How to place a dishwasher in a small kitchen

PMM in a small kitchen Fifteen or twenty years ago, many of us didn't even think about a dishwasher, considering it a luxury item, an extravagance with no place in the average kitchen. Today, things have changed, and kitchens are now equipped with more and more appliances. It's just a shame that kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings remain so small. It's hard to figure out where to put a dishwasher, as there's barely any room left. There are some practical solutions, which we'd like to share with you today.

Possible solutions

The problem is truly serious. How can you fit a stove and oven, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a microwave, and a bunch of other appliances into a small kitchen, not to mention the cabinetry? How can you optimize the space so that the kitchen can best meet your family's needs? First, you need to sit down in the kitchen and quietly consider what solutions are realistically available and accessible, and we'll help you.

Careful space planning. If you haven't purchased appliances and furniture yet, you can plan the space centimeter by centimeter and fit everything you need, perhaps eliminating some unnecessary items.
If space is tight, you can purchase a narrow built-in dishwasher, which is only 45 cm wide. It also "hides" within the cabinetry and won't be an eyesore.
If space is tight, a slim, compact dishwasher is a lifesaver. It requires incomparably less space than any other dishwasher.

Compact dishwashers are called tabletop dishwashers because their weight and dimensions allow them to be placed directly on the table, or somewhere in a corner.

And finally, the 3-in-1 technique will help solve the problem of free space, the features of which we will discuss a little later.

Interested? Let's explore these possible solutions in more detail. We hope our experience and advice will be helpful.

Careful space planning

If you have no place to put your washing machine, the first thing you need to think about is space planning. You might say your space is too small to think about any kind of planning, but in reality, a clear-eyed perspective and careful calculations can work wonders. Calculations should be made in a room where even the rough repairs have not yet been carried out, in order to take into account every detail, from the characteristics of the future flooring to the location of electrical outlets.

If you're having trouble figuring out your own kitchen space, hire a designer. They'll charge a consultation fee, but they'll help you create an interior plan that will allow you to create your own layout—one that seamlessly integrates your new dishwasher. What should you pay attention to?

kitchen planning

Kitchen furniture should be made exclusively to order, according to individual measurements. You need to calculate the number of pieces and their size, taking into account the thickness of the material. First, list what you need, and then cross out any items that can be omitted.
Consider what appliances, other than the dishwasher, you'll have in your kitchen. If you have the budget to completely upgrade your appliances, great! You can buy slim, compact models to save some space. This applies primarily to larger appliances like an electric stove or refrigerator.
Try to use traditional furniture as functionally as possible. For example, some dishwashers fit under the sink. This isn't the best solution, but it's certainly viable.
Some furniture and even appliances can be hung on special brackets on the wall. Don't neglect this. While you can't hang a refrigerator or electric stove on the wall, you can certainly use a cabinet to store items from an extra cabinet. The freed-up cabinet can simply be removed, leaving room for a dishwasher.

You can hang a microwave oven, bread maker or multicooker on the brackets.

You can free up space for the dishwasher by reducing the size of the open countertop. The idea is to make the countertop pull-out or fold-down. When folded, it's very small. But when you need more workspace, you simply pull out the hidden section and get a full-sized countertop.

In short, we want to tell you that a solution can always be found; the key is to keep searching. Even a hopelessly small space can be transformed into such a gem that it can accommodate not only a dishwasher but also a washing machine.

Narrow built-in washing machine

You can save some space by carefully choosing appliances for your kitchen. For example, a narrow built-in dishwasher can save as much as 15 cm because, unlike standard models, it's 45 cm wide instead of 60 cm. There are even models that are shorter than 45 cm, so you can choose accordingly. The difference between a built-in and a non-built-in dishwasher We won't discuss that now, but let's move on to more pressing issues. Let's just say that for a small space, built-in models are always a priority.

Sometimes, you're literally missing 1 cm or less to accommodate a narrow dishwasher. There's no other way to gain space, but there's a solution. You can remove the soundproofing from the built-in dishwasher. The appliance will be louder, but you'll gain the extra centimeter and solve the problem.

Compact dishwashers

Wondering how to place your dishwasher and refrigerator? Don't rack your brain, it's all clear. You can't do without a refrigerator, and it's best to have a spacious one. However, you can forgo a traditional floor-standing dishwasher in favor of a compact model. Countertop dishwashers are a real find for those living in tight spaces. They can be placed on top of other objects, such as a table, and will work perfectly. However, you'll have to accept some drawbacks:

limited capacity within 6-7 sets of dishes;
the inability to wash large items that simply won’t fit;
loud sound during operation.

Excessive noise is a common problem with most compact dishwashers. It's difficult to eliminate, but if it doesn't bother you, you don't have to worry about it.

It's worth noting that compact dishwashers are installed in wall-mounted cabinets or attached directly to the wall with special sturdy brackets. In this case, the machine doesn't take up any usable space and remains just as functional as if it were standing on the countertop. Compact dishwasher models fit comfortably in an under-the-sink sink. They also don't get in the way and function perfectly, with no connection issues, as all utilities are nearby.

3 in 1 technique

A strange name, isn't it? What is a 3-in-1 appliance, and what does it have to do with a dishwasher and saving kitchen space? In fact, 3-in-1 appliances are the solution to this problem. Let's give an example, and everything will become clear. The Candy TRIO 9503 is an electric stove with a glass-ceramic cooktop, oven, and dishwasher. Everything is combined in a compact unit. The stove is on top, the oven is in the center, and the dishwasher is at the very bottom—very convenient and, judging by the positive user reviews, practical.

What types of 3-in-1 appliances exist today? There's not a huge variety of these appliances. Currently, the market only offers Candy TRIO products with electric and gas stovetops; unfortunately, there are no other options. However, this option is perfectly acceptable. What are the disadvantages of 3-in-1 appliances?

High cost. This disadvantage is relative, as a stove, oven, and dishwasher combined will cost more than a 3-in-1 unit.
Relatively low reliability. Customers complained about the first 3-in-1 models, but now the reviews are mostly positive, suggesting the manufacturer is finally learning and addressing the shortcomings.
Limited in a functional sense. Nothing can be done about it. The 3-in-1 appliance has a small oven for 1 baking tray and a small dishwasher for 6 place settings. But it has a full-fledged stove – 4 burners.

So, we've conceptually explored how to fit a dishwasher into a small kitchen. Some might say our article lacks specifics, but the topic is quite abstract. If we had a concrete kitchen in mind, where we needed to fit a dishwasher, we could offer specific advice. As it is, we'll have to make do with general recommendations, but even these can be valuable in certain circumstances. Ask specific questions in the comments or on the forum; we'll be happy to discuss this topic in more detail. Good luck!