At a Glance:
Not Enough Laundry Room Floor Space
Cabinets Prevent You from Stacking a Washer & Dryer
Your Laundry Room is Too Narrow
Not everyone has enough square feet for a large laundry room set-up. Some people need to get creative with stackable washer-dryer sets installed in closets or seek out smaller units to accommodate their homes. Regardless of how small your space is, you can still find laundry solutions work in even the most limited spaces.
We’ve looked at common laundry room issues and put together small laundry room solutions for your home in this guide for you to discover.
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Shop Washers and DryersProblem 1: Not Enough Laundry Room Floor Space
One of the most common problems when furnishing a home is finding space. In the laundry area, that might mean not having enough room for a standard washer and dryer, or in extreme cases, the vertical space for stacked laundry units.
✔Fact:
When it comes to laundry appliance space requirements, most washers need at least three cubic feet of space. That means homeowners could lose up to six cubic feet or more of floor real estate when using a side-by-side washer and dryer setup.
Additionally, when measuring for washers and dryers, exact dimensions aren’t enough to go by. That’s because most units need a few extra inches in the back for connections, hoses, and dryer vents.
There are multiple solutions if space is at a premium in your home. First, consider a small stacked washer dryer configuration. By using a stacked washer and dryer, you can cut the amount of floor space you need in half.
On the other hand, portable washers and compact dryers also help save laundry space. Portable washing machines hook up to water connections like faucets and allow you to roll the appliance away when you don’t need it, while mini dryers are smaller than full-size models, reducing the square footage needed to use and house one.
Experts’ Pick: Whirlpool® 1.6 Cu. Ft. White Compact Top Load Washer
Shop This Whirlpool Portable Washer
This is one of the leading portable washers buyers will find on the market—and it comes from a major name in the industry, so it’s also reliable. This portable washing machine can be rolled out when you need it and stored away when not in use. It may be smaller than full-size units, but it’s surprisingly efficient with an impeller that not only gently cleans clothes but also frees up space because to fit more in a single load.
⭐Featured Whirlpool WTW2000HW Review:
“I was so happy to find a compact washer since I live in a condominium. The whirlpool is perfect and performs great!”
Problem 2: Cabinets Prevent You from Stacking a Washer & Dryer
Stacked washers and dryers typically need 80 inches of height, which isn’t feasible if you have built-in cabinets blocking the way.
Fortunately, not all compact laundry appliances need to be stacked but still save room. Average 27 inches wide and deep vs 30 inches compared to full-size washers and dryers, compact washers and dryers squeeze into more spaces such as closets and pantries.
Here’s a couple of great examples.
Experts’ Pick: Electrolux 2.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
Shop This Electrolux Compact Washer
Just because you are buying a compact washer doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice quality. This washer is only 24 inches wide and 33 inches high but can still clean your clothes effectively. It’s Energy Star® certified and uses less water and electricity than full-size models while still providing 12 different wash cycles to choose from. It also comes with Electroulx’s premier washer feature, LuxCare, with enhanced wash and temperature management for superior fabric care.
⭐Featured Electrolux ELFW4222AW Review:
“The washer is quiet and efficient. It is in our closet and looks much nicer than our old one-piece unit. It is a big space saver for us.”
Experts’ Pick: LG 4.2 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Ventless Electric Dryer
Pair your small washer with this compact dryer for maximum results. It can be controlled through the ThinQ® app, making it easy to choose specific settings and check on your clothes. There are 14 different cycles to choose from depending on what you need to clean. LG has a dedicated fit guide to ensure your small washer and dryer will comfortably slide into place. But the standout feature is the ventless drying system, which requires no dryer hose, saving even more space.
⭐Featured LG DLHC1455W Review:
“I really love my dryer. The dryer has stacking brackets that are used to stack on top of the washing machine, so there’s nothing extra to buy!”
Problem 3: You Share Laundry Space
Apartment tenants, condo owners, or even homeowners often find themselves deal with dual-function spaces. A kitchen with a washer is a great example, as well as a bathroom with a washer and dryer setup in the closet.
Our suggestion? Invest in an all-in-one washer and dryer. It uses half the space of two units, dramatically increasing how much usable space homeowners have available in shared spaces. All-in-one models are usually the same width and depth as standard washers, but some come in compact sizes to support homeowners with limited space. In any case, a single footprint means owners can get creative with where to install these appliances for optimum room flow and efficiency.
Experts’ Pick: GE Profile™ 4.8 Cu. Ft. Carbon Graphite Washer Dryer Combo
hop This GE Profile 2-in-1 Washer Dryer
This 2-in-1 washer dryer is one of the leading options on the market with nearly 3,400 5-star reviews. What makes it so popular? For one, it’s extremely space-friendly, and there is no need for a dryer exhaust vent. Don’t worry about the lack of a dryer hose—the ventless system is 50% more energy efficient when it comes to drying. Best of all, this all-in-1 washer dryer washes and dries a full load in just about 2 hours, all while providing handy upgrades like Wi-Fi compatibility, an eco-friendly cooling cycle, and Microban Antimicrobial technology.
⭐Featured GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS Review:
“The load and go is a must – no more forgotten wash loads! I also like the load sensor and pet hair removal functionality.”
We Also Like: GE® 2.4 Cu. Ft. White Washer Dryer Combo
Shop This GE Washer Dryer Combo
If you’re in the market for an affordable all-in-1 washer dryer model that still has the advanced cycle options you need, this is our top solution. This model comes with five different temperature wash options to choose from, plus it can steam wash your clothes, gently removing stains. Unlike most front-load washers, this pick lets users add last-minute items for even more convenience. This washer dryer combo is an ideal solution if a small washer and dryer won’t fit in a space.
⭐Feature GE GFQ14ESSNWW Review:
“Its compact size is perfect for small spaces, yet it handles a full load effortlessly. The all-in-one design saves time and hassle, and the intuitive controls make it incredibly user-friendly.”
Problem 4: Your Laundry Room is Too Narrow
Some laundry rooms have enough vertical clearance for washer and dryer units but are too narrow for the swing doors. Fortunately, you can find a compact washer and dryer designed with narrow spaces in mind: Laundry towers with top-loading washer designs. GE, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool are three major brands that offer vertical washer-dryer setups with a top-loading washer Below, we review our top picks.
GE® Unitized Spacemaker® 2.3 Cu. Ft. Washer, 4.4 Cu. Ft. Dryer White On White Stack Laundry
Shop This GE Washer Dryer Center
GE offers several solutions for anyone who needs laundry appliances for small spaces, such as this vertical option. The washer on this set has 11 total cycles and six temperatures to choose from. Both the washer and the dryer can sense different load sizes and adjust the settings accordingly. Altogether, the duo only 24 inches wide and 28 inches deep, and the washer uses a flip-top door that works better in laundry rooms with limited wall-to-wall clearance where swing doors could interfere.
⭐Featured GE GUD24ESSMWW Review:
“This GE product was the absolute perfect fit in my small apartment. The drum was actually the correct size as well. It runs quietly during the spin cycle and the lint filter has a very efficient design.”
We Also Like: Whirlpool® 1.6 Cu. Ft. Washer, 3.4 Cu. Ft. Dryer White Electric Stacked Laundry
Shop This Whirlpool Washer Dryer Center
This small stacked washer dryer center is only 24 inches wide, making it ideal for tight spaces. This space saving washer and dryer can keep up with your needs with automatic dryer settings based on moisture levels picked up by sensors, plus gentle-yet-effective agitation from the impeller agitator. At just over 36” deep with the dryer door open, this compact 2-in-1 laundry center keeps the laundry room workflow neat and efficient.
⭐Featured Whirlpool WET4024HW Review:
“I am so glad we bought this small washer and dryer unit. I can't get downstairs to the regular size washer and dryer so this is very handy for us.”
The laundry landscape can feel like a never-ending battle between hampers of laundry and bottles of detergent. Luckily, manufacturers are aware of the issue, and there are plenty of space-friendly appliances for the laundry such as the examples features in this guide. Want to learn more about small washers and dryers for the home? The place to visit is Don’s Appliances! Stop by one of our Pittsburgh appliance showrooms today to explore even more small laundry appliances that help you regain valuable laundry room real estate.
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Small Washer and Dryer Sets at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop laundry appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you discover the perfect small washer and dryer solutions — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: 5 Top-Reviewed GE Stackable Washer and Dryer Sets