Best Ways: How To Hide A Washer And Dryer In A Kitchen Easily

Many people want to know if they can put their washer and dryer in the kitchen. Yes, you absolutely can put a washer and dryer in your kitchen. It’s a very common plan, especially in smaller homes, apartments, or flats where space is tight. Putting laundry machines here is a smart way to use space you already have. This article will show you the best ways to hide these machines so your kitchen still looks nice. We will look at different ways to make a concealed laundry area kitchen that works for you. These ideas help you hide washing machine in kitchen spaces easily.

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Why Put Laundry in the Kitchen?

Putting your washing machine and dryer in the kitchen might seem strange at first. But it makes good sense for many homes.

• Saving Space: This is the biggest reason. If you do not have a basement, a spare room, or a garage, the kitchen might be the only place left. Using kitchen space keeps other rooms free for living.
• Using What You Have: The kitchen already has things laundry needs: water pipes and electricity. Adding the machines there can be simpler than putting them somewhere new.
• Easy to Use: It can be handy to do chores. You can start a wash while you cook or clean the kitchen.
• Smaller Homes: In small houses or flats, every bit of space counts. Small kitchen laundry solutions are key here. Putting laundry in the kitchen is a good example of space saving kitchen laundry.

Things to Think About First

Before you put laundry in your kitchen, you need to think about a few things. Getting these right helps make sure your new laundry spot works well and is safe.

• Water and Drains: Your washing machine needs water pipes to bring clean water in and a drain to take dirty water away. Your kitchen sink area is a good place for this because the pipes are already there. You need to check if the pipes can handle the extra water and if the drain can take water from the washing machine.
• Power: Both machines need electricity. You need to make sure you have enough power points close by. They should be safe ones, especially near water.
• Air Flow (Ventilation): Washing machines can make the air wet. Dryers, especially some types, need good air flow. If you use a vented dryer, you need a way for the hot, wet air to go outside. This usually means a vent through a wall. If you use a condenser or heat pump dryer, they collect the water, but you still need to make sure the area gets fresh air to stop dampness.
• Noise and Shaking: Washing machines can be noisy when they spin fast. They can also shake a lot. You need to think about how to stop the noise and shaking from bothering you in the kitchen. Putting them on a strong floor and using special mats can help.
• Space: Do you have enough room? You need space for the machines themselves. You also need space to open the doors, load and unload clothes, and maybe store soap. This is where planning for laundry in kitchen ideas becomes important.

Different Ways to Hide Your Laundry

The main goal is to make your kitchen look like a kitchen, not a laundry room. There are several good ways to hide your washer and dryer. The best way for you depends on how much space you have, your budget, and how you want the kitchen to look.

Using Special Built-in Machines

Some washing machines and dryers are made to fit right inside kitchen cabinets. These are called integrated appliances.

• What They Are: Integrated washer dryer kitchen units are built so you can put a cupboard door on the front. When the door is closed, you can’t tell there is a machine inside. They look just like another kitchen cupboard.
• How They Work: You put the machine in a gap in your kitchen cabinets. Then, a door that matches your other kitchen doors is fixed to the front of the machine.
• Good Points:
  • They look very neat and tidy. The machines are completely hidden.
  • They fit perfectly with your kitchen style.
  • They often come with features to reduce noise, as they are inside a cabinet.
• Things to Think About:
  • These machines can cost more than machines that are not built-in.
  • They might not be as big inside as stand-alone machines. This means you might wash less clothing at one time.
  • If they need fixing, it can be harder because they are built into the cabinets.
• Best For: People who are planning a new kitchen or changing their old one. People who want the cleanest, most hidden look possible and have the money for it.

Building Cabinets Just for Laundry

You can hide regular washing machines and dryers too. The most common way is to build or buy a special cupboard unit just for them. This is often called a built-in laundry cabinet or a kitchen cabinet for laundry.

• How It Looks: This is like making a small laundry cupboard area within your kitchen. You create a space, often in a corner or at the end of a run of cabinets, big enough for your machines. Then you add doors on the front that match your kitchen cabinets.
• Types of Setups:
  • Side by Side: If you have a wide space, you can put the washer and dryer next to each other under a countertop. You then put big doors across the front. This needs a good amount of width.
  • Stacked: If you have a tall space but not much width, you can put the dryer on top of the washing machine. You need a stacking kit to do this safely. This setup fits into a narrower, tall cupboard space.
• How It Works: You need to measure your machines carefully to make sure the cabinet space is big enough. You also need to plan for pipes, wires, and maybe a vent. The cabinet needs to be strong. The doors can be normal cupboard doors.
• Good Points:
  • You can use standard washing machines and dryers, which can save money.
  • You can choose machines with bigger drum sizes.
  • You can design the cabinet to fit your exact space and machines.
  • It creates a neat concealed laundry area kitchen.
• Things to Think About:
  • Building or fitting the cabinet might need a professional carpenter or kitchen fitter.
  • You still need to plan for all the connections (water, drain, power, vent).
  • Getting machines in and out for fixing might need you to take the doors off or more.
• Best For: People who have a bit more space to use or who want to use their current machines. It works well for both new kitchens and changing an old kitchen. It’s a classic hide washing machine in kitchen method.

Using Appliance Garages or Pocket Doors

Some special doors can hide the machines very well and save space when open.

• Appliance Garage for Laundry: This usually means doors that slide back into the sides of the cabinet or lift up and slide away. Think of the roll-up doors for small kitchen appliances, but bigger. Or doors that look normal but slide into the wall cavity or cabinet side when opened.
• Pocket Doors: These are doors that slide completely into the wall beside the opening. You need a wall space for them to slide into.
• How They Work: These door types mean the doors do not stick out into the kitchen space when they are open. This is very helpful in small kitchens.
• Good Points:
  • Save space when the laundry area is open for use. Doors are not in the way.
  • Look very clean when closed.
  • Can hide stand-alone machines within a built space.
• Things to Think About:
  • These doors can be more complex and cost more than simple hinged doors.
  • Pocket doors need space inside the wall.
  • Fitting them often needs professional help.
• Best For: Kitchens where space is very tight and even open cupboard doors get in the way. People who like clever design features.

Simple Curtain Solutions

If you need a quicker, cheaper way to hide the machines, curtains can work.

• How It Looks: You fit a rail above the space where the machines are. Then you hang a nice curtain that matches your kitchen colours.
• How It Works: The curtain just hangs in front of the machines. You pull it open to use them.
• Good Points:
  • Very low cost and easy to do yourself.
  • No changes needed to the kitchen cabinets.
  • Easy access to the machines.
  • You can change the look easily by changing the curtain.
• Things to Think About:
  • Does not look as “built-in” or neat as cabinets or integrated machines.
  • The curtain might get in the way a little when the machines are open.
  • Might not block noise as well as solid doors.
• Best For: Rental homes, people on a low budget, or as a short-term idea.

Picking the Right Spot

Where you put the hidden laundry spot in your kitchen makes a difference.

• Near Pipes: Putting it near the sink is often easiest for water and drain pipes.
• Quiet Spot: Away from the main seating or eating area if possible, to help with noise.
• Out of the Way: A corner or the end of a cabinet run is often best so it is not in the main path.
• Near an Outside Wall: If you need to vent a dryer, being near an outside wall makes this much easier.

How to Blend it into Your Kitchen Style

Making the laundry area look like part of the kitchen is key to hiding it well. This is part of good kitchen design with laundry.

• Matching Doors: If you use cabinets, make sure the doors match your other kitchen cupboards exactly. This is the most important step for a concealed laundry area kitchen.
• Worktop Above: If you put machines side-by-side under a counter, use the same worktop material as the rest of your kitchen. This makes the space look useful, not just like a laundry corner.
• Colour and Style: Make the area blend in with the colours, handles, and general style of your kitchen.

Making the Space Useful

Even when hidden, the laundry area can be made more useful.

• Storage Above: If you have stacked machines, the space above can be used for shelves for soap, softener, or other cleaning things.
• Pull-Out Shelf: If you have machines side-by-side under a counter, a pull-out shelf between them or above can be a handy spot to fold clothes or put the laundry basket.
• Lighting: Add a small light inside the cabinet or space so you can see what you are doing.

Pros and Cons of Kitchen Laundry

Let’s look at the good and bad points of having your laundry machines in the kitchen, even when hidden.

Good Points:

• Saves space in other rooms.
• Uses existing water and power connections.
• Can be very convenient for doing chores while you are already in the kitchen.
• Hidden solutions make the kitchen still look nice.
• Great for small kitchen laundry solutions.
• Good use of space for laundry in kitchen ideas.

Things to Think About (Cons):

• Noise and shaking from machines can be a problem in a main living area like the kitchen.
• Needs careful planning for plumbing, power, and possibly venting.
• Risk of water leaks in the kitchen.
• Machines take up space that could be used for kitchen cupboards or worktop.
• Fitting the machines and hiding them can cost extra money.
• Dampness could be an issue if ventilation is not right.

Making it Work: Planning and Fitting

Getting your hidden kitchen laundry right needs good planning.

• Measure Everything: Measure your machines, the space in your kitchen, and the doors you plan to use. Leave a little extra space around the machines for air flow and pipes/wires. Check how much space the doors need to open.
• Check Your Machines: Make sure your washing machine is a front-loader if you plan to hide it behind a door or stack it. Top-loaders need space above to open.
• Get Professional Help: For plumbing, electrical work, and building custom cabinets, it is often best to get help from someone who does this work for a living. They can make sure everything is safe and meets building rules. This is extra important near water in a kitchen.
• Think About the Floor: Washing machines can make the floor wet if there is a leak. A tray under the machine can catch water. Make sure the floor is strong enough for the weight and movement.
• Access: Make sure you can still easily get to the water taps, drain pipe, and power plug for times when you need to turn them off or if there is a problem. Also, think about how you would pull a machine out if it needs fixing.

Keeping Your Hidden Laundry Spot Nice

Once your laundry is hidden in the kitchen, a little care helps keep it working well and looking good.

• Watch for Water: Always check for any small leaks or drips, especially near the pipes and the machine door seal. Fix them quickly.
• Clean the Area: Keep the inside of the cabinet or space clean and dry. Wipe up any spilled soap or water. This helps stop smells and dampness.
• Leave Doors Open (Sometimes): After using the washing machine, leaving the cabinet doors open for a while lets the air move around. This helps dry out the inside of the machine and the cabinet and stops damp smells.
• Balance the Load: Put clothes evenly in the washing machine drum. This helps stop the machine from shaking too much during the spin cycle. Less shaking means less noise and less stress on the cabinet.
• Check Vents (If Used): If your dryer vents outside, check the vent pipe now and then to make sure it is not blocked with fluff.

Different Hiding Ideas and How They Look

Let’s look at some specific ways people make a concealed laundry area kitchen.

1. The Tall Larder Cupboard Look

• Idea: Use a tall cupboard, like a pantry cupboard, to stack the washer and dryer inside.
• How it Looks: From the outside, it looks like a normal tall kitchen cupboard. You open the tall doors to find the stacked machines.
• Why it Works: Uses height rather than width, good for narrow spaces. Fits in with tall kitchen cabinets. A kitchen cabinet for laundry like this can be very neat.
• Needed: A strong, tall cabinet unit. A stacking kit for the machines. Careful planning for power and pipes behind the machines. Doors that go from floor to ceiling (or close to it). This creates a dedicated space saving kitchen laundry zone.

2. Under the Countertop

• Idea: Place machines side-by-side under a standard kitchen worktop.
• How it Looks: Machines sit like a dishwasher or fridge under the counter. Doors match the base cabinets are put on the front.
• Why it Works: Uses space below existing counters. Provides extra worktop space above. Good if you have a wide enough gap.
• Needed: Enough width for both machines plus space for pipes/wires. Strong worktop above. Base cabinet doors to cover the front. This is a classic built-in laundry cabinet style.

3. In an Island Unit

• Idea: Put the washer and dryer inside a kitchen island.
• How it Looks: Machines are hidden behind doors on one side of the island. The island looks like a normal kitchen island from the outside.
• Why it Works: Good use of island space. Keeps machines away from main cabinet runs. Can be a good spot for pipes and wires if planned early. Adds laundry in kitchen ideas to an island design.
• Needed: A large enough island with space inside. Careful planning for getting water, drain, and power to the island. Doors on the island to hide the machines.

4. Behind Sliding Doors

• Idea: Build a recess or cupboard space for the machines and use sliding doors to cover it.
• How it Looks: A section of the wall or cabinets has doors that slide from side to side. When closed, it looks like a flat wall or large cupboard.
• Why it Works: Doors do not stick out when open, saving space. Can hide a wider area if needed. Offers a clean, modern look.
• Needed: Space for the doors to slide (either in front of the opening or into a wall pocket). Good quality sliding door system. A built space for the machines. This is a form of appliance garage for laundry using sliding doors.

5. Using a Corner

• Idea: Fit the machines into a corner space and hide them.
• How it Looks: A corner of the kitchen is turned into the laundry spot, hidden behind doors.
• Why it Works: Corners are sometimes hard to use well in kitchens. This makes use of a corner space.
• Needed: A custom cabinet or space built into the corner. Doors that fit the corner angle (e.g., bi-fold doors or angled doors). Planning for connections in the corner.

Table Comparing Hiding Methods

Here is a simple look at how different hiding ideas compare:

Method	Look When Hidden	Space Needed	Cost Level	Easy to Do Yourself?	Best For…
Integrated Machines	Perfect Match	Specific Cabinet Gap	High	Needs Fitter	New kitchens, clean look
Built-in Cabinets (Side-by-Side)	Matches Cabinets	Wide space below counter	Medium-High	Needs Fitter	Space under existing/new counter top
Built-in Cabinets (Stacked)	Matches Cabinets	Tall, narrow space	Medium-High	Needs Fitter	Narrow spaces, maximizing height
Appliance Garage Doors	Clean Flat Surface	Depends on Door Type	High	Needs Fitter	Saving space when doors are open
Curtain	Fabric Panel	Any size space	Low	Yes	Quick fix, rental homes, low budget

Getting the Plumbing and Wires Right

This is a very important part of putting laundry in the kitchen. It’s not just about hiding the machines, but making sure they work safely.

• Water In: Washing machines need hot and cold water (or just cold, depending on the machine). You need pipes from your main water supply to where the machine will sit. These connections need to be strong and not leak.
• Water Out (Drain): The dirty water needs to go into a drain. Usually, this connects to the same drain pipe as your kitchen sink. The connection must be higher than the water level in the machine to stop dirty water from flowing back in.
• Stopping Leaks: Special hoses with built-in leak protection can be used. A small floor tray under the machine can catch water if a leak happens. Some systems can even turn off the water supply if they sense a leak.
• Power: Washing machines and dryers need their own power points. They should be the right type for the machine’s power needs. These should be fitted by a qualified electrician, especially near water.
• Turning Off: Make sure you can easily get to the water taps and power switches to turn them off quickly if there is a problem.

Thinking About Noise and Shaking

Washing machines can make a lot of noise, mainly when spinning. Dryers also make noise. Hiding them in a cabinet helps, but you can do more.

• Strong Floor: Machines should sit on a strong, level floor. If the floor moves or shakes, the machine will too, making more noise.
• Level the Machine: Use the adjustable feet on the machine to make sure it sits perfectly level. This stops it from walking around or shaking too much.
• Anti-Vibration Mats: You can buy special rubber mats to put under the machines. These help soak up some of the shaking.
• Well-Built Cabinets: If using a cabinet, make sure it is built strongly and fixed firmly to the walls or floor. A wobbly cabinet won’t help with noise.
• Insulation: You can add sound-proofing material inside the cabinet walls to help stop noise from getting out. This is more complex but can make a big difference.

What About Small Kitchens?

Putting laundry in a small kitchen is a clever space saving kitchen laundry idea. It means you don’t need a separate utility room.

• Stacked Machines: Stacking the machines is often the best way in a small kitchen. It uses height, not precious floor width. A tall cabinet is then used to hide them. This is a key small kitchen laundry solution.
• Combination Machines: Another option is a washer-dryer combo machine. This is one machine that washes and then dries the clothes. It only takes up the space of one machine. However, they often take longer to dry clothes, and the drying loads are usually smaller than the wash loads.
• Using Narrower Machines: Some machines are made to be narrower than standard ones. If space is really tight, finding a slimline model might help.
• Think About Doors: In a small kitchen, pocket doors or appliance garage doors that slide away are better than hinged doors that open out into the limited space.
• Location is Key: Pick a spot where the laundry area doesn’t block walkways or stop you from using other parts of the kitchen when the doors are open.

Bringing it All Together: Kitchen Design with Laundry

Making laundry part of your kitchen design needs careful thought from the start.

• Plan Early: If you are planning a new kitchen or a big change, think about where the laundry will go right at the start. This makes it easier to plan for pipes, wires, and the right cabinets.
• Look and Feel: How do you want the hidden area to look? Do you want it to completely disappear, or is it okay for it to look like a planned part of the kitchen, like a tall larder unit?
• Use of Space: How will the hidden laundry area affect how you use the rest of the kitchen? Will you lose much cupboard or worktop space? Can you make the space above or beside the machines useful?
• Access for Repair: Think about how easy it will be for someone to get to the machines if they break down. A hidden machine is great until it needs fixing.

Hiding your washer and dryer in the kitchen is a smart way to handle laundry in homes where space is tight. Whether you choose integrated machines, build a built-in laundry cabinet, use clever doors like an appliance garage for laundry, or even just use a curtain, there are many laundry in kitchen ideas that can work. By planning carefully for plumbing, power, and the look of the space, you can create a useful and concealed laundry area kitchen that helps you hide washing machine in kitchen clutter and makes the most of your home. Small kitchen laundry solutions often involve stacking or using combo machines, while space saving kitchen laundry focuses on using clever doors and locations. A good kitchen cabinet for laundry is key to many of these plans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is it safe to put a washing machine and dryer in the kitchen?

A: Yes, it is safe as long as it is planned and fitted correctly. The most important things are getting the plumbing and electrical work done safely, usually by qualified people. You also need to think about water leaks and make sure the area can handle them. Good air flow is also important to stop dampness.

Q: How much space do I need to hide a washer and dryer in a kitchen cabinet?

A: It depends on the size of your machines and if you stack them or put them side-by-side. You need enough width, depth, and height for the machines, plus a little extra space for pipes, wires, air flow, and to allow for the cabinet structure and doors. Check the exact size of your machines and add a few centimetres (an inch or two) around them. Stacking saves width but needs height.

Q: Can I hide any washing machine and dryer, or do I need special ones?

A: You can hide most standard front-loader washing machines and dryers inside custom-built cabinets. However, some machines are made specifically for this purpose (integrated machines) which have slightly different fronts to allow a kitchen door to be fixed directly onto them. Top-loader washing machines cannot be hidden behind a door easily because the lid opens from the top.

Q: Will hiding the machines in a cabinet make them less noisy?

A: Yes, putting machines inside a solid cabinet with closed doors can help reduce the noise they make. Using extra sound-proofing material inside the cabinet can help even more. Making sure the machines are level and on a strong floor also helps reduce noise and shaking.

Q: What about the dryer vent?

A: If you have a vented dryer, you need a way for the hot, wet air to go outside, usually through a vent in an outside wall. This needs to be planned into the cabinet space. If you have a condenser or heat pump dryer, they collect the water in a container (or drain it away), so they do not need an outside vent, making them easier to place.

Q: Is it expensive to hide laundry in the kitchen?

A: The cost depends on how you do it. Using special integrated machines or building custom cabinets and using special doors can be quite costly, especially if you need to hire professionals for fitting, plumbing, and electrical work. A simple curtain is very cheap. The cost is often part of a larger kitchen renovation budget.