How to Choose Your Bathroom Cabinets in 6 Steps 2022

Choosing the right bathroom cabinet can help to tie up your space and keep things organized. So to help you choose the right cabinet for your bathroom, you just need to follow these easy steps:

1. Budget

New bathroom cabinets and vanities can be expensive, so it’s essential to plan out a budget for your bathroom renovations. Buying unfinished cabinets is a great way to save money, but it can be a hassle. Before you look at what cabinets to install, look around your neighborhood to determine what cabinets will provide the best ROI for your home.

2. Plan your layout

Planning your layout allows you to map out your bathroom layout better before you start. Consider factors such as your routine and your household.

For example, provide more counter space for children, move mirrors closer to sinks, provide more space between the counter and the toilet, etc. Try to work with your plumbing, water, and electrical features to reduce the cost of your project.

3. Measure the space

When selecting a cabinet, your dimensions will be critical as they ensure that everything fits. When measuring the space, note the locations of doors, the placement of mirrors, and the location of electrical and water fixtures.

Your cabinet should not conflict with the placement of cabinetry and plumbing fixtures either, so don’t be afraid to move things around until everything fits. Although the standard bathroom vanity height is approximately 31 inches with a depth of 17-24 inches, the cabinet width will vary based on the room size and the storage necessary. 

4. Determine storage

Bathroom storage comes at a premium, so it’s crucial to establish your storage early. For example, how many people will use your bathroom, and are they still growing?

Do you need more drawers for makeup and other toiletries? Or do you prefer more cabinet doors to place large bathroom items such as cleaning solutions or tools? Addressing these questions will help you better choose your bathroom’s storage options.

Research Bathroom Cabinet Quality

Cabinets are available in four different quality grades, so ensure that you choose a quality that is appropriate for your home:

RTA: Ready to assemble or RTA cabinets are cabinets with everything needed to assemble them. RTA cabinets provide an excellent option for any budget but have low-quality materials, so they will require more frequent replacements/repairs.

Stock: Stock cabinets are cabinets that the manufacturer builds to industry-standard styles and measurements. These cabinets are pre-built and ready for installation. Their quality is much higher than RTA cabinets, but their sizes, material, and styles will be severely limited. 

Semi-custom: Semi-custom cabinets are of higher quality than both stock and RTA. They offer far more variety of styles and materials as well, with the only drawback being that all cabinets are measured in 3-inch increments, making it difficult to fit all homes.

Custom-Custom cabinets are made from the highest quality material and are tailored to fit any bathroom, regardless of size. Custom cabinets also provide unlimited sizing and style options, making them the best choice. The primary drawback of custom cabinets is that they are costly and have a very long lead time when compared to the other three options.

6. Find your style

Use magazines and online resources to glean inspiration. Experiment with different colors and styles, pairing modern and classic sensibilities. There are no wrong answers, and you should look at the longevity of your materials. Ensure your cabinet is properly finished with semi-gloss or similar paint that will shield the material from moisture. 

Benefits of bathroom cabinets

Bathroom cabinets offer your bathroom a few benefits mainly:

More Storage: bathrooms offer limited space, so cabinets provide additional storage. With objects such as toiletries, electronics, and hygiene products placed inside, the amount of clutter in your bathroom is reduced. 

Low cost: Bathroom cabinets provide the best solution for inexpensive storage. Regardless of your cabinet style, it will be cheaper than expanding the size of your bathroom or other storage alternatives.

Style: Bathroom cabinets provide a unique opportunity to display your unique style. Remember to incorporate your taste in accents, color, and designs to improve your bathroom’s style. Floating cabinets are an example of this, allowing you to save valuable floor space while providing an attractive focal point of your bathroom. 

Keep the bathroom clean: More space means less clutter and more counter space as you can store items away from view. Having a clear bathroom counter will make your bathroom appear clean and organized. 

More home value: More storage space will increase the value of your home as the space will seem bigger and more attractive to potential buyers. In addition, cabinets paired alongside aspects such as good lighting and attractive mirrors can transform any average bathroom into a unique home pillar. 

Bathroom cabinet types

Bathroom cabinets are installed in three different mounting types:

Freestanding

The most popular type, freestanding cabinets, are secured to the wall and have the rest of their weight distributed to the base that rests on the floor. Freestanding is popular because it maximizes the storage beneath the sink, allowing for more space for cabinets and drawers. 

Wall-Mounted

Wall-mounted cabinets are secured to the wall, providing a cabinet that floats and more space underneath the cabinet. In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the cabinet’s height can be fully adjusted to suit different users.

Corner

A corner cabinet is a smaller cabinet designed for smaller bathrooms and features more defined angles to fit small spaces and 90-degree corners. This type of cabinet is ideal for smaller spaces. 

Common Bathroom Cabinet materials:

Solid wood

Solid wood has not been engineered or treated with resins or glues. This refers to ordinary lumber that has not been bonded together yet. 

Pros:

• Durable
• Looks great with a natural or stained finish
• Unique look

Cons:

• Can expand/deteriorate when exposed to moisture
• Is not water or steam resistant, making it less ideal for a bathroom
• Expensive

Particle Board

Particle board is an engineered wood product that is manufactured from wood chips and synthetic resin, which is then pressed and extruded into workable sheets.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Can be covered with wood veneer, melamine, laminate or other substances to mimic other materials

Cons:

• Easily damaged by water
• Not durable
• It cannot handle heavy weights and will sag over time

MDF

MDF or medium density fiberboard, is an engineered wood product that breaks down hard and softwood residuals into wood fibers. It then combines them with wax and a resin binder, forming them into dense panels. 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Smooth surface
• Can be easily painted due to its smooth surface

Cons:

• High maintenance
• Hard to repair
• Water will cause swelling
• Cannot be stained
• Difficult material to use nails or screws

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is made from iron and carbon with the addition of chromium and nickel to create a corrosion-resistant product.

Pros:

• Stain and water resistant
• Attractive
• Easy to clean
• Highly durable

Cons

• Noisy
• Expensive
• Can clash with certain styles

Bathroom cabinet styles

Shaker

A very classic cabinet made from five pieces of wood to create a frame where the inner portion is recessed. This style works well with any bathroom style and any pattern.

Basic wood

A classic material that is usually stained to preserve the natural look of the wood for the bathroom. 

Stenciled

A stencil pattern is used to finish the bathroom cabinet, providing a unique visual aesthetic compared to a typical cabinet style. 

Beadboard

A plywood product with vertical grooves spaced at intervals across the board. Beadboards are usually painted to help improve the look of the plywood.

Louvered

Louvered cabinets use slats of wood as the main panel of the door. The space in between allows for airflow to help the material breathe. Louvered cabinets pair well with farmhouse and cottage styles.

Distressed

Distressed cabinets provide a rustic and antique look to a bathroom using a special technique to create material that looks distressed or used.

Metal

Metal cabinets provide a modern lift to your bathroom that can be improved on with vibrant colors. In addition, metal cabinets are highly durable, easy to clean, and can withstand the bathroom’s humidity.

Custom

Custom cabinets are designed to fit your bathroom perfectly, and you have control over all aspects of its construction. They are very expensive and time intensive to build, but they represent the pinnacle of cabinet construction.

Inset

Inset bathroom cabinets have a completely flat face, providing a uniform look. Inset cabinets are usually custom-made, requiring heavy precision to make everything uniform. As a result, they offer an elegant, minimalist aesthetic that helps show off natural wood’s beauty. 

The perfect cabinet is a great addition to any bathroom, helping to organize the space and make it more attractive. Just remember to plan ahead and experiment with different styles to find the right fit for you.

badeloft

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.