Thank you. I'm mostly worried about reaching the shut off valves in case of an issue. If I put the fl on a stand the shut off would be low and hard to reach. My solution was just not to put on pedestals, but dh wants them higher if we go with a fl set. I thought of leaving a space between, but I don't know if that will work with the space we have.

That's a really tight fit. You don't even have the inch between the washer and the dryer, do you? The water hook ups shouldn't make any difference. Make sure your planning includes washer on the right and a dryer with a left swing or reversible door. I think many US installations have the washer on the left. You will lose that storage shelf behind the machines if you use pedestals for a frontloader. Do you have cabinets above the machines? Those would also be in danger or difficult to access if you used pedestals for one or both machines.

I'm sure you're already aware of the footprint you need to meet the current space requirements. Have you considered using compact or European style machines? If you did that, I don't think you would have the space problem. Your dryer vents out the back? To the outside? Long run or short? If it's a long vent run, you might consider some of the ventless condenser or heat pump options for dryers that are available now. The venting requirements for dryers have changed greatly in the past fifteen years mostly for safety and fire prevention. You might want to check your local requirements before you get too far into the planning.

Thank you. We actually have a long run of cabinets on the other side. If we get rid of the countertop next to it we'll have about 60 inches width. Even most of the new top loader washer and dryers are wider than the current 27 inch set we have now so we would have to cut the countertop anyway. If we go with a front loader with pedestals we would lose the cabinet above as well as one or two floor cabinets. We would still have a decent number of cabinets though. We are considering compact Miele or Electrolux but dh is a little worried it would be too small. We do a lot of laundry, probably 8-10 loads a week, including my 3 German shedders laundry, so I think a smaller capacity would be fine. Regarding the venting, it is vented out the roof, which I hate. Dh does clean it periodically, and we do have a motor that pushes it out. I'll have to look into ventless. That would ease a worry on my part. Maybe it's easier to stay with the top loaders and just get new cabinets. I just like the front loader.

@sashanikki...

The way you have your set up now it looks like the on/off shut off valves are hidden anyway. You would have to move your machines now in order to reach your valves.

My machines are in the basement and the pipes are high for easy access.

You shouldn't have to move your plumbing but it would be great if you had easier access to the valve shut offs just by way of reaching to access them with some space between the washer and dryer.

This is my shut off valve, one on/off lever for both hot and cold.

I like your set up. You can't really see it in the picture but there is a cut out in the shelf. The shut off valves are right there. I can either lift the shelf up, which is easier, or reach my hand thru the cut out and turn off the valves. I like our old house, but everything has been retrofitted for modern conveniences, and sometimes it is a pain.

I feel your pain. When we moved here last summer, we found the laundry room was designed for TL's not Fl's - washer was on the right, dryer on the left, valves and drain behind the machines and note the build of the sink and counter. When we installed this set (the WP 95's BTW) my husband moved the valves and electric over where we could reach them, added the leak sensor and built a riser out of 2x6's to support the units and allow the extension of the dryer vent hose and keep it from kinking. For whatever reason, the builders didn't provide any openings to that cupboard underneath the basket/cat so it's just wasted space with the dryer vent hose. With all the cabinets, though, I've got plenty of storage and didn't need the pedestal drawers. Your set up looks similar except for the space allotment to move the cords and hoses.

It's amazing the builders did that. I thought it was just a problem with old houses Your washer and dryer are beautiful!.

Moroseaz...your machines are soo pretty...wish I had one...LOL...by the way mines white.

If you stack the washer and dryer, you can move them to one side or the other so that the outlets are readily visible.

Be sure to read the manual for the machine that you were getting because it will tell you how high/low the water and drain hose can be in relation to the machine.

My laundry outlet box with valves is flush on the wall. I have my unit flush literally up against the wall as much as I can

The drain hose requires you to be 1.25 inch or so off the wall anyhow so there will be a space for accessibility regardless.

It's a smigen right below the top so you don't see it, but in a pinch/emergency, I could get a finger down into the valve box to close it.