Medicine Cabinet vs Mirror in small bathroom w/ 36” vanity

2 years ago

In the midst of a bathroom remodel and need to figure out a med cabinet/mirror situation.

We have a 36" vanity.

I'd assumed I'd just replace a medicine cabinet where the old one was before (see photos) but... I find most quite ugly.

Would want the mirror/med cabinet to be closer to 30 inches, to look more proportioned with the vanity, but don't think I'll find one that size with a small cutout size (21 wide x 24 wide max)

Photos: The Before pic... and in progress pic with the original med cabinet cutout

Featured Answer

artemis78

2 years ago

I'm personally a huge medicine cabinet fan so we have them in both small bathrooms, but others hate them--it's really personal preference. Ours are both the same size (19"w cutouts, wider overall with the trim); one is over a 24" pedestal sink and the other over a 42" vanity. They both work for me--both have sconces on either side so they look balanced. We could have done a much wider mirror with the vanity and that would have been nice too, but then would have had to have an overhead light, and I prefer the sconces. All of the wide medicine cabinets also had a more modern look, so would have been trickier to integrate into the vintage look of the bathroom. But again--that depends a lot on what your vision for the space is. Agreed that it is not a huge deal to widen the cutout either (although a bit trickier in an exterior wall--the one we have on an exterior wall is in the space of an old window so that made it much simpler).

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Comments (8)

Lyn Nielson
2 years ago
this Kohler 20x31 is available at Lowe's I have used this style in 5 rooms, it's my favorite.

the rough opening needs to be adjusted, bigger than a stud cavity. worth the effort.
Kathryn B thanked Lyn Nielson
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kandrewspa
2 years ago
For me, anytime I can use a medicine cabinet instead of just having a mirror, I am going to. It's ideal storage for items of a certain size that everyone has - women probably more than men. So if you have to change the size of the opening to get one to fit it is worth it in my mind. Whoever is doing the drywall should be able to do this. If you think they're unattractive just get one that's pretty plain so it's inoffensive. They can be ridiculously expensive, but maybe for you the answer is paying more to get one you like. You could end up having it for decades (until the next bathroom remodel), so think about how much it will cost per day. If you have a powder room, indulge your desire for a pretty mirror there.
Kathryn B thanked kandrewspa
RedRyder
2 years ago
I have a full wall of mirror in all my bathrooms (previous owner’s idea) and wish I had medicine cabinets in at least 2 of them. They’re more functional and many are quite attractive.

Another idea is to buy a stunning wood mirror and attach it to a cabinet with new hinges. Then you have a look you prefer. A friend did this in her 100 year old colonial (about 35 years ago) and it’s still there. It’s quite pretty and you would never know there is a practical, plain cabinet behind it.
It’s in the downstairs powder room.
Kathryn B thanked RedRyder
chispa
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I used this one from Robern when I remodeled one of the kids' bathrooms in my previous house.

https://www.robern.com/products/medicine-cabinets/aio-lighted-cabinets/30-wide/ac3030d4p2l/

I just checked my files and the vanity was 36" wide and the med cab was the 30" W x 40" H model.
Kathryn B thanked chispa
roarah
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
In my primary bath i did just a mirror for i have plenty of storage but in other two small full baths I have medicine cabinets for there is very limited room for storage.
Kathryn B thanked roarah
Kathryn B
Original Author
2 years ago
@artemis78 - thanks! it is in fact an exterior wall, which is why contractor wasn't super keen on changing up the framing in that spot if it could be avoided....

@RedRyder - was thinking about attaching a different mirror to a standard recessed cabinet.... wasn't sure how difficult/sturdy it might be to have it work out correctly....?
RedRyder
2 years ago
I doubt by friend remembers much about how her carpenter did the project, but I can tell you the mirror is a large round WOOD frame so the hinges that attached to the mirror and medicine cabinet could be secured well. The wood frame can’t be too thin.