In a studio flat, first check the connections, the appliance’s full dimensions and the space you need to load your washing. A compact or slim front-loader may work if there’s enough depth and room for the door to open; a top-loader is better suited to a narrow space, as long as its lid can open freely. If you can’t confirm that installation is possible in your home, compare this option with a shared launderette before choosing a capacity that suits your washing.
Before choosing a machine, check the available connections and the rules that apply to your home, particularly if any work is planned. ANIL explains that the co-ownership rules set out the rights and obligations relating to the building.
In a kitchenette or small bathroom, the machine’s total depth and the space taken up by an open door can determine whether a front-loader will work, even if its body fits in the space.
You want enough capacity for your washing without taking up more space than necessary. Que Choisir generally recommends 5 to 7 kg for one person or a couple, depending on your washing habits and the fabrics you wash.
First make sure a machine can be installed, then decide between a front-loader and a top-loader. Once that’s confirmed, compare loading access, usable capacity and the noise level during spinning for the specific model.
Consider this if: depth is limited, but there’s enough width and space in front of the door.
Bear in mind: the door needs room to open, and “slim” on its own doesn’t tell you the machine’s total depth or capacity.
Consider this if: width is the main issue and you can easily access the top of the machine.
Bear in mind: a cabinet or worktop above the machine could prevent the lid from opening.
Consider this if: the connections, available space or rules for carrying out work mean you can’t confirm that a machine can be installed at home.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to travel and machines may not always be available, instead of having the convenience of one at home.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Whether installation is possible | Check for a water supply and drain, and find out what rules apply if work is needed. | If I can’t connect the machine, its size won’t solve my problem; around 36% of consumers put installation feasibility at the top of their list. |
| Space and loading | Measure the machine’s full dimensions, plus the space needed in front of a door or above a lid. | In a narrow walkway, I need to be able to open the machine and load the washing without blocking access; space and loading are priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the capacity in kg with the washing you expect to do and the limits of the programmes you’ll use. | To avoid running lots of cycles, I want a drum that suits my washing rather than a large capacity by default; around 21% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Noise during spinning | Compare the same noise rating in dB across models and make sure the machine is level, as instructed. | If the machine is close to my living area or neighbours, its noise matters when I’m choosing; noise is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
These labels don’t tell you the dimensions you need for installation. Que Choisir describes slim front-loaders as 33 to 45 cm deep; LG lists the F82SV52IXS as 47,5 cm deep for the body, but 53,5 cm including protruding parts.
Compare the measurements for the exact model, its total depth, the space needed with the door open and its capacity.
A front-loader may fit in its space but still not have enough room for the door to open. A worktop can also get in the way of a top-loader.
Check the clearance with the front-loader door open, or measure the space above the top-loader before ordering.
A drum that’s too small may mean you need to run more cycles. For one person or a couple, Que Choisir generally suggests 5 to 7 kg, depending on the washing you do and how often you do it.
Also check the load limits for the programmes you plan to use: the maximum capacity shown may not apply to every programme.
Extra cycles also mean more time spent loading, hanging out and putting away your washing.
The stated noise level during spinning helps you compare the same rating across models, but it doesn’t tell you everything about how a machine will behave once installed in your studio flat.
Follow the instructions to remove the transit bolts and level the appliance. Also be considerate of your neighbours when scheduling your washing.
These examples show different configurations; their features don’t necessarily apply to every model from each brand. Always compare the specifications of the model you’re considering with your measurements.
The EW6T4613HA is an example of a top-loader to consider if you have limited width.
The F82SV52IXS shows why it’s important to measure a front-loader described as slim with the door open.
The TDLR6242SFR/N is another top-loader to consider where width is especially important.
First, check that there’s a usable water supply and drain where you plan to put the machine. Also check that the hoses can be routed properly: Bosch notes, for example, that a kinked or trapped inlet hose can stop the machine from filling.
Because the depth of the machine’s body isn’t the same as the space you need to load your washing. LG France lists the F82SV52IXS as 47,5 cm deep for the body, 53,5 cm including protruding parts and 101,5 cm with the door open at 90°; take the equivalent measurements for the model you’re interested in.
No. It may be a good option if width or the space in front of the machine is limited, but the lid still needs room to open. Check the clearance above the space, particularly if there’s a worktop or cabinet overhead.
Que Choisir generally suggests 5 to 7 kg for one person or a couple. Adjust this guide to how often you wash, whether you wash bed linen and how you sort your fabrics, then check the load limits for the programmes you use.
Check the rules that apply to your home before arranging any work, and take care not to disturb your neighbours when using the machine. ANIL explains the role of co-ownership rules; in France, Article R1336-5 of the Public Health Code, published by Légifrance, covers noise that disturbs the peace of the neighbourhood because of its duration, repetition or intensity.