Placing a dryer in a small apartment

Making the most of every square inch of space is common when living in a small apartment. It can seem difficult to add a dryer, but with a little preparation, it is definitely possible. When it comes to simplifying your life and eliminating the inconvenience of air-drying clothes, a dryer can be a true game-changer. It allows you greater control over how you handle your laundry.

We’ll look at some ingenious ways to fit a dryer into your small living area in this post. We’ll dive into useful advice that can help you maximize your available space, from picking the ideal dryer type to determining the ideal location for it. We can help you with any type of layout, whether you need to get creative or have a dedicated laundry nook.

It all comes down to striking a balance between space-saving options and functionality when installing a dryer in a small apartment. You can have the convenience of a dryer without sacrificing your living space if you take the proper approach. Let’s explore the choices and suggestions that can enable this in your house.

Tip Details
Consider Compact Models Look for dryers specifically designed for small spaces. They’re usually narrower and shorter, making them easier to fit in tight spots.
Use Stackable Units If you have a washer, you can often stack a dryer on top of it. This helps save floor space and keeps everything in one place.
Utilize Vertical Space Think about placing your dryer on a raised platform or shelf to make the most of vertical space, especially if you have a high ceiling.
Foldable or Portable Options Portable dryers can be moved around as needed and stored away when not in use. They’re a good choice if you don’t have a permanent spot for a dryer.
Install Wall-Mounted Dryers Wall-mounted dryers save floor space and can be installed above other appliances or furniture. Just make sure the wall can support the weight.
Ventless Dryers Ventless dryers don’t require an external vent, making them perfect for small apartments where venting outside isn’t feasible.

Requirements for the room and options for installing a dryer

Condensation dryers are convenient because they don’t need to be connected to the sewer or the water supply. Furthermore, if there is a grounded outlet and a separate circuit breaker, this equipment can be installed anywhere. This is because heavy loads are placed on the line because large machines use a lot of electricity. The machine must be able to quickly cut the power supply at any time in order to prevent an emergency.

However, since most automatic dryers release a lot of heat energy when drying, they should not be positioned in small spaces with inadequate ventilation. Furthermore, the dryer and the items nearby will start to suffer if there isn’t a free outlet for the heat. As a result, there is an unwritten installation rule that states that equipment should be installed in rooms that are at least two by two meters in size. Installation techniques vary according to kind.

  • Linear installation in one row. In this case, the washing machine and dryer are installed next to each other, for which a lot of free space must be prepared in the room. For such installation, you can choose a kitchen, hallway, bathroom or wardrobe. This type of installation is considered very practical, because the surface of the household appliances can be used in everyday life, for example, for cooking – for this, it is necessary to mount a shelf or cabinet on top.

The machines can be placed beneath kitchen furniture under the countertop to save space.

  • Vertical placement in a column. To do this, the equipment must be installed on top of each other. In this case, the washing machine must always be at the bottom, since it weighs much more than the dryer. For this type of installation, it is necessary to carefully prepare the floor covering, which must be even and durable, preferably concrete. If the floor is uneven, shaky or slippery, then because of it, the vibrations of the devices will be excessive, which can lead to the fall of the equipment.

You must firmly fasten the unit on top of the washing machine to keep it from falling to the ground while in use. Without additional fixtures and fasteners, which you can make yourself or purchase at a hardware store, you cannot simply stack the machines on top of one another. It’s best to hire a repairman to install the dryer on the washing machine and attach special fasteners if you’re not sure you can do it yourself. The costly "home helpers" will only be secure throughout their work cycles in this manner.

The ultimate goal is to strike a balance between space efficiency and functionality when installing a dryer in a small apartment. You’ll need to look into space-saving placement options, such as employing stackable or compact models, and venting options that work with your limited area. Setting these things in order of importance can help you maintain a clean apartment and a hassle-free laundry routine.

In what room and how to install the dryer?

Housewives frequently attempt to fit the dryer in the bathroom alongside the washing machine, despite the small space. Typically, there is only enough room in this room for a bathtub or a sink with a shower cabin. Sometimes, people install the washing machine as a solution rather than the cabinet beneath the sink. This is very useful because the space still has a sink, a bathtub or shower, and a washing machine, all of which essentially don’t impede movement.

However, what would happen if the user wanted to position a tumble dryer in the restroom so that they were near one another? Most of the time, using a column installation is the only way to accomplish this. This option is valid, but you will probably have to part with the sink and the mirror cabinet, which is typically hung over the sink, because of the way this installation is done. The only item in the room that will stay is the bathtub with household appliances.

Alternatively, you could offer to have a shower cabin or shower compartment installed in place of the bathtub. Since a shower takes up significantly less room than a bathtub, you can fit a tall cabinet or niche for a washing machine and tumble dryer in addition to the shower compartment.

For those who have a combined bathroom—a space that houses both a toilet and a shower—this kind of solution is ideal. Installing a shower cabin instead of a bath also frees up space for cabinets and household appliances, which makes it extremely convenient. Lack of furniture in the bathroom is inconvenient because you need to find a place to store personal hygiene products, household chemicals, dirty laundry, and a lot more. Those who are accustomed to bathing should not choose this option, though. In this situation, you will need to find a new location for the washer and dryer or give up your habits.

You could focus on the kitchen, for instance, as there is typically a lot of room there for household appliances. A small kitchen that is already cluttered with a stove, refrigerator, and sink may present challenges. Because it will save space, it is worthwhile to stop at the installation in a column in this instance.

Users can order a tall cabinet from a store or build one themselves to keep the room’s style consistent. As a result, the furniture will enhance rather than detract from the kitchen’s design, particularly if the cabinet has doors that conceal appliances. However, you can eliminate doors entirely, which will drastically lower the cost of the design, if the "home helpers"’ appearance complements the kitchen’s design.

The equipment for drying and washing will look good, take up minimal space, and be conveniently located near all the necessary communications, which are behind the furniture, thanks to the assistance of a tall cabinet. One more benefit to mention is how much easier the drying process is when wet items are taken out of the washing machine at the conclusion of the cycle and placed right into the dryer hatch. In this instance, taking a basin for wet laundry is not even necessary.

Additionally, it’s not uncommon to find home appliances installed in hallways or corridors. In one such instance, a large wardrobe takes up nearly the entire space, followed by a dryer situated in a separate compartment. Since the dryer typically only requires a free outlet, this is very easy to set up and shouldn’t cause any issues for the user when connecting to communications. Another benefit is that the drying unit won’t be visible because the wardrobe doors will slide, saving you the trouble of trying to fit it inside the house.

Finally, the dryer may occasionally be placed on a balcony or loggia. In the second scenario, this could occur if the balcony is covered in glass and the wintertime temperature there is at least +10 degrees Celsius. If there isn’t any additional space in the kitchen, bathroom, or hallway, this option should be carefully considered as the equipment won’t obstruct anyone on the balcony or loggia.

It is advisable to avoid installing noisy household appliances in the living room and bedroom. First of all, it will obstruct daily life, and secondly, you’ll have to find a location for the devices that doesn’t detract from the room’s décor.

While fitting a dryer in a small apartment can be difficult, it is possible with a little imagination and preparation. The secret is to consider how to make the most of every square inch of your available area while still making sure that your dryer is usable and easily accessible. A washer-dryer combo, stackable unit, or compact model—whichever you’re thinking about—you should pick one that fits your needs and available space.

Examining multipurpose appliances or furniture is one option. For example, stackable units can save a ton of space and greatly increase the efficiency of laundry days. The best option might be wall-mounted or fold-away dryers if you’re working in a very small space. With these options, you can maintain a clutter-free apartment and still have easy access to a dryer.

Remember to use adequate ventilation. Small areas can easily get stuffy, so make sure there is adequate ventilation for your dryer to prevent moisture buildup. Installing a vent hose or using a condenser dryer that doesn’t need external venting may be necessary. Every choice has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do some research to determine which option is best for your particular situation.

Finally, consider the general arrangement and flow of your apartment. It can make a big difference to place your dryer in an accessible location without taking up too much room in your living area. The idea is to maintain a cozy and useful living space, no matter where it is placed—in a corner or tucked into a closet.

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Alexey Volkov

Specialist in service and repair of washing machines. My work has taught me to understand all the intricacies of the device of this equipment. On this site I share my knowledge about how to properly care for a washing machine to extend its service life, and what to do if problems arise. My goal is to help you avoid common mistakes and save money on repairs.

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