Washing machine in a small bathroom - design features

Unfortunately, many apartments in our country have small bathrooms. Not all owners want to combine the bathroom and toilet, so to make some space, they resort to a trick: they throw out the steel bathtub and install a shower stall, thereby freeing up space. What can this space be used for? Well, of course, for installing a washing machine and some furniture. How do you decorate a small bathroom, which washing machine to choose, and how to install it? Read on to find out.

Washing machine placement options

A small bathroom with a cast-iron or steel bathtub doesn't offer much space. There's only enough room for the bathtub and a sink. Trying to squeeze in a washing machine, too, would surely make the space feel unbearably cramped. Removing the bathtub and installing a shower stall might free up some space, but it won't completely solve the problem.

The point is, in this case, you'll need to consider the size of the washing machine and shower stall. Choose models that are moderately sized so they fit comfortably in a small bathroom and are easy to use. Additionally, you need to carefully consider how best to position the washing machine to avoid making the small bathroom feel even more cramped. Experts offer some recommendations on this matter.

1. Avoid placing the washing machine too close to the shower stall. Firstly, this will make it difficult to open the door, and secondly, it will create obstacles to entering the shower stall.
2. It's best to place the washing machine in the corner of the bathroom, sideways to the wall at the entrance to the room. This will allow you to fit a shower stall measuring 80x198x80 cm. 60 cm wide washing machine. The advantage of this arrangement is that the shower stall can be accessed without any problems and the washing machine hatch can be opened wide. In the picture below you can see an example of such placement of a washing machine with a shower stall.
   
3. Avoid placing the washing machine with the door facing the shower enclosure. This will prevent the door from opening completely, or it will only open partially, making it difficult to load dirty laundry into the drum.
4. Always leave a gap between all walls of the washing machine and surrounding objects in the bathroom. Be mindful of vibration during the spin cycle.

To dampen the vibration of your washing machine, use anti-vibration mats.

Which model to choose?

If your washing machine just won't fit next to your shower stall in a small bathroom, no matter what you do, you can solve the problem by choosing a smaller washing machine. If you don't have a shower stall or a washing machine yet, and you're just planning a bathroom renovation, you can consider slightly smaller shower stalls and washing machines. For example, there are shower cabins measuring 70x198x70 cm; if you install one like this, you can save as much as 10 cm of space.

If you don't need a washing machine with a large load capacity, you can install a compact automatic washing machine with dimensions of approximately 70 x 51 x 44 cm. With such a washing machine, you can afford a larger shower stall, as the two units fit seamlessly next to each other. Here's a brief overview of compact washing machine models.

• CANDY Aqua 1D1035-07. This machine boasts modest dimensions (70 x 51 x 44 cm) and a simple design. It holds just 3.5 kg of laundry, has a 1000 rpm spin speed, and offers 16 wash programs to suit every taste.
• CANDY Aqua 2D1140-07. This model differs from the previous one only in its drum capacity (4 kg instead of 3.5 kg) and spin speed (1100 rpm), but otherwise, everything is the same.
  
• ZANUSSI FCS825C. This compact washing machine has become a favorite among many Eastern Europeans, and you might also appreciate it if you have a small bathroom. It measures 67 x 50 x 55 cm, has a 3 kg load capacity, and a drum speed of 800 rpm.
• ELECTROLUX EWC 1350. A perfect washing machine for a small bathroom. It fits almost anywhere. There are some downsides too: the drum capacity is only 3 kg and the design is simple, which may not be suitable for a luxuriously decorated bathroom. The advantages include the drum rotation speed of 1300 rpm and the size of 67x49x51 cm.
  

Important! If you're only short on space for your washing machine, just a few centimeters, you can buy a narrow model with a depth of just 45 cm instead of 60 cm. This will save you 15 cm.

Connecting to utilities

Not only can placing a washing machine in a bathroom with a shower create problems, but also connecting it to utilities, specifically water, sewer, and electricity. There are several challenges:

• it is necessary to organize separate water supply and sewerage outlets for the shower stall and washing machine;
• it is necessary to make sure that the pipes and hoses are not visible;
• Make sure the washing machine's drain and inlet hoses aren't too long, otherwise there will be problems with operation. And don't make them too short, otherwise they won't be long enough. Some washing machine models have standard hoses that are only 1.5 meters long.

When renovating a small bathroom with a shower, it's important to consider the layout of the utilities needed to connect both the washing machine and the shower stall before laying the tiles. To do this, draw a sketch of the bathroom with its appliances and furniture, along with a plan for the utility layout. You'll need two separate drain pipes: one short for the shower stall and one long for the washing machine.

You can run a long drain pipe directly under the tiles, exiting it near the body of the automatic washing machine. The same can be done with a water pipe branch, then connecting the washing machine's inlet hose to it. The washing machine also needs a separate outlet. To do this, you need to cut a channel in the wall for the wire, lay a silicone cable channel, pull the wire, install a moisture-resistant socket in a convenient place and connect this wire to it.

Once everything is ready, all that's left to do is attach the washing machine's drain hose to the sewer pipe and secure it with a clamp. Next, screw the inlet hose to the cold water outlet and connect the power cord to the outlet. That's all there is to it.

Please note! When planning the placement of utilities, it's important to be very careful, as redoing them later will be problematic.

Interior design

What would a bathroom with a shower stall and a washing machine look like? It depends, as design is purely subjective. Some people prefer green tiles, others red. Some adore mirrors, while others prefer floral inlays. But we're not going to argue about tastes here; we'll discuss the general considerations that must be taken into account when designing a bathroom with a shower and a washing machine.

1. When designing a small bathroom that houses two bulky pieces of furniture—a shower stall and a washing machine—you should eliminate the feeling of cramped space as much as possible. Use light, even pale, colors and glossy surfaces to visually expand the space.
2. When designing a bathroom like this, try to hide all utility elements as well as possible: pipes, hoses, couplings, and the like.
3. Don't overload the room's design with additional large interior items; there will already be a washing machine and shower stall there. The most you can afford is a small cabinet or a sink under the sink.
4. Install more light sources. The more intense the artificial lighting, the larger the bathroom with its washing machine and shower will appear, and the more effective the design will be. If you're comfortable with mirrors, hang more of them; they'll also visually expand the space.

So, where to place a washing machine in a bathroom with a shower stall, and still create an acceptable design? This can be a truly challenging question in some cases. However, it can be resolved with careful planning. But if you feel stuck, consider hiring a professional designer. Happy renovation!

   

Readers' comments