get a wine freidge instead!

Put down the tile to match the rest of the kitchen, then install shelves.

For a quick fix, until you have the funds to do something permanent, just hang a curtain there and use it for storage.

I suggest just leaving the old dishwasher in there, and fit it with shelves or something!

garbage and recycling station?

I like the rolling cart idea. Ikea has one for about $40 that has three shelves and holds up well.

Another idea would be to visit your home improvement store to look for a ready-made cabinet tha would slide into the space. They do not come with counter tops, so you might just be able to gain the storage easily.

Just out curiousity, what will you do if you replace it with custom cabinetry and then need to sell? I'm usually not one of those "think of the resale!" people but it does seem a little strange to me.

@tequila red - you bring up a good point. A dishwasher is a staple of most homes. It would be like deciding you didn't want a dryer and blocking off the space to put one in later - most people want dryers.

I'm in the same situation (except I want the dishwasher fixed, but the landlord feels differently). Currently we've left the dishwasher in place, and we're using it to store bigger pots and pans.

If you want to it out and your budget's really limited, what about just throwing up a shelf, then a tension rod and a curtain? With the right fabric (not gingham!), it could look good, and provide storage for some of the bigger appliances you use less frequently (waffle iron, anyone?).

I second the wine fridge idea, but I'm a lush.

Considering re-sale value, I'd think again about not replacing the dishwasher. If price is an issue, you can get a low-end model for fairly cheap and I see them used on Craig's List all the time.

I filled in the space where my refrigerator was (new one would not fit under the cabinets) with Elfa shelves for pots and trays/boards. It can be easily removed if you decide to replace the dishwasher.

Fit pull out wire basket drawers from Ikea (use strips of wood down the side so make em fit and cover with a curtain.
Or shelves and a curtain, but I imagine they'll be pretty deep.

You do know that a new Energy-Star rated dishwasher from someplace like Lowe's or Sears is only @ $300 - Probably $450 after taxes, delivery and installation?

If you don't buy it now, you're going to have to buy it eventually before you sell the house...
...and prices aren't going to get lower on home appliances.

so funny, we found ourselves in the same exact situation a few months ago. We took out the dishwasher, painted the back wall where the dishwasher had been, and added a barstool. It's now my husband's very favorite spot in the house--an eat in breakfast spot in out tiny galley kitchen.....maybe I'll do an AT post on it

Why don't you want a new dishwasher? You can get a Whirlpool for about $300 or less. Instead of the box stores, look for a builder's supply store in your area.

Or, put up a curtain for blinds that match what is in your windows, and use it to hide the garbage pail.

Could you put the dishwasher back? My neighbor's broke, and they used it as a pantry. Odd but effective.

Why would you not replace the dishwasher? I don't get it. Money you spend on trying to fix the bare space could be put toward a new dishwasher.

How about... a dishwasher! I couldn't live without one. You must have slaves, I mean children. But really dishwashers are more sanitary than stinky dishwater if you keep them clean, aren't they? Think about it shower vs bath?

You could put a cute little curtain over the space, friends style, even if you fill it with a cart like someone suggested previously.

A typical dishwasher is 36 inches wide, which is a standard for unpainted shelves. You can cut down ready made shelves and stain them. A neighbor replaced a trash compactor with bookshelves and they look great.

I would put a curtain over it and use it for storage, if you're really trying not to spend money.

i've lived without a dishwasher for years, and always thought i wanted one. i've just moved in to a new apartment with four other roommates and i'm realizing that when people are lazy, they're kind of a hassle. i still hand wash my dishes.
that said - i get what people are talking about in terms of resale value. i'd say take out the dishwasher, put up the curtain and just use the space for storage (shelves, rolling rack or bins).

I know you're not asking for a permanent solution, but definitely don't do anything permanent later. You'll easily lose at least double if not triple the amount of a new dishwasher when you resell. Happened to me when we were condo hunting and our realtor recommended giving the lack of dishwasher and effort to remove the mostly-temporary wine storage they put in and purchase a new dishwasher...a factor of about $1500 Not a massive difference, but why not keep that money for yourself? Don't spend the money on custom cabinetry, someone will offer even lower since now they'll have to tear out a cabinet and custom cabs are not cheap.

As for a current temporary solution, I like the idea of a rolling cart for pots and pans or a garbage/recycling station. Or if you don't need pots/pans or other major storage you could find a cute bar cart that would fit, maybe you could fill a bar cart with glassware and whatnot and be able to wheel it out for entertaining.

Hi all, thanks for the great suggestions!

We HATE unloading the dishwasher. It's more work than washing dishes and we have to wash the pots either way. The kitchen is not well laid out and it's very difficult to put dishes in the only logical dish cupboard while the dishwasher is open. You see the problem. Neither I nor my husband dislike washing dishes, so I'd rather have the storage space.

I agree about not doing custom shelves because they are permanent (as well as expense), and thanks for that advice. While we're hoping to never move again, it's always possible and I would rather be able to go buy a cheap dishwasher for resale if I need to.

I really like the idea of shelving and will look into that. Maybe with curtains. Thanks so much everyone!!!

Still open to other suggestions too. :-)

Cover it with a curtain, like this in a post today on thekitchn:

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/kitchen-design/marimekko-in-the-kitchen-142709

Put in simple, inexpensive shelves. Then, take the washing machine door off its bottom hinges, and mount horizontal hinges on it instead, to act as the door to your new cupboard. Voila! "Hidden" storage that nets you more space for your pots and pans, because you don't have the thickness of the sides of the washer.

Oh, that does look good! Not grandma-ish at all. Thanks m_j_s72!

I like the wine/liquor cart idea. That is what I would do.

"A typical dishwasher is 36 inches wide..."

Try again.
Dishwashers are made to fit within a 24" wide space.

I took a functioning dishwasher out of my tiny kitchen when we bought our flat. Space in a small kitchen is too precious to waste on somehting of marginal value- the things you wash in a dishwasher are the easiest things to wash by hand.

Now I've put a rubbish bin and a recycling bin in the hole. My plan is to create a low box on wheels that will hold the bins and fasten a cabinet door to the front of it, so it looks like a cabinet, but isn't. Something on this order, but not an actual cabinet.

http://www.rtacabinetstore.com/rev-a-shelf-kitchen-cabinet-bathroom-vanity-accessories/waste-baskets/pull-out-recycling-center

The plumbing is still there, so it would be easy for someone else to add one someday.

I like the idea of space for trash and recycling, and even cleaning products if you don't have little ones around. Maybe shelves on one side and trash can on the other...that's what I would do if I didn't love my dishwasher so very much. A step stool would tuck in there nicely too if you're like me and need extra storage up high, but have a hard time actually reaching it. I would have forever been averse to the curtain idea (in my mind it looks very old-fashioned country, not my style) but I am and always will be in love with the fabric below the sink in this laundry room. http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/01/laundry-room.html

...I don't get how that washing all of your dishes is less work than unloading and reloading the dishwasher. Give it a good rinse, throw it in the dishwasher. An hour later, you can be assured that your dishes are very, very clean.

And all modern dishwashers handle pots just fine. You can't put one that has week-old caked cheese in it, obviously, but one that has been scrubbed can go through the dishwasher just to make sure everything is off.

I had a similar issue and filled the space with a kitchen cabinet from Ikea, which I made into a pullout for trash (in my kitchen, the gap was 20" so I made an 18-inch wide pullout with a 2-inch filler piece).

You also might consider filling the space with shelves, or open-style drawers similar to the ones by Viola Park, here:

http://www.violapark.com/vp/vp.php?page=1

They make an 18" apartment size dishwasher. That gives you space for some storage shelves there too! Mostly, I find a dishwasher to be handy when you have a lot of people over. Its nice to just throw everything in and have more time to spend with my guests.

Fake Fireplace!

Wine fridge?

I hear ya about not liking the dishwasher! I grew up with one and my least favorite chore was unloading. Since it's just me and my husband, we don't spend more than 2 minutes handwashing a day. Much MUCH easier!!!

Oh yes, I forgot to say that the space is 24" wide.

We gave it a 'test run' with the dishwashing for a few weeks prior to removing the washer, just to see how it went. If we hated it, we would have tried repairing the thing.

I really like the wine fridge idea, but I think I need pot storage more. Unfortunately. :-)

@YL2008... those a great suggestions, thanks. I'm going to look into that too.

Puppy nook/crate or a curtain with stacked drawers full of tools.

I put one of those chrome metal shelves on wheels in there and put my microwave in there.. Much safer spot for the microwave. Cookbooks on the other shelf. Just put some nice tiles down. If nothing keep a stool to sit on in there. Easy Peasy.

We have our trash can and recycling bins in ours (have been without a dishwasher for 11 years now and only rarely do I wish I had one). I bought a washable throw rug to address the lack of matching flooring in that space.

When I was little, we kept the dog and cat's food dishes in the dishwasher "hole," since we didn't get a dishwasher right away, but waited a while.
I can't believe I remember that. I haven't lived in that house for 14 years.

A rolling cart is a good call, too, or trash bins. Or a curtain. Good luck!

If you have no dishwasher you'll have less need for lots of pots and plates. More room for the nicer things in life :-)

I'm with the tension rod and a NICE but durable curtain crew. I'd probably put in shelves and then use it to store pots and pans and/or as a pantry - in my kitchen, at least, it's conveniently located by both the sink and the stove!

My question is why is the dishwasher not being replaced? They use less water than washing by hand....

Oh, good idea with the rug.

So... what qualifies a curtain as NICE but not granny or country? Not that I despise country, but my home is maybe more of an eclectic/comfortable/etsy type style than really country and I'd rather the curtain didn't push it that direction.

Easy: tension rod with curtain and trash can and recycle bin inside!

I understand your wish to not replace the dishwasher. My bf and I just bought our first condo and since it is just the two of us, it actually takes a few days to fill up and I'm pretty sure it takes more water than just half-filling the sink too. Our dishwasher is also ridiculously loud and in an open-concept condo, it gets really annoying. So we have decided that unless we have friends over for dinner or if I make a particularly elaborate meal (or if we get lazy for a few days), we just throw the few dishes/pots we have into the sink and it's done.

I'm loving the idea of a garbage/recycling centre in that space but I'd be concerned about smells wafting through the curtains. Garbage, in my opinion, needs to be behind a closed door or cabinet. Easily-removable shelves sounds like the most practical solution to me, as long as you don't remove the ability to install a dishwasher should you want to sell.

I used to have a ginormous dishwasher that I truly hated to unload. It seemed like it took me all day.

Now, in my new kitchen, I have a tiny dishwasher that is more like a pair of drawers. I can unload it in a couple of minutes, and it is so easy to load.

It never occurred to me smaller would be better.

@cliokitty Maybe less water, yet water can be reused. Electricity, on the other hand, not.

My dishwasher has been defunct since I purchased my condo almost 2 years ago. Not a big deal, when I had a working d/w in my first home I used it once, never used it again. My plan is to replace mine with a beverage fridge. It's definitely something I'll get more use out of - because face it, some people just don't like using dishwashers. Am I worried about resale value, should I ever choose to sell? Maybe, but not really. I'm more worried about enjoying my home now and getting use out of the appliances that I would actually use opposed to what someone else maybe might want to use years from now. Maybe the next owner of this condo would prefer a beverage fridge over a d/w as well. You just never know. So... that was my long-winded way of saying, enjoy your home and do what makes you most happy with your space. It's yours to enjoy, so you might as well enjoy it. :)

The curtain-over-shelves thing is kind of cute, with the right fabric. (As is the wine fridge look.)
I definitely wouldn't fill in the hole, because you may someday you want one again, or for the resale value.

The dishwasher is broken at our house as well and it was never used enough to fix or replace it. We've been using it as a drying rack until recently. I want to replace it with a wine cooler, garden, or recycling area.

I've been recycling for years and as long as you take the time to rinse out your recyclables (which most facilities require anyway) there are never any bad odors lurking about.