To save space in the kitchen or bathroom, use every centimeter of free space. In a large room for kitchen or bathroom accessories, you can install a nightstand or wardrobe. Where there is no space for bulky items, you can limit yourself to shelves above the washing machine.
Bathroom shelves
If you can’t fit a washing machine (SMA) under the sink, you can still save space. Many users use the lids of their washing machines as a surface for placing bathroom accessories, microwaves, kettles and other items – despite the prohibition of the instructions.
Look up and see a wasted place – above the washing machine. Why not add some shelves here? Or even a small locker? It turns out that this idea has long been picked up by manufacturers – they offer ready-made solutions that differ both structurally and in materials of manufacture.
Varieties
Shelves above SMA can be made:
- open. They do not have doors, it is easy to get to any object.
- closed. If the color cacophony of assorted jars-bottles annoys you, you can hide them behind the doors of the shelves. By combining the shelves with common walls and doors, you get a wall cabinet with shelves.
Suitable materials:
- Plastic. Shelves are not afraid of moisture and are cheap. But not strong enough. And most importantly, mold can multiply on plastic. It is recommended to choose perforated products – then moisture will not collect on the surfaces.
- Metal. Durable and stylish. But you need to choose only coated metal – not subject to corrosion. Suitable for stainless steel and chromed metal. For interiors in Provence and country style, forged versions, as well as bronze products, may be suitable.
- Ceramics and glass. These are usually small decorative items. They are not afraid of moisture, but very fragile. As a rule, ceramics and glass are used together with wood or metal.
- Tree. Most suitable sheets of fiberboard and MDF – they are durable, lightweight, look respectable. Minus – susceptible to moisture. But you can use wood impregnated with special compounds that repel moisture.
Shelves are attached – in the bathroom or in the kitchen, with the help of hinges, brackets and corners. Shelves can also be a single structure, united by common components.
Cabinets above the washing machine can have a different design – the creators’ imagination is not limited by anything, you only have to take into account the cost of materials and the size of the room. Wardrobe can be made:
- Mounted. This is the easiest option. By making it deeper, you can even hide counters or communications in it.
- Freestanding. In appearance, it looks like a cabinet. Shelves are united by side walls into a single unit.
- Floor. It is essentially an open shelving unit. An example of such a solution is in the photo below.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- They cover household appliances from moisture, protect them from corrosion – this is more true for structures with side walls.
- If you make doors, you can place on the shelves not only bathroom accessories, but also detergents.
- Thanks to the shelves in the bathroom, order is maintained. The more shelves in the room, the easier it is to clean.
- All accessories and accessories not only occupy their “seats”, but are also easily accessible – to take the right tool, just reach out.
The solution under consideration has no minuses – one benefit. If, for example, when installing SMA in a cabinet or cabinet, there is a danger of not noticing a leak in time, then there are no such risks in the case of shelves.
Overview of ready-made solutions
Go to any online store of functional furniture, and dozens of models designed to be installed above the washer will appear to your attention. Particularly popular are cabinets with many cells and with laundry baskets.
Cabinet-column
Pillar cabinet – perfect for the bathroom. The machine is protected from moisture. Shelves open and closed, the latter are adjustable in height. It is easy to hide detergents behind the doors – powders, conditioners, etc., in plain sight you can put small, but important items used daily. The size is designed for a full-size CMA with a width of 60 cm. Material – laminated MDF.
Algot 8 – a model from Ikea
From items of the ALGOT series, you can collect a variety of combinations. In the photo – a whole wall-mounted module with a pull-out laundry basket. You can make one or two baskets – the module is assembled taking into account the characteristics of the room and the needs of the user. Here, in addition to the shelves, they also provided a convenient clothes dryer. If there is no dryer in the machine, then small items can be dried on the shelves – water does not get on the CMA cover. In the manufacture of module components, a variety of materials were used – chipboard, galvanized steel, polypropylene.
Wardrobe from “Leroy Merlin”
An elegant solution, concise and functional. It is possible to save space and create convenient places to store towels, linen, toiletries. Width – 64 cm. A full-size washing machine 60 cm wide will fit here. The design does not depend on the parameters of the load-bearing wall, it can be moved from place to place. The bottom is open front and back. The floor cabinet allows you to hide all the communications necessary to connect the washing machine.
The hinged version from Vod-Ok
Household hinged module with a niche. This option will be appropriate both in the bathroom and in the kitchen – if it fits into the interior. Made from MDF and chipboard. You can hide a lot of useful things in a niche. The width is designed for a full-size device. The manufacturer also offers a variation with a pull-out laundry basket.
What other options are there?
In cramped conditions, when there is no extra space, CMA owners try to save space in many ways by using the space above the machine. To do this, other household appliances are placed above the apparatus. For example, an oven. Between the washer and the oven, located in a single module, put horizon. True, the oven must be induction – unheated. The same solution will be useful when placing the dryer above the washing machine.
Another solution, simple and practical, is a built-in wardrobe above the SMA. It is easy to do it yourself. Consider an example of creating wooden shelves on your own.
DIY rack
Do not want to spend money on finished furniture, or maybe you have your own ideas? Then you can design or make shelves yourself. Home craftsmen can easily cope with the task – the main thing is to find the right material – durable and moisture resistant.
Preparation of the drawing
Consider an example of creating a rack – a simple and affordable design. Start by drawing up a drawing. Only by making an accurate calculation, it will be possible to purchase materials. In the drawing, reflect the exact dimensions – the height, width and depth of the structure. Dimensions will depend on the size of the washer – it must fit completely in the niche of the rack. Choose the height of your choice. But keep in mind that an overly high design will be unstable and bulky.
The width of the rack should be 3-4 cm more than the width of the machine.
Preparation of materials
To create a rack you will need the following tools and materials:
- Chipboard. Must be waterproof cover. The PVC layer makes it possible to use chipboard for furniture installed in the bathroom. It is not recommended to use laminated MDF sheets – they will swell from moisture and lose their original appearance
- Metal corner.
- Screws.
- Four legs.
- Screwdriver or screwdriver.
- Marker and tape measure.
How to assemble?
Assembly order:
- Referring to the drawing, mark out the materials and cut out the details. So, if the rack has dimensions (HxWxD) 250 x 45 x 64 cm, you will need the following details:
- 2 side panels 247 x 45 cm;
- 4 shelves 64 x 45 cm;
- top panel 67 x 45 cm;
- lower jumper 67 x 10 cm.
- Assemble the finished parts using self-tapping screws and corners. Attach the roof and bottom lintel first. At a distance of 85,5 cm, fix the first shelf, after 38,5 cm – 3 more pieces.
- Screw the legs to the side walls. Everything – the rack is ready.
Glass shelf installation
If there is no space for a rack, limit yourself to the simplest solution – make a glass shelf above the typewriter. Many accessories will not fit on it, but it definitely will not be superfluous. Buy a glass shelf at any building market, your task is to install it correctly. The width of the glass must be at least 0,4 cm. Glass installed in bathrooms must be covered with a special film.
Make fasteners from an aluminum profile or decorative holders. To attach them to the walls covered with tiles, you will need a drill. But do not turn on the punch mode. Insert the dowels into the holes made, and the holders into them. Fix the glass surface and the job is done.
Thanks to the shelves installed above the washing machines, it is possible to get a significant space for useful supplies and accessories. In addition, by looking at the range of online stores and showing imagination, you can enliven the room with interesting interior solutions.