Planning and design

Washing machine in the bathroom: placement, connection, slim and top-loading washing machine

When placing a washing machine in the bathroom, space is crucial: a front-loading washing machine needs free space in front of the door, while a top-loading one is only about 40 cm wide, but there must be space above for the lid. Slim washing machines have a depth of 40 to 45 cm, super slim around 33 cm. The socket must be outside the zones near the bath and shower, the waste at the height specified in the instructions, and the floor must be level and solid.

Prepared by: the TGB Kúpeľne team, bathroom showroom in Senec since 1991updated 8. 11. 20266 min read

Illustrative image: Narrow white washing machine in a niche next to the shower enclosure in a small bathroom

In many flats, the only place for a washing machine is the bathroom. This can be resolved well – you just need to know in advance what size washing machine will fit in your space, where the socket and drainage will be, and how the washing machine will get through the door when you eventually replace it. We are not comparing brands here; it’s about dimensions and preparing the bathroom.

Types of washing machines by size

The values are common ranges from technical sheets. Exact dimensions, including depth with doors and necessary clearances, are provided by the manufacturer in the manual – plan according to these, not according to the furniture catalogue. With a slim and super slim washing machine, expect a smaller laundry load.

Where to place the washing machine in the bathroom

• Next to the bath or shower – the most common solution. However, the socket must be outside zones 0, 1, and 2, i.e., outside the 60 cm strip around the bath or shower.
• Under the worktop with the sink – the washing machine is hidden and the top serves for storage. Leave a gap between the top and the washing machine, as it moves during spinning.
• In a niche or cupboard – with doors, the bathroom looks tidier, but the niche must have ventilation and space for hoses behind the washing machine.
• Under a special sink above the washing machine – a shallow sink with a side outlet that can be hung above the washing machine. We describe it in the article Washing machine in the bathroom: cupboard above the washing machine.

A top-loading washing machine is suitable for narrow bathrooms and recesses where there is no room to bend down in front of the doors. However, there must not be a shelf or cupboard above it that would prevent the lid from opening. A front-loading washing machine needs about 70 cm of free space in front of it, just like in front of the sink. Also check which side the doors open to avoid hitting the bath or door frame.

Connections: water, drainage, and electricity

These rules are based on STN 33 2000-7-701 for bathrooms and the manuals of washing machine manufacturers. If the drainage is too low, water may drain from the washing machine by itself; if too high, the pump may be overloaded. Hoses must not be kinked behind the washing machine, and you can only extend them according to the manual. Types of washing machine waste traps are described in the article Waste trap, and the heights of other outlets in the article Heights of drainage and water supply.

Floor, vibrations, and noise

During spinning, the washing machine can vibrate if it stands on an uneven or soft floor. Place it on a flat and solid floor tiles and level it with adjustable feet – a spirit level on the top will suffice. Before the first wash, remove the transport screws according to the manual, otherwise the washing machine will rattle and may get damaged. Only place it on an elevated base if it is solid and the washing machine cannot fall off. In a prefab block of flats, it is worth doing laundry at times when the noise does not disturb neighbours.

Washing machine with dryer

If you have no place to dry, consider a dryer above the washing machine in a tower or a combined washing machine with a dryer. You connect the tower with a connecting kit from the manufacturer to prevent the dryer from falling. With a condenser dryer or a dryer with a heat pump, you need to empty the water container, or connect it to drainage according to the manual – keep this in mind when planning the waste trap. The controls of the top dryer in the tower are usually at eye level, which is convenient, but the drum is high. We describe the dimensions and cupboards for the tower in the article Cupboard above the washing machine.

Humidity and ventilation

A washing machine in the bathroom adds humidity, especially if you dry laundry in the same room. After washing, leave the door and detergent drawer slightly open to allow the interior to dry. A bathroom with a washing machine needs a good fan – its performance can be calculated with the fan performance calculator, and the selection is described in the article Fan for the bathroom.

Washing machine in a small bathroom and in a prefab block of flats

In a prefab block of flats, the washing machine is usually in the bathroom next to the bath or in the place where the original sink was. When replacing the core, it is worth considering whether to replace the bath with a shower enclosure – the saved space is often just enough for the washing machine. You can find bathroom layouts with a washing machine in the article Bathroom 3 m² in a prefab block of flats. If you live in a house, the washing machine can be moved to a separate laundry room – see Laundry room in a family house.

How to measure space for a washing machine

1. Width of the space should be measured at several heights – tiles and skirting boards will narrow the space. Add a few centimetres to the width of the washing machine on each side.
2. Depth should be measured from the wall, not from the pipes. You need space behind the washing machine for hoses and the plug.
3. Height under the top or cupboard – for a top-loading washing machine, also with the lid open.
4. Space in front of the washing machine for opening the doors and removing laundry.
5. Path to the door – the washing machine must be able to be brought in and taken out through the bathroom door.

Common mistakes

• Socket next to the bath – in zone 2, a socket must not be present; moving it after tiling is expensive.
• Washing machine snug in a niche – without a gap, it bangs against the walls and the hoses kink behind it.
• Drainage at the wrong height – the washing machine drains water by itself or the pump is overloaded.
• Shelf above a top-loading washing machine – the lid cannot be opened.
• Forgotten transport screws – the washing machine rattles during the first wash and may get damaged.

Sources: STN 33 2000-7-701 (zones in the bathroom, residual current device 30 mA); standard washing machine dimensions from manufacturers' technical sheets; waste heights according to washing machine manuals (most commonly 60 to 100 cm); our articles Washing machine in the bathroom: cabinet above the washing machine and Waste and water supply heights. The specific washing machine's manual applies.

Terms in the glossary: Electrical zones in the bathroom (zone 0, 1, 2) · Waste trap