Removed 80's medicine cabinet -- Now what?

last month

After removing the 1980's medicine cabinet, I had planned to hang drywall over the recessed space. But ... my framer suggested keeping an open niche next to the new vanity.

I am attaching a couple of inspiration photos. If I keep the space open, I am uncertain how to line it. Maybe drywall around the perimeter with wood on the face of the niche and wood on the bottom shelf? Or tile on the face and stone on the bottom shelf? Or drywall all surfaces?

I am including a "before" picture and a photo of the current unclaimed space (after the medicine cabinet was removed). My framer blocked the bottom part of the niche so that my handyman will be able to install a 9-inch wide hand-towel bar.

After the demolition team and framer were done, my electrician ran wiring through the recessed space to provide power to a lighted magnifying mirror on an articulated arm. The "circle" in the photo is the wiring for the surface-mounted mirror. And now I am uncertain if it is even feasible to use this space as a niche -- with the wire running through it. Maybe it would look "cleaner" to just drywall over the recessed space? Return to Plan A?

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Featured Answer

Kendrah

last month

It can look good and be very useful in the correct situation. I have done this in a very small guest bathroom that has no storage space or counterspace. I don't think your set up makes sense with the round lit mirror next to it.

Will you have a medicine cabinet or some other good storage in your vanity?

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Comments (12)

cat_ky
last month
I would drywall it.
coastal_vibe thanked cat_ky
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coastal_vibe
Original Author
last month
I will have storage in the 54-inch wide vanity. No storage above the countertop height (no medicine cabinet, no towers, no floating shelves). This is a secondary hall bathroom.

I have found Houzz photos (attached) with a magnifying mirror and a hand towel bar together on the side wall, but not combined with a niche.

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arcy_gw
last month
last modified: last month
Your inspo pics and your availible space are not the same same. Dry wall over the opening.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
Drywall over it and forget a niche which will just be one more thing to clean in the bathroom
PRO
Norwood Architects
last month
Since it is such a shallow depth will suggest that you dispense with any kind of niche there and just sheetrock it.
Valinta
last month
I had a similar niche in - of all places, the kitchen. I purchased 2 12” x 12” mirror tiles glued to back of the niche, two 12” x 3” acrylic shelves. In the kitchen I used for coffee mugs, but think this would be great in the bathroom, no coffee mugs 😉.
RedRyder
last month
Drywall it. Adding beautiful mirrors would be my first choice.

There are lots of storage ideas other than wall-hung medicine cabinets. None of my bathrooms had them when I bought my house and I love the simple mirror look. Vanities with good drawers or a free standing cabinet can be just as useful.
coastal_vibe thanked RedRyder
PRO
JAN MOYER
last month
Now what? drywall,,,,,,,,,

Why is it even an issue?
coastal_vibe thanked JAN MOYER
coastal_vibe
Original Author
last month
I will drywall over it. Thank you for the consensus on this.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
Really? You have no use for any unsightly storage of items?

Are you throwing everything in drawers?
coastal_vibe thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
RedRyder
last month
A long vanity with drawers will definitely hold a lot of stuff. Another good addition to a bathroom is a tall pantry cabinet. My niece has one, plus a double sink vanity with drawers in her master bathroom. It has a clean look - much nicer than mirrored medicine cabinets imho.
coastal_vibe thanked RedRyder