Sink with a cabinet for a washing machine

Washing machine cabinets are very popular due to their many advantages. They're installed not only in the kitchen but also in the bathroom. Even in limited space, this is quite possible, as there are not just cabinets, but also washing machine cabinets with sinks. We decided to write an article about this type of cabinetry.

Varieties

According to the dictionary, a cabinet is a low cabinet with a door or drawers. This means that a washing machine cabinet should have similar features; otherwise, it would be a different piece of furniture. Despite this narrow definition, cabinets with sinks can be divided into several groups.

Depending on the material from which the cabinets are made, they can be divided into:

• Wooden furniture is very expensive. Wood is processed using special technologies, and the furniture is treated with compounds that prevent wood rot. Most often, custom-made cabinets are made from wood to match a classic bathroom design.
• Bedside tables made of MDF and fiberboard are the most popular furniture, which are distinguished by their relatively low price, high moisture resistance, and a wide choice of colors.
  
• Plastic – durable furniture structures, not afraid of moisture, lightweight and inexpensive.
• Combination vanities – MDF vanities with a stone countertop and sink. This type of furniture has become popular recently. The stone attracts attention and makes the vanity unique and durable.

One cabinet with a sink for a washing machine may differ from another in the way it is mounted, and therefore a distinction is made between:

• Wall-hung cabinets are attached to the wall of the room using anchor bolts. Shelves are located directly under the sink, covered by doors. The siphon and all the hoses coming from the washing machine are hidden behind these same doors. The machine itself is located nearby under the shared countertop. This convenient design takes up little space and provides unobstructed access to utilities.
  

  Important! The wall-mounted cabinet can only be attached to a load-bearing wall of the building.

• Floor-standing cabinets—the side walls of these cabinets act as the structural support. It's important that the material used for this support be moisture-resistant, otherwise constant floor moisture will quickly damage the furniture.
  
• on legs - unlike the previous type, these cabinets have metal legs, but otherwise they are no different from the above-mentioned furniture samples.
  

Depending on their size, cabinets can be compact or large. However, they all have the same height, no more than 90 cm. Taller cabinets for automatic washing machines are not considered cabinets; they would be more like a cabinet. Furthermore, a high-mounted sink would be inconvenient. The most compact cabinets are 110 cm wide and 61 cm deep. This is quite enough to install shelves or drawers, a sink and a washing machine in such a cabinet.

A cabinet for a washing machine and sink can be much larger, for example, 130 cm wide and 60 cm deep. If the bathroom space allows, why not include such a piece of furniture? If you have a separate dryer, you can also make room for it, in which case the cabinet width will be at least 170 cm. The sink and cabinet will be located in the center of such a cabinet, with appliances at the edges.

According to the installation location, cabinets can be divided into:

• straight ones - those that are placed along one wall;
• Corner ones – those that occupy not just the corner of the room, but also space along adjacent walls.

Additionally, some cabinets are not designed to conceal appliances because they lack doors. However, if you need to hide a washing machine, you can choose a cabinet with a door.

Shape and design

Material, size, and the presence of convenient drawers aren't the only considerations when choosing a washing machine cabinet. The shape and design of the cabinet also play a significant role.

A well-chosen piece will create an attractive and harmonious interior. As for nightstands, they are typically made in light colors. However, there are also combination nightstands, for example, red and white or white and black.

The shape of a vanity unit can also vary. It can be rectangular with sharp right angles. It can also be rounded, with a rounded door, an oval countertop, and a similarly oval sink. The furniture can be designed in a specific style. A classic vanity unit typically features carved fronts, unusual handles, and a white or beige color. A modern vanity unit will be more angular, without unnecessary elements, with glossy fronts. Handles on cabinets and doors may be completely absent due to the automatic opening mechanism.

Tips for choosing

When choosing furniture for a washing machine, you need to consider a number of factors. Here are some tips to help you make sure you don't forget anything when buying.

1. Specify the dimensions of the washing machine and the dimensions of the space where this piece of furniture will be located.
   

   Remember! There should be a gap between the cabinet walls and the washing machine body. This is necessary to prevent the machine from vibrating against the furniture, which can cause wear and tear.

2. Plan to purchase a cabinet after purchasing a washing machine, and not the other way around.
3. Find out how the hoses from the washing machine will be hidden in the cabinet, how the plumbing is connected.
4. Inspect the hardware of the furniture you're buying. It should be durable and reliable. Handles, hinges, and legs should be made of chrome-plated metal; it is more resistant to moisture and suits any interior.
5. Don't forget about the design of the room where the furniture will be installed. A classic vanity should be avoided in a high-tech bathroom, just as a plastic vanity should be avoided in a traditional bathroom.
6. Inspect the cabinet from all sides; it should not have any chips, peeling coating, bulging areas, scratches or other defects.
7. Determine your budget for bathroom furniture. Consider whether you can save money or, conversely, hold off on purchasing and save up for a higher-quality product.

Installation steps

In most cases, all components are supplied together—the trap, sink, and faucet. If you have to purchase everything separately, be careful.

In most cases, such cabinets are equipped with "lily pad" sinks, which allows for the installation of drawers and shelves under the sink.

Water lily sinks are distinguished by the fact that their water drain is located closer to the back wall, which means the siphon is also located further away from the wall. The installation process of the machine and the cabinet consists of the following steps:

• Flexible cold and hot water hoses are connected to the mixer.
• Then these hoses are passed through the hole in the table top of the cabinet.
• A tee tap is connected to the cold water supply pipe, and a cold hose from the mixer is connected to one end of it.
• The hot hose of the mixer is connected to the hot water supply pipe.
• Next, a siphon with a drain is connected to the sink and drainage system.
• The machine is placed in the cabinet, or, more simply, it is pushed under the countertop, since the machine will be on the floor.
• Then connect the inlet hose to the cold water and the drain hose to the siphon outlet.
• The machine is plugged into the network and a test wash is performed.

Review of ready-made furniture

A custom-made cabinet for a sink and washing machine can be created, but this will take a long time and may be more expensive than a ready-made one. If you don't have any special requirements for the furniture, it's perfectly acceptable to purchase a ready-made one from a store. Here's what manufacturers offer.

Misty Cuba nightstand. This Russian-made piece of furniture features a white finish with chrome trim. The nightstand is suitable for narrow washing machine, since the depth is only 49 cm, the height is 90 cm, and the width is 120 cm. The cabinet is made of enamel-coated MDF. The price is approximately $160.

The Lotus 120 is a wall-mounted vanity unit featuring a sink and a cabinet for a washing machine. The vanity unit can be positioned on the left or right. The vanity unit is white. A drawer with a soft-opening system is located beneath the sink. Price: approximately $240.

The Lotus 130 is a floor-standing vanity set with chromed metal legs, available in a variety of colors. The red vanity is particularly popular. Two drawers are located under the sink. A mirror and wall cabinet are often included with this set. The vanity is priced at $310.

A tastefully chosen washing machine cabinet will definitely be noticed. It will complement any bathroom decor and provide additional storage for laundry supplies. Choose your furniture wisely!

   

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