washer and dryer with stove in between in kitchen - ideas?

6 years ago

Hi Folks,

I have a small cabin that due to layout of plumbing, wiring, and venting must have the washer & dryer (front loading GE brand) in the kitchen with the stove in between. The kitchen is an eat-in type without an island and the kitchen door is opposite the W/D. Am thinking of just hanging a curtain from the bottom of the counter top that I plan to put on top of each machine (stove excluded, of course!). At least with a curtain the W/D wouldn't be staring aggressively at people entering the kitchen.

Anyone have any better inexpensive ideas?

(I have lots of more interesting projects than spending the money it would take to reconfigure my old kitchen. In fact if I were to do it right I would demolish the whole kitchen addition and rebuild, which is not possible anyway because the current kitchen is grandfathered and any new construction would not be permitted. So please do not offer a repeal and replace suggestion (joke).

I'll take a pic tomorrow and post it.

Featured Answer

Red Silver

6 years ago

If the curtains being that close to a gas cooktop could be a hazard, and the 'eyes' are the problem? Maybe you could purchase a couple of lap embroidery frames, and stretch some cute tiny print across them and figure out a way to cover the eyes' when not in use, if you need to use them sometimes, that is... Or, just find some of that great shelf liner they have now, and use some teachers' putty and attach a round to each of the eyes. https://wizarddistribution.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=3643&ParentCat=2#.Wc3KBNFrw2w with an idea like this: wrapping paper with clear adhesive enveloping it...https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529384131184569301/ ...Now, if you can do that, you can find all kinds of style and colors, and make your eyes, a Seasonal Event. The possibilities are endless, and cheerful.. OR buy some of those pretty Victorian boxes, and just cut a circle from their lid and use that or some kind of adhesive, to attach them..You could also take a poster of a work of Art you like, and give each eye Artwork to display, in the round. Sounds like fun?? :D

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Comments (13)

woodteam5
6 years ago
Can you stack the washer and dryer?
jmm1837
6 years ago
Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it. I had an apartment in Europe a few years ago, with the washer and dryer at one end of the gallery kitchen - they're appliances, like stoves are appliances. Never thought to cover them up - I think that would have looked worse than having a few extra appliances in sight.
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Thanks you guys. I have gained confidence that this will work. But I might have to move the wall a foot to make enough room. My plumber was here today to look at things for my other bathroom remodel that I am doing. I had him look at this new laundry space idea in the other bathroom. He suggested that I just put the washer/dryer in the bedroom next to the bathroom instead of moving the wall into the bedroom. I was concerned about making the bedroom too small. His response was "but you're not using it as a bedroom any longer, and as a guest room you don't need too much room anyway...you don't want to make it too comfortable for guest" then he grinned. I might just consider this as an option. I could create a small closet in the bedroom on the other side of the bathroom wall that could accommodate the stacked set. This would leave the bathroom layout as is. I just might do that :)...Next year.
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sombreuil_mongrel, weedmeister, pracrtigal, enduring, Thanks so much for your questions and feedback. 1) The question of water/valves and drain: Maybe the photo of the inside of my sink cabinet (below) will answer your questions. All I know is that the plumber assured me that all the necessary hook-ups were in place, and we passed the rough plumbing inspection: In terms of the vent for my dryer, it goes through the wall that's on the back of the dryer and into my bathroom, then goes out into the rooftop deck. See photo below: My carpenter is supposed to build me a shelf or some sort of box to conceal the vent. We'll see. I've continued to search for a way to create a nice barrier between my kitchen sink and stackable washer/dryer. This is the idea that a kind soul suggested and is now at the top of my list, unless I come across a better one: Get half inch plywood board that goes from the ground (between the sink cabinet and washer) and up to the top of the dryer. Get a stainless steel sheet that goes from the bottom of the dryer to its top and to the wall (in other words, from the counter height and upwards). Have this SS sheetÃ¢ÂÂs front edge bent 90 degrees so that it goes over the front edge of the plywood. Glue this SS sheet to the plywood. IÃ¢ÂÂm actually thinking that if I go with the stainless steel barrier, I might also go with a stainless steel shelf for my dishrack. Due to space limitations, I planned on building a shelf above the sink and below the upper cabinet for my dishrack. I just measured my current dishrack and saw that I would need a shelf that is 15Ã¢ÂÂ by 15Ã¢ÂÂ. I could get a stainless shelf that has holes so that water could could drip onto the sink. Funny enough, IÃ¢ÂÂve seen various IKEA stainless shelves in a local Goodwill store. Maybe I should pay a visit to the IKEA store in Stoughton, MA and see whether thereÃ¢ÂÂs one that is close in size to what I need (IÃ¢ÂÂve never been to an IKEA store). Or, if I do not get a shelf with holes, I could have the shelfÃ¢ÂÂs front edge sloped downward, just slightly, to let any water to drip down into the sink. I also plan to tile the wall above the sink where the shelf will be mounted. The more I think of the stainless steel option, the more I like it. But I'm of course open to your feedback.
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Agree with Mark. First thank you for the work you do! Problems I see right off the bat: Your kitchen will be dark with no natural light. Additionally the layout is poor with the pantry breaking up counter space and your not having enough prep space. Most prepping is done next to the sink. Bare minimum for prepping is 30" and that's frankly inadequate. It looks like you only have 24" on either side of the sink. How will the hood over the stove vent? Actual usable living room space is NOT 15' x 15' because you need passage space between island and living room and ideally if you have seating at the island counter, you need 60" between the island and furniture in living room. Based on the drawing it appears you'd have about 42". Actual usable space for a sofa as shown would be closer to 10'-11' from the wall. (In reality, the dining room gives you the true space for the living room too.) Are you ok carrying food to the dining room every single night you eat? (Trust me, eating at a counter gets old after a while.) If you and a partner are on different wake schedules, think how having the master bath across the room from the master closet will impact your waking and sleeping schedules. Hanging clothes can't turn corners in closets. Lots of wasted space in the center of that closet. Bedroom 2 will be seen from the dining room anytime they need to use the facilities. So much for privacy. Bedroom 2 is too small for even a full sized bed at 9' 3". A full sized bed is 54" wide. So 9'3" is = 111". 111" - 54" = 57". You need 3' of walking space on either side of the bed. So the drawing they have is way off. And there's be absolutely no way to open the smaller closet door. I assume you won't use bedroom 3 as a bedroom because if you do, it means they'll have to walk through the dining room to get to the bathroom. Your entry from the garage is a narrow dark passage where you also have your laundry room and no, I see no way to create a decontamination room. I see very little storage. Where for example would you store you brooms, vacuum, etc?
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I love my main floor laundry and no tons of trips . One trip from bedrooms to laundry and one trip back the rest all close to the kitchen where I spend a lot of my day. As for in the kitchen I think a lot depends on your space and I do not think it will hinder resale is done well.Post a to scale floor plan here and then we will have some idea f the space . They do it in Europe becuse their spaces ar eusually much smaller than ours and I have always found it convieient when we are there Photo
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DrB477
6 years ago
Standard us washers and dryers are taller and deeper than normal counters. Can you post a layout?
northface99
Original Author
6 years ago
Still haven't gotten around to the pic. DrB477, I can't figure out how to load a diagram. Hmph. Another time. And jmm1837, it's not that I mind appliances in the kitchen, it's their big black eyes looking at me that I don't like. The washer/dryer each have big black round elements as they are front loading.

Thanks for your comments!
groveraxle
6 years ago
Many years ago I had an old house where the only place for the washer/dryer was the kitchen. At the time, Westinghouse was the only one who manufactured front loaders. Anyway, we put them under the counter with bifold doors.

Is it possible to have the washer and dryer next to each other and the stove to one side? It would be more convenient.
Julie B
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Have you thought about getting a single unit w/d combo? These are fairly common in Europe where space is an issue and they are often in the kitchen. For camouflage, a curtain is probably fine, although a cabinet door would look cleaner.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-4-3-cu-ft-14-cycle-washer-and-8-cycle-dryer-electric-combo-white/5884179.p?skuId=5884179
acm
6 years ago
My concerns would be (a) that most front-loaders are tall enough that the counter would be uncomfortable to work at, so you'd need to specifically hunt for shorter models, and (b) any kind of curtain would be a fire hazard next to a range -- imagine a corner getting caught in the oven! eep. So I'd leave them open in front.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
The European all in one machines are made to fit under the counter I am pretty sure Miele makes one.
plllog
6 years ago
All in one machines are better than nothing, but can only dry half a load and take a really long time to do it. And that's the good ones. (Yes, Miele does make one.) There are washers and dryers that are made to fit under kitchen counters. Since they're less used in North America, they might present a budget issue. Do find your units before you go forward with this plan. Moving the hookup over so they can be together may turn out to be cheaper.

I wouldn't do the curtains. That's what they used to do to hide the slop bucket--appliances look better besides needing more distance between a range and anything combustible.

How about plywood covers? Most ranges are okay to put next to wood cabinets, so that shouldn't be a combustion issue. Put a frame on the inside that will fit over the front of the units. Or make a frame and fill it with a sheet of copper or other metal, pierced with holes in a pleasing pattern for ventilation.

I agree with those, however, who say that seeing the washer and dryer isn't such a bad thing.
northface99
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi All,

Well, I've already purchased standard sized washer & dryer, so buying new under counter is out and the ceiling is too low to put a stacked unit.

I love the idea of covering just the eyes of the washer & dryer with something. I have seen an oeulle de boeuf (round window) that had a wire circle with stretched fabric over it that might work - something to clip or hang inside the circles of the w&d eyes that would be easy to take off to use the appliances. I think a taught something over wire that hangs inside the circles wouldn't be too flammable, and certainly not as flammable as a curtain. Plain white contact paper wouldn't last long on the dryer. Except in winter I usually cook outside anyway - have a covered porch right outside the kitchen. Am going to a craft show this weekend and will look around for ideas. Paintings or photos of sleeping sheep's eyes?

As far as counter space goes, am going to put the w&d next to each other and place a very large butcher block over both. That would match the wood counters. (Or rather the counters that are some day going to be wood..ha ha...these things always take way more time than anticipated. Normally I chop on a separate cutting board at the kitchen table since the table is the right height for me, so the height of the w&d won't bother me.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll post photos when the kitchen is put together.

Cheers,

Northface
Red Silver
6 years ago
https://www.etsy.com/listing/515732510/i-am-luvin-laundry-he-washer-and-dryer?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-accessories-other&utm_custom1=4ff7e77f-2977-4253-9b9c-f3b89d8d81ee&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjdLOBRCkARIsAFj5-GCKvrYYdGIK81LovXs4keA78mWvSLoePUP-voAtS_q5ccfUaxqmFjAaAgp6EALw_wcB What a long LINK!! I saw these. and thought BINGO: MAGNETS. Look at these covers,....they use magnets to adhere to the tops of the machines. Maybe magnets would work on the edges or corners of a nice grade of shelf paper with an artsy flair, on the front of your machines? Just a thought. ...
Red Silver
6 years ago
OH yes,....magnetic film for a car window or house window, should work. Cut to display their creative patterns with what makes your kitchen decor sweet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XR3XGN8/ref=asc_df_B06XR3XGN85200787/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B06XR3XGN8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216549322537&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7885989513868557064&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027311&hvtargid=pla-350143485974

washer and dryer with stove in between in kitchen - ideas?

Red Silver

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washer and dryer with stove in between in kitchen - ideas?

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