The Best Medicine Cabinets: Get Your Personal Mini-Pharmacy

While many thought the widespread vanity units would soon replace medicine cabinets, they are far from getting extinct. In fact, with renewed interest in home-renovation projects in recent years, homeowners are exploring ways to revamp their bathrooms. Considering the innovation of stylish and attractive designs, medicine cabinets have become a vital component of every home.

Besides being an ideal place for storing your medications, medicine cabinets can help organize the clutter on your kitchen or bathroom countertop. All you need is a perfect cabinet unit that offers ample space to set up your supplies and keep them safe and protected from the outside environment. If you are out looking for your first-ever medicine cabinet, noting the following things would help you make the right purchase.

Types of Medicine Cabinets

Medicine cabinets are categorized as surface-mounted or recessed-mounted cabinets primarily based on their installation mechanism. Since both are secured against the walls, there’s a unique set of differences between the two.

Surface-mounted medicine cabinets

These traditional-styled cabinets are probably the first thing that comes to mind upon envisioning medicine cabinets. Like the typical cabinets in your kitchen, surface-mounted medicine cabinets mount straight on the surface of a wall using bolts or strong adhesive that keeps them fastened.  

Despite being a quintessential cabinet unit, surface-mounted units are still in fashion for traditional and retro-styled spaces. They come in various sizes and shapes, often carrying loads of storage space for keeping your medical supplies and other amenities sorted. Since you don’t have to carve out the wall to install them, these medicine cabinets are simpler to install.

Recessed medicine cabinets

An attractive design and structural innovation in the medicine cabinet industry, recessed cabinets are crafted to mount inside the wall. Unlike surface-mounted units, they don’t stick out of the wall — apart from the mirrored gate — creating a sense of space and ambiance in the room. They integrate seamlessly into the bathroom; your guests may not even notice they are there.

Considering their minimal design theme, they make perfect options for transitional and contemporary bathrooms. But when it comes to installation and maintenance, they can take a toll on your budget.

What To Consider When Buying Medicine Cabinets?

From surface-mounted structures with exposed cabinets and open-face shelving to recessed cabinets with hidden shelves behind seamless mirror doors, the options are uncountable. If you are looking for a medicine cabinet that truly showcases your personality and style, here are some things you must consider;

Material

Though medicine cabinets are crafted from various materials, wood remains fairly dominant. Wooden cabinets are waterproof, sturdy and cheaper than their counterparts, making them a more widespread option. But since it’s mainly used in surface mount structures, wooden cabinets are a standard option for traditional and retro-styled bathrooms.

On the other hand, metal-built structures have captured the modern and industrial-styled market. These medicine cabinets typically use alloy steel and anodized aluminum, offering better protection against corrosion and chipping. They are a dominant material used in recessed cabinets and are usually coupled with glass.

Framed vs. frameless                                                        

Are you more of a retro-inclined person that loves experimenting with colors and materials? Or do you prefer minimalism and aesthetics over vibrance? The answer will determine whether you should get a framed or frameless medicine cabinet.

Framed mirrors have been a popular choice for most of the century since they are sturdier and classier than frameless ones. Frameless mirror doors usually have beveled edges, enhancing the room’s minimalist décor. But they are more fragile and susceptible to breaking than their framed siblings.

Height and weight

Given its significance, a medicine cabinet should be installed at a height that can be accessed by everyone in a state of emergency. Since they are mounted on top of a vanity unit or countertop, consider their positioning and surroundings for a well-balanced placement.

While buying the replacement for your medicine cabinet, notice the structure’s weight and capacity to hold different items. If your medicine cabinet is heavy, secure it tightly using bolts and adhesive glue so it doesn’t tear down your drywall under its weight.

How To Optimize Your Medicine Cabinet?

Since the fundamental purpose of a medicine cabinet is storing your medical supplies, start by organizing the medications on the cabinet shelves. In case it’s your first time setting up the cabinet, find out what you should keep in your medicine cabinet.

Moving on, many people install a medicine cabinet to de-clutter that bathroom countertop or kitchen shelf. An easier way to set up the cabinet is by arranging the amenities according to their type and usage or the person that uses them. For instance, you can allot the top shelves for your spouse while you place your cosmetics or skincare on the bottom shelf.

Secondly, put smaller, commonly used items like toothbrushes and deodorant at the front. This will help you stow away amenities neatly and provide better access to every item in the cabinet. If you have more than two shelves, you can even use one to put your towels and bathrobes.