How much space do you need for a washing machine?
For a standard washing machine you need roughly 65 cm of width, 90 cm of height and 70 cm of depth. That covers the appliance itself (85 x 60 x 60-64 cm) plus the clearance you need all around for connections, ventilation and absorbing vibration. On Washtower® washing machine cabinets the fixed internal recess is 62.5 x 86.3 x 58.3 cm (W x H x D). The external depth of the unit itself is 65 cm. The external width is 67 cm, because the cabinets also allow enough room for the appliances. Because the cabinet is placed about 5 cm from the wall, plenty of installation room for all the connections is created at the back automatically.
Standard dimensions of a washing machine
Most common washing machines have similar external dimensions. That way you know exactly what to allow for as a baseline:
Height: 85 cm (the fixed standard measurement)
Width: 60 cm (on virtually every brand and model)
Depth: 56 to 64 cm (depending on the drum capacity of the appliance)
Top loaders: these differ at around 90 cm high and 40 cm wide and open at the top, which makes them unsuitable for installation in a cabinet recess.
These measurements are essential to know before you fit out a laundry room or utility room. Virtually every standard appliance fits perfectly within the fixed internal recess dimensions from Washtower®.
Room needed around the machine
Besides the machine itself, a traditional freestanding floor setup needs extra clearance for safe, trouble-free operation. That prevents damage and keeps the airflow good:
At the back (5 to 10 cm): required for the supply and drain hoses and the tap, and to stop a freestanding machine from banging against the back wall during the spin cycle.
At the sides (2 to 3 cm each side): necessary with a freestanding setup to absorb vibration and prevent damage to walls or surrounding furniture.
On top (3 to 5 cm): important for good ventilation and heat dissipation. On Washtower® washing machine cabinets, high-quality ventilation grilles are built into the surround as standard.
On Washtower® cabinets the unit has 5 cm of space in its depth for the connections as standard. On top of that, the cabinet can be placed about 5 cm from the wall using wall brackets for extra room. Because the back of the cabinet is open, that automatically creates roughly 10 cm of free installation room. This makes fitting hoses and cables considerably easier and safer.
Room for everyday use and comfort
When fitting out the laundry room, think about the working space you need to move around comfortably too:
Door swing: allow about 55 cm at the front so you can open the appliance door fully.
Comfortable working space: keep at least 60 to 90 cm of free floor space in front of the machine so you can load and unload the laundry comfortably.
Optimal ergonomics: consider a modular washing machine stand to put your machine at a comfortable working height of 60 cm, taking the strain off your back and knees completely.
Overview: total space required
Width
Dimension of the machine itself: 60 cm
Extra clearance needed: + 4 to 6 cm
Total recess space needed: approx. 65 cm
Height
Dimension of the machine itself: 85 cm
Extra clearance needed: + 3 to 5 cm
Total recess space needed: approx. 88-90 cm
Depth
Dimension of the machine itself: 60-64 cm
Extra clearance needed: + 7 to 10 cm
Total recess space needed: approx. 70-75 cm
Which modular setup suits your situation?
Depending on the metres available in your laundry room or utility room, several setups are possible:
Installing a single washing machine: choose a separate washing machine cabinet for a clean, stable setup with a continuous base plate.
Dryer on top of the washing machine: save the maximum amount of floor space with a vertical tower setup, in which any vibrations are directed straight down through our distinctive cabinet-in-cabinet construction.
A double setup side by side: place the washing machine and dryer comfortably next to each other with our modular washer and dryer cabinets at a 60 cm working height for the very best convenience.
Designing a complete cabinet wall: combine your modules easily with tall storage cabinets for organised storage of detergent and supplies.
Guaranteed safety and absolute stability
On every Washtower® washing machine cabinet where the machine is raised, the machine is anchored steadily in the unit rather than standing directly on the floor. That brings distinct advantages for stability:
Continuous base plate: present as standard in every module; this rock-solid feature provides a completely sound base.
Distinctive cabinet-in-cabinet construction: any spin forces are absorbed at the core and carried straight down to the floor for quiet operation.
Built-in anti-tip device: integrated as standard in all our cabinets for maximum safety during intensive use.
Adjustable feet: these let you level the complete cabinet wall perfectly and effortlessly, whatever the unevenness of the floor.
Handy tips for a neat installation
Clever positioning of the connections: fit the tap and the drain pipe to the side of the unit or directly above the machine where possible, to save valuable depth in the room.
A solid floor: make sure the floor is firm and flat for optimal operation and the least possible vibration.
Building it up modularly: use our online configurator to design your ideal setup visually, step by step. You see straight away how the modules fit together seamlessly.
Do you have specific questions about the dimensions, or would you like personal advice for your laundry room? Feel free to contact our customer service or simply put your ideal setup together using the online configurator.