Where to place a washing machine in a small apartment?

With real estate prices rising daily, it's no surprise that studio apartments are becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, in such a home, one often has to forego large appliances and large furniture, as every inch of space must be carefully considered, ensuring ease of movement throughout the apartment. However, living without a washing machine is simply unthinkable these days, which is why, after purchasing a studio apartment, one has to spend so much time planning and deciding where to place it in a small apartment. Let's explore the best options for placing a washing machine in a confined space.

We place the machine without breaking the law

According to regulations, water-heating equipment must be installed exclusively in non-residential areas of the home. Therefore, placing a washing machine in a living room is prohibited, as it would be considered a serious violation.

That's why, if a user needs a place for a washing machine in a studio apartment, the kitchen area, bathroom, and hallway are the only options. However, this is usually sufficient, as with careful planning, it's possible to find a corner where large appliances won't spoil the apartment's design and will be convenient to use.

As for a standard apartment, things are even simpler. Of course, you can't install a washing machine in living rooms there either, but bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens are typically slightly larger, meaning it's easier to fit a larger appliance there.

Where will the car be located?

What should you do if, regardless of the type of apartment or house, you don't have much free space to allocate for a washing machine? In this situation, it's best to first carefully plan the room's design, consider and calculate the space for large equipment, and only then purchase it, focusing on specific dimensions. Most often, housewives try to place the washing machine in the following rooms:

• bathroom;
• kitchen;
• hallway or corridor;
• balcony or loggia.

The first option is considered the best, as it's the most convenient way to organize water supply and drainage in a bathroom due to the proximity of all utilities. Unfortunately, this method often becomes a major problem, as in small apartments, especially studios, the bathroom is so small that only a vanity with a sink, a mirrored cabinet above it, and a shower or bathtub can fit. In this case, replacing the cabinet under the sink with a washing machine is acceptable. This may reduce storage space, but it will free up free movement.

It's also sometimes worth considering replacing a large bathtub with a shower stall. This will free up plenty of space, allowing you to keep the cabinet under the sink and place your "household helper" in the room. This solution will eliminate the need to desperately search for cleaning supplies throughout the house, as all household chemicals and personal hygiene products can be conveniently stored in the bathroom. This will be even less of a hassle if you choose to use a top-loading machine, which is typically significantly smaller in size than a traditional front-loading machine.

If you don't care too much about the maximum drum capacity, you can purchase a special compact washing machine that can be conveniently hung directly on the wall, where it won't get in the way.

If for some reason you can't use the bathroom or shower to store appliances, large appliances can be installed in the kitchen area. Often, even in small kitchens, there are several openings for a washing machine. For example, the appliance can be simply built into the kitchen cabinetry, where it's hidden by the countertop and won't disrupt the room's overall design. Unfortunately, appliances don't always fit into a standard tall cabinet, so you may have to order a model with unique dimensions.

This may be a bit pricey, but it will ensure the appliance doesn't disrupt the overall style of the room. You can save money on doors for such a cabinet, but only if the machine fits well with the design. Placing it in the kitchen area also makes sense because this way, household appliances will also be close to all necessary utilities, so there will be virtually no costs for installing drainage or connecting to the water supply.

Another option worth considering is installing the washing machine in the hallway or corridor. Of course, it's best not to place a large washing machine directly in the entryway, where it will obstruct movement. The first option is to create a special niche in the hallway where the machine can be hidden from view behind a decorative panel. If remodeling the space is no longer an option, an even simpler solution is to hide the washing machine in a large wardrobe. This will eliminate the need for available electrical outlets, but will likely require additional plumbing and sewer connections.

Finally, loggias and balconies are a useful option, though not often used. These are also a good option, especially when installing large appliances in the home is not feasible without radical changes to the layout.

In this case, you just need to make sure the balcony is well-insulated from the cold, so even in winter the temperature there doesn't drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, you'll have to either abandon the idea, as the machine always retains waste liquid, which can cause it to malfunction in cold weather, or insulate the balcony.

Before installing a washing machine on a loggia or balcony, it's important to ensure that the increased vibration during the spin cycle won't damage the fragile flooring.

As you can see, even in small studio apartments, it's not difficult to find space for an automated "home assistant." Most of the options not only don't require significant financial outlay but also don't detract from the home's design. The key is to plan ahead for the installation of the washing machine, including any changes to the layout of the room, and take all necessary precautions to avoid damaging either the appliances or the apartment itself.

   

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