Installing a dryer above the washing machine is the best way to save space in the laundry room. Household units occupy a smaller area, moreover, you can easily “hide” them in a closet. Yes, it is quite possible to put a stackable washing machine along with a dryer in a regular closet!
These devices occupy a rather voluminous area: for their installation, a space of at least 60×60 cm is required. You also need to take into account that hoses for connection will be located in the back and side parts. The dryer needs free space: without a constant flow of air, it will not be able to do a good job. To optimize the area, you can use a swing or sliding door.
Minimum laundry cabinet size
The wardrobe for linen should have optimal dimensions. If the width of the cabinet is insufficient, the washing machine and dryer will not be able to fit inside, or they will fit “back to back”, and there will be no free space at all. The correct dimensions will provide free access to the equipment: you can easily connect appliances to the mains and ventilation system, comfortably load and unload the washing machine and dryer.
The minimum possible locker area is 2×2 feet (approximately 61 cm). But you need to take into account the additional space required to connect to the water supply, electricity and ventilation system. You will also need space for hoses and wires. Remember that there is no standard size for all machines. All models have different dimensions. The dimensions of the machines directly depend on the brands and manufacturing countries. There are significant differences between American and European equipment.
- The width of American cars, on average, is 28 inches (about 69 cm).
- The width of machines produced by European brands is about 23 inches (59 cm). The average “European” car is inferior in size to the “American” one by 5 inches or more.
If you, first of all, decided to purchase a cabinet, then when choosing the equipment you need to be guided by its dimensions. Measure the free space inside the cabinet and buy the right size appliances. Consider the need for additional space.
If the washing machine and dryer have already been purchased, when choosing a cabinet, you need to build on their size. You can choose furniture taking into account additional space: in the future it will be used to store linen or household chemicals. Before installation, make sure that the equipment is working properly. Check machines for blockages.
How to determine the optimal cabinet size for a stackable washer and dryer?
Regardless of the size of the appliance, a cabinet that is 5 feet wide by 8 feet high is the most practical solution. The width of 5 feet (about 150 cm) and the height of 8 feet (about 210 cm) will provide comfortable accommodation for both machines. The equipment is guaranteed not to come into contact with the walls. In addition, you will have free space for storing cleaning products and laundry.
An equally important indicator is the depth of the cabinet. Cars should not be located “butt” to the door, side and rear walls. There must be at least 5 inches (about 12 cm) of space between the machines and the cabinet. This area will be needed in the future for convenient placement:
- power wires;
- water hose;
- ventilation hose.
In addition, the presence of such a gap will facilitate further operation, care and maintenance. Access to the back will remain open, and you will not need to unload the machines from the cabinet for performance checks, diagnostics and repairs.
Types of cabinet doors
It is recommended to pay attention to the cabinet doors. Some types of doors make it difficult to operate and take up valuable space inside the laundry room. The best options are sliding and hinged doors. They do not “take away” free space and do not interfere with operation.
Swing doors
Swing doors are a standard and practical option. The advantage of hinged structures is that they do not take up valuable space inside the cabinet and do not complicate the operation process. With a swing door, you can hang items right behind it.
Sliding doors
Sliding doors are also popular with housewives. Sliding doors are easy to open and take up minimal space. This is the best option for laundry.
Folding doors
Folding doors are an extremely inconvenient and impractical option. Folding structures have several serious disadvantages. Folding doors take up quite a lot of free space and make it impossible to hang storage. They are definitely not suitable for laundry.
Open facade / no door
The easiest option is to use a cabinet that does not have doors. Thus, the washer and dryer will be visible and become part of the decor. Some owners are embarrassed by the lack of doors. The disadvantage of not having doors is that you lose a separate place for hanging clothes.
Additional recommendations for arranging the space inside the cabinet
Earlier, we looked at the basic requirements for placing stackable washers and dryers in a laundry room. Now it’s worth taking a closer look at additional recommendations for using the free space inside the cabinet.
Space on other sides of appliances
Inside the laundry cabinet, there must be a space separating the side parts of the equipment from the walls of the cabinet. If you have experience using washer and dryer equipment, you are probably aware that machines can wobble during use. Most often this is due to high load. If the machines are practically “butt” to the walls, there will be no free space inside the cabinet. If the load is too strong, the machine, swaying, may be damaged against the cabinet (or vice versa). To avoid this, machines are recommended to be placed in the center.
Free space above the dryer
The placement of the dryer requires a special approach. This technique performs a specific function. The lack of free space directly affects the air flow. If the air supply is insufficient, the laundry will dry very slowly. It is recommended to leave at least 1-2 inches of free space between the top of the dryer and the cabinet. This is enough to ensure maximum airflow.
Door gap for additional air flow inside the cabinet
Remember that a regular supply of air plays a big role in the quality of the dryer. Make sure the cabinet door does not close tightly and has gaps on the top and bottom sides. During operation, the dryer needs a continuous supply of air flows.
The above tips will help you get the most out of your closet space. Use these tips to make your homework easier and avoid unnecessary labor costs.