a cabinet for the washbasin.”
Raisa, 43 years old, Kazan: “I needed a tall, narrow pencil case. I bought a mirrored one from Ikea, not a blind one, as I had intended, and I did the right thing. Looks prettier with a mirror. It’s been standing for 2 years, so far everything is satisfactory.”

Simple and practical furniture from Ikea is available to everyone. And the opportunity to replace or return some items is not a promotion, but a reality.

The following video contains a customer review and her review of an IKEA bathroom cabinet:

What are the benefits of furniture for washing machines?

Designers say: a built-in washing machine is not only practical, but also stylish. Typically, these devices are not distinguished by a particular variety of colors and shapes and can, if not spoil, then at least not particularly decorate the interior of the bathroom.

Therefore, all kinds of cabinets and shelves into which equipment is built can hide most of the ugly device behind them.

Buying furniture for a washing machine has a number of priorities:

it becomes possible to save space in the bathroom;
you can hide all the sharp corners of the washing machine;
the problem with towels, rags, clothes and small items falling behind the washing machine disappears;
furniture for washing equipment creates noise insulation, which is why even devices that are not equipped with a noise reduction function will work quietly;
the machine will not “run” around the bathroom during the “spin” mode, which often happens with older devices;
If the bathroom has a heated floor, you can purchase a shelf with legs to insulate the washing machine from excess heat.

Thus, when purchasing cabinets and shelves for washing machines, you not only have additional space in the bathroom, but also a number of other priorities that can improve and simplify your life.

Types of bathroom furniture

Manufacturers have developed many different sets of cabinets and shelves into which washing machines are built. They differ in types, sizes and designs.

A washing machine base cabinet is a floor cabinet that matches the height of the washing machine, and a countertop is installed on top of them. Inside the cabinet there may be shelves, clothes dryers or pipes from sinks. That is, one design can also accommodate a washbasin, which will significantly save space in the bathroom or kitchen. Such cabinets can be installed not only in the bathroom, but also in the kitchen.
Cabinet for washing machine. These are the shelves on which the device is placed. In addition to the fact that you can store rags, towels or household chemicals in them, they allow you to “lift” the equipment, and you can load clothes into it for washing without bending over. This option is great for housewives who have back problems.
Cabinet for washing machine. This is a design with shelves both below and above the device. These options are convenient for large families - you can store towels or linen in drawers. Also, cabinets are often used not only in private bathrooms, but also in laundries, as they help rationally distribute space.

In addition to furniture that comes into contact with the washing machine, manufacturers also offer special hanging shelves. Most often, small clothes dryers are installed in them.

The insides of cabinets and drawers can be varied: regular shelves, a clothes dryer, or just space for pipes or buckets.

The choice of the appropriate option depends on many factors: space in the bathroom, size and “old age” of the washing machine, the need for additional shelves.

But in order to purchase furniture with maximum profit and for many years, it is important to know how to choose it correctly

Installation

When the idea of a cabinet has acquired certain features, it is better to check the installation rules; they will allow you to avoid standard mistakes for built-in and free-standing models of equipment:

A gap of 2-3 cm is required between the appliances and the furniture partitions and lids, otherwise the machine will break the cabinet when it vibrates. If the device is placed inside a cabinet, it is better that it stands on a flat floor. The furniture base can be slippery, so the machine can learn to “walk.” If you really want to preserve the bottom, use protective stops to secure the legs of the devices.
The interior must take into account the need to easily and quickly reach communications and valves. An outlet should also be accessible.
Air and heat: Furniture should not interfere with air movement, so do not block ventilation openings and heating with the cabinet. Heat can have a negative effect on materials, causing them to deform.
Water is the main threat to cabinet surfaces. Despite all the impregnation and processing, it can cause swelling of wood and slabs and leave marks. Caring for the cabinet consists of regular treatment and elimination of moisture that has entered the furniture. Try to place sensitive furniture further away from sources of danger, and remove droplets from the surface almost immediately.
High humidity is dangerous for furniture and equipment. Ventilation is the best way to maintain a comfortable air condition and avoid mold.

Tips for choosing a model

If you are planning a design for a washing machine, choose a model that can serve you for a long time and faithfully, otherwise over time the equipment will have to be changed - and it will not be so easy to fit it into a ready-made interior. Start with the parameters: do you need a large-sized or a smaller model? For small bathrooms, a narrow washing machine is suitable.

The next feature to consider is the way things are loaded. In traditional modern models, dirty clothes are loaded in the front area.

But when you open the doors, there will be even less space in the bathroom, and in the most cramped interiors you will not be able to turn around at all. In this case, it is better to choose a vertical type model, which involves loading from above.

The design of the washing machine is another important point. Traditional shades of this technique are white and beige. At their core, they are universal, and the bathroom design will not look contradictory, even if all other interior elements have completely different tones.

However, you can spend more time searching and choose colored washing machine models: gray, black, red, blue and many others.

It is better to place equipment of this type in such a way that there is free space on all sides. During operation, the washing machine may shake - and if there are shelves hanging nearby, it is possible that they will not stand.

It will be better if you initially test the model for all kinds of reactions during operation.

For built-in washing machine

Built-in appliances have no external gloss, providing freedom and highlighting the selected furniture. A cabinet for a built-in washing machine has its limitations, because its dimensions are predetermined:

The standard model is essentially a vertical cabinet with shelves no more than 1.1 m high, which is installed above the device.
The horizontal design is a kind of pencil case that can have any length, encircling the kitchen. The “height” of the cabinet is only 40 cm, this option is convenient for people of average height and shorter.
The corner solution looks extraordinary and allows you to use free space, although the design features do not allow you to fully use it.

If mirrored doors are involved in the design, then they are separated into a separate group of cabinets; the appearance of the bathroom is so transformed. Mirrors create the illusion of space, but are demanding to maintain.

Furniture for built-in appliances is usually made to order, so you can choose excellent cabinet placement options, making the entire space work.

Washing machines for small bathrooms

Small-sized washing machines are absolutely incomparable to conventional ones. You should decide on loading: frontal or vertical. The front door requires space, and in order to put in and take out laundry, you need to sit down or bend over without hitting the wall or plumbing. The vertically opening lid will not allow you to place the machine under a washbasin or countertop and conveniently mount a cabinet or dryer above it. Otherwise, the choice is simple:

compact washing machines with average dimensions of depth, width, height - no more than 40x50x60 cm; with a particularly reduced depth of 32 cm;
with the smallest width up to 35 cm (the latter is designed only for four kg of dry laundry).

Narrow washing machines (up to 40 cm)

1 of 4

Washing machine Bosch WLK 20267

Washing machine Bosch WLG 2426S

Electrolux EWW 51476 HW

Washing machine Samsung WW60H2220EW

There are ready-made production options for a combined washbasin and washing machine. Dryers with a depth of 42 cm are also available in compact sizes and can be mounted to the wall using the included brackets. They are located above the washing machine on the second floor.