The Big Disadvantage To Having A Medicine Cabinet That Homeowners Can't Stand

The age old debate: To medicine cabinet, or not to medicine cabinet. It's a far cry from Shakespeare, but the passion some feel for this can become a big decision for homeowners (and even renters). After all, some may consider these additions dated, while others think they are necessary for storage purposes. Medicine cabinets are an older fixture, however, they do offer a way to make the most of vertical space, so which is it? Keep or install one of these, or opt for adding storage elsewhere? It seems many experts prefer to swap out traditional medicine cabinets which are clunky and expensive, not to mention they take up space whenever you open them, for more stylish alternatives, including small carts, stools, tables, or even a bigger surface space on your vanity area.

The big disadvantage of having a medicine cabinet that homeowners can't stand is the size and space it takes up. Depending on the type of cabinet, you may have surface mounted designs that stick way out from the wall, and some were designed as a combination of recessed and exposed, so the shelving is built into the wall but the frame and mirrored door come out into the room. Not only that, but the door swings out, taking up more space when in use. While you don't leave it open all day, in a small bathroom, this can be even more noticeable. 

If you do prefer to have cabinet space near your vanity, consider upgrading or installing your storage to be recessed, so that the cover is flush to the wall. There are actually a variety of medicine cabinet options without the dated mirror, too. Building your shelving within the wall means you can get a deeper alcove, and it lets you change up the door types. These could be sliding doors, a photo frame turned cabinet cover, or even a more modern design like recessed shelves for an open concept medicine cabinet. These all still give you the wall organizer, but allow you to get more creative and find an addition that will match the rest of the room without sacrificing style.

Should you decide that a cabinet is unnecessary in your bathroom, or at least this type of cabinet, consider picking a vanity with more surface area as well as a good amount of storage underneath. This will provide a replacement for your hanging unit, giving you both drawer and under sink space to keep your toiletries, cleaning supplies, and linens. Other medicine cabinet alternatives include behind the door hangers or smaller versions which can fit inside your vanity cupboards.

While there are tons of ways to declutter your bathroom and create extra space, one of the most stylish and functional ideas is to introduce a cart or table. A cart is  a great option because not only do these usually offer two or three levels for storing a variety of items, but they are also easy to style. These can hold anything from toiletries to towels and accessories, as well as decor to accent your bathroom's theme. The key with these is to not overfill them lest you add more visual clutter to your space. The same goes for tables and open shelving, as loading them with too much can make the bathroom feel busy and chaotic. This is why some people prefer cabinets as they can hide their items behind doors, and why the medicine cabinet hasn't become completely obsolete.

Open shelving, much like carts and tables, should be designed to avoid clutter, so consider decanting certain liquids and toiletries to create a more organized layout. Use trays to group items, and include plants or decor accents to balance all the personal care supplies. Don't overlook hanging storage in your shower, either, as this is a good place to keep backup liquids and toiletries to free up space in your cabinets. Whether you upgrade your medicine cabinet or get rid of it completely, there are plenty of clever ways to add storage to your bathroom. Just make sure you're picking what works for you and not simply following trends.