Washing machine and control method thereof

An apparatus comprising:

• a washing machine having an opening through which to receive laundry into the washing machine;
• a dryer disposed above the washing machine and having an opening through which to receive laundry into the dryer;
• and
• a control panel disposed between the opening of the washing machine and the opening of the dryer, and including:
• a display to display an operation state of the washing machine and an operation state of the dryer,
• a washing machine selection inputter that is operable by a user to select the washing machine,
• a washing machine operation start/stop inputter which is displayable in a first state that indicates to the user that the washing machine operation start/stop inputter is not operable by the user, and a second state that indicates to the user that the washing machine operation start/stop inputter is operable by the user to start or stop an operation of the washing machine,
• a dryer selection inputter that is operable by the user to select the dryer, and
• a dryer operation start/stop inputter which is displayable in a first state that indicates to the user that the dryer operation start/stop inputter is not operable by the user, and a second state that indicates to the user that the dryer operation start/stop inputter is operable by the user to start or stop an operation of the dryer,
• wherein the washing machine selection inputter, the washing machine operation start/stop inputter, the dryer selection inputter, and the dryer operation start/stop inputter are spaced apart from each other, and spaced apart from the display;
• and
• at least one processor configured to:
• in response to the washing machine selection inputter being operated by the user to select the washing machine while the washing machine operation start/stop inputter is displayed in in the first state, control the washing machine operation start/stop inputter to be displayed in the second state, and
• in response to the dryer selection inputter being operated by the user to select the dryer while the dryer start/stop inputter is displayed in in the first state, control the dryer operation start/stop inputter to be displayed in the second state.