How to Hide a Washer and Dryer: 7 Ideas That Work

The easiest way to hide a washer and dryer is to put something in front of them: a curtain, a pair of doors or a slat panel. Then deal with the hoses and hookups behind, and leave room for air to move. You don't need a remodel for any of this.

It's very common to end up with machines in a kitchen, hallway or corner of the living room, so don't feel bad if yours are on show. Here are the options, from cheapest to most built-in.

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Can you hide a washer and dryer with a curtain?

Yes, and it's the fastest fix. A curtain on a ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted rod costs little, needs no carpentry and works for renters. If you want to hide a washer and dryer with a curtain, hang the rod a few inches above the top of the machines and let the fabric reach the floor, or stop just above it.

• Pick a washable fabric such as cotton or linen. Laundry areas collect lint and humidity.
• Make the curtain about 1.5 to 2 times as wide as the opening so it hangs in folds.
• Use a tension rod for a recessed alcove, or a track for a wider run.
• If you have a dog or cat, choose a fabric that won't snag on claws and keep the hem off the floor.

Open the curtain fully while a dryer runs, so heat and moisture don't build up behind it.

What can you use to hide a washer and dryer behind doors?

Doors give the cleanest look. Bifold, sliding barn-style and pocket doors all work, and bifolds suit tight spots because they don't swing into the room. In a larger space, shaker-style cabinet doors can make the machines read as part of a wall of storage.

To hide a washer and dryer in a kitchen, match the door finish to your existing cabinets so the laundry looks like one more run of units. Louvered doors are a good choice because the slats let air through.

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How do you hide a washer and dryer in a living room?

Treat it like furniture. A tall cabinet with doors, a folding screen or a built-in alcove with a slatted front can all disguise machines in a living area. Noise matters more here, so a front-loader with a quiet cycle is a better neighbor than an older top-loader.

A slat panel is a simple build: vertical wood battens on a light frame, mounted on hinges or casters so you can swing it away to use the machines. Leave gaps between slats for airflow.

How do you hide washer hoses and laundry hookups?

If you're wondering how to hide laundry room hookups, start with what has to stay reachable. Shutoff valves, the drain standpipe and the dryer vent all need access for repairs, so don't box them in permanently.

• Mount a recessed washer box in the wall so hoses go in and the plumbing sits flush.
• Use a cord and hose cover or a painted channel to run lines neatly in one direction.
• Paint the wall behind the machines a dark or mid tone so cables and hoses fade into it.
• Keep a removable panel or a door in front of the valves.

Moving or recessing plumbing and electrical connections is licensed-trade work. As an architect, I recommend hiring a plumber or electrician for that part and keeping the cosmetic cover-ups for yourself.

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Is it safe to enclose a washer and dryer?

It can be, if the machines can breathe and you can reach them. A dryer produces heat and moist air, and a closed, unventilated box traps both. Check your appliance manual for the required clearances, because they vary by model, and keep the exhaust duct vented outdoors as specified.

• Use louvered or slatted doors, or leave a gap at the top or bottom.
• Open the doors while the dryer runs.
• Leave enough space to pull the machines out for service.
• Don't store detergent bottles or lint-catching fabric against the dryer's back or vent.

A closet with a gas dryer has extra requirements, so ask a licensed professional before you enclose it.

Add shelves, baskets and a counter on top

Once the machines are covered, use the space above and around them. A shelf over the washer holds detergent in matching containers, and a countertop across front-loaders gives you a folding surface. Hooks on the inside of the door take care of delicates and lint rollers.

Store cleaners high if you have pets or small kids, and ask your vet about anything your animals might lick or chew. Woven baskets keep towels and socks out of sight and soften the hard edges of the appliances.

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Use paint, plants and decor to disguise the machines

If you can't build anything, make the machines less of a focal point. Paint the nearby wall and trim in the same color so the eye reads a single plane. Hang art or a mirror above, and set a plant on a high shelf. Humid spots suit pothos, but many common houseplants are toxic to pets, so check the ASPCA list before you buy.

Glossy surfaces bounce light and make the appliances stand out, while matte finishes absorb it and let them recede. For more small-space ideas of this kind, see our apartment kitchen aesthetic post, or borrow the screening logic from the shoe rack aesthetic guide.

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Which option should you pick?

Measure the width, height and depth of the machines with the doors open before you buy anything. I'd start with a curtain or louvered doors, live with them for a few weeks, then decide if you want a built-in.

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