As an unwritten rule, kitchens are more confined and tinier than we would like them to be. Having to install washers and dryers in them doesn’t help our case either. We must deal with busy and cluttered kitchens every day, and even have our laundry room exposed.
How to solve this problem? The answer is simple: hide the laundry appliances as well as you can. This article will show you that there are many safe and good-looking ways to do this.
Ready to find out? Check these 10 tricks on how to hide the washer and dryer in the kitchen, and you will soon optimize the process.
Cabinet enclosures for washers and dryers
Laundry room hidden in kitchens sounds good, but how do we do it right? Let us suggest the to-go option for all small kitchen owners: installing the machines inside the cabinets. This way, both the washer and the dryer are kept out of sight. Sometimes, there are even extra units to these cabinets you can use for laundry detergents and softeners.
If you are installing the range yourself, there are several important things to keep in mind. The cabinet must be steady and clean and placed in approximation with water and electricity sources. If you have the space for it, that should be your first choice.
In a tiny kitchen, we often forget that height is also a dimension. What this means is that you can get a taller cabinet and place the dryer over the washer. This way, you kill two birds with one stone.
Appealing barn doors that hide the washer and dryer
Cabinets are only as good as the space you have available, so we say you replace them with sliding or barn doors. They do an amazing job on wardrobes and storage units, so why not try them out in the kitchen? If you use the right texture, they will even contribute to the kitchen style.
To make this laundry space solution work for you, you need at least enough wall space for one of the two-door sides. It will work like a private laundry room inside your kitchen.
Divide the laundry room with a standalone room divider
Standalone room dividers come in all forms and shapes and can conceal everything. You can try folding screens, for instance, as they are made of lightweight materials, and you can move them around with ease. Check them out online – they come in a variety of materials and styles. Depending on the space, you may get a brand new utility room.
Depending on the space you have, you can get a single-panel room divider or a multiple-panel one. In both cases, make sure you leave enough room to open the appliances’ doors.
Old good curtains
If you don’t have enough space for a designated laundry room, try solving the problem with a curtain. This option is both simple and on-budget and can also look stylish with the right décor. A great suggestion would be to keep it simple and unappealing, but transparent enough to hide what is inside.
For multiple appliances, try hanging a wall-to-wall curtain to hide them all. A stud finder will help you locate the ceiling joists and to install a tall curtain road you won’t even spot right away. A step further would be to get drapery in the same color as the walls, so that appliances are close to the hand but far from the eye. Not even to mention the number of other supplies you can hide behind it. It will be like having a storeroom out of the blue.
Ceiling-style rods are not easy to install but don’t get discouraged. You can get swing-style rods with pivoting arms (like door hinges) and mount them directly to the wall.
Hide washer or dryer in a closet
With a bit of time and some carpentry skills, you can build your washing machine closet. Depending on the space, you can opt for sliding glass doors or two wider pantry doors – the choice is up to you! You can even repurpose an old closet and hide washer for a vintage vibe.
If possible, we recommend you use doors with reflective surfaces, as this will make the kitchen look bigger. When it comes to doors, you may want to install pantry ones, to keep the look cohesive.
To make maximum use of the space inside the closet, build in shaves and even drawers, and you can keep all necessary detergents inside.
Cover appliances in vinyl so that they will blend in
This is more of an on-budget solution if you are not into building something from scratch. We suggest you conceal both appliances with vinyl so that they blend with other kitchen elements. Luckily for you, vinyl is available in all sizes and designs you can imagine.
The project is very simple: clean the appliances first. Take the vinyl sheet and remove its backing, and then stick it directly to the machine. Follow the instructions from the vendor carefully.
Disguise washer and dryer
If you are only looking for a short-time solution before your dinner party, throw some fabric over the appliances. It won’t be difficult to find materials that resemble the cupboards and countertops you may already have.
By doing so, you will also be able to lay items on the appliances’ surface, if they are light. Some mixing bowls or even a mini toaster will fit in there perfectly, and you can use your machines without having to remove anything.
Put the washer and dryer in your large food pantry
If the spacing is of serious concern, try using the same pantry for the appliances and food. If necessary, modify the shelving and make an actual division between the washer and dryer, so that the smell doesn’t mix.
Use counter space for appliances
If you have some storage space available under the counter, use it to hide the laundry appliances. You need to make sure they can be connected to water and energy sources, and that the counter is built in a way that allows such connections.
Before you proceed, think about what else you could do to free up space and rearrange appliances. You may need to move cabinets around or take them out completely so that there will be enough room for doing laundry. If you make this happen, it will be worth it.
Get a matching countertop for the washing machine
This trick is simplicity itself. Appliances are encapsulated without any risk of distorted and mismatching appearance. As a bonus, you get some extra storage space to lay and fold your laundry.
Since the washer and dryer tend to shake along the circular movements, protect the countertop first. You can use a simple non-slip layer or a shelf before you install it. This way, you will also make sure the surface of the appliances won’t get damaged.
If you can’t find a matching countertop, try simple alternatives, such as white laminate or butcher blocks. Both items are available in home improvement stores and they won’t cost you a fortune.
Conclusions on how to hide the washer and dryer in the kitchen
As you learned from our tips on how to hide the washer and dryer in the kitchen, there is more than one way to do it. Some of these tips and tricks work for other rooms too, as they are all excellent space savers. We once again remind you to check all plumbing and electricity details in advance and only then make a final decision.
You can get some extra space to complete chores even without carpentry skills. Our suggestions require no construction work or drilling, and everyone could use them. If you got inspired, however, we encourage you to design your personal laundry closet just the way you want it. The results will be great!
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