Start by measuring the space, the connections and the room needed to open the appliance: the type of loading matters just as much as capacity. A top-loading model may suit a narrow space, while a shallow front-loader could work if the door can open freely. A washer-dryer is another option if its drying capacity is sufficient for your loads. If you’re planning to install it in a bathroom, have the location checked for safety before you buy.
If the space a machine takes up on the floor makes it difficult to get around, a top-loading washing machine is worth considering. Models listed by Bosch and Whirlpool are 40 cm wide, but you’ll need enough room to open the lid fully.
A shallow front-loader could work if there’s enough room in front of the door. Remember to measure the space needed for the connections, too, and check the clearances in the manual for your chosen model.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in one appliance, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. Compare both figures with the amount of laundry you want to dry in one go.
In a small flat with no utility room, start by checking the walkway and access to the machine, then consider drying and the capacity you really need. A machine that fits into an alcove must still be easy to use once it’s connected.
| Consideration | What to check | Consumers’ priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Width and room to move | The machine’s width and the space left to walk through once it’s connected. | If the walkway between the kitchen and living room is narrow, I want to be able to get through without having to go around the machine; around 33 % of consumers would prioritise this constraint. |
| Opening and access | How far the door opens, or the clearance above the lid, depending on the loading type. | If the shower or a piece of furniture is right next to the machine, I need to be able to load the washing without getting in the way. Around 25 % of consumers would prioritise easy everyday access. |
| Integrated drying | Washing capacity and the capacity for a combined wash-and-dry cycle. | With no room for a clothes airer or separate tumble dryer, my main aim is to dry clothes in the same appliance; around 17 % of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Capacity and fit | Capacity to suit your usual loads and the dimensions of the space, including clearances. | If an alcove can fit a front-loader, I’d rather keep a capacity that suits my laundry than choose the narrowest machine possible. Around 25 % of consumers would put this first. |
A washing machine may fit in the space you’ve measured, but there might not be enough room to open its door, lift its lid or accommodate the connections at the back.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare these with the opening space and clearances required in the manual for your chosen model.
With a washer-dryer, a full wash load may exceed the amount allowed for a combined wash-and-dry cycle. Bosch, for example, lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg capacity for this cycle on the WNA13400FF.
Choose a model based on how much laundry you need to dry in one go; a larger load may need to be split or hung out to dry.
Having enough room doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suitable to connect an appliance near a shower or bath. Promotelec sets out requirements for safety zones, earthing and electrical protection.
Before installing the appliance, ask a qualified professional to check the location and electrical installation.
Installing or moving connections may count as altering the rented property or its equipment. ANIL notes that the landlord’s written permission is required for such alterations.
Before carrying out plumbing, electrical or permanent fitting work, clarify what it involves with your landlord and get written permission if needed.
Bosch model specifications make it easy to compare top-loaders, front-loaders and washer-dryers without assuming every model in the range has the same dimensions.
The TDLR55140SFR top-loader is a useful point of comparison if width is your main constraint.
Candy’s French collection of ‘slim’ front-loaders could be a useful starting point if your space is limited in depth.
This top-loading model is for shoppers considering this option to keep their walkway clear. Before choosing it, compare its dimensions and the clearance needed to open the lid with the space you have available.
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A top-loader is worth considering if there isn’t enough room in front of a door, as long as there’s enough clearance above the lid.
The model name indicates a capacity of 6 kg, a spin speed of 1 400 tr/min and 17 programmes. Check its dimensions, the specified clearances and the connections before ordering.
Yes, provided the location and electrical installation meet the relevant safety requirements. For bathrooms, Promotelec specifies, among other things, that the machine must be outside zones 0, 1 and 2 and the hidden volume, with earthing and protection by a 30 mA residual-current device. Ask a qualified professional to assess the actual layout.
If the work would alter the rented property or its equipment, get your landlord’s written permission first. ANIL notes that this is required for alterations, so clarify what the proposed work involves before changing the installation.
Not necessarily: compare the washing capacity with the capacity for a combined wash-and-dry cycle. Bosch, for example, lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg capacity for this cycle on the WNA13400FF. A full wash load may therefore need to be split before drying.
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, as well as the room needed to open the door or lid. Then check there’s space for the hoses, access to the connections and the clearances required in the manual for the specific model.
No. It can help you make your choice, but it doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit in your home. The ministry responsible for ecology states that the durability index has applied to washing machines in France since 8 April 2025. Compare models only once you’ve confirmed that their dimensions and installation requirements suit your space.