When planning the design of any room, you want to combine convenience and aesthetics. It is especially difficult to do this in the bathroom, because there are especially many household appliances, appliances and other items that are not the most aesthetically pleasing. One of these is a washing machine in the bathroom. Many people want to hide not only the communications adjacent to it, but also the unit itself.
There are many options for completely or partially disguising a washing machine in the bathroom interior
How to properly hide a washing machine in the bathroom
Many people ask the question of how to hide a washing machine in the bathroom. Fortunately, there are several options on how to do this. There are radical solutions, for example, the construction of special structures, the manufacture of cabinets for equipment and laundry baskets, and there are also less expensive options.
One of the simplest solutions is to slide the machine under the tabletop and close it with a curtain. The tabletop can be made folding if access to the top panel of the unit is required
Curtains must be selected so that they fit into the interior of the room
This article will look at the most popular ways to properly hide a washing machine in the bathroom. Each room has its own nuances. One of the significant ones is the size of the room. The methods for placing a washing machine in a small bathroom differ from those for medium or large rooms.
A completely hidden washing machine maintains the basic line of bathroom design
Using a curtain
A simple and affordable way to disguise a washing machine is to use a decorative curtain, behind which you can hide both the unit itself and the plumbing lines. The curtain is chosen to match the tone of the wall tiles - variegated or plain, depending on the pattern on the tile.
It is better to choose curtains made of vinyl or textiles impregnated with a hydrophobic composition. They are more durable and have dirt-repellent properties. The curtain is hung on hooks or eyelets, installed on a straight or circular rod.
Options to hide a washing machine in a bathroom of different sizes
When installing a washing machine, especially if you need to place it as discreetly as possible, you need to take into account the size of the bathroom.
In a small bathroom
If the room is not large in size and is also quite narrow, then it is advisable to take this into account at the purchase stage and choose small-sized front-loading units. Such models hold no more than 4.5 kg when loaded. If this indicator is not satisfactory, and a larger capacity is needed, then you can choose models with vertical loading.
The most compact option for placing the machine is right under the washbasin.
Such a tandem should be selected in pairs - there are both special sinks and narrower and lower washing machines on sale
A full-size washing machine can be placed in the bathroom if you save space by installing a smaller bathtub or shower.
Replacing a bath with a shower will allow you to install a washing machine and place something useful above it - a cabinet, shelves or a heated towel rail
If you don’t want to sacrifice either the full size of the unit or the size of the bathtub, then you can increase the area of the room by combining it with a toilet or borrowing the area of the corridor.
Another solution is a compact wall-mounted washing machine model
In the average bathroom
In a medium-sized space you can comfortably place everything you need (without frills, of course), however, it is still important to take into account some important nuances. For example, the width of a doorway. As a rule, in medium-sized baths their width is only 60 cm. This means that only a machine with a depth of no more than 55 cm can be installed in such a room. Models with a depth of 60 or 65 cm can only be installed if the opening is first widened.
The washing machine can be placed under a common countertop next to the sink
There must be a gap between the machine and the tabletop so that vibration does not have a destructive effect.
You need to add a couple of centimeters to the depth of the unit, which are added from behind the hatch door.
In a large bathroom
The spacious room frees the apartment owners from thinking about where to fit all the necessary equipment, since in such a bathroom there is enough space for everything. All that remains is to use your imagination to choose the most suitable and convenient place. When choosing a location, you need to consider the location of outlets and water pipes.
If there is furniture in a spacious bathroom, it is better to place the machine inside a cabinet or in a niche with shelves
The dimensions of the cabinet depend on the dimensions of the machine and the availability of free space in the bathroom
If possible, it is advisable to install the equipment at some distance from the bathtub to prevent water from getting on the equipment.
If this is not possible, then you can install a partition that will protect the equipment from moisture.
Pros and cons of a mounted unit
A mini wall-mounted washing machine has several significant advantages over its floor-standing counterparts:
- Quiet operation . One of the main complaints about washing machines is the loud noise during the spin cycle. The wall-mounted model makes sounds when operating, but they cannot be heard in the next room. You can do laundry at any time of the day without the risk of waking up your family.
- No vibration . Another problem that washing machine owners face is vibration. For a suspended model this would be truly dangerous, because... the structure may simply fall off the wall during the spin cycle. To minimize vibration, the developers of mini-units used special seals.
- Easy to clean. Floor-standing models eliminate the possibility of cleaning underneath them. To clean the floors, I had to move bulky equipment. There are no such difficulties with a suspended structure: nothing interferes with general cleaning.
- Ease of loading . To put laundry in the machine or get it out after washing, you don’t have to bend over, which is inconvenient, and it’s also painful for older people with bad backs or pregnant women. If you install the mini-machine correctly, you can load things with maximum comfort.
- Economical . Washing programs are reduced, so water and energy consumption is minimal.
- Ergonomic design . The models are compact and stylish looking. The design is designed so that the device does not clutter up the space, and thanks to the rounded corners it is impossible to get hurt on the machine.
The disadvantages include a small drum volume and not the highest quality of washing. Such models are really not suitable for a large family, and they wash and spin sometimes worse than floor-standing machines of class A. But small-format equipment is indispensable if you need to quickly put things in order after a working day.
By and large, the main disadvantage of a wall-mounted washing machine is its high cost. Poor people who don’t have to wash things in large quantities can afford such a purchase.
Installation and connection may be difficult. It is difficult to install a mini-machine yourself, even despite its low weight and the presence of manufacturer’s instructions. There are few specialists with experience in such work, because the model appeared recently and is not particularly popular. This automatically leads to an increase in the cost of the service.
The compact electric assistant is ideal for a bachelor's apartment. Single people who keep their house in order rarely accumulate mountains of laundry. They usually prefer to wash things as they get dirty. The drum volume is sufficient for a set of casual clothes or bed linen.
In small apartments, sometimes there is not a single extra square centimeter, and there is simply nowhere to install a washing machine. A wall model can be a real salvation
The hanging model is indispensable for families with small children, where mothers have to wash soiled things after every walk. However, you can hardly rely solely on the mounted baby. It is advisable to also have a voluminous standard model for washing bedspreads, bed linen, and blankets.
Examples of placement for hiding a washing machine in the bathroom (photo)
In most cases, owners have a desire to hide or disguise household appliances so that they do not violate the aesthetics of the space design. This can be done in different ways. Let's look at the most common ones.
Washing machine cabinet with washbasin and pull-out basket
A cabinet with a pull-out section containing convenient plastic containers for laundry
Hide in a box
You can hide equipment in the bathroom in a specially prepared box or cabinet. It can be made from MDF boards, natural wood, which must be treated with a water-repellent agent, as well as glass or plastic. Before you begin installation, you need to take measurements of the equipment so that it fits in the box and leaves the necessary space for communications. This option is very convenient, since you can think through special niches in the box in advance. They are useful for storing laundry before washing and organizing household products.
Placing the machine inside a cabinet with doors will make the appearance of the bathroom more aesthetically pleasing and protect the device from unnecessary splashes.
It is best to make such furniture to order, taking into account the size and features of the bathroom.
Built into the countertop
The machine can be built into the countertop either with or without a door. Installation without a door will be much easier: just prepare an empty niche for installation and select a machine of the appropriate height for the countertop. In this case, the equipment will be visible, which means its appearance should always be impeccable.
It will be ideal if you can choose a washing machine model to match the bathroom interior
The second option - a countertop with a door, will allow you to hide both the machine itself and all the accompanying attributes - a laundry basket (if there is space for it), household chemicals, and so on. However, it will be important to choose a model of suitable length if the appliances under the countertop will be part of a solid furniture set.
The door can be hinged - in this case it is important that there is free space for it to open completely
The sliding door allows you to place the unit in more cramped spaces
A machine in a cabinet with doors that crack like a book
There are models of washing machines with integrated doors
Typical device and operating features
The devices of wall-mounted washing machines on the market are similar to each other. The pioneer in this market niche was the DWD-CV701 model; it went on sale in 2012 and has already confidently won an army of fans. Those who managed to purchase a compact device note some shortcomings, but are generally satisfied.
The Korean company Daewoo managed to surprise customers not only with the mounting features of the new washing machine, but also with a fairly wide range of functionality
The first washing machine is made in the form of a shiny parallelepiped with rounded corners - in the best futuristic traditions. The drum is loaded from the front, and the door is made of transparent plastic, through which silver parts are visible. It looks like a porthole.
Light shiny surfaces optically expand the space, and even a small bathroom seems larger and cleaner. The design of the model is ideal for rooms decorated in modern, high-tech, and minimalist styles.
The weight of the washing machine is between 16-18 kg. Even taking into account laundry and water, it cannot be heavier than 50-60 kg. This simplifies installation and allows the wall-mounted machine to be installed above plumbing fixtures. The fastenings are reliable, but if they suddenly fail, then if the device falls, the damage will be minimal
Ease of use is an important factor. If the machine is installed on the wall, taking into account the owner’s height, it is much easier to load laundry into it than into a floor-standing model. In addition, the weight of things does not exceed 3 kg, which makes the task easier.
The compartments for washing powder and conditioner in Daewoo units are shaped like spoons, making them very convenient for dosing bulk and liquid products.
The manufacturing company took care of the safety of customers and thought through a child protection system. It is turned on by pressing the “Program” plus “Rinse” and “Spin” buttons and holding them for 5 seconds.
When connecting, you need to pay attention to the location of the drain hose. There is no pump in the mounted mini-machine; the water drains by gravity. If the hose is pinched, the operation of the device will be impaired.
The functionality includes several programs. As a rule, there is a wash in cold water, a cycle for children's and delicate items, cycles for cotton at +40°C and +60°C.
You can run the device without washing - only in rinse and spin mode (700-800 rpm). After washing, things remain damp, but water does not drain from them. Some mini-washers have a hygienic drum cleaning option.
The wall-hung model is perfect as an additional washing machine (and this is the best option), but in many cases it can be used as the main one
Bonuses for picky buyers are the silent operation of the inverter motor, almost complete absence of vibration and the honeycomb coating of the drum, which protects delicate fabrics. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rating of full-size inverter washing machines.
Over time, Daewoo has diversified the range of wall-mounted units, the quality of washing has improved, the design has changed slightly, and options for delaying start and hygienic cleaning of the drum have been added. The features of different models, their functionality and user reviews are displayed in the rating of wall-mounted washing machines.
How to cover a washing machine in the bathroom
If the washing machine stands “by itself” and is not covered by either the surface of the niche or the countertop, it can be covered in another way. One of the most common is oilcloth. It does not allow moisture to pass onto the surface of the equipment and protects it from mechanical damage, scratches and dust. Textile napkins can perform the same function - both from natural dense fabrics and synthetics.
To prevent the machine from being scratched, the cape should be thick and dense enough
It is convenient to use a specially made cover with an elastic band
List of required tools
- Tape measure, level, screwdriver.
- Set of open-end wrenches (adjustable wrench).
- Screwdrivers.
- FUM tape.
- Pliers, scissors, knife, electrical tester.
It is possible to install a washing machine in the kitchen yourself. The result of the work performed to install a washing machine depends on the kitchen design, which must take into account the desired dimensions of the device. In small rooms, it is important to correlate the size of the device with the usable volume of the floor cabinets.
How to properly hide hoses from a washing machine in the bathroom
The correct location of all relevant communications is very important, since the proper operation of the technical unit depends on it. The hoses must not be twisted or pressed against anything. In addition to serviceability, the visual component is also important. Protruding hoses, which also take up valuable free space, will not fit into any interior. To properly hide communications, you need to pay attention to some nuances during installation. Ideally, 10 cm should be left between the back wall of the machine and the wall of the room. This is necessary so that the hoses do not cling to the existing protrusions.
Placing hoses from the washing machine in the washbasin box
An excellent location option would be to install the machine with the side wall towards the bathtub and the back against the wall. This will allow you to route the drain hose and water supply hose under the bathtub. For a more aesthetic appearance, the end of the bathtub can be decorated with a special partition made of plastic or plasterboard. All the hoses will be hidden behind it, and the free space can be used to store household chemicals.
Placing hoses under the bathtub behind the decorative panel
These are just general recommendations that will allow you to competently approach the process of installation and location of hoses. Each specific case can be completely individual, so it is better to seek advice from a specialist, and he will give specific recommendations, taking into account the size of the room and equipment.
Features of operation and installation rules
A mini hanging washing machine works the same as a standard floor washing machine. The only difference for the user is the location of the device. As a rule, manufacturers include detailed operating instructions with additional installation illustrations.
Daewoo has made sure that customers use the machine correctly. The instructions contain a detailed list of components with their images. It's impossible to get confused
When installing, you should follow several rules:
- Be sure to check the model's equipment. The technical documentation describes and depicts the necessary parts. All of them, including mounting anchor bolts, must be included.
- Install the suspended model on a solid wall . Although the machine itself weighs little, it cannot be attached to plasterboard partitions. It may break during operation.
- Follow the instructions when connecting to the water supply. Make sure that the water supply system is working perfectly and only then connect the machine. Use hoses, hose fitting.
- Consider the specifics. A short hose is provided for connecting to the sewer, so the distance should be short.
- Take care of your comfort. Install a U-shaped drain elbow. This will prevent the occurrence of unpleasant odors during washing.
As practice shows, for reliable fastening it is better to use chemical anchors. However, they will have to be purchased separately, since they are often not provided in the standard configuration.
