How to Hide a Washer and Dryer

While having a washer and dryer in your home is a great convenience, it's understandable that you might not always want to have your appliances fully out on display. Thankfully, with a little planning (and some creative thinking), there are more than a few ways you can hide a washer and dryer in your home while still keeping them both easily accessible.

First and foremost, it's important to evaluate your options for a washer and dryer and think about which room you'll be placing them in. You'll want to ensure your appliances will have access to electricity, a water supply and a line for drainage. This is why people commonly place their washers and dryers in the basement, kitchen or bathroom.

When it comes to selecting a new washer and dryer, there are many different varieties you can choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Both front load and top load washing machines and dryers are available, with each type coming in various sizes and energy efficiencies.
• If you have more vertical space available or have a slim, narrow area to work with, stackable, front loading options could be a great choice for you.
• If you have a big family and are doing many loads of laundry quite often, large capacity appliances could be major time savers.
• To make the most of limited space, you might consider a washer and dryer combo from brands like LG or Haier.

Refer to this checklist to help you to measure your available space for your new washer and dryer, and assist you in verifying the technical aspects related to gas, electric and water hookups. Don't be afraid to get creative with storage space. There are many ways you can repurpose unused, awkward or unconventional spaces into functional laundry areas.

• The alcove underneath your staircase could be the perfect place for a washer and dryer combo unit.
• The kitchen pantry could serve as a small, secluded laundry room that's accessible yet hidden.
• An awkward corner space in the kitchen or bathroom could be easily transformed into a closeted area for laundry.

When exploring options for where to place your washer and dryer, take the time to envision yourself using the space to make sure it'll be the solution that works best for you. If you can't picture yourself going down to the basement every time you'd like to wash a load, perhaps there's a more suitable location to hook them up.

While washers and dryers can be quite sleek, that doesn't mean you need to keep them out in the open. Once you've decided on your appliances and which room in your home you'll install them, it's time to think of how you'll hide them.

• If you're repurposing a corner or alcove in your home as a laundry room, you could install walls and a door, or use a paneled room divider to create a designated space.
• If you're storing your washer and dryer in your bathroom or kitchen, consider custom cabinetry to conceal the appliances while matching the overall design of your space.
• If you're using the space underneath the stairwell or another type of open area, a screen or cabinet door allows for easy access.
• Especially in a bathroom, frosted doors offer an airy look that still provides coverage.
• If you're dealing with an awkwardly shaped area and custom cabinets aren't an option, curtains are an easy and affordable way to cover your washer and dryer.

When it comes to concealing your washer and dryer, it could be helpful to consult with an installation expert just to make sure you're not blocking any portion of the machines that you shouldn't be.

There isn't one way (or a best way) for how to hide a washer and dryer in your home. It's all about finding the right solution for you. From secret cabinets to repurposed closets, the options are practically endless.