Can you buy a washing machine with door hinged on the right?
Almost all freestanding washing machines have the door hinged on the left with the catch on the right. The door hinge cannot be swapped to the other side – washing machines are not designed for this. The main exception is Miele, which hinges their washing machines on the right specifically so that when paired with their tumble dryers (hinged on the left), both doors open outward when the appliances are placed side by side.
Can You Change a Washing Machine Door to Open the Other Way?
No. Unlike fridge and freezer doors – which use a magnetic seal and can be rehung on either side – a washing machine door cannot be swapped. The door lock and interlock mechanism, door catch, and hinge points are fixed into the machine’s casing on specific sides. There is no provision in standard washing machine design to reverse them.
Refrigeration appliances can have their doors reversed because they rely only on a magnetic seal against the cabinet frame. A washing machine door must engage a mechanical door lock and interlock switch to allow the machine to start – engineering both sides of the machine to accommodate this would add significant cost and complexity for a rarely needed feature.
Washing Machines with Right-Hand Hinged Doors
Miele
Miele is the most consistently noted brand offering right-hand hinged washing machines. The reason is deliberate – Miele designs their washing machines to be hinged on the right and their tumble dryers to be hinged on the left. When the two are placed side by side (dryer on the left, washer on the right), both doors open outward away from each other, making it easy to transfer laundry directly between the two without the doors blocking access. See our guide on Miele washing machines.
Hotpoint Aqualtis
The Hotpoint Aqualtis range – a washing machine featuring an unusually large door that incorporates the control panel – has also been produced in right-hand hinged versions. The Aqualtis range is no longer in current production but may still be found in use or as second-hand machines.
A small number of other washing machines have been produced with right-hand hinged doors over the years. If a right-hand hinge is essential for a kitchen layout, it is worth checking the specific model’s specification before purchasing. This information is not always prominently listed – contact the retailer or manufacturer directly to confirm hinge side if it matters for the installation.
If the Kitchen Layout Is the Problem
If a standard left-hinged door causes access problems in a specific kitchen layout, the practical alternatives are:
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Seek out a right-hand hinged model. Miele is the clearest consistent option. Check the specification carefully before purchasing and confirm the hinge side with the retailer. -
Reconsider the appliance position. Moving the machine to a different location in the kitchen, even a small shift, can sometimes change how the door interacts with the surrounding units or walls. -
Consider an integrated appliance. An integrated washing machine behind a hinged kitchen cabinet door can sometimes offer more flexibility in how the access is arranged. See our guide on integrated vs freestanding appliances for the trade-offs involved.
Related Guides
Related Guides
Washing Machine Door Hinge BrokenWhat to do when a door hinge fails – repair options and when replacement is the only route.
Washing Machine Door Won’t OpenWhy the door stays locked after a cycle ends – and how to open it safely.
Miele Washing MachinesMiele’s build quality, guarantee, and why they remain the benchmark for premium machines in the UK.
Integrated or Freestanding?The pros and cons of integrated appliances – including how they affect access and repairability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the door hinge on my washing machine to open the other way?
No. Washing machine doors cannot be reversed. The door lock, interlock switch, and hinge points are fixed into the machine casing and cannot be moved. Unlike fridge and freezer doors – which can be rehung on either side because they use only a magnetic seal – a washing machine door must engage a mechanical lock and electrical interlock that are specific to one side of the machine.
Which washing machines open on the right?
Miele is the most consistently available brand with right-hand hinged doors. They design their washing machines this way so they pair with their left-hinged tumble dryers – when placed side by side, both doors open outward rather than toward each other. The Hotpoint Aqualtis range (now discontinued) was also noted as having right-hand hinged versions. Other examples exist but are not consistent across ranges – always confirm the hinge side with the retailer before purchasing if this is important for the installation.
Why do Miele washing machines have the door on the right?
Miele deliberately designs their washing machines with right-hand hinges and their tumble dryers with left-hand hinges. When the two are positioned side by side – dryer on the left, washer on the right – both doors open outward away from each other. This makes it easy to move laundry directly from washer to dryer without the doors obstructing each other.
21 Comments
Grouped into 18 comment threads.
2 replies Sears has Electrolux be ready to pay the price I would like to find cheaper right hinge washer tired of looking
1 reply Can an integrated Bosch washer/dryer have hinges on the left hand side for the cupboard door to Hang on the left hand side?
Can an integrated Bosch washer/dryer have hinges on the left hand side for the cupboard door to
Hang on the left hand side?
Likely replying to Abe
Hello Abe. As far as I know all washing machines are either hinged on the right or hinged on the left. There is no option to move them like there is on fridge for example. This is because the door has to latch into an electronic door lock inside the washing machine. It would be totally impractical to try and design a washing machine that allowed you to swap the hinges around. If the cupboard door is attached to the washing machine it will only open in the same direction as the door. But if the cupboard door is just covering up the washing machine and not actually attached to the door then you ought to be able to hinge it on whichever side suits you best.
0 replies Hello, I need a washing machine hinged on the right! Have only heard of miele (?) expensive?
Hello, I need a washing machine hinged on the right! Have only heard of miele (?) expensive?
0 replies Hablando de las puertas de las lavadoras... Los fabricantes deberían hacer algunas de apertura hacia la izquierda y otras de apertura hacia la derecha y dar al comprador la opción de elegir la que necesite, según el lugar en el que se va a colocar. Translation: Speaking of washing machine doors... Manufacturers should make some left-opening and right-hand openings and give the buyer the option to choose the one they need, depending on where it is to be placed
Hablando de las puertas de las lavadoras… Los fabricantes deberían hacer algunas de apertura hacia la
izquierda y otras de apertura hacia la derecha y dar al comprador la opción de elegir la que necesite, según el lugar en el que se va a colocar.
Translation: Speaking of washing machine doors… Manufacturers should make some left-opening and right-hand openings and give the buyer the option to choose the one they need, depending on where it is to be placed
0 replies Washers should be hinged the opposing side to dryers, so you don't have to maneuver around the door when transferring clothes from one to the other. It baffles me why they don't do this routinely. It irritates me every time I use it.
Washers should be hinged the opposing side to dryers, so you don’t have to maneuver around the door when transferring clothes from one to the other. It baffles me why they don’t do this routinely. It irritates me every time I use it.
0 replies French machine Fagor have it on the right
French machine Fagor have it on the right
0 replies I am even more demanding - I want a right hinged WM of slimline depth. There's a mini one by Candy (69 high and 51 wide, 44 deep) but nothing else. Miele don't do slimline. What's the matter with these people that they can't see there's a market out there? Anyone know any better?
I am even more demanding – I want a right hinged WM of slimline depth. There’s a mini one by Candy (69 high and 51 wide, 44 deep) but nothing else. Miele don’t do slimline. What’s the matter with these people that they can’t see there’s a market out there? Anyone know any better?
0 replies All miele washing machines are hinged on the right. Interestingly Bosch are now left hinged to match their tumble dryers which are right hinged for placement side by side.
All miele washing machines are hinged on the right. Interestingly Bosch are now left hinged to match their tumble dryers which are right hinged for placement side by side.
0 replies Our old Bosch WFK2801 hinged on the right. It's now deceased and we too are looking for a new machine with right hand hinge. Manufacturers really do need to address this gap in the market!
Our old Bosch WFK2801 hinged on the right. It’s now deceased and we too are looking for a new machine with right hand hinge. Manufacturers really do need to address this gap in the market!
0 replies I have found 3 with right hand door washing machines candy aqua 100f meli class hotpoint
I have found 3 with right hand door washing machines candy aqua 100f meli class hotpoint
Leave a comment
0 replies Have an older Maytag that has hinge on right.
Have an older Maytag that has hinge on right.
0 replies I've not heard of a washing machine where you can change the door hinge round. It can't be done because the door catch needs to operate a door lock when it closes for safety reasons and there's no way a manufacturer is going to be able to make it possible.
I’ve not heard of a washing machine where you can change the door hinge round. It can’t be done because the door catch needs to operate a door lock when it closes for safety reasons and there’s no way a manufacturer is going to be able to make it possible.
0 replies Is it possible to replace an LG washing machine door to hinge on the right rather than on the left? It is so inconvenient to be opening on the wrong side in a small laundry room area!
Is it possible to replace an LG washing machine door to hinge on the right rather than on the left? It is so inconvenient to be opening on the wrong side in a small laundry room area!
0 replies Can anyone help with locating a washing machine with the door hinged on the right (London based) new or reconditioned, anything. I have tenants in my flat and the machine has broken down and needs replacing urgently. A model at John Lewis is way over my budget at over a thousand pounds. Anything at all at a sensible price with a right handed door! Thank you very much. Carol Dacre.
Can anyone help with locating a washing machine with the door hinged on the right (London based) new or reconditioned, anything. I have tenants in my flat and the machine has broken down and needs replacing urgently. A model at John Lewis is way over my budget at over a thousand pounds.
Anything at all at a sensible price with a right handed door!
Thank you very much. Carol Dacre.
0 replies I have tenants in my flat in London whilst I'm abroad. The washing machine has broken down. The door of a replacement HAS to hinge on the right. They all hinge on the left. Any help greatly appreciated. Carol Dacre.
I have tenants in my flat in London whilst I’m abroad. The washing machine has broken down.
The door of a replacement HAS to hinge on the right. They all hinge on the left.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Carol Dacre.
0 replies Bosch WFF 1401 is hinged on the right. 1998 model.
Bosch WFF 1401 is hinged on the right. 1998 model.
0 replies Asko brands seem to have a few as well.
Asko brands seem to have a few as well.
0 replies I have found another, Hotpoint, AQXXL129, right hinged large door but would like any other makes if there are any! Thank you for interesting site.
I have found another, Hotpoint, AQXXL129, right hinged large door but would like any other makes if there are any!
Thank you for interesting site.
Sears has Electrolux be ready to pay the price I would like to find cheaper right hinge washer tired of looking
All of the Electrolux Models I looked at, are Hinged on the LEFT.
Hi William. That’s the issue, most washing machines are hinged on the left. It’s very rare for one to be hinged on the right.