Many people today live in small apartments, therefore, creating conditions suitable for themselves, they come up with a variety of moves. The question arises: where and how to place a washing machine if space is limited? There are enough ideas, you just have to turn them into reality.
A washing machine above the toilet in the toilet (photos of examples are in our article) is original, convenient, and does not take up space. But before deciding on such a project, it is worth understanding this issue in its entirety. It will be necessary not only to prepare the equipment itself, but also a place where everything will work fully.
How to prepare everything?
A washing machine above the toilet is a forced decision. Therefore, if there really is no room, then this will work. If you have free space, you should not experiment for various reasons:
- Installation is not as easy as it seems at first glance due to limited space.
- Before installation, you will need to mount a reliable structure, since the device is heavy.
- When doing laundry, it is not always convenient to use the toilet for its intended purpose.
- The machine can break down, so even a minor malfunction will require removal and diagnostics. Well, then you have to put it back. This is not an easy procedure.
But these are only minor points. Once the decision is made, the installation process begins. The first is the choice of location. You need to find out what size the machine is. The back wall of the toilet is also measured, and the passage of all pipes and hoses should be taken into account. When installing a washing machine above a toilet, you should give preference to narrow models, otherwise the device will simply stick out and get in the way. Although sometimes they just take the toilet out forward. But this is an additional expense of time and money.
Option to install a washing machine in the toilet behind the toilet
One of the site visitors sent two photographs and a letter with the following content:
"Good afternoon! When renovating an apartment (toilet, bathtub), I encountered the problem of lack of space to install an automatic washing machine. I spent a long time studying people’s experiences (including those posted on your website) and eventually made a completely individual version. If you post it on your website, I think we will help some people decide on the option of installing a washing machine. Thank you!"
I liked the option of placing an automatic washing machine in a niche behind the toilet, implemented by a site visitor, as it allowed me to install a washing machine without taking up additional space in the toilet or bathroom.
The only drawback of this option is the difficulty of placing the washing machine on a small pedestal due to the interfering toilet and cistern. But the washing machine is installed once for many years and you can live with it.
How to create a reliable design?
Once the basic measurements are completed (width, depth and height), it's time to build a secure shelf. To ensure maximum reliability, craftsmen recommend using a metal corner of 40 as a basis. During the spin process, vibration will occur, and not every design will withstand this. And there are several nuances here:
- You need to cut several pieces depending on the size of the washing machine.
- The first section is mounted to the wall just above the toilet cistern. The second one is also against the wall, but parallel to the first one and slightly lower.
- Next you need to create the frame. To do this, two small corners are welded to the first one in a perpendicular position. After which they are connected by another piece, this will be the frame.
- To increase endurance, the same supports are welded at the bottom.
As a result, thanks to minor manipulations, you get a shelf that can withstand maximum loads. Everyone understands that in the process they will have to purchase iron corners. Fasteners must be no less reliable. If you don’t have a welding machine or experience working with it, then the help of a specialist is a must. It’s simply not worth creating any other shelf. If the machine falls, a lot of things will break.
After the shelf is created, it is allowed to place the washing machine above the toilet. This procedure is not easy - it will be difficult or even impossible for one person to do. Already at the planning stage, it is better to find yourself an assistant so as not to waste time.
Plumbing and furniture
The main criterion for choosing furniture for a small room of any style is compliance with the size. If you do not have the opportunity to install large-sized items, it is better to abandon this idea, without trying to fit everything in three square meters, and choose compact options.
Convenient solutions for small spaces:
- wall-hung or built-in toilets;
- clothes drying table;
- folding shower;
- overhead washbasins;
- pencil cases;
- cabinet-table under the sink;
- mirror cabinet for storing small items;
- multifunctional cabinet.
Speaking about combined bathrooms, it is worth mentioning sit-down bathtub models. They are designed for small apartments, whose owners love to soak in the fragrant foam. This will allow you to maintain your habits and free up space at the same time.
Communications supply
Installing and creating a shelf is just the first stage. When the first step is taken, you need to think through the entire process of water entering and draining. In addition, electricity supply is not the last thing. To prevent short circuits, the toilet must have a moisture-resistant socket. Few people have it, so you have to make it. Installing a washing machine over a toilet is a multi-step process, and you don't want to miss anything.
A high-quality wire protected from moisture is laid from the shield. The socket itself is mounted in the right place, the wires go into the cable channel. Already through the machine the current is supplied to the socket. Be sure to check the functionality of the outlet. To check, you can use special equipment or simply turn on something. Not everyone has electrician skills, even minimal ones; when there is not enough experience, it is better to call a specialist. The cost of this type of service is small, but the quality will be good.
Lighting system
Regardless of whether there are cabinets above the washing machine, one of the fundamentals of good design is the choice of lighting system. A modern solution cannot consist of one lamp.
Lighting should be spot-on and allow you to focus attention on individual design elements, furniture and equipment.
Proper selection and placement of lighting elements helps make the toilet more functional, comfortable and visually more spacious. It is strongly recommended not to ignore such a component of modern design as lighting.
Water connection
The main thing is to supply the water correctly. The article contains a photo of a washing machine above the toilet - they more clearly show what the main work looks like. Water is supplied as follows:
- The water supply in the apartment is turned off. There is a special tap for this. In its absence, the entire house will have to be dehydrated.
- The pipe is cut. It is convenient if it is metal-plastic. When it is metal, you have to perform welding work. A tee tap must be installed in the cut.
- Afterwards, a hose is fixed into it to run water to the machine. While nothing is done, it is left as is.
Next you need to create a drain of dirty water into the sewer. It is important here that a siphon effect does not occur. To do this, the pipe must be at the required height. What it is? If this situation occurs, then all the dirty water from the sewer will begin to flow into the machine. Therefore, everything must be done with special care.
Once this is done, the machine is lifted onto the shelf. To prevent it from moving forward during the spin process, an iron bar is fixed in front of it. Many people believe that the external appearance of such a structure is unattractive, but everyone has the right to make it more suitable, cover it with available materials or paint it. Do not be afraid that any fasteners may fall off during work. When everything is done according to the recommendations, the structure is strong and rigid.
Choosing a style in 2022: ideas
Limited space, used with maximum economy, does not leave much room for choice of style. The main direction is constructive minimalism: no unnecessary details or objects, a calm palette of gray and white colors. Using decorative tiles made of natural stone or imitating it, it is possible to create a semblance of a loft style. If you place a contrasting panel on a free wall, you will get a modern or art deco look. Of course, for each style you choose, you will have to look for a matching sink and toilet. Their choice is already limited in size and shape, but with some effort you can find suitable ones.
If you have a limited budget, it is recommended to use economical offers, for example, photo or washable wallpaper, plastic. Light colors will visually expand a small room, textiles will create an inappropriate impression of being busy, but the rug will be appropriate from a design point of view and for reasons of safety and convenience. For hygiene purposes, it is better to use an easy-to-clean one that does not collect dust and dirt, with a cutout for a standing toilet or a rectangular one of the required size.
People's opinions
Often the washing machine is placed above the toilet. Reviews are both positive and negative. The advantages are:
- Space saving.
- You can't hear the work as the washing is happening in the toilet.
But that, unfortunately, is where it all ends. Therefore, such work should be performed only in extreme cases. Because there are more negative sides:
- Labor intensive installation process.
- Probability of falling.
- It is inconvenient to combine washing and visiting the restroom, etc.
And people implement such projects only in the saddest cases, when there is no place at all. Today there are many old apartments with poor layout and limited space, so such ideas are adopted by skilled craftsmen.
Installation Features
If your toilet has enough space to accommodate a washing machine, then no difficulties will arise. You can place it between the bathtub and toilet. But when only a toilet and nothing else fits in a narrow, small space, you have to get out.
Before deciding on such an installation, you need to rationally assess the possible consequences.
- To install heavy equipment, you need to prepare a solid foundation. During the spin cycle, when vibrations increase, the base must fully support the machine.
- Mounting a washing machine in a niche is not easy, because the equipment is heavy. Connection will also require preparation. Don't forget that you need to connect not only the hoses, but also the power cord.
- The dimensions of the machine and the dimensions of the niche matter. Ideally, the SMA should fit completely into the niche, otherwise the sagging part will hang over the toilet.
- Loading laundry will not be very convenient. You'll have to reach across the toilet to the loading hatch. And getting wet things out is even more difficult.
- If it breaks down, you will need to dismantle the washing machine, which is impossible to do alone.
Have you decided to install a washing machine above the toilet? Below is how to do this.
We supply the machine with water
A water pipe runs through each toilet, so there will be no problems connecting the washing machine to the central drain. It is enough to connect a standard inlet hose with a union nut with a straight pipe thread to the cold water riser. Generally, a ¾-inch cut is suitable.
Next, the crane is selected. There are two options:
- ball - more reliable, triggers when the handle is turned 90 degrees;
- screw - here the water is blocked by several turns of the “lamb”.
In addition to the type of tap, we also look at the length of its handle. It is recommended to choose designs with long handles: they are easier to open and close. Short protrusions are more difficult to catch on, which is inconvenient if the joint rusts and the latch jams.
Implementation
The standard option is to install a standard toilet with a cistern, and make a shelf for the washing machine above it. I think there is no need to explain here, the main thing is to make the shelf strong and rigid so that it can withstand vibrations and heavy weight.
The simplest, but not reliable option is mounting on brackets
If the machine stands high, it is inconvenient to pour the powder into the tray. You will either have to stand on the toilet (dangerous), or remove the tray each time, or pour it directly into the drum.
A more advanced option is to use a wall-hung toilet. Then you can put the tank behind the machine and lower it lower for ease of access. There is no need to sew up the installation tank tightly and it will be accessible in case of repairs. Since the drain button will be behind the machine, you need to come up with some kind of drive for draining.
There is a plastic tank behind the washing machine.
We cut the installation frame in half and weld it with a profile pipe into a table like this. If there is no welding, you can tighten the structure with bolts
It is important to make a shelf higher than the toilet lid so that you can install swing doors later
Frame from installation
It is better to place the machine on rubber pads so that the structure vibrates less.
The flush tank should not be placed too high, because there will be strong pressure and water will pour out of the toilet.
The sides will be covered with plasterboard. On the side there is a water outlet for a hygienic shower with a thermal mixer.
Don't forget to install a drain for the machine. The installation height of the drain can be found in the instructions for your machine.
To control the drainage, an electric drive with a servo machine is installed. A backup option in case of drive failure or power outage is a pulling rope.
Servo
The operation scheme is as follows: press the wall switch, the microcontroller power supply turns on. The microcontroller turns on and commands the relay to supply 220 volts to the servo. The wall switch can be released immediately. The microcontroller smoothly starts the servo drive, it presses the drain button.
If you don’t want to bother with Arduino, you can find an installation with an air-driven drain. Grohe and Geberit have these - the drain button can be placed anywhere.
Which style should you choose?
The toilet style can be anything. If there is enough space, styles such as classical, Italian, Arabic or modern can be implemented here. The design of a toilet with a washing machine must necessarily correspond to the overall design concept of the house.
Loft
This is a style where industrial influences are naturally integrated into the design. The main features of the style include:
- imitation of brickwork, tiles or the use of “brick” panels;
- white gloss - this coating creates a visual effect of expanding the area;
- imitation concrete surface;
- covering the floor with tiles, laminate, wood or stone tiles;
- a bathtub hidden behind almost transparent panels;
- shelving instead of regular cabinets.
In a toilet with a loft style, it is appropriate to place “rough” faucets.
Example with white gloss:
Example with brickwork:
Classical
The interior here is rich in various items; the style is suitable for large rooms. In a small toilet it is difficult to harmoniously place elements with luxurious finishes; most often it looks out of place.
The symmetry of this style can be found in paired elements (lamps in 2 copies, shelves, double sink). A mirror in a huge frame is hung on the wall, and lines are decorated along the perimeter of the ceiling.
The washing machine in the “classic” can be hidden with panels made to look like furniture. A door with accessories protects equipment from prying eyes. If you plan to install a clothes dryer, place the equipment in a closet or under the sink.
An example of a design in a classic style:
The bathtub is placed on a podium covered with tiles. You can store household chemicals and other items downstairs. Large mosaic panels are placed on the wall. For rooms with showers, curtains are usually installed on rails.
A classic bathroom has a window - a real one with curtains or a “fake” window (created by lamps).
Another classic example:
Minimalism
In a small space, apply a simple, minimalist style. There are no unnecessary details or clutter used here, and all items should be multifunctional. The machine is built into the washbasin countertop or placed in the cabinet.
Heated towel rails or shelves for storing sanitary products and various small items are also installed in the niche area.
This design uses a few materials at the same time, a maximum of 4. The style includes the use of polished granite, glass and wood, ceramics and metal. The combination of different textures gives the room a feeling of integrity.
Style example:
Eco style
Premises decorated in a natural style look cozy and organic. It actively uses wood furniture, harmoniously combined with stone and plants (living or man-made). As well as granite tiles on the floor and other materials. The main criterion is that they must be natural.
An example of this style:
In a toilet combined with a bathroom, the washing machine is built into the washbasin countertop or other interior items. The equipment does not get in the way under a shelf in the corner or under cabinet doors.
Another style example:
Other styles
There are several other modern styles that are suitable for decorating a toilet:
- Modern. Characteristic wall panels have a smooth texture, smooth and curved shapes.
- Arabic theme. In this style, a certain color can be traced, the ornamentation on surfaces characteristic of the culture. Graceful lines are essential.
- Ethnic style. This includes oriental, Scandinavian and other motifs. Design elements familiar to the chosen nationality are used.
Finish options and colors
The choice of materials for cladding is wide. For floors, this is usually tiles, porcelain stoneware or water-repellent linoleum. They are easy to install and do not require much effort.
The following ceiling materials can be used:
- drywall (gypsum plasterboard);
- stretch film;
- panels.
Some people use foam ceiling tiles as coverings, but this is not the best solution. The film is more reliable, it is not afraid of moisture and fungi. GKL allows you to adjust the height of the wall and mount spotlights.
For walls, plastic panels and decorative stone or veneer are used. The traditional material is still ceramic tiles, the shape and color of which are chosen based on the style options and preferences of customers.
Wallpaper is not a good finishing solution. Even if they are washable, the material quickly moves away from the walls due to constant humidity and steam.
Color solutions depend on the chosen style and size of the room. Subtleties in choosing shades:
- White. Gives a feeling of cleanliness, suitable for minimalism, loft.
- Beige. Creates a cozy atmosphere, used in classic and natural styles.
- Black. Visually hides extra meters, suitable only for large areas. Suitable for classics, loft and minimalism.
- Blue. Best used with white. Suitable for classics and minimalism.
- Green. Suitable for natural style, classic and minimalism.
