medicine cabinet question

6 years ago

I read several previous threads about medicine cabinets, but I have a slightly different situation. Our bathroom is split into two rooms - one with shower and toilet, and the other with the vanity. We have a 60 inch vanity in an alcove (our closet opens up in to the vanity area as well). For our remodel, our designer suggested no medicine cabinets as they are "out". But, we will only have 4 small drawers in the middle of the vanity and single door on either side, which will of course contain the plumbing for two sinks as well. We can't put medicine cabinets recessed over the sinks without out quite a bit of added expense because it's an exterior wall.

Currently, we have a small medicine cabinet on the side wall (between the toilet room and vanity room). I've looked and haven't really found many options for medicine cabinets without a mirror, but I do feel it would look silly to have two normal mirrors above the sinks and mirrored medicine cabinets on the side walls. However, I'm nervous to give up the storage and easy access that a medicine cabinet provides. I'm worried we'll end up with very cluttered countertops with the things we use every day. And a 60 inch double sink countertop isn't really very big anyway.

Ideas? Would you just do the medicine cabinets anyway, even it isn't the best look? Or I supposed we could do an open floating shelf on each side, but do I really want my vitamins and zyrtec and dental floss sitting on an open shelf? :-)

Thanks for any thoughts!

Featured Answer

noreaster10

6 years ago

I hate it when designers say don’t do that because it is “out.” You know what is always out? Counters covered with clutter. So I hear you! I have 2 pedestal sinks flanked by drawer units, maybe 30”? I have one long mirror above sinks. My husband demanded a medicine cabinet because he doesn’t listen to me about drawer storage/organization. :-) in any event, it is more like a framed cabinet version and also has a mirror and I don’t even notice anymore. If someone doesn’t eventually buy my house because my large, marble, fab bathroom has a medicine cabinet, then ok, but I can’t see that. Houses should be for living, not selling. If it is so awful when you are ready to move, remove it. In the meantime, get it if it helps with clutter. The BIGGEST turn off in any house is clutter. The second biggest turn off is a toilet brush and a plunger sitting in the bathroom, but I digress.... enjoy your medicine cabinet and your new bathroom!

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Comments (10)

Jennifer Paul
Original Author
6 years ago
Ha! Thank you for that perspective! And where do you stash your toilet brush?!
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noreaster10
6 years ago
Nearby linen closet
chispa
6 years ago
Look at Robern, they have very nice medicine cabinets, some with lights and power outlets inside. They are pricey, but I think worth it for the neat storage they provide. They can be recessed or surface mounted.

I put this one in one of my secondary bathrooms:

https://www.robern.com/products/medicine-cabinets/aio-lighted-cabinets/two-door/ac3030d4p2l/
Jennifer Paul thanked chispa
catbuilder
6 years ago
A medicine cabinet doesn't have to have a mirrored door.
wdccruise
6 years ago
Medicine cabinets can be surface-mounted as well. Examples:
- Fresca FMC8014 W 48 1/2" x H 36" x D 5"
- Fleurco MCT6030-11 H 30" x W 60" x D 4 3/4"
This Sonia 153435 H 23 5/8" x W 23 1/4" x D 6 1/2" does not have a mirror and apparently can be mounted surface, semi-recessed, or recessed (e.g., in your side wall)
remodeling1840
6 years ago
Any cabinet maker can fabricate beautiful medicine cabinets without mirrors. Your “designer” should know that.
Kirsten E.
6 years ago
Google “picture frame medicine cabinet”. Etsy has some cool options at several different price points (the one below is a little pricier). And I love medicine cabinets for what it’s worth :) I’ve visited so many new construction open houses recently that I felt lacked well thought out storage - like medicine cabinets!
Jennifer Paul
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for all the ideas. I will definitely stick with the medicine cabinet, now I just have to choose one!
PRO
SIDLER®
5 years ago
Mirrored medicine cabinets are a great storage option that does not necessarily look outdated if you find an adaptable design with functionality. And some have customization size options. For example, you can also get customized sizing where cabinets can be ganged together. For example, two 12 inch cabinets ganged together or two 15" ganged together would work where you can add lighting as an option and have interchangeable left or right open doors. It gives you alot of storage over your vanity. They can be recces or surface mounted. And some of these mirrored medicine cabinets have integrated LED lighting, which can also offer a nightlight with dinner function. So, you will not only have lighting from your main bathroom, but an additional light source. I hope this helps