A washer and dryer pedestal contributes to better ergonomics and can prevent back pain caused by having to bend over while doing the laundry. A front loader washer can also benefit from the added stability the pedestal brings since it serves as a sturdy base especially under the weight of the washer when it’s filled with clothes and water.
Some, however, worry that the pedestal makes the appliance noisier or that it can take away folding space or a hanging area on top. The biggest concern, though, is its steep price tag which leads to homeowners looking for alternatives to a washer and dryer pedestal.
If you want to have the full convenience of your front load washer without its costly pedestal, check out the list of alternatives below for some cost-savings options.
1. Coffee Table
Pros
Generally, this table will have a second shelf or storage drawers that make it very easy for you to store the necessary laundry items close to your washer and dryer.
This is a great way to use a piece of furniture that may not be getting any use, saving you from having to go to the store to buy a new pedestal.
A wood coffee table can easily be painted or stained different colors to match the décor and the design in your laundry room.
If your laundry room is exposed to the rest of your home, and you want to make sure that the rooms flow with one another and that it doesn’t look like a typical laundry room, then using a quality coffee table can help you to easily achieve that look.
Cons
If the table is it all rickety, then you can be in danger of the washer or dryer breaking it.
A washer that has gotten off-balance can rock back and forth, which is dangerous if your coffee table isn’t sturdy enough to support this motion.
It can be very difficult to find a coffee table that is the right size to hold your washer and dryer without them hanging off of the edge. If the surface isn’t large enough, then you are in danger of the machines falling each time you use them.
2. Durable Mat
Pros
Any water that leaks out from your washing machine will soak through the mat so that the water isn’t held right up next to the metal of the machine, which can cause it to rust.
These mats are durable and flexible. Since they are built for people to walk on them, you don’t need to worry about the weight of the washing machine or dryer damaging them or causing them to crack.
They are relatively inexpensive and will do a great job of protecting a fragile floor from damage.
If your durable mat is too large, then you can easily cut it down to size to make sure that it fits perfectly underneath your machines.
If your washing machine becomes unbalanced, then there isn’t any fear of it rocking off of the mat, as the mat will move with the machine and provide stability for it.
Cons
If your laundry room is open to the rest of your home, then you may not like the way that these mats look under the machines.
Water that is allowed to sit in and under the mat can start to smell after a while and may cause mold or mildew to grow.
Homeowners who need their machines lifted up off of the floor so that they can easily get into them and pull out the clothes will find that a durable mat doesn’t lift the machine very high.
If the feet of your washing machine or dryer get stuck in the mat, then it can be difficult to get the appliance loose again, which can be very frustrating for homeowners.
Durable mats do not provide any extra storage space, which is one reason that many homeowners look into options for raising their washing machines and dryers off of the floor in the first place.
3. Bricks
Pros
Bricks are relatively inexpensive and come in a number of different sizes and colors so that you can easily choose the right options for you.
Since bricks are so sturdy and durable that you won’t have to worry about them breaking, even if your washing machine becomes unbalanced and starts to rock.
Unlike larger pedestals or pieces of furniture, if you need to move your washing machine and dryer to a new location you can easily carry the bricks without worrying about their weight.
Cons
While it is safe to put a washing machine up on a single brick, stacking bricks too high can be incredibly dangerous.
The bricks can scratch and damage your floor if you are not careful, which will cause you more problems when you want to move your washing machine and dryer in the future and see the damage.
Bricks can also scratch or dent the bottom of your washing machine or dryer, so it is important that you are careful when placing your appliances on top of the bricks and when you move them in the future.
Not everyone appreciates the rustic look of using bricks to raise their washing machine and dryer.
4. Bench
Pros
Benches are sturdy, stable, and can be custom built to fit perfectly in your space.
Because you don’t have to stick with wood for your bench, you can choose from other materials that may be more durable and will last longer.
Benches can be used in other areas of your home or outside if you decide that this is no longer how you want to raise your washing machine and dryer off of the floor.
There will be plenty of space underneath your appliances if you want to store crates, boxes, or other items underneath. You will even have the option of leaving it bare so that you can easily clean under your machines when necessary.
Cons
This is not a great use for a decorative bench, as the beauty will be covered up by your appliances, making it hard to enjoy the appearance of your bench.
It’s imperative that you choose a bench that is newer and in good condition so that you don’t need to worry about it breaking or collapsing under the weight of your washing machine and dryer.
Some benches are simply too high to use for lifting up your washing machine and dryer, which can make it very difficult to get the laundry out without having to climb up onto the machines.
5. Wooden Crates
Pros
Wooden crates come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and colors so you can easily choose ones that will look the best in your laundry room.
When turned on their side you will have extra storage space underneath your washer and dryer, which is ideal if your laundry room is smaller.
Since they are available in a number of sizes, you can make sure that your washing machine and dryer are both at the perfect height so that you avoid back pain.
Cons
You have to choose the most durable option out there, as otherwise the wood can splinter and break.
If the wood gets and stays wet, then there is likely to be a problem with the wood becoming discolored and molding.
6. Furniture Risers
Pros
Furniture risers are relatively inexpensive to buy, and since you can easily find them at many stores, you won’t have to search hard for them if you choose this option to raise your washing machine and dryer.
Not only are the incredibly strong, but they are very light, which makes them ideal if you know that you are going to be moving and don’t want to have to worry about how you are going to move your furniture.
If you decide to lower your washing machine and dryer back down to the floor, then you can easily store these risers in a closet or use them with a bed.
Cons
While furniture risers are ideal for lifting a bed up off of the floor, they may not be stable and sturdy enough to hold your heavy washing machine and dryer.
Any vibration can cause the machines to bounce off of the furniture risers, potentially damaging or breaking the appliance or hurting the floor.
While you can store items underneath your elevated washing machine or dryer, this will not provide you with hidden storage the way that drawers will.
7. DIY Platform
Pros
It’s easy to make a platform that will complement the rest of the furniture in your home, paint or stain it to your liking, and add ample storage to your space. Extra storage space ensures that your laundry area always looks neat and put together and eliminates a lot of the mess that is so typical in this room of your home.
If your washing machine and dryer are not a typical size, then it will be much easier to build a platform that will meet their needs than to try to buy one.
Because you can control the price of the materials that you buy, it’s much easier to make sure that your new platform will be in your budget.
Custom making your platform means that it will be the perfect height for whoever does the laundry in your house, eliminating back pain and the frustration that comes with trying to retrieve laundry.
Cons
If you haven’t had a lot of experience making your own furniture, then you may find that this is difficult.
It can be hard for some people to find the time necessary to build a piece of furniture on their own