Definitely prefer a medicine cabinet. I also prefer my stuff at eye level as opposed to a drawer. I also like upper cabinets in the kitchen as opposed to none.

I couldn't live without my medicine cabinet. In fact, it's the only thing, besides the toilet and tub, that's staying in my bathroom! I keep all my medicine, cleansers, ointments, etc in there and wouldn't like them being somewhere else. Like home pro01 mine is mirrored inside and out and has 2 doors so that I can see the back and side of my head while I'm drying/styling my hair. Unfortunately, it wasn't recessed when it was installed and I asked my contractor about recessing it during our remodel, but it's not an option, unfortunately.

I love my medicine cabinet. I originally had a recessed medicine cabinet but I sheet rocked over the hole and installed a large surface mount medicine cabinet which is more the look I wanted. It has walnut sides to match the vanity.

I prefer no medicine cabinet. It's a pain to keep opening and closing while using, and getting other people to close it when they're finished is difficult. I like having things in drawers, and don't have to worry about anything falling off the shelf. A recessed cabinet is ok (I would still keep my daily stuff in drawers), but I would never install a surface-mount.

You really have trouble getting people to close your medicine cabinet?

I chose mirror over surface mount medicine cabinet in our master bathroom and don't regret it. Our vanity has several drawers and that has worked fine for us.

I haven't had a medicine cabinet in over 18 years. Don't miss it at all.

Everyone who visits closes the medicine cabinet. They all use the cabinet in the spare bathroom. Many ask me which brand it is and have installed it themselves.

Good luck!

Ours went away with our remodel two years ago. All that stuff can be put horizontal in top drawer. Right there at hip level, don't even need to raise an arm. Easy Peasy. Very pleased that I can use that wall to hang a towel and a pull out make-up mirror.

-Babka

"You really have trouble getting people to close your medicine cabinet?"

Yes! Upper kitchen cabinets doors, too. Even if I didn't have that admittedly minor problem, I would prefer drawer storage to a medicine cabinet.

I have both a medicine cabinet and drawer storage. And a cabinet on the wall above the toilet. The more storage room, the better IMO.

My client bought an expensive Kohler medicine cabinet and when I went to install it we found a giant 4" cast iron drain stack. No way to move it so I chopped up the medicine cabinet and went custom on it.

Not that hard really. Maybe have a look at this discussion.

[CAN I RECESS A KOHLER MEDICINE CABINET INTO A WALL SPACE WITH PIPES[(https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-bathroom-vanity-lighting-prvw-vr~3033409)

When I dry fit or mocked up the medicine cabinet it really stuck out a lot. Almost 4 inches. This took away from the sexy light fixture that will soon go in.

I would choose a flat mirror or framed mirror over a surface mounted medicine cabinet.

On this job the client asked me to make something custom with a night light for her two young boys. This was an easy build.

This unit made from baseboards, 2" banding tape and some stainless steel, Built in my shop and installed on site.

Remodelled my bath last year and went with both medicine cabinets (recessed) and vanity drawer storage. Love the vertical, right in front of you, aspect of the medicine cabinets. Though my wife uses hers as well as the drawers, I often don't even remember what I put in the drawers. Love medicine cabinets, as well as a full length vertcial cabinet recessed behind the door.

My last place had the same problem, I was heartbroken. I wound up replacing it with a wall mount and I didn't hate the look as I expected, I loved the cabinet. In my new place I have plenty of storage so I don't miss the cabinet, love the mirror. So pick something you really like and you will adjust. :)

I removed my medicine cabinets when I renovated my bathrooms.

I have pull out drawers with electrical outlets for the electric tooth brushes, razors, and hair dryers. also, I have drawers with trays that that hold medication bottles at an angle so that one can easily read their labels.

I find that medicine cabinets lack space for medications and it use a regular tooth brush in years.

I like everything out of sight and out of mind. I have removable water proof caddies that are stored in pull out drawer-shelves that line the bottom of each cabinet underneath the sinks. I put shampoo, soap, etc in the caddies so that they they can be carried to the bath or shower to use and then returned.