Having enough space in your laundry room or kitchen is essential for fitting your washer and dryer. By knowing the standard washer and dryer dimensions before making a purchase, you can safely and effectively make use of the space you dedicate to these appliances.
Standard Washer and Dryer Dimensions
A washing machine and tumble dryer are an essential part of any modern home. If you are lucky enough to have a separate laundry room, you won’t need to worry about the space occupied by these appliances. However, if you don’t have much space in your home, you may want to consider getting a stackable washer and dryer instead.
The average washers and dryers have a width of 27 inches so if you are planning to place these units side by side, you’ll need around 54 inches of space plus an additional inch between the appliance, thus a total of 57 inches of space will be required.
The height of standard washers and dryers should also be considered. This is usually between 35-43 inches.
For depth, standard size washers and dryers are around 28-34 inches, but you also need to allow an additional 6 inches of clearing space.
Front-Loading Washer and Dryer Dimensions
Just as the name implies, front-loading washers and dryers have a door on the front for loading and off-loading clothes. These appliances are the same dimensions as the standard units, though you can also find front-loading appliances in stackable forms.
If you opt for front-loading units, you must allow at least 24 inches of clearing space in the front of the unit’s door for ease of use.
Stackable Washer and Dryer Dimensions
Stackable washers and dryers are increasingly becoming popular, especially for those who live in small apartments or condos. These units take up less space compared to separate units. Stacked washers and dryers are appliances that are connected into one single unit as a unitized appliance. You can buy stacked appliances as one piece, thus saving money and space.
There are two types available: freestanding and single units. These washers and dryers are normally front-loading, although you can still find a combination of top-loading washer with a front-loading dryer.
Although the exact dimensions of stackable units vary by model, most are typically around 77-80 inches tall and 27 inches wide. Their depth is 30-34 inches.
The free-standing units are purchased separately but they can easily be stacked on top of one another to save space. Their dimensions are the same as stackable units.
When considering stackable units, bear in mind that once your top unit is filled with heavy clothes, it will vibrate whilst in operation. It is, therefore, best to place the washer on the bottom of the dryer in order to avoid mishaps.
In general, you can stack any separate free-standing unit on top of one another. All you need to do is make sure you check the width and depth of the units to see if they are equal. For example, if the washer is bigger than the dryer, the bigger unit must be placed on the bottom, in which case, you won’t be able to buy a top-loader washer. That said, most stackable washers are front-loading appliances.
Washer and Dryer Measuring Guide
This measuring guide should help you figure out how much space you’ll need for a perfect fit.
There are a number of ways you can position your units: side by side if they are top-loading or front-loading, or stacked on top of one another. You can even add a pedestal for increased comfort. Stackable units are ideal for space-constrained homes, but you must still assess your space before determining the right style and size washer and dryer unit.
When measuring your space for the right height, width, and depth of appliances, you must also take into account the clearing space and accessibility for loading and unloading your laundry. While there is no set standard washer and dryer size, it is very important to measure your space thoroughly.
In order to fit your units properly, make space all around them as the units require a little breathing space at the front, back and sides. Allow 4 feet for easy loading, 6 inches for hoses, and 1 inch for each side of the unit as well as extra space for opening and closing the unit.
To determine the total height of your stacked units, add the individual heights of each appliance. The result will give you a good idea of how easy or difficult it will be for you to operate the top unit.
Additional Considerations
If you’re not sure which type of washer and dryer unit will best suit your laundry room or kitchen, take note of the following:
– For laundry rooms that lack width, a stacked washer and dryer is a better option. The total height of a standard stacked washer and dryer is normally around 75 inches.
– But for those who are extremely pushed for space, there are compact washers and dryers for the smallest of spaces. Just remember to check the drum capacity as well as the size of such units. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want the biggest possible capacity to size ratio. Otherwise, you may have to do more than one load of laundry.
– It is also worthwhile checking how much free space you’ll have after installation. It is best to allow at least 48 inches of space in front of the washer and dryer for easy access.
– The extra free space around the sides of the units is also called clearing space. This serves a few functions: it allows air to circulate around the units, which is very important for safety reasons. It also reduces noise pollution. If you place your units too close to the wall, they may bang into them during operation and cause too much noise. This is not only irritating for you, but it can also cause damage to the appliances. Always allow adequate space behind, sides, and the front of the machines.
– Most ceiling heights are at least 8 feet or 96 inches. The average height of stackable washers and dryers is around 6.5 feet, which is 78 inches. This gives you plenty of vertical space, thus making such units ideal in most spaces – unless you want to place them in dormer-style rooms.
– If you plan on placing your stackable units in a closet, you must leave adequate room for the closet doors to open and close without colliding with the units.
– Closet doors that open outward or slide are the best solutions for placing your units in. Just make sure you measure the space between the back wall of the closet in order to determine the closet’s depth.
– Front-loading washer dryer combos take up significantly less space vertically than stacked units. Many of these appliances are only 33 inches high, but you must add an extra 6 inches of space for the height, 1 inch for the sides, and 5-10 inches for the rear of the appliance.
By taking the above considerations into account, you will have more success in choosing the right-sized washer and dryer.
Stackable Units Vs. Combo Units
Now that you have a better idea of how much space you need for your washer and dryer, let’s talk about which is the right one for you by weighing up the pros and cons of stackable and combo washer and dryers.
Stackable washer and dryers
Pros
- You can save floor space and even hide the units in closets
- Freestanding appliances are flexible as they can be either stacked, unstacked or side by side
- If one of the units stops working, you can easily replace them
- Available in electric or gas
- Ideal for space-constrained households
Cons
- Front-loading only
- Additional stacking hardware will be necessary
- Requires heavy lifting for installation or repairs
- More expensive than top-loading units
Washer dryer combos
For the most compact option, washer dryer combos are the ideal units for homes without a laundry room or closet space. These combo units are the same size as a single washer so you can vertically install them in tight spaces.
Pros
- Saves both floor and vertical space
- Can be hidden from view in enclosed spaces
- One machine serves as both washer and dryer
Cons
- Only available in electric
- Not as energy-efficient as separate units
- The washing or drying function may stop working
- Can be more expensive than stackable washer and dryers
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a stackable washer and dryer or the combo unit, the first step is to ensure you have adequate space in your laundry room or kitchen. This can be done by measuring the depth, width, and height of the installation space before buying the appliances. Be sure to leave enough space to comfortably open and close the doors of your units without any obstructions. Allow at least 4 feet of space for loading and unloading.
Once you understand how much room you have to work with, you can then search for the right washer and dryer model!
