Bathroom countertop for washing machine and sink

A washbasin with a countertop for a washing machine is a common, practical addition to a modern bathroom. It’s not so easy to choose a countertop suitable for a washing machine, and even combine all this with a beautiful and functional sink. But if you manage to do all this, you won’t have to regret it for a minute. To make it easier for you to select and install this piece of furniture, we decided to write a publication on this topic, where we highlighted many of the nuances that interest ordinary people.

The benefits of such a location of the washing machine

A washing machine is a very necessary, but at the same time, a very large piece of furniture. Not only does it need to find a place in a cramped “Khrushchev apartment”, but it also needs to fit organically into the interior, and if not fit, then at least hide it in a niche or piece of furniture. Willy-nilly, we have to consider popular interior solutions that allow us to advantageously “attach” the washing machine so that it does not get in the way and takes up as little usable space as possible.

In Khrushchev's apartments, the bathrooms are so small that it is difficult to even turn around in them, let alone install a washing machine, but nevertheless, this is done.

One of the most profitable options is to place the washing machine in the bathroom under the sink and countertop. In this case, we lose almost nothing. Judge for yourself.

1. The tabletop allows you to place on it many things you need in the household, which will always be at hand.
2. The sink will allow you to wash your hands and wash small items.
3. The washing machine will be hidden under the countertop and will not be conspicuous, which will not prevent you from using it as before.
4. The sink and countertop hanging over the body of the washing machine are an excellent disguise not only for the washing machine itself, but also for various plumbing communications, such as pipes, hoses, and siphons.
5. An unusual combination of sink, countertop and washing machine can be interestingly played out in the bathroom interior, ultimately creating an unusual design.

Choosing plumbing fixtures and furniture

It is better to plan to install a washing machine in the bathroom under the countertop with a sink in advance, when the renovation of the room has not yet been done. It is much more difficult to fit new interior elements into an already renovated room, especially if you did not plan this in advance. Before making a choice in favor of a particular countertop or sink, you need to consider all possible options. Let's do this.

• One-piece design. In this case, we are talking about a countertop, which is combined with a sink, representing a single whole. These countertops are poured right along with the sinks. It turns out to be quite bulky and heavy, but overall quite an attractive design. A bathroom countertop can be made from either natural or artificial stone, although given the abundance of modern materials, there may be significantly more options.

A one-piece sink with a countertop is a very durable design that has no cracks or joints into which dirt will clog over time, which means it will be easier to clean and will look cleaner.

• Tabletop with the possibility of inserting a sink. In this case, the countertop and sink come separately, although they are often sold in one set.The materials from which the countertop is made can be very diverse, from the cheapest chipboard to natural stone. The sink is selected according to the material and appearance of the countertop and is inserted into a pre-prepared hole. There are no fastenings for the sink.
• Countertop with sink (bedside tables, drawers) and sink. This is, in fact, the same countertop with the possibility of installing a sink, only it also comes with a sink, in which, by the way, you can very conveniently place a washing machine. In some cases, small bedside tables with drawers and shelves for all sorts of useful little things are installed as an addition to the sink.

Separately, we note that it is better to choose practical and beautiful furniture. The pursuit of cheapness may end in the fact that you buy a countertop made of covered chipboard for your bathroom, and it will swell in 1.5-2 years, losing the remnants of its appearance. It’s better, at worst, to buy a countertop made of laminated MDF, although even this material is very conditionally suitable for a bathroom, but natural or artificial stone is ideal, but such materials will not be cheap.

Also pay attention to how the countertop you purchase will be attached. There are floor-mounted and wall-mounted furniture items. Both the first and second have a lot of advantages and disadvantages, so see for yourself which is best for you.

Features of installing the washing machine

In our case, it is more correct to talk not even about installing a washing machine, but about installing a countertop, sink and washing machine.You will have to think through the installation of three elements at once; one mistake and the washing machine, for example, will not fit under a sink that is hung too low or some other trouble will happen.

Very often, ordinary people, trying to install a washing machine under the sink on their own, buy an unsuitable siphon, which then prevents the “home assistant” from being placed in place. In general, before you start installing a countertop, sink and washing machine, read the instructions contained in the publication Washing machine in the kitchen under the countertop. In our case we are talking about a bathroom, however, the provisions contained in the above publication are quite applicable when installing furniture in a bathroom.

We deliberately did not focus on the general order of installation of these interior elements, so as not to clutter the article with a large array of data. However, we will still dwell on some nuances.

1. Before purchasing and installing a sink, countertop and washing machine, carefully compare the dimensions of all these elements, taking into account the margin for placing communications.
2. Be sure to consider the height of the washing machine. Remember that a washing machine with a standard height will force you to raise the sink and countertop to a decent height, which creates problems when using them.
3. Buy a special siphon for the sink with the washing machine. It has a special design and will not interfere with putting the “home assistant” in place.
4. Take care in advance about the communications for the automatic washing machine: a moisture-resistant outlet, a sewer outlet, a cold water pipe outlet.
5. The countertop for the sink and washing machine must be well secured, especially in cases where the fastening is carried out only to the wall. Make sure to purchase special mounts in advance.

All pipe and hose connections must be carefully insulated and then checked several times for leaks.

We take care of furniture and fixtures

A bathroom countertop requires proper care, otherwise the furniture and plumbing fixtures will very quickly lose their appearance. It will be doubly offensive if you spend money on interior items made from expensive materials. In particular, stone countertops must be regularly treated with a special impregnation, which can be purchased at hardware stores. Impregnation will create a protective layer, preventing dirt from sticking to the surface of the furniture.

When caring for a glass or ceramic countertop, use a glass cleaner. Any product will do; it will help scrub the surface until it is crystal clean. Apply a little spray to the surface, and then use a dry soft cloth to wipe off the product along with the dirt. Repeat the procedure with a clean cloth - this will remove the stains.

If you own an inexpensive countertop made of laminated chipboard or MDF, treat it with care and rigor. After taking a bath or just accidentally getting the countertop wet, be sure to wipe it with a cloth. Clean the ventilation, install exhaust ventilation, do not allow excess humidity to constantly remain in the bathroom. In addition to the countertop, also wipe down the sink, bathtub edges, and vanity. Remember moisture is the first enemy of furniture made of chipboard and MDF, especially furniture made of chipboard. The laminated surface is of little help.

There are quite a few DIYers on the Internet who ask about how to make a countertop for a sink and washing machine with your own hands. The initiative is, of course, interesting, perhaps we will answer this question in one of the subsequent publications, so stay tuned for the releases.

In conclusion, we note that in a small or large bathroom, the central element of the interior, in addition to the bathtub, can be a countertop for a sink and a washing machine. This combined design element will not only decorate the room, but also its integral functional component. All that remains is to choose and install it correctly, but this is where problems can arise!

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