First, choose a format that will still be practical once the machine is in place: a top loader if you’re short on width and can open the lid, a slimline front loader if depth is the main issue, or a standard front loader if there’s enough room in front of the door. A washer-dryer can solve the problem of having nowhere to dry clothes, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. Before you buy, compare the full dimensions, connections, capacity and energy label information with your available space and usual laundry loads.
In a small utility room, the main constraint might be width, depth or the space you need to dry clothes.
A top-loading washing machine is worth considering if you can reach its lid easily. Whirlpool France describes top loaders that are around 40 cm wide, while Electrolux France says its slimline front loaders are generally 60 cm wide.
If you have enough width, compare a slimline front loader with the full dimensions of your space. You’ll also need to allow room in front of the door: the depth of the machine alone doesn’t tell you how much space you’ll need to load the laundry.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. However, compare its washing and drying capacities separately: you may not be able to dry a full load of washing in one go.
Start by measuring the space and allowing for the clearances you’ll need. Then compare capacity and the features of the cycle you’ll actually use.
| Consideration | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Width and access | Measure the available width and check how the lid or door opens. Whirlpool France puts top loaders at around 40 cm wide, while Electrolux France says its slimline front loaders are generally 60 cm wide. | If my space is narrow, I could consider a top loader, provided I can open it from above. Under a fixed worktop, front access matters more. |
| Depth | Compare the cabinet depth, the full dimensions including protruding parts, and the space needed with the door open, using the diagram for the exact model. For the F82D14STS front loader, LG France gives dimensions of 560 mm, 595 mm and 1 035 mm with the door open at 90°. | I have enough width, but the space in front of the machine is tight: a slimline front loader could help with the depth constraint, provided I can still use the door comfortably. |
| Capacity | Match the capacity in kg to the size of your usual laundry loads. ADEME recommends choosing a drum size to suit your needs rather than running lots of cycles with only a small amount of laundry in the drum. | I’d rather choose a capacity that suits my laundry routine than pick a format just because it fits in the space. |
| Drying | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. For example, LG France lists 8,5 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying on the F852SV52IRS. | If I don’t have room to hang clothes out or install a second appliance, I could choose a washer-dryer. I’ll need to reduce or split loads for drying if necessary. |
| Noise and cycles | Check the stated spin noise, along with the energy, water use and cycle duration on the label. The European Commission explains that this information appears on the labels of relevant washing machines and washer-dryers. | If the machine is near a living space, spin noise matters to me. If I plan to use the dryer, I’ll compare the wash-and-dry cycle information, not just the washing figures. |
| Installation | Check the route to the space, the water supply, drainage and the instructions in the manual. A Bosch manual calls for a firm, level surface and a correctly levelled appliance. | Before delivery, I want to know that the machine can be brought in, connected and installed on the intended floor. |
Protruding parts and the open door can take up more room. For the LG F82D14STS, LG France gives a cabinet depth of 560 mm, 595 mm including protruding parts, and 1 035 mm with the door open at 90°.
Mark out the full dimensions of the model you’re considering on your floor plan, leaving enough access to load the laundry.
A top loader is loaded from above. Even if it fits in a narrow space, a worktop or shelf could stop you opening the lid.
Measure the clearance above the appliance and check the space required for the model you’ve chosen.
As ADEME and the European Commission explain, the label also gives information about water use, cycle duration and noise for the reference cycle. For a washer-dryer, the figures for washing alone and the wash-and-dry cycle should be considered separately.
Compare the figures for the cycle you’ll use, taking each appliance’s capacity into account.
A Bosch manual explains that an appliance that isn’t level may move, and that a soft surface isn’t suitable for installation.
Follow the manual for your model to check the floor, adjust the feet and remove the transit bolts before first use.
These examples illustrate different formats and things to check. The specifications quoted apply to the ranges or models listed.
Whirlpool France presents top-loading machines as an option when width is limited.
The range of slimline front loaders shown by Electrolux France is aimed mainly at spaces where depth is limited.
LG France’s product listings offer useful examples for comparing the space taken up by a front loader and the separate capacities of a washer-dryer.
A Bosch manual shows the installation checks to make before using a washing machine in a small space.
These two appliances combine washing and drying for homes where a second appliance would take up too much space. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean they’ll fit in your utility room: compare their full dimensions with your available space.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance, with a stated washing capacity of 8 kg and a drying capacity of 5 kg. The title and description give conflicting dimensions, so ask for the full dimensions of the exact model before planning where to put it. Also compare the noise and cycle information on its label.
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This model has a stated washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg, so you may need to split a full load of washing before drying it. Before choosing this model for a specific space, check its full dimensions, door clearance, connections, and the noise and energy information for the cycle you’ll use.
Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the route to the space. Then allow for the pipes and the opening of the lid or door. LG France’s listing for the F82D14STS shows why these measurements matter: it gives a cabinet depth of 560 mm, 595 mm including protruding parts, and 1 035 mm with the door open at 90°. Use the diagram for the model you’re planning to buy.
Check the manual for your model for details of the water supply, drainage, hoses and electrical connection, as well as guidance on the floor. A Bosch manual calls for a firm, level surface and a correctly levelled appliance. Follow its instructions for removing the transit bolts before use, too.
Compare the stated noise level and spin noise rating on their energy labels, rather than looking only at revolutions per minute. ADEME says the label includes noise information; stability also depends on installing the machine in line with the manual.
Not necessarily: compare both capacities for the exact model. LG France lists 8,5 kg for washing but 5 kg for drying on the F852SV52IRS, so a full load would need to be reduced or dried in batches. Also check the information for the wash-and-dry cycle separately from the figures for washing alone.