In the market for a washing machine and dryer but tight on space? Or exploring an alternative to your full-size, energy-guzzling setup? Consider a compact washer and dryer. Small enough to slide under a counter and efficient, they’re now loaded with features that used to be reserved for the big boys. Above: Not surprisingly, the compact laundry category is dominated by European brands, such as Asko (shown), Miele, and Bosch, whose compact designs are the standard size in Europe. What exactly does compact mean? These machines measure in at the same size as most dishwashers: 34-inches high, 24-inches wide and 24-inches deep. They’re not the apartment-style combination machines of yore; instead, they’re like sports cars: compact, high-performance machines that get the job done efficiently and well. • At standard cabinet dimensions of 24-inches wide and 34-inches tall, compact machines are easily installed into kitchen, bathroom, and other cabinetry. • Compact machines are versatile: they can be stacked or placed side by side and slid under a counter.• These machines are easy to camouflage.

Some are available with fronts that seamlessly blend with your existing cabinetry. • Compact machines are not budget items. While they do cost less to run, they’re more expensive than their full-sized counterparts.• They’re not for high-volume laundry households. Compact washers accommodate loads about two-thirds the size of full-sized, 27-inch-wide machines. Washing for a crowd? See 10 Easy Pieces: Front Loading Washers. Here, our picks in the compact category: Above: Family-owned German company Miele dominates the compact laundry machine market in terms of experience and quality. Miele models also offer the largest capacity and highest spin speeds in the category. The Miele 24-inch Front Loading Washer (W3037) has a 2.52 cubic-foot capacity and 18 wash programs, the most gentle of which allows you to launder clothing formerly headed to the dry cleaner. It’s $1,999 and pairs with the Miele 24-inch Electric Dryer (T8003), which has 8 drying cycles and a stainless-steel honeycomb drum to facilitate fast drying;

$1,499, both at Abt. Above: Miele offers a compact washer with door panel (instead of a porthole glass drum) and a flat control panel. Cats For Sale In Nairobi KenyaThe Miele Decor 24-Inch Washer (W3039i) can be stacked or placed side by side (as shown). Vacuum Cleaners Green Bay WiAvailable only in white, it is $2,399. Used Laptops For Sale In Rhode IslandIt partners with the Miele Decor Electric Condenser Dryer (T8019Ci), which offers 3.9 cubic-feet of ventless drying, flat controls, and a cabinet door panel; $1,999, both at US Appliance. Above: Bosch’s compact washers and dryers are Miele’s biggest competitor: They’re slightly less expensive and receive high ratings. The top-of-the-line Bosch Axxis Plus Series Washer (WAP24202UC) is an Energy Star-rated machine equipped with a 2.2 cubic-foot capacity and 15 wash programs, including a 15-minute quick wash cycle.

Pair it with the Bosch Axxis Plus Series Ventless Dryer (WTB86202UC) for $1,259.10. Both at AJ Madison. Looking for a compact size but not necessarily counter height? Consider using the Bosch Laundry Pedestal with Drawer, which raises the company’s compact machines and provides storage space; Above: The entry-level Bosch Axxis Series Washer (WAS20160UC), priced at $899.00, is one of the more affordable options. An Energy Star-rated machine, it has 15 wash cycles and a 2.2 cubic-foot capacity. It pairs with the Bosch Axxis Vented Electric Dryer (WTV76100US); consider using the Bosch Stacking Kit ($71.20), which comes with a pull-out tray for an instant laundry counter. (Note that our sources warn that Bosch is winding down its production of vented dryers.) Available through AJ Madison. Above: The 24-inch, front-loading Asko UltraCare Line Series Classic Washer (W6424) has a 2.12 cubic-foot capacity and features 9 wash programs, a stainless steel drum with a glass door, and Energy Star rating.

Available in a white or titanium finish; $1,249 and $1,349 respectively. It pairs with the Asko Line Series Classic Vented Electric Dryer (T754), which has a 3.9 cubic-foot capacity, 6 drying functions, and comes with a cabinet-style door in white or titanium, $929 and $949 respectively. Asko also offers a condenser dryer for setups that can’t accommodate vents. The Asko Line Series Classic Condenser Dryer (T754C) is $1,199. All available at Elite Appliance. Above: The Asko Designer Series Fully Integrated Washer (W6984FI) and its mate, the Asko Fully Integrated Electric Dryer (T794FI), blend in seamlessly with existing cabinetry. The cabinet-size units come ready to accommodate your custom cabinet panel. The fully integrated, front-loading washer and dryer can sit side by side (as shown) or stacked; they offer a multitude of features and hidden control panels for complete invisibility. The washer is $2,299 and the dryer $1,749 (for the vented model). Available at AJ Madison.

For more ideas, peruse our gallery of posts on Laundry and Utility Rooms, including 10 Favorites: Clever Laundry Rooms, Space-Saving Edition and Design Sleuth: 5 Sources for Built-in Ironing Boards.Be they salvaged trailers, gypsy-style caravans, modernist or Japanese inspired, we've seen a real diversity coming into the once quaint world of tiny homes. Built by tiny housers Shelley and Joshua, here is one 224-square-foot tiny abode that looks almost like a regular-sized house, thanks to a few decisions that they made before starting: like keeping a regular-sized fridge, having a generous countertop, and installing a lovely floating stair instead of a ladder.Being enthusiastic campers who love to throw a good party, Shelley and Joshua of Tiny House Basics decided to simplify their lives and began planning their new small home back in June 2014. But they had a few things they would not part with: a full-size fridge, decent closet space, and enough space to entertain. With the help of friends and family and the crew of Tiny House Nation, they were able to construct their home in a lightning-fast seven days.

The couple's 32-foot by 8.5-foot home is built on a custom-made 28-foot by 8.5-foot extra-wide trailer. Since it was built in Washington state, it comes with electric brakes on both axles, a good idea for a hefty little house such as this. The lofts on both sides cantilever out 24 inches. The home runs on solar, and is heated with an "Unforgettable Fire" Kimberly stove.The living room features a large love seat that they found on Craigslist, which looks like it can double as a guest bed, and sits right in front of the entry door. A narrow coffee table from IKEA doesn't take up too much space, but can be easily moved out of the way.© Tiny House Basics© Tiny House BasicsThere's a lot of shelving in the kitchen to store the couple's plates, cups and liquor for their cocktail parties. There's a full-size, four-burner stove.© Tiny House Basics© Tiny House Basics© Tiny House BasicsAnother great idea is the grand "eating bar" area, that is paired with a large window opening, with 8-foot by 3-foot accordion-style bi-fold windows that open out to the patio.

The bedroom loft looks much larger than other lofts we've seen, and has carpet tiles to make it more comfortable. One clever trick was executed here to give more headroom: the king-size mattress is actually sunken into the floor! A secondary loft on the other side of the house serves as the closet and dressing room.The bathroom is also pretty big, and holds a regular-sized, washer-dryer combo machine and a shower that looks positively enormous compared to other tiny house showers we've seen.© Tiny House Basics© Tiny House BasicsAs for the land, Shelley and Joshua just moved to a new, rented spot in Northern California. They had this to say about how they found a better site:When searching for land for our Tiny House we desired to use our skills to be caretakers for the land in lieu of or in addition to rent depending on the setup. When searching for land we designed postcards to share information about us and what skills we have to offer. All that effort we put forth has landed up on our absolute dream setup.