Selecting the Best Medicine Cabinet for Bathroom Renovation

Whether a spacious master bathroom or a compact powder room, a medicine cabinet can add storage, a mirror, and style to any space. A medicine cabinet is the perfect place for tucking away toiletries, makeup, and medications. Medicine cabinets come in many styles, sizes, and materials, so it's easy to find one to meet your aesthetic and functional needs.

In this article, we offer a guide to choosing the best medicine cabinet for your space based on size, frame, mount type, and lighting.

Types of Medicine Cabinet Mounts

There are basically two mounting options. A surface mount cabinet is mounted directly on the wall. A recessed mount cabinet is placed into the wall. Some cabinets can handle both installation types.

A recessed mount offers a sleek, smooth look and works well in a contemporary or modern bathroom. With a recessed model, the cabinet is built into the wall. This requires cutting a hole in the wall.

A surface mount can work in any bathroom. Surface mount cabinets are easier to install and are a great choice if you're looking for a cabinet with a decorative frame. These types of cabinet is typically larger.

Choosing Your Frame and Finish

The next step is choosing the type of frame and finish for your medicine cabinet. These elements can help to define the overall style of your bathroom. Coordinating finishes throughout the room can give it a unified look.

Frames

Both frameless and framed medicine cabinets are available at all price points.

Framed: Medicine cabinets with frames offer a classic look and come in many sizes, styles, and finishes to match your other bathroom finishes. These types of cabinets are less likely to show fingerprints on the edges of the mirror because of the frame.
Frameless: A frameless cabinet offers a sleek, modern look, especially if you choose a recessed model. There are two types of edge styles - flat or beveled. Flat edges create a bold, minimalist look, while beveled edges can soften the look, and create a timeless feel.

Finishes

Mirrored: These are sleek cabinets with a mirrored face and no frame. Great in minimalist and modern styles.
Set-in Frame: A cabinet may have a frame etched into the mirror. Another good look for a modern design aesthetic.
Aluminum: A popular finish, aluminum is easy to hang because it is light and resists rust. Aluminum cabinets look great in modern, transitional, and industrial designs.
Wood: These have a wooden frame around the mirror. The wood be painted, stained, or natural. Painted frames work in transitional or casual bathrooms. Textured wood can be good in country or rustic spaces.
Plastic: If budget is a concern, plastic is less expensive and can fit into more casual designs.
Stainless Steel: Another popular metal option is stainless steel. It resists corrosion, and the shine makes these cabinets great in a modern or brightly colored bathroom.
Classic: This is an all-wood medicine cabinet with no mirror. If you have a large mirror in the bathroom and need a place to store toiletries, this is a good option. Works in classic, casual, or rustic spaces.

The Size of a Medicine Cabinet

Medicine cabinets are typically made to fit over one sink. They are commonly around 20 inches wide and 24 inches high. Surface-mounted units can stick out as much as 6 inches. Some cabinets are designed to cover a wider area. They can range from 40 or 50 x 26 inches. There are also boxier cabinets that can measure 23.75 inches by 26 inches. You also have oval options to consider.

To figure out what works best, start by measuring the stretch of wall where you want to place the cabinet. That will tell you what size you are working with. From there, shape and design is a matter of personal choice. You'll know it when you see it!

What About Medicine Cabinet Lighting?

When it comes to lighting, you also have some options. Most medicine cabinets have no attached lighting. However, the lighted cabinets come in several different styles.

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Set-in LEDs: Many modern cabinets have lighting that shines out from the mirror. These are great for the most modern spaces. Some styles also have colored lights for a little extra bling.
Bulb Lighting: Some cabinets have bulbs set in the top of the cabinet, which can give extra light - useful when applying make-up. The bulbs give these cabinets a classic style that works well in retro bathrooms.
BAR LEDs: Some styles have LED lighting set into a bar that extends from the top and shines downward towards a mirror. This is a great option if you need extra lighting.
Interior Lighting: Some cabinets have strip lighting inside the cabinet to help you see better. This is another option if you have low lighting in your bathroom.

Additional Features Found In Medicine Cabinets

Technology has reached the cabinet manufacturers. Smart and digital options are available. They come with a range of advanced features like:

Defoggers: The perfect remedy for a hot, steamy shower.
Dimmers: Adjust the lighting to personalize the mirror.
Chargers: Some modern cabinets have outlets and USB chargers to charge your phone or shaver. This is a good option if outlets are at a premium.
Adjustable Shelves: Not exactly high-tech, but many models offer adjustable shelving—a great option for customizing your medicine cabinet.

These tips should help you to narrow down your medicine cabinet choices when remodeling your bathroom. Finding the perfect cabinet to meet your functional and aesthetic needs can be challenging. If you're unsure what to do, speak with your design-build contractor. They can help educate you about all of your options.

If you're considering a bathroom remodeling project, let us help you choose the perfect medicine cabinet! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. Let us take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.

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An Above the Garage Master Suite Addition Remodeling Project

We recently completed an addition for our clients, John and Amy, a professional couple with young children living in the Blooming Meadows neighborhood in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Their home featured three bedrooms on the second floor. The existing master bedroom was outdated and impractical for modern living, and with three young children, two needed to share one of the two remaining bedrooms, and all three kids shared the second-floor bathroom. Another problem the family needed addressed was that John needed a private home office, and the one they currently had was a shared space that did not work well for his job.

Let's take a look at our creative solution for this young family!

A New Private Bathroom for the Adults!

One of the major elements on John and Amy's wish list was a private bathroom space just for them. They wanted plenty of space to get ready in the morning, away from the kids, and we delivered! The bathroom features a handcrafted Amish custom double vanity with a tower cabinet in alder wood, stained Carbon Gray. The contrasting Linnstone Quartz Calcutta pattern countertop brightens the space and ties in visually with the elegant tile work in the spacious walk-in shower. We added custom alder wood framed mirrors stained in the same Carbon Gray as the cabinets to complete the vanity. Over each of the mirrors, we installed Quoizel 2 light vanity fixtures to provide plenty of warm light.

In the shower, the 21st Century Tile 12x24 floor-to-ceiling tiles in Tivoli Silver give the room a bright and modern feel, and the low entry shower makes entering the shower safe and easy for the couple. We included a helpful niche in the shower for shampoo and other toiletries and, for contrast, used a beautiful hexagon mosaic accent tile. The glass doors give the space an open feel, making it bright and inviting. The Arbor Hills luxury vinyl plank flooring in timber adds a warm feel, giving the room a natural look with the benefit of waterproof LVP.

The Result

The final result of this second-floor master suite addition is a home that fits John, Amy, and the kid's needs and lifestyle perfectly. John now has the perfect private office space. Since John and Amy now have their private master suite, and each of the kids has their own bedroom giving them their own space to grow as they grow, their home is more comfortable and functional. And on the exterior, you can't even tell there's been an addition!

Are you considering an addition or other home improvement project? Let us help you design the perfect finished space! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.