The small area of most bathrooms forces the use of space as efficiently as possible. Particular attention should be paid to the placement of household appliances, in particular the washing machine. It occupies a large volume, but the space on top and on the sides is often unfairly ignored. Sometimes the surface of the washing machine is used to store cosmetics, bath accessories or household chemicals. In the best case, hanging shelves are fixed above the machine. But there is another option: special cabinets for washing machines with a thoughtful storage system and space for hoses.
Advantages and disadvantages of a cabinet above a washing machine
To begin with, let’s talk about the advantages. The first and main thing, relevant for all models, is additional space for storing necessary things. Additional shelves will not hurt even in a spacious bathroom, and even more so in a small one. In addition, the closet will not take up space on the floor.
To get a beautiful interior and make the most of the space, you need to choose functional furniture.
The second advantage is that floor-standing models will reliably protect equipment from moisture. Still, keeping complex equipment directly in the bathroom can be unsafe. Therefore, you need to use every opportunity to minimize the risk of washing away from water.
There are many reasons why you should buy a cabinet for your bathroom, as this piece of furniture offers convenience and versatility.
This design also has disadvantages. There is only one, but it is real and belongs to floor cabinets. The fact is that you may not notice a leak in time due to a detached hose. There is a risk of flooding your apartment and your neighbor’s. But if you monitor the condition of the washing machine during and after washing, nothing bad will happen.
They are great for small bathrooms, saving space.
Bathroom shelves 2021: interesting solutions
Bathroom as the center of home relaxation? Why not! For this idea to work, it is worth having a practical shelf in the bathroom. Both the shower corner and the bathtub should be as functional as possible - shelves should be placed inside so that you can comfortably use cosmetics. In addition to the recesses that can be made in the wall during the bathroom finishing stage, you can also use various shelves. See which shower solutions are the best?
Shelves in the bathroom in the wall, which are hidden in a niche
An interesting alternative to wall-mounted shelves are bathroom shelves located in recesses. They do not optically reduce the interior and can be very spacious. You can even install a washing machine or laundry basket in the large recess. In the niches the shelves are very well presented. An interesting decorative effect is achieved through appropriate lighting of recesses in bathrooms. LED lamps with soft, dim light create a pleasant atmosphere for a long, relaxing bathing session, and are safer than candles.
The most functional are shelves located in niches. Optically, they do not make the room smaller, and most importantly, they can accommodate many items useful in the bathroom. An interesting effect can also be achieved by choosing the right lighting. The undoubted advantage of recessed shelves is that they can accommodate not only small everyday items, but also a washing machine or laundry basket.
Spacious bathroom cabinet
In a small bathroom there is not always room for massive furniture. Bathroom shelves are not the only space-saving solution, as even in limited spaces you can install a practical cabinet. More shelves will allow you to organize all your cosmetics, accessories, towels and cleaning products. A shelf-rack for a bathroom allows you to avoid the labor-intensive installation of separate structures on the wall, but there is another side to the coin: it takes up space on the floor and makes cleaning difficult.
Corner shelf in the bathroom
In bathrooms, especially small ones, corner shelves that don't take up surface space are ideal. They can be made from a variety of materials such as metal, glass, plastic, wood, etc., making them suitable for bathrooms designed in almost any style. If bathroom space doesn't limit you, you might want to consider traditional shelving. They will allow you to decorate your bathroom in both classic and modern style.
For small bathrooms, self-adhesive baskets are an excellent alternative to traditional shelves. They are ideal for storing bath and bath accessories. Because they are waterproof, they can even be installed inside the shower. You can place items weighing up to 3 kg. Attaching to tiles does not require drilling holes, screws or nails. The baskets are made of high quality plastic and do not leave traces of evaporation.
Bathtub shelf for towels
Another interesting idea is heated towel rails for the bathroom. This type of solution gives a warm feeling to the room and also allows you to store towels or other bath textiles. Thanks to its functionality, this shelf is ideal for both small and large bathrooms. This solution allows a unique piece of equipment to be used twice for each hygiene area.
Types of cabinet designs
Like any other furniture, a wardrobe can be: floor-standing, built-in or wall-mounted. Let's talk about each model in more detail.
Depending on the type of placement, a cabinet installed in a bathroom can be built-in, wall-mounted, or floor-mounted (pencil case).
Floor models
They resemble part of a kitchen set. This could be a tall pencil case, which in addition to a niche for a typewriter has upper shelves. Behind them you can hide the boiler and communications. It is also suitable for storing household chemicals, tools and more.
The most common type of bathroom cabinets are those that are placed on the floor.
Families with small children will appreciate the advantage of tall cabinets. On the top shelves you can hide things and products that kids should not get into.
Also, the cabinet can be wide, with several compartments. This option is suitable for spacious bathrooms, as it will take up more space.
They are easy to use and can be easily combined with additional modules.
Wall cabinet above the washing machine
The simplest and safest option. A closed cabinet or open shelf is mounted above the washing machine. It is perfect for storing household chemicals, tools, and other small items. The advantage of this design is that it is easier to assemble it yourself, and it will not block access to communications. This means that if the hose comes loose, you won’t have to move or disassemble the furniture to fix the leak.
When arranging a small bathroom, it is important to save useful space; wall cabinets will help with this.
Built-in options
They visually save space and hide household appliances from view. But a built-in wardrobe is suitable only for a spacious room or for a bathroom, in which, according to the layout, there is a niche for a typewriter. That is, it will not be possible to install it in typical apartments of the old style.
Most cabinets that are installed above the washing machine are made to order to individual sizes.
Accommodation
Cabinets including a washing machine are arranged in the hallway, in the kitchen, in a spacious restroom (this sometimes happens). The easiest way to do it is in the bathroom, where the approach to communications for connecting the machine is easier. The location of the cabinet is determined against the wall, in the corners or where there are niches or idle space. You can abandon the large bathtub in favor of a vertical shower to accommodate shelving. Cabinets decorate and hide problem areas.
The use of corner cabinets successfully plays up the space, rounding the room at the top, creating the impression of spaciousness and comfort.
Cabinets will hide pipes and plumbing fixtures. Even a narrow washing machine can be hidden under a lily pad sink. The cabinet will help to combine them and place hygiene products in convenient proximity to the water. On such a cabinet it is appropriate to use glass and a mirror on the doors.
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Methods of designing facades
The design of the cabinet depends entirely on the taste of the owners, as well as on the stylistic decision of the bathroom. But it is worth considering that the room has high humidity, so not all decor options and materials are suitable. For example, a varnished board will quickly become unusable.
Narrow models are chosen when the space on the sides above the washing machine is limited.
It is better to pay attention to natural wood and coating with hydrophobic paints or laminated materials. Laminate can be of any shade, and photo printing fits perfectly on it.
For a small bathroom, light furniture or a cabinet with mirrored doors is suitable.
In small bathrooms you can place only one floor cabinet, but in spacious rooms a whole set is usually installed.
Important! Due to machine vibrations, mirrors that are not securely fastened can fall and break. Therefore, it is important to think through this point. It is better to make mirrored doors on hanging cabinets that are not connected to the washing machine by the body.
Internal filling of the cabinet
There may be shelves or a cavity inside the structure. It all depends on the needs of the home owners. If it is necessary to hide pipes or a boiler, then the space is left empty or small “air” shelves are mounted closer to the cabinet doors.
Today, bathroom cabinets above the washing machine are manufactured in a huge range of models.
If the priority is additional space for storing things and household chemicals, then the closet is “started” with the required number of shelves.
In order for the cabinet installed in the bathroom above the washing machine to harmoniously fit into the design of the room and reliably serve for a long time, it must be chosen correctly.
Important! When choosing the distance between shelves, it is worth taking into account the dimensions of some containers for household chemicals and the sizes of other things that will be in the closet. It is better to make one or two spacious shelves, and 2-3 with a small height.
You also need to provide a place to install a laundry basket. It can be stored in a closet or on an open countertop shelf, which is located directly above the washing machine.
If the design involves the use of furniture made of natural wood, then cabinets decorated with carvings would be an excellent choice.
Kinds
A cabinet combined with a washing machine can be:
- Free standing. In this case, the equipment is installed under the countertop, and the cabinet itself is more like a cabinet, inside of which, next to the machine, there may be a dryer, a laundry basket, shelves for household chemicals, and pipes hidden from view. In addition, the countertop of such a cabinet can extend and include a washbasin, which is even more beneficial for saving space.
- Vertical. A standard cabinet with hinged doors, in which there is no bottom and the washing machine is hidden. The equipment in such a cabinet can be raised, which makes loading/unloading laundry easier.
- Built-in. This option is both expensive and very difficult to implement, as it requires redevelopment and repair work.
- Corner. An excellent choice for the owner of a small bathroom that has a free corner.
Rules and features of choosing a cabinet for a washing machine
The most important thing is to determine the dimensions of the furniture. They directly depend on the size of the washing machine. In floor cabinets, the niche in width and height should be 2-5 cm larger than the body of the machine. The rear bar should be located 10 cm further than the back wall of the machine.
After installing the furniture, there should be 2 to 5 cm between its side walls and the body of the machine.
This is necessary to ensure air circulation, which will protect the equipment from overheating. And the cabinet itself will not be affected by the vibrations that the machine produces. If the walls of the furniture are closely adjacent to the body, the equipment will begin to overheat and quickly fail. In addition, installing a washing machine in a narrow niche is quite problematic.
Since the cabinet will be installed in a room characterized by high humidity, it must be made of a material that is resistant to heat and water.
If the machine is hidden behind the doors, there should be two of them. That is, you need to add a few more cm to the depth of the cabinet. When choosing a material, it is worth considering that they can provide an insulation effect. This should not happen, so breathable options are suitable.
As for structures made of MDF, metal and natural wood, they look stylish and expensive, but require additional protection.
Manufacturers and models
Cabinets for washing machines are produced by many furniture manufacturers, ranging from online giants (note IKEA) to private companies that specialize in the production of furniture for bathrooms.
The model range consists of wall cabinets, pencil cases, small niche bedside tables, which are intended only to “disguise” the machine. The catalogs also present spacious floor-standing options with a niche for a typewriter and an additional chest of drawers for storing things.
The cabinet should combine well with other pieces of furniture and plumbing fixtures.
The height of the products ranges from 1 m to 2.5 m.
An alternative to ready-made furniture are cabinets assembled according to individual measurements and drawings. This is the best option, since this design can be equipped with a towel holder and a hook for hanging a basket with laundry.
If you decide to hide the machine behind a built-in cabinet, then you need to order it only according to individual drawings.
Designs in light colors are considered a classic option, while multi-colored models look no less interesting.
Manufacturers
Quite often, a cabinet with a washing machine inside is ordered individually according to the required dimensions, but there are also ready-made options on sale. For example, the popular company IKEA offers a convenient model of such a cabinet, made of chipboard with a protective film. The model is called Lillongen and is available in white and black-brown.
This is a tall, narrow cabinet 64 cm wide, inside of which there are two shelves (they can be adjusted in height) and two towel racks. The product is also distinguished by the presence of adjustable plastic legs for greater stability of the model and protection of the cabinet from moisture.
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The wall-mounted model of a cabinet for a washing machine is produced by the Russian company Vod-ok. The width of the product is 60 cm, and this cabinet is made of MDF. It has two shelves and an upper compartment with hinged doors complemented by soft closers for smooth closing.
Step-by-step instructions for making a cabinet above the washing machine with your own hands
You can assemble the cabinet yourself. Both beginners and experienced home craftsmen can do this. The most important thing is to make the right calculations.
What is needed for making
In addition to manufacturing materials, you will need a minimum set of tools:
- screwdriver;
- drill;
- jigsaw;
- fastenings (corners, screws);
- accessories;
- pencil and tape measure.
Equipment and tools for making a cabinet can be found in every home.
Be sure to purchase and use protective equipment - glasses and gloves.
Preparatory stage
First you need to measure the dimensions of the stylish car and calculate the dimensions of the cabinet.
Important! Furniture should look organic in the bathroom. If it is small, then you should not make a cabinet under the ceiling. In addition, tall models are less stable. The optimal height is 1.7 m.
It is better to make a cabinet from moisture-resistant laminated MDF boards: this is the most suitable budget material. It consists of pressed chips and natural binding elements that, when heated, do not emit harmful substances into the air.
It is necessary to make a drawing, taking into account the dimensions of the cabinet. It should be 3-4 cm wider than the washing machine.
Necessarily! The board must be covered with PVC, the thickness of the material is at least 19-20 mm. Furniture made from this material can withstand a heavy washing machine weighing up to 80 kg.
The MDF surface must be solid, without scratches or chips. Otherwise, the furniture will quickly deteriorate from moisture.
It is necessary to calculate the parameters of the parts, taking into account the fact that the shelves will be 10-15 cm shorter than the lower and upper walls. Then markings are applied to the MDF sheet and cut.
If you cannot cut out the parts yourself or lack confidence in your abilities, it is better to order them.
You can order ready-made material, which will be cut on a special machine.
Step-by-step description of the manufacturing process
How to assemble a cabinet for a washing machine:
- Screw the legs to the base;
- drill holes and insert shelf holders;
- connect the base and connect it with corners to the side walls;
- fasten the top part to the back bar with corners;
- install internal shelves.
At this stage the cabinet is almost assembled. All that remains is to install the doors with closers and think about the finishing.
The intermediate shelves will be 10-15 mm shorter than the bottom and top walls.
Instead of a cabinet, you can hang air hanging shelves above the washing machine. It's much easier and takes minimal time. All you need is a treated board, a drill, a screwdriver and corner fasteners on which the structure will be held. However, it is worth considering the capabilities of the wall: if it is “weak,” then you should not place large, heavy objects on the shelves.
Final finishing and decor
If photo printing is applied to the laminated material, then there is no need for decoration. However, you can do it differently and attach lightweight mirrors to the shelf doors. They will reflect light, making the room seem more spacious.
Mirrors visually increase the space in the room, so many designers take advantage of this advantage.
You can also complete the decoration by installing useful accessories, such as a hook for hanging a laundry basket or a towel holder. These additions will be useful in order to save space and properly arrange the work area.
With the help of such cabinets you can significantly transform your interior.
How to do it yourself?
Bathroom cabinets have a right to life: they have a simple geometry and are made from affordable materials, they are budget-friendly, but always exclusive. If you have tools in the house and you know how to use them, then this is a feasible task.
- Design a cabinet, the simplest option is to make a vertical pencil case or assemble a combination of two parts: a rack at the top and a box for the car at the bottom. The part with shelves can be corner.
- Take measurements. Some companies sell “semi-finished products”: cuts for walls, shelves, hinged doors, this simplifies the task, their total cost should not exceed the price of finished cabinets. If the house is not new, then measurements need to be taken several times: the walls are very uneven, like the level of the floors.
- Wall connection. You need to make holes with a 5 mm drill. If the canvas is solid, then duplicate the holes from the edge of the part to prevent longitudinal cracks from forming. For strength, use corners, coat the wood joints with PVA glue, and screw in the screws.
- If the cabinet has legs, then furniture screws will successfully cope with this task; they can be used to conveniently adjust their height. To prevent the hats from scratching the floor, hide them in plastic covers. Use a level to check if it's level.
- If the cabinet is made of two parts, then you can connect them by holding them tightly in a vice and drilling holes. The length of the screws is important: short ones will form a flimsy connection, long ones will stick out and spoil the look.
- Shelves can be installed in the same way as connections: prepare holes in the cabinet walls and screws. Use plugs to hide visible connections.
- If you cut out the parts yourself, then process the outer edges with a router or sandpaper.
- When installing the cabinet, make sure it is level.
- Drawers begin to be made by screwing the handle into the center of the front part (measure the center in height and length). Connect the front with the sides; they should completely “hide” behind the face of the box. The back and bottom can be nailed with a hammer. Attach the fittings (guides) to the cabinet walls at the same level: the guides should be horizontal so that the drawer does not roll around and closes easily.
- The rear wall of the cabinet, if provided, is also secured with a hammer and nails. To make it look aesthetically pleasing, the gap between them should be 7-15 cm.
- The doors are hung last. Screw in the screws at right angles to prevent the doors from sagging. Use latches to prevent them from swinging open; you can buy these devices in the hardware department.
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Before work, think about where and when you can carry out certain work: cutting, impregnation of wood, painting, joining parts. Making it yourself takes longer than buying or having a craftsman do it. There may be inconvenience for household members and neighbors due to noise, the smell of paint and chemicals.
It is up to you to choose which cabinet will be in the bathroom. The main thing is that he decorates it.
Examples of the location of the cabinet above the washing machine in the photo
There are many ways to place a cabinet above a washing machine. The photo shows popular options that are suitable for bathrooms of different sizes. Among them, you can choose the appropriate one, and then make adjustments to the plan in accordance with your own ideas and taking into account the features of the apartment’s layout.
