Install "freestanding" countertop over washing machine?

Hello,

I am currently planning and seem to be stuck

It will be a single-row kitchen where both sides of the countertop are freestanding, meaning neither enclosed by a wall nor a tall cabinet.
On the left side, we plan to leave a "hole" for our washing machine (not integrated). Now I am wondering how I should set up or mount the countertop there.
Putting up two legs looks very odd. Simply using a side panel will probably not provide enough stability...

Can someone help me? With all the planning in my head, there seems to be no room left for the simple, obvious solutions.

Thank you very much,

jansens

Hello Jansens!

Sounds kind of strange!

If I understood correctly, you have a standalone washing machine model on one side as a finish.

What is next to it? Wall? Or some kind of hallway?

I would take a deeper countertop (65 to 70 cm) and mount a small wooden beam (e.g., 8x8 cm) on the wall at the back and screw the countertop from underneath onto it. Still, the countertop must be held firmly at the front or side. If there is also a wall on the side, then just screw another beam or strip there and let the countertop rest on it. Otherwise, the only option would be to try to screw the feet of the washing machine down so far that you can slide the machine under the countertop and then screw the feet up again so that the machine supports the countertop.

fotokatze

Hi

So the cover plate will certainly not provide enough stability. How about a piece of countertop that supports the plate? Well, the kitchen is probably already long finished.

Best regards

Um.. When installing washing machines in a kitchen unit, you unscrew the top panel at about 2 screws.

Then you get a good view inside the machine. (DISCONNECT FROM POWER, DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING!)

Now you should screw on a suitable or custom-made metal plate, which you can buy for at least 50 euros (if it's not a cheap device), or you can make it yourself. (on your own risk!)

This protects both the countertop and the appliance; that is what this plate is for. You can usually order it to fit exactly, but you can also improvise. (But please properly and correctly, which I believe few meet the requirements for, since you have to pre-drill, have a suitable plate, etc.)

If you leave it out, moisture e.g. from the countertop can drip into the appliance below and cause the electronics to fail, for example. Up to fire damage and so on. (This under-mount plate is also important/required as fire protection for the countertop)

Do not leave the plastic plate of a washing machine on when installing it under a countertop! Doing so will "damage" the entire kitchen.

The height of the washing machine can be adjusted with the feet, provided the countertop is not unusually high, as I have often experienced. (Never unscrew the feet of the washing machine too far. They can come loose and then the machine jumps around like in a carousel, therefore always counter-screw! (two nuts turned against each other so nothing can move anymore at the fastening)) Good brands usually (not always) include a flat wrench for this, because it is very tight under the device. You can't just slip in an open-end wrench, hehe.