Do you need a base for the washing machine?

If the dryer is on top of the washing machine, a pedestal is more likely to hinder the operation of the dryer. And 20cm is too little to place a laundry basket in front of the opening - so of course, you can first open, then put the basket down, but not open it if the basket is already in front of it. And of course, a washing machine can also stand on the floor without a pedestal. Most probably do. My appliances stand next to each other on about a 60cm cabinet - that works well for me.

Basket and machine are usually designed so that you can get it under the drum even with the door open. By the way, back pain is usually preceded by lack of exercise and underdeveloped muscles. Therefore, feel free to bend down more often. For clarity, I am talking about a laundry basket, not a dirty laundry basket.

From the perspective that I hope to spend my retirement years in the house, I assume that the day will come when it will definitely be arduous. Movement or no movement.

The question was whether a pedestal is needed. In my opinion, no. My grandmother is 86 and doesn't have one either. A good friend built a house with door frames that are one meter wide, in wise anticipation that maybe a wheelchair could fit through... And he is now 37. So you can definitely overdo it.

Oops - my mistake. Just measured. Door opening at 30cm height, laundry baskets 25-28cm high. So it fits - even without a base.

The question was whether a socket is needed. In my opinion, no.

Needed in the sense of "it doesn’t work without it" ... of course not. But you also don’t need a dishwasher or a dryer. Because it would work without them too.