What are the Different Types of Medicine Cabinets?

Medicine cabinets are the shallow cabinets typically found hanging on the walls in home bathrooms. Different sizes and styles of medicine cabinets are designed to complement any design preference. Many choices of medicine cabinets are sold at home improvement centers and hardware stores, and antique models can sometimes be salvaged from old houses. The classic medicine cabinet has a mirrored door, white metal interior, and glass shelves.

Multipurpose medicine cabinets include models that have large mirrored fronts fitted with light fixtures. Such cabinets are equipped to serve as a bathroom’s main grooming mirror in addition to storing toiletries and medications. Some medicine cabinets are designed to resemble curio boxes and serve as shelves for storage or for displaying art pieces. Others have a towel bar beneath.

Medicine cabinets are built using a variety of materials, and the type of finish or building material influences the price. Some styles are made of unfinished wood and can be painted or stained to match the interior of the bathroom. Custom built wood cabinets are more costly than stock model fiber board. The size of the medicine cabinet will also determine cost. Generally, larger cabinets with built in light fixtures will be more expensive than smaller models without lights. Home improvement stores may offer special sales or discounts; these events may offer an opportunity to purchase medicine cabinets at a lower price.

It is typical to see a mirrored medicine cabinet hanging directly above a vanity or sink in a bathroom. In some cases, homeowners may determine that it is preferable to have a large mirror rather than a large amount of cabinet space. In such cases, a large, wall-mounted mirror with a compartment that spans the width of the mirror across the bottom is often used. The compartments have a chrome finish with glass or plastic sliding doors. Models of this style are also among the more affordable, though they may have a tendency to rust.

When space in the bathroom is limited, one possible solution is a medicine cabinet that is built into the wall. When the area around the sink is crowded, having just a bit of extra room to open the medicine cabinet can be a real bonus. These cabinets may be more difficult to install than those that simply mount to the wall.