Often, when planning an apartment, a minimum of space is allocated to the bathroom. The small space in the bathroom does not allow for a washing machine. In this case, the best location for equipment is in the kitchen. With the correct design of the room and well-arranged furniture, a washing machine and refrigerator can easily be placed here. The main thing is that the equipment does not stand out from the general space, but complements it. There are several options for this layout:
- kitchen with washing machine built into the kitchen unit;
- the equipment is hidden behind the cabinet doors;
- the machine is placed under the tabletop;
- placed separately from other interior items.
Household appliances collected in one place make the daily work of the home owner easier Source remontbp.com
Features of accommodation
The main reason why they decide to install a unit in the kitchen is to free up space in the bathroom.
There are a number of other positive aspects:
- Safety. There is much less humidity in the kitchen than in the bathroom;
- Aesthetic appearance. Kitchen appliances can be hidden behind furniture fronts. Then the laundry intended for washing will not be visible. Even when the machine door is slightly open after the washing process, no one will see it. Everything will be hidden behind facades;
- Possibility of installing large-sized machines. Not every bathroom can accommodate such a model, but its placement in the kitchen is possible. What is the advantage of such a model? Washing in it is carried out more efficiently, in addition, the large drum of the unit allows you to accommodate a large volume of laundry.
- In addition, the models are characterized by increased stability due to the installed counterweight at the bottom of the unit. This also results in less vibration and noise.
There are also disadvantages to a kitchen with a washing machine. There are not many of them, but they are available:
The system for washing textiles does not fit well into the interior. Groceries, unwashed laundry, and a slightly open door do not make the interior immaculate.
You can get rid of these unpleasant moments if you carefully think through the future facade and make convenient niches for storage.
Built-in options
There are many ways to integrate a machine into the kitchen. A considerable part of them involve maintaining the integrity of the style and camouflaging the washing machine. Before purchasing household appliances, it is recommended to remove the parameters so that the machine fits the prepared niche.
There are both standard and unusual placement techniques. For example, a washing machine in the kitchen under the countertop.
When choosing a suitable location, it is important to consider three factors:
- Distance from the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. The vibration of these household appliances contributes to the failure of the fans and compressors built into the unit.
- Providing space for filling and unloading washed items from the machine (at least 1 sq.m.).
- Free access to hoses for maintenance or repair.
Built-in washing machines
There are several ways to embed the SM. The choice of one option or another will depend not only on visual preferences and aesthetic considerations, but also on the layout, size of the cabinet and the dimensions of the machine itself.
If you are still at the stage of purchasing a washing machine for a ready-made set, then your task is greatly simplified. Modern manufacturers offer SMs of different sizes.
Built-in model SM, hidden behind the facade
You can choose a model according to the dimensions that fit perfectly into a cabinet prepared for CM or into a niche under a tabletop.
There are SMs on sale with the following parameters:
- width – from 45 to 70 cm;
- height – from 50 to high 130 cm;
- depth – from 33 to 85 cm.
If you have already purchased a full-size machine, but do not yet have a kitchen set, then there are only two possible solutions:
Below are several possible solutions from which you will surely choose the best one for your kitchen.
Complete installation under the countertop
Similar to any other built-in appliances, the front part of such a machine will be equipped with special hinges for attaching the facades of the headset.
Its parameters of depth, width and height are already initially precisely set to the standard parameters of lower cabinets.
The disadvantage of such a built-in washing machine is the high price and difficult access to the body in case of breakdown.
Installation in a cabinet behind the facade
To build a washing machine into a cabinet, it is necessary that the dimensions of the equipment itself and the cabinet allow it to be placed there. All three parameters are fundamentally important here - height, width and depth.
The standard height of a base cabinet is 80-85 cm, and a full-size SM is 85 cm. If you have not yet purchased equipment, then in the store you should pay attention to compact models with a height of up to 70 cm or with the ability to remove the top cover. It is possible that in the car you have already purchased, it is possible to unscrew the top part, thereby making its height smaller.
This may also be interesting: Small dishwashers built under the sink.
The floor cabinet from most manufacturers can have several width parameters suitable for installing a SM in it: 60 and 80 cm. Consequently, the width of the machine will be several centimeters smaller. It is important to take into account here that on the left between the machine and the furniture body it is advisable to leave a gap the width of the cabinet door hinge. This must be done so that the powder compartment can move forward freely.
The standard depth of a kitchen cabinet is 60 cm. When choosing a machine that is supposed to be hidden behind a cabinet door, we take into account not only the depth of the cabinet, but also measure the parameter along with the door to its very convex point. In this way, it is possible to embed SM with a depth of up to 50-55 cm.
Also make sure that the bottom of the cabinet can support the weight of the machine. Otherwise, the bottom of the cabinet needs to be strengthened. The furniture itself must also be stable enough to withstand vibrations from equipment.
If you have already purchased a washing machine and have problems installing it due to its dimensions, then the optimal solution is to make custom-made furniture to meet the specified parameters.
Despite all its installation complexity, a built-in washing machine in the kitchen has an undoubted advantage - complete camouflage of the washing machine in the interior and preservation of stylistic unity.
Installation in a niche between cabinets, without a door
The space specially prepared for SM probably already has the required height, depth and width. This method is simpler and therefore the most common.
Most machines, as a rule, already have the required width and depth, matching the standard dimensions of the cabinet.
Washing machine in a small kitchen
The question of how to hide a washing machine in the kitchen with this installation option can be approached in several ways, depending on the style of the interior:
- choose SM and headsets in the same color scheme. Although the choice of colors for the washing machine is small, you can easily find a universal and most common white option to match the white set. You can also more often find gray or black SM models. Another idea is to paint or cover the body of the car with vinyl stickers in the desired color.
- choose the SM in the same style as the rest of the kitchen appliances (oven, microwave, etc.), for example, metallic. This option will look good in modern styles - high-tech, loft, American, etc.
- close with a beautiful curtain. The idea is relevant for styles in a rustic spirit (country, Provence, shabby chic).
- make an accent.
There are unusual and bright designer cars that can become a color accent in the interior. Here it is important to support their design in other interior elements. For example, decorate the apron in the same color.
Stationary location
If there is no other place to install the washing machine in the kitchen, then the only possible solution is to place the equipment separately from the unit. Even with this arrangement, you can hide or harmoniously fit into the interior a free-standing SM:
- under the dining table;
- behind a screen or curtain.
It is desirable that with this installation method, the equipment should have very compact dimensions, which is especially important for a small kitchen.
The disadvantage of this location is the problematic connection to communications.
Positioning the Top Loading Machine
Such SMs are very compact and are easier to place permanently than front-loading models. But they are not as practical in terms of using the kitchen workspace if they need to be built in.
They can be built under a folding table top or a wide bar counter.
Full embedding
At the stage of creating a kitchen unit project, you should consider the type of built-in option. It is necessary to measure the dimensions of the equipment, and take them into account when drawing up the design of the headset. Full integration means that the equipment is hidden behind furniture facades.
This technique is typical for models with a standard side hatch. In the photo of the washing machine in the kitchen you can see different options for fully integrating the equipment.
Where is the best place to place the machine?
The main requirements for installing a washing machine are: proximity to communications (water supply and sewerage), the presence of a grounded outlet and a flat floor surface.
The photo shows a washing machine and dishwasher at the sink
To avoid regretting the transfer, follow the rules:
- do not allow the washing machine to be close to other household appliances: vibration is harmful to the refrigerator and oven;
- Never install the machine under the hob - high temperatures will damage its plastic parts;
- placing a washing machine and a dishwasher next to each other is possible if there is a gap between them and vibration during spinning will not be transmitted to the dishwasher;
- water and sewer hoses should be no more than 2.5-3 meters in length, this will reduce the possibility of leaks and blockages in them;
- when placing the washing machine inside the box, it is necessary to leave a gap of 2 cm on each side to take into account vibration;
- take care to install a base that is easy to remove so that you can get to the drain filter if necessary.
Placement in a cabinet
A common way of arranging a kitchen set is to divide it into two parts, where wall cabinets, a stove, and a countertop are included in the first part, and the second independent part includes a cabinet with a sink and a machine, placed along the side wall.
This arrangement contributes to the convenience of connecting the unit and a long service life.
Under the table top
It is popular to integrate a washing machine into a so-called “pocket”. In other words, this is an equipped part of the area for placing the unit under the countertop, which is fixed on both sides.
The advantage of this technique is that it does not require fundamental changes in furniture. If desired, the machine can be easily moved and then put back in its original place. Having chosen this option, there is no need to place the machine in the center of the kitchen, which is very important when planning.
Placement of a top-loading machine
A similar model can be placed permanently, built under a folding tabletop, or put away in a closet.
In the first case, the appearance of the device may negatively affect the interior; in the second, it will not always be convenient to use. When located in a closet, it is necessary to leave space on top for comfortable loading and unloading.
The photo shows a built-in top-loading machine
Washing machine plus refrigerator
Arranging all your preferred equipment in a small space while observing safety rules is a real challenge. The main thing is to think through all the options for kitchen design with a washing machine and refrigerator. In dead-end situations, it is better to use design services.
Kitchen interior planning begins with the refrigerator, as the most massive object. The refrigerator is usually placed in a corner or at the entrance to the kitchen area.
When installing, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- There should be a distance of 50 cm between the “work triangle”, which consists of a refrigerator, stove and sink;
- The refrigerator must not be installed next to heating appliances;
- When installing the refrigerator, it is important to leave a distance of 2-5 cm.
There is no categorical prohibition on placing a refrigerator next to a washing machine. In this case, the danger is posed by the increased humidity of the unit, but with professional installation, possible problems can be avoided.
A kind of column will help to place a lot of household appliances in the kitchen with a refrigerator and washing machine. It is a pencil case made of several drawers, adapted for installing electrical appliances. A high cabinet can be installed next to the refrigerator.
The most suitable solution for a compact kitchen would be to place a refrigerator in a column next to the washing machine. This design “goes” all the way to the ceiling and makes it possible to rationally use empty space.
Manufacturers of modern household appliances greatly simplify the task for owners of small apartments. In stores you can buy models of different sizes. Furniture makers also help by making custom-made perfect sets according to the customer’s measurements.
Thanks to this, placing a refrigerator and washing machine in a small space will not be a problem.
Design of a small kitchen with a washing machine
More and more often you can find kitchens in which washing machines are located. This can be explained extremely simply - in most apartments there is not much space allocated for bathrooms, much less for utility and household spaces. Consequently, there is nowhere else to put the washing machine. Very often, placing appliances in the kitchen turns out to be the only way out, because few people will decide to consider giving up this element of household appliances, especially if there are small children in the family.
Washing machine under the bar counter in the kitchen with a corner unit
Successful color combination of the washing machine with the facades of the kitchen unit
A silver model of a washing machine will look good under a gray countertop set
At the beginning of this material, the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution were already discussed. However, it is important to understand that when it comes to a small space, many of the disadvantages become even more significant. However, if this is the only way of arrangement, then you can turn a blind eye to them, or level them out with the help of a well-thought-out furniture layout.
