6 ingenious ways to hide the washing machine in the bathroom

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
Gerüstküche, Die MÖBELHAUEREI Die MÖBELHAUEREI Dapur Gaya Industrial
Loading admin actions …

We are lucky to live in a time where many of our appliances are becoming increasingly space effective and easy to use. From computers and phones to microwaves and clothing irons, this is a general trend in the right direction. Just about anyone can learn to operate everyday household appliances in a short amount of time and we are not required to allocate as much precious space in our homes to their storage. There is one rather unwavering exception, however. Though the washing machine has become more user-friendly and compact in recent decades, because it must fit a good amount of clothing per load, it will likely always be a bit bulkier than other home appliances. Whether your home or apartment must accommodate a single, couple, or large family, a washing machine is rather essential. Not all of us can dedicate an entire room to laundering, and the bathroom often becomes a dual-purpose space. Here are 6 clever ways to keep the washing machine hidden in your bathroom.

Behind closed doors

One of the most intuitive means of storing something in the home is behind closed doors. We keep clothing in closets, dishware in cabinets, and yard tools in outdoor sheds. This same principle can certainly apply to stowing the washing machine whilst not in use. You can incorporate the washing machine cabinet into the bathroom vanity by making it a symmetrical cupboard. For instance, in this bathroom, the washing machine is housed on the right side, but the centre and left side cabinets are also done in the same wooden material. In this way, you can also extend the counter space in the bathroom, something we could all probably benefit from. You may also prefer to build up a structure with sliding doors to enclose the washing machine for even stealthier placement.

Built-in solution

Another option, that omits the need for extra doors to open and close when attempting to do a load of laundry is to opt for a built-in washing machine solution beneath the bathroom counter. You could still add cupboards next to it for storing a small trashcan and other bathroom cleaning supplies. To help the laundry machine blend in, choose cupboards in a matching colour and texture. For instance, this bathroom features a washing matte white machine, and the cupboards next to it are about the same shape, size, colour and texture. If your washing machine is chrome, some sleek modern metallic silver cupboards would go nicely in the bathroom as well. There are lots of ways to help the washing machine to blend in without having to compromise your personal style.

Cover it with curtains

Perhaps a solid middle ground between choosing to stow the washing machine in a cupboard and leaving it exposed with a built-in solution is to cover it with a curtain. This is a simple DIY project that would merely require you to choose a fabric, stitch the top, and attach a curtain rod to the built-in cabinet that houses your washing machine. In fact, this could be an optimal means of adding some colour and pizzazz to a bathroom without needed to do any sort of major renovation or paint job. Simply slide the curtain to access the machine and slide it back when the washing is done. You won’t have to worry about a small child’s fingers getting shut in a slamming cabinet door or someone tripping on the washing machine cabinet door that’s come ajar. This could be a safe way and easy way to hide the laundry machine in a home with little ones romping around.

Hide it in a bespoke shelf

Another way to camouflage the washing machine unit is to incorporate into a bespoke shelf. You could make one unit that houses all laundry related things for instance. A white shelf like the one featured in this bathroom by Xilon S.r.l., perfectly fitting the machine on the bottom, a foldout hamper above, and on the top shelf, dryer sheets and detergent. If you’re really pressed for space, you could also use the bespoke shelf for housing some of your other bathroom essentials like cosmetics, towels, and cleaning supplies. If you add doors in the same colour as your washing machine to the top portions of the bespoke shelf, it will look more like one continuous cabinet unit than a washing machine with a couple of shelves stacked on top.

exploit vertical space (washing machine raised)

A particularly clever variation on the idea of helping the washing machine to blend in on a bespoke shelf is to exploit vertical space by raising your laundry machine. Granted that the shelf is sturdy enough to hold this hefty appliance, it can actually be more convenient to have the machine up off the floor. You won’t have to do so much bending over this way, and the washing machine will be out of reach of children and pets. Further, this can be an especially effective solution if you’re dealing with a washing machine and drying unit. You can stack one on top of the other this way. Additionally, you can add a small shelf for the dryer sheets and detergent this way. Use a cabinet whose colouring blends with the surrounding walls to help it blend in. Also consider foregoing handles on the cabinets, which draw further attention to the vertical storage space.

Alternative idea!

Last but not least, let’s revisit the notion that most home appliances have received significant technological makeovers in the past couple of decades. With this in mind, it is certainly in the realm of possibility to go with a smaller, space-saving washing machine. This is especially the case in a home or apartment where only one or two people are living. If you have a spare nook in the bathroom that is too small for much else, the washing machine may actually be the perfect fit. As for the subtlety of the look, it might even take you a moment to locate the washing machine in this picture. (Hint: it’s in the left-hand corner.) The machine mirrors the small storage cabinet and fills an otherwise awkward space in the bathroom without calling much attention to itself at all. Voila!

If you found this guide helpful, check out these tips for adding a study area to a small home. Happy decorating! 

Butuh bantuan dengan projek Anda?
Hubungi kami!

Sorotan dari majalah