How do I integrate a washer & dryer in my utility room?

 

Quite a popular question that we are asked is “how do I integrate my washer & dryer in my utility room?” Well, there are 2 ways in which you can do this and it all depends on if you are using integrated appliances or freestanding appliances, as both can be put behind doors to keep them out of sight.

Fully integrated washer & dryer

If the appliances you are using are fully integrated then these appliances just need space under a 600mm deep worktop and/or between base units, if they are being used. You also need appliance doors to clad onto the fronts of them. The fittings to do this, will be supplied with the appliances.

If your utility room is small and no base units are being used then you can baton a worktop to the wall, put 2 end panels either side of the appliances to give the worktop something to  rest on and place 2 integrated appliances doors on the front of the appliances, as shown below.

To tidy things up, you can then run some plinth across the bottom and use some filler panels either side of end panels, if there are gaps between the end panels and wall.

Integrated washer dryer

So to recap, if you are using an integrated washer and a dryer then the minimum that you are going to need to house them are:

  • 2 x end panels
  • 1 x 600mm deep worktop
  • 2 x 597mm wide appliance doors (providing you are not using any slimline appliances)

Integrated washer dryer

Integrated washer dryer


Freestanding washer & dryer

If you are looking to hide freestanding appliances then we would advise using 2 x 347mm wide doors for each appliance, so 700mm of total width for each appliance is recommended, as freestanding washer/dryers are wider than our integrated single doors, which measure 597mm.

Because freestanding appliances are  deeper in size, you would also need to use a deeper worktop around 670mm in depth or deeper, so that your appliances will fit into the gap.

Providing the worktop is laminate or solid wood, place end panels either side of the appliances and a baton to the rear would be enough support the worktop.

As you will be using 2 x 347mm doors, you would also need an end panel between the 2 appliances, so you could hinge the 2 doors that would be in the centre of the appliances.

Freestanding appliances

Freestanding Washer Dryer

Freestanding Washer Dryer

Integrated washing machine doors closed

Integrated washing machine doors open

So to recap, if you are using a freestanding washer and a dryer then the minimum that you are going to need to house them are:

  • 3 x end panels
  • 1 x 670mm deep worktop (a laminate breakfast bar piece for example)
  • 4 x 347mm wide appliance doors

Stacking Appliances

Some popular question that people ask are “I would like to raise my washing machine” and “I would like to stack my washer dryer”.

We would not usually advise on stacking appliances on top of one another, which is why we do not have a unit to suit this.

If this something that you are going to do then you would need to mention to your kitchen fitter what you want to do and get them to create something for you that is safe.

You are able to use an 800mm wide unit to be dry assembled, which will need to be modified onsite by your kitchen fitter. You will also need to check the depth of the appliances you are using, as you may find even after removing the back panel from the unit, the depth may not be enough and may need to be pulled forward off the wall.

If you are making your own unit using end panels and the tall doors that we have available, you may also need to use the easy fit hinge system with the standard size doors, to cover the front of the appliances.

Do I need an end panel with an integrated appliance?

No end panels are required either side of an integrated appliance, if the appliance is positioned between two units. The 2 units either side of the integrated appliance, would support the worktop above it.

If you have more than 2 integrated appliances placed next to each other, then we would advise to add in an end panel, to help support the worktop above. If there is no unit at the end of the kitchen run, then you would need an end panel at the end also. The video below demonstrates this.

Using end panels with under counter appliances

This short video shows how to support a worktop above under-counter appliances, with end panels.

 




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54 thoughts on “How do I integrate a washer & dryer in my utility room?”
  • Faieza says:

    Hello, thanks for this article, I found it useful. One of the questions I would like clarity on was around raising the height of the washing machine. I’ve noted many modern designs where the washing machine are raised and sit on a deep drawer unit, then a slim pull out shelf to rest laundry basket on, then the washing machine. Do you offer anything like this?

     
    February 12, 2023 at 12:23 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi Faieza, we do not provide any units for washing machines i’m afraid.

       
      February 13, 2023 at 9:04 am
  • Keith says:

    Do you offer a tall cupboard/unit that will allow washer and dryer to be stacked one above the other please? and if so would a plinth be needed/useful?

     
    January 12, 2023 at 5:33 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, we don’t sell such a unit but this section in the article gives some advice on how to do this.

       
      January 13, 2023 at 7:23 am
  • Rebecca says:

    Hi,
    I want to install an integrated washing machine in an existing kitchen – I don’t know where the previous owners got their cupboard doors from and want to buy a cupboard door for the washing machine to match. What’s the easiest way to do this?

     
    January 7, 2023 at 1:45 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, there is no easy way to know where the previous owner bought their kitchen from. Sometimes you may see a hinge cover inside the units with a brand name for the kitchen supplier.

       
      January 9, 2023 at 7:23 am
  • Frankie says:

    Hello,

    I’ve found a non integrated washer/dryer measuring (H)85.0 x (W)60.0 x (D)53.0. As the depth is 53xm could this be included in a tall double broom unit 100cm wide?

    Thanks

     
    January 4, 2023 at 11:16 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, the depth of our units is 560mm deep, which includes a 42mm service void at the back. The usable depth inside a 560mm deep unit is 560mm – 42 mm = 518mm.

       
      January 5, 2023 at 7:53 am
  • Brad says:

    Hi, We’re currently looking at doing this with freestanding appliances in a utility room, but I can’t find 670mm deep worktops anywhere. Any ideas?
    Many thanks,
    Brad,

     
    July 8, 2021 at 11:41 am
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, our Quadra laminate worktops have breakfast bar pieces available, which are 670mm deep, here is an example on this page.

       
      July 8, 2021 at 12:11 pm
  • Maria says:

    Hi, this idea is great, we are currently planning and we have 2 freestanding appliances to integrate. I know you suggest 70cm per one and this gives a fair bit of space either side, I only have 130cm to play with, can it be done with that? trying to work out what size doors etc we would need to use. I think we should be able to do it. Hoping so anyway. Let me know what you think? thanks

     
    May 1, 2021 at 3:36 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, this all depends on the size of the appliances. Usually freestanding appliances are slightly bigger than integrated ones (600mm), so we recommend 2 x 347mm wide doors, so that it gives enough clearance to fit the appliance.

      Some freestanding appliances are 600mm and less, if this is the case then you can use a 600mm wide standard appliance door and something called an easy fit hinge system, which is available on our website.

       
      May 4, 2021 at 3:33 pm
  • John says:

    Hi, do you offer a kit for using drawer fronts as appliance doors (joining them together) to create a door to keep appearance of a run of drawers?

     
    March 18, 2021 at 11:24 am
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, you would need to look for “Drawerline effect” doors on this page. You get the 2 pieces that you just need to join together on the back of the door, so that the door opens as one.

      The first image on the page here, shows how this would look.

       
      March 18, 2021 at 12:18 pm
  • Tony Palmer says:

    Hi, I have a run of three appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer). How do I provide extra support to the worktop as this is will exceed the maximum span, and how do I ensure the plinth is adequately supported?

     
    January 31, 2021 at 5:19 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      For a run of 3 integrated appliances together, you would need to install end panels in between each appliance. The plinth would then need to be fixed to the appliance, using the fittings provided with the appliance itself.

       
      February 3, 2021 at 6:58 am
  • John says:

    Your solution for a freestanding tumble dryer is ideal for me. However I cannot find any supplier of 347mm wide doors. Do you have any suggestions?

     
    June 8, 2020 at 11:08 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi John, when you buy your kitchen from us, there are 715 x 347 doors available on our website. An example of these are shown here. If you need any help adding these to your shopping cart then our sales team are able to help on 01977 608 418.

       
      June 8, 2020 at 11:29 am
  • Emma says:

    Is there any way of achieving this without a plinth (ie with longer length doors?) my tumble dryer has a filter at the bottom which would be blocked by the plinth but I would like to do something similar to your suggestion.

    Also is there any way of building a cupboard around a freestanding fridge freezer?

     
    February 4, 2020 at 9:27 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Emma, you could get your kitchen fitter to get creative and use some z-brackets to attach the plinth to the doors. This way you would still get a neat finish and be able to access the filter at the bottom.
      With regards to boxing in a freestanding fridge/freezer, I would treat this in the same way as boxing in an American fridge/freezer here

       
      February 5, 2020 at 10:31 am
  • Robert says:

    We need to somehow incorporate space for a tumble dryer, a wachine machine, a boiler and tall space for an ironing board, hoover to once side. What would be your suggestion as to how to configure this? Thanks!

     
    February 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm
  • Rui says:

    Hi, in the first picture showing both appliances side by side, is there a panel in between the appliances?

     
    February 5, 2019 at 10:32 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Rui, this was my old kitchen and no, there was no end panel in-between the appliances. The appliances were close together and the doors were adjusted so that there was only about a 3mm gap between them so that they looked good when closed.

       
      February 6, 2019 at 1:44 pm
  • Eamon Hourigan says:

    Hi DIY Kitchens, I came on to your site via the Freestanding washer & dryer and was very impressed with your solution. How are the end panels supported given that they would be 600mm or less and the worktop would at least 670mm or 700mm would mean they are not fixed to wall. Thanks for your help Regards Eamon

     
    January 22, 2019 at 9:58 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Eamon, the end panels would need securing to the floor and to the underside of the worktop to make them secure. or, you could create some batons on the wall to help secure the end panels as well.

       
      January 22, 2019 at 10:33 am
  • Anne North says:

    Hello,

    I am hoping to hide a washing machine and a dishwasher the way you have shown above. I have 2 questions. I will have washing machine, sink unit, dishwasher, 60cm cupboard.
    My question is will I need 4 end panels to give strength to the doors or will I be able to hang doors to the neighbouring cupboards?
    And also, when the washer or dishwasher needs repair, how will I access it? can the plinth be easily removed?

     
    January 16, 2019 at 1:01 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Anne, you will still need end panels on the outside but inbetween the sink unit you can use a 100mm filler panel for the hinges to attach. You definitely need something as you cannot attach the hinges to the sink unit. If you need anymore assistance on this then the sales team can help on 01977 608 418.

       
      January 17, 2019 at 12:55 pm
  • Richard says:

    Hello, I really like your approach to hiding freestanding appliances, and I’d be looking to do so with an inframe kitchen design like Helmsley. My question regards what happens when an appliance like a washing machine needs to be repaired or replaced in such a set-up. Can the inframe doors be removed easily?

     
    December 29, 2018 at 7:35 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Richard, the doors just clip off the blum hinges very easily and clip back on.

       
      January 4, 2019 at 10:52 am
  • Alex Hyde says:

    I am currently fitting my own kitchen from you guys, I am planning on fitting my washer and drier as suggested above. I am struggling to figure out how the central end panel can have a door hinging on both sides without them interfering with each other? Is there a special hinge I should use?

    Thanks!!

     
    December 5, 2018 at 10:30 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Alex, as you build this yourself with doors & end panels and the doors come undrilled as well, it would probably best to raise the hinges slightly on 1 door and lower on the other, so that the screws have no chance of meeting in the middle panel.

       
      December 6, 2018 at 5:54 am
  • Danny says:

    Your washer/dryer disgram above doesn’t look quite right, and it doesn’t match the pictures below it.
    The diagram shows the side panels protruding to the level of the doors, i.e. the doors hinges inside the side panels, whereas the photos show the doors hinges ober the side panels.
    Have I misunderstood something?

     
    October 29, 2018 at 1:07 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Danny, I have updated the diagram to reflect the pictures of the actual doors, fitted in a kitchen that hide the washer/dryer, which is correct.

       
      October 29, 2018 at 1:26 pm
  • kris says:

    HI, can you just fit the concealed hinges to the end panel between or do you need to pack them out so they can close properly?

     
    October 26, 2018 at 7:50 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Kris, the hinges should just fit directly onto the end panel but just double check with your kitchen fitter first.

       
      October 26, 2018 at 9:10 am
  • Jo Sheppard says:

    Is it possible to stack integrated washing machine and tumble dryer? And how would I achieve this? I am looking at a Linwood painted kitchen. Thanks.

     
    September 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Jo, I’m afraid we don’t have any units for appliances that are stacked, as we do not recommend it as units like washing machines shake a lot and could cause the top appliance to fall.

       
      September 17, 2018 at 9:42 am
  • Konstantinos says:

    Hi,
    We are planning to have an integrated dishwasher and a washing machine either side of a sink unit. We were hoping to use a quartz worktop over them, is this possible? (so sequence will be – base unit, integrated washing machine, sink unit, integrated dishwasher, base unit)
    Will there be problems with the worktop weight and it resting on the two integrated appliances?
    Best regards
    Konstantinos

     
    August 27, 2018 at 11:12 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, the integrated appliances will never reach the worktop. From the floor to the bottom of a a worktop is usually 870mm (720mm base unit height + 150mm legs). The worktop will rest on the units that you have. As you have a unit either end and in the middle, this will be enough to take the weight of the worktop.

       
      August 28, 2018 at 1:13 pm
  • Marc says:

    Hi,

    I would also prefer to cover up non integrated appliances.
    Can this lookbe achieved when using quartz worktops? In your article you only mention wood and laminated worktops.

    Thanks
    Marc

     
    August 14, 2018 at 10:16 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Marc, quartz worktops are very heavy and would ideally need the support of base units to rest it on.

       
      August 15, 2018 at 12:10 pm
  • Harry says:

    Hi, I am looking at an “in frame” kitchen style – the Helmsley range. There are no separate doors available for this range so the article above does not work for me. There was a suggestion of using dry-assembled 700 width units in the comments. Please can you explain this in more detail? What does dry assembled mean? What instructions would I need to give to my kitchen fitter? And would a 700 width unit work with in-frame kitchens, given that presumably the door opening would be less than 700mm wide? Many thanks.

     
    March 4, 2018 at 5:08 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, you would need to request the 700mm wide unit to come with a pair of combination doors (the door is pinned to the frame) so that the doors can be opened with the frame. There would be a surcharge for this. You would also require the unit to come dry assembled (Not glued so it can be adapted onsite). Due to the appliance depth you would need to increase the depth of the worktop that covers the unit. Usually to around 670mm deep. If you need any advice on this, our sales team will be happy to help on 01977 608 418.

       
      March 5, 2018 at 1:17 pm
      • sana says:

        Hi
        I’m also looking at helmsley bespoke. I’ve also come across the same issue and got around this by choosing a different door style (in frame effect), but it is not ideal. Do you think this would be very noticable? Can i please have two of the 700m units added to my basket with the combination doors (for freestanding washer and dryer) so i can decide between them?

         
        March 31, 2018 at 12:50 am
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi Sana, if you give our sales team a quick call at 9am when they open on 01977 608 418 then they will be able to advise you on the 700mm unit and how to add it to your cart.

         
        April 3, 2018 at 8:27 am
  • Chloe says:

    I would like to stack my freestanding washer and dryer. Is there a housing unit that could accommodate this? Thanks, Chloe

     
    January 30, 2018 at 10:20 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, unfortunately with free standing appliances not being made to be housed inside a unit, we do not supply a unit specifically for this purpose.

      You are able to use an 800mm wide unit to be dry assembled, which will need to be modified onsite by yourself, you will also need to check the depth of the appliances you are using, as you may find even after removing the back panel from the unit, the depth may not be enough and may need to be pulled forward off the wall.

       
      January 30, 2018 at 12:47 pm
  • Jill Morris says:

    HI,
    I want to hide just a freestanding washer and it would have a base unit at either side so do I still need 2 end panels and then the 2 doors?
    Also, I can’t see a appliance door in the suggested size of 347mm only in 447mm & 597mm, can you please advise the part number or where I can find these?

    Many thanks

    Jill

     
    October 12, 2017 at 2:07 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, another solution would be to order a 700 base carcase and request it dry assembled.

      Cut the entire base out of the unit and use it as a shell over the appliances this way the unit has some rigidity rather than trying to use panels and doors.

      If you are looking for 347 doors, then they are available on the doors pages 715×347.

       
      October 12, 2017 at 4:22 pm
  • roger baldwin says:

    hi i have a wall corner unit 625/625 i dont want to use a corner post so what size doors would i need. many thanks

     
    September 12, 2017 at 9:32 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, we do not supply compatible doors to work with a 625×625 l shaped corner wall unit. We use doors to suit a 600×600, so you would need a corner post to enable our doors to work

       
      September 14, 2017 at 10:44 am
  • elaine goldsworthy says:

    The cover up idea looks good and two doors, as you suggest at 347mm wide, are more than ample to hide a laundry appliance, however, I can’t find this size of door on your website, especially as each door would have to be 870mm in height, in order to cover the appliance from floor to worktop, as freestanding washing machines and dryers don’t have a plinth.
    Do you sell custom sizes of doors and also, cupboards, ordered made to measure?
    I’m also looking for cupboards to build a neat mantle surround, as I don’t like the bulky mantles that most kitchen suppliers offer, due to losing cupboard storage at the top of each side unit because the bulky mantles are wide and overlap the side units, causing dead space. I’d need two dresser type worktop cupboards, 300 wide, 400 deep and 1210 high, with a small drawer at the base, beneath a cupboard door, to sit on worktop at each side of my 900 range cooker. I, also, need a panelled style bridging extractor unit, with a neat mantle across the front, 1100 wide, 400 deep, to connect between the dresser units and run above the range cooker. This design of mantle gives much more cupboard storage space right to the top of each side cupboard, with a less wide mantle across only the bridging extractor unit.
    Can your company provide custom sized units and doors?
    (It’s possible to get this style of mantle from other kitchen suppliers who make solid pine kitchens).

     
    July 15, 2017 at 6:03 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hello Elaine, thanks for getting touch.

      To achieve the best look for your integrated laundry appliance, we’d recommend using a plinth. You can sit the appliance just behind this and the doors we’d suggest using would be 715x347mm.

      Our service doesn’t include the facility to make kitchen units or doors to bespoke sizes. However, our large choice of doors and units are manufactured in a range of different sizes and configurations, and with over 900 different units available we can usually find a suitable match.

      Regarding the mantle; we can only supply our normal built up mantle measuring 1800mm wide x 1210mm high x 400mm deep. This comes as standard, with two 300mm wide working units at either side; creating 1200mm of internal space.

      As an alternative to this, you could use two dressers and a top box spanning the opening. However, the widest top box we offer is 1000mm. You could combine our 500mm and 600mm boxes side by side, but this would look uneven and would also need to be supported from beneath.

      I hope this helps.

      Andrew

       
      July 17, 2017 at 11:19 am
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