Plenty of width, but limited depth
If you have around 60 cm of width but the appliance could get in the way of a walkway, look at slim-depth front-loaders. Remember to leave room for the connections and for the door to open.
Which format is right for you?
Limited space on either side
If two units of furniture mainly restrict the width, a top-loader is worth considering. However, its lid needs room to open, so a fixed worktop above it may rule out this option.
One space for washing and drying
If you need to dry laundry at home but cannot fit two appliances, a washer-dryer combines both functions. Choose a model based on the amount of laundry you want to dry, which may be less than the wash load.
What should you check first?
First, identify the measurement that could prevent installation, then check the capacity and connection requirements of the model you are considering. A narrower appliance is not necessarily a shallower one.
Slim-depth front-loader
Consider this when: there is enough width for a front-loader and depth is the main constraint.
Bear in mind: the door needs space in front of the appliance, even if its body is shallow.
Top-loader
Consider this when: width is limited and the space above the appliance can be kept clear.
Bear in mind: the lid needs room to open, and the model may still be quite deep.
Washer-dryer
Consider this when: you cannot install a separate tumble dryer but need to dry laundry at home.
Bear in mind: a full wash load may exceed the capacity available for drying.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Depth and door clearance | Measure the usable depth, including connections, then check the door clearance in the manual for the front-loader you have chosen. | If an appliance might obstruct a walkway, I want to reduce how far it sticks out without losing access to the laundry. Around 31% of consumers with this need make it their top priority. |
| Width and lid clearance | Compare the appliance’s overall width with the available space and make sure nothing will block the lid from opening. | Between two units of furniture that are close together, I mainly need an appliance that fits the width, provided I can lift its lid. Around 31% of consumers with this need put it first. |
| Washing and drying in one appliance | Compare the washing and wash-and-dry capacities separately, then measure the space available for the single appliance. | With no room for a separate tumble dryer, I want to be able to wash and dry laundry, and am happy to dry a smaller load. Around 15% of consumers with this need prioritise this option. |
| Location and connections | Check the manual for the water supply, drain and electrical connection requirements. In a bathroom, also have the electrical installation assessed. | If the alcove is close to a shower or the connections are difficult to reach, I first need to know where the appliance can be installed. This is a priority for around 23% of consumers with this need. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Measuring the alcove without allowing for the door to open
An appliance may fit in the measured space but still be difficult to load if its door or lid catches on a unit of furniture. Hoses, the plug socket and access to connections matter too.
Measure all three dimensions that affect the fit and compare them with the installation guidance for the exact model. Also check that the appliance can get through the delivery route.
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Assuming a top-loader is small in every dimension
The Whirlpool TDLR6247FR/N featured by Whirlpool France is 40 cm wide, but also 60 cm deep and 90 cm tall. Its narrow width will not necessarily solve a lack of depth.
Choose this format for spaces where width is the main constraint and there is enough clear space above to open the lid.
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Confusing washing capacity with drying capacity
For the Bosch WNG24402FR, Bosch Electroménager France lists a 9 kg capacity for washing alone and 6 kg for a wash-and-dry cycle. A full wash load therefore exceeds the capacity of the complete cycle.
Choose a capacity based on how much laundry you plan to dry at a time, not just how much the appliance can wash.
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Choosing a bathroom alcove based on its dimensions alone
If the appliance is close to a bath or shower, you also need to consider its location and electrical protection. Promotelec advises checking, among other things, the earthing, the 30 mA residual-current protection and the appliance’s position in relation to the bathroom zones. In a cupboard, the assessment takes account of the doors being open.
Before choosing this location, ask a qualified electrician to assess the existing installation and the specific cupboard or alcove.
Depending on the condition of the installation, electrical work or a different location may be needed.
Brands to consider
Beko
Examples of slim-depth front-loaders and top-loaders, offering two ways to address a space constraint.
- Beko France features front-loaders that are 44 cm deep with a 6 kg capacity and 49 cm deep with a 7 kg capacity.
- These are examples from its range. They do not indicate the size of other models or the clearance needed for installation.
Whirlpool
A top-loader that provides a useful reference point when available width is the main constraint.
- According to Whirlpool France, the TDLR6247FR/N is 40 cm wide, 90 cm tall and 60 cm deep, with a 6 kg capacity.
- This model’s dimensions are not representative of every Whirlpool washing machine. Also check the space needed to open its lid.
Bosch
A washer-dryer to consider when assessing the space taken up by an appliance that performs both functions.
- Bosch Electroménager France lists dimensions of 848 × 598 × 590 mm for the WNG24402FR, with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg wash-and-dry capacity.
- These specifications apply to this model only; they do not mean that a washer-dryer will fit in a shallow alcove.
Models to suit these needs
These models cover two situations: choosing a top-loader when width is limited, or combining washing and drying when there is no room for a second appliance. In both cases, you will still need to check that the model fits your space.
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Haier T Series 7 THASN276TM6-S, 7 kg top-loading washing machine
Worth considering if width is your main constraint and the lid can open freely.
The model name indicates a 7 kg capacity and a spin speed of 1,200 rpm. Check the manual for the space needed to open the lid and connect the appliance.
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Candy TCA464TM4-S ProWash 500, 6 kg top-loading washing machine
A top-loading design can solve a width constraint, provided there is no worktop or furniture in the way of the lid.
The model name indicates a 6 kg capacity and a spin speed of 1,400 rpm. Check the depth and clearances in the manual before choosing where to put it.
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Roborock Zeo Lite Zeo-Cycle, white washer-dryer, 10 kg/6 kg
Worth considering if you need to wash and dry laundry but do not have room for two appliances.
The model name indicates a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so a 10 kg wash load cannot be dried in one go at the stated capacity. Check its dimensions and installation clearances before choosing an alcove.
Frequently asked questions
Does a top-loader always take up less space than a front-loader?
No: a top-loader can solve a lack of width without reducing the depth. The TDLR6247FR/N is 40 cm wide but 60 cm deep, according to Whirlpool France. You also need enough space above the appliance to open its lid.
Can you install a slim-depth front-loader under a worktop?
Some models can be installed this way, provided the manual allows it and the height, clearances and connections are suitable. Also check that the door can open far enough for you to load the laundry.
Can a washer-dryer dry as much laundry as it can wash?
Not necessarily: Bosch Electroménager France lists a 9 kg capacity for washing alone and 6 kg for a wash-and-dry cycle on the WNG24402FR. If you wash a load that exceeds the capacity of the complete cycle, you will need to remove some of it before drying.
How much space should you leave around a washing machine?
Allow for the clearance specified in the installation manual for your chosen model, as well as its overall dimensions. Check the connections at the back, the door or lid opening and access to the connections. A measurement that works for another appliance is not enough.
What should you check before putting a washing machine in a bathroom?
Have the location and electrical installation checked before choosing an appliance. For a bathroom in France, Promotelec advises checking, among other things, the earthing, the 30 mA residual-current protection and the appliance’s position in relation to the room’s zones. If the appliance is in a cupboard, the assessment takes account of the doors being open. A qualified electrician can assess your specific setup.