How to Choose Medicine Cabinets
Medicine cabinets are an efficient and useful storage device. They take up little space, provide a mirror in the bathroom (where you're most likely to need it) and hold a variety of items, from makeup and shampoo to medications and bandages. Replacing an old medicine cabinet can also update the look of your bathroom---and make finding what you need inside it easier. There are a myriad of cabinet styles to choose from, but, before you hit the stores, there are a number of important features and issues to consider. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure your space. Bear in mind that you'll need room for the cabinet doors to swing fully open. You may also be able to get a bigger cabinet in a smaller space by purchasing a cabinet with hinged mirrors. If you want a smaller cabinet than what your bathroom currently has, remember the wall can be patched to accommodate the new look.
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Select a cabinet that will handle your storage needs, plus offer future room to grow. Bring a measuring tape to the store to compare the inside of the new cabinets with the inside of the cabinet you already own.
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Choose a cabinet with a lock. If you have small children and plan to store medicines (prescription or over the counter) in the cabinet, this is essential. Even small children find clever ways to climb up to medicine cabinets and open "child proof" bottles.
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Pick a surface-mount cabinet for the easiest installation. This type of medicine cabinet hangs on the wall much the same way a picture does. However, this type of medicine cabinet protrudes out from the wall.
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Opt for a recessed cabinet if you don't have space for a protruding cabinet. This is trickier to install, so you might need to hire a handy man or contractor to do the job for you.
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Settle upon a corner cabinet if your bathroom is small and it's difficult to find space for a more traditional medicine cabinet. These are usually offered in the recessed style.
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Consider a medicine cabinet with lighting. This can make the mirror on the cabinet more useful, especially if the existing lighting in your bathroom provides poor to moderate light.
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Examine the cabinet hinges carefully. They need to be sturdy enough to hold up to repeated opening and closing every day.
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Bear in mind the materials the medicine cabinet is made from. Aluminum, wood or plastic hold up best to bathroom humidity. Metal cabinets with an enamel finish last well, too, as long as they don't become scratched.
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