The bathroom is more than just a place to get ready on a daily basis, it is also a space where you can relax after having a long busy day. However, if your bathroom is more chaotic than calm and in need of a serious cleaning, then you can forget about trying to enjoy a relaxing soak or pamper session. With that, just like any cabinet you have at home, a bathroom cabinet not only adds a stylish element in your sanctuary but also adds a functional space to store toiletries, spare loo roll and many more in order to tidy up your bathroom.
Bathroom cabinets are considered as the perfect storage solution. It keeps your surfaces clean because it hides away all your bathroom essentials, making sure that your space remains organized, clutter free, and soothing.
Now that you know that bathroom cabinets are the ideal storage solution, we will guide you on its most important elements that will definitely help you decide which bathroom cabinet suits your needs and style. At the end of this article, you will definitely find the bathroom cabinet meant for you. So, keep on reading to discover more.
- Cabinet Type
There are a lot of bathroom cabinet types available in the market. We strongly suggest that you do your own research first on cabinet types before purchasing or starting your bathroom remodel. Here are some of the most common cabinet types available:- Custom Cabinets
Custom bathroom cabinets are made-to-order. As the name suggests, you can fully customize these cabinets according to your specifications and liking. Advantage of this type of bathroom cabinets is that it gives you the freedom to choose the finishes, material, style, and decorative elements. However, you must take note that custom cabinets are usually highly expensive. So if you have the extra cash to invest in a good quality bathroom cabinet, then this type may be the right option for you, especially if you want a genuinely unique looking bathroom with ideal storage functions. - Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are basically the bathroom cabinets that are widely available in the market because they are mass-produced. Unlike custom cabinets, this type does not allow customizations. These are built for speed and quick shipping, not for a specialized, unique, or customized renovation. However, because they are produced in bulk, manufacturers usually make sure that customers are provided with the basic necessities that they need for their bathroom, storage included, but not much more. So if you are in a hurry in remodeling your bathroom, this type of cabinet is your perfect choice. - Semi-Custom Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets are principally stock cabinets, however it allows you to customize a few elements such as door fronts, cabinet depth, or cabinet drawers. The semi-custom cabinet is perfect if you want to customize some elements in your cabinets but do not want to spend too much on it. Semi-custom cabinets will give you an ample amount of bathroom storage with a bit of your unique personality in the bathroom cabinet. - Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets
As the name implies, these cabinets come in boxes that you need to assemble yourself. The advantage of this type of bathroom cabinet is that they are way more affordable compared to other cabinet types. We highly suggest that if you want to purchase this type of cabinet for your bathroom, make sure to check for the quality so that you do not have to put your money into waste if it breaks or damages too easily.
- Custom Cabinets
- Cabinet Style
There are as many styles of cabinets to fill your remodeled bathroom these include:- A stand-alone vanity which only contains the sink and frequently a countertop.
- The second group consists of all other bathroom cabinetry which include over-the-toilet units, linen storage and built-in hampers.
- The third group are the sets of cabinets termed as suites. They are designed to match your existing design elements, fixtures, and features in your bathroom.
No matter what category, you can choose to go sleek or modern with your cabinets, classic or contemporary, eclectic or European, glass or glazed. There are definitely endless possibilities that you can choose from. Also, it is good to note that the cabinet door style has a significant impact on the overall bathroom design. It is the main part of the bathroom cabinet that everyone will see, so it is important that you choose a design that matches with your whole space and satisfies you. You can choose the shaker-style cabinets that lean towards a more contemporary aesthetic or a raised-panel door style if you want your bathroom to be more traditional looking.
- Countertop
An important element in your bathroom cabinet is its countertop. Most cabinets and other repurposed furniture pieces in your bathroom without a top, will need some type of countertop. There are a number of different materials available in the market such as wood, marble, solid surface, quartz, granite, laminate, and concrete.
For bathroom countertops, many people prefer granite and quartz because they are very durable, high-quality materials, with unique design patterns. Granite needs to be sealed every one or two years because it’s a porous stone. Compared to granite and quartz, softer stones like marble scratch more easily. Marbles also have less tolerance for moisture. Wood and laminate do not also go well with moisture, however they may be cheaper compared to stones.
No matter what countertop design you choose, we highly suggest that you consult with a bathroom remodeling expert in order to get specific recommendations and the ideal countertop for your bathroom cabinets.
- Decide on the storage capacity
The primary purpose of your bathroom cabinets is to keep the entire space organized for all of your toiletries, essentials, and other items in the bathroom. Because you use the bathroom on a daily basis, it is important that your cabinets can offer accessibility of the materials you use every day. With that, it is also important to think about the storage capacity of your bathroom cabinet because proper bathroom storage will help you stay on top of supplies.
When it comes to bathroom cabinets, you can decide if you want a pull-out drawers, trash pull-outs, dividers, medicine cabinet, linen cabinet, and other smart organizers. You have a wide range of options. Hence, we strongly recommend that you talk with an expert to help you figure out and assess the advantages and disadvantages of each as well as what will work best in your space.
- Sink Type
Another bathroom cabinet element that you should consider is the type of sink that goes with it. These sinks include undermount, drop-in, vessel or wall-mount. Undermount sinks are mounted below your countertop with supporting brackets, giving off a more seamless look. These types of sinks are usually harder to install and frequently need a professional. Vessel sinks sit above your counter. This means that a hole was cut out from your countertop to provide drain. Vessel sinks provide you the alternative to choose a sink with patterns, designs, and custom shapes, however it requires more cleaning. Drop-in sinks are installed inside a cutout in your countertop. These sinks have lips that rest on top of your counter. While they are easy to install, dirt and scum can accumulate in the creases between the sink and counter. After deciding on what type of sink you want, you should choose the color and material for your sink, whether you want porcelain, natural stone or something different.
- Accessories and Hardware
Accessories and hardwares wraps up your bathroom cabinet design. They can round up your entire bathroom design. You have a number of choices just for the hardware alone, including pulls, knobs, and hinges. You should definitely think about what to use because more than its aesthetic, they can also impact the ease of use of your bathroom cabinets. So, it may be true that the most of your attention should be on the cabinet layout and finishes, however you still need to select your cabinet hardware and accessories such as faucets, lighting and mirror. Importantly, these things should be coordinated with the rest of your design and color scheme.
At the end of the day, both functionality and personality of your bathroom cabinets can be greatly affected by the choice of your accessories and hardware. Hence, it is important to ask and consult experts on what would be the most ideal accessories and hardwares for your bathroom cabinet of choice.
References:
- Choice Cabinet. 2020. Bathroom Cabinets: A Practical Buying Guide. Retrieved from: https://www.choicecabinet.com/bathroom-cabinets-a-practical-buying-guide/. Retrieved on 11 August 2021.
- Cliq Studios. 2020. Bathroom Cabinets. Retrieved from: https://www.cliqstudios.com/bathroom-cabinets/. Retrieved on 11 August 2021.
- HGTV. 2019. Guide to Selecting Bathroom Cabinets. Retrieved from: https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/guide-to-selecting-bathroom-cabinets. Retrieved on 11 August 2021.
- Houzz. 2019. A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Bathroom Vanity. Retrieved from: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/a-step-by-step-guide-to-designing-your-bathroom-vanity-stsetivw-vs~65045477. Retrieved on 11 August 2021.