Give A Basic Medicine Cabinet A Luxury Feel With This Illuminating Upgrade

Medicine cabinets are a bit of a thorny subject in the world of interior design. Their bulky appearance and limited options, which can lead to forgoing a beautiful statement mirror in the name of storage, are big disadvantages to having a medicine cabinet. However, with homes getting smaller and smaller, and space maximization climbing to the top of the list of priorities, it's getting harder to argue against the inclusion of medicine cabinets in the bathroom. Thankfully, you can give your bathroom medicine cabinet a whole new vibe with the simple addition of cabinet lighting. 

This little tweak has become massively popular in modern homes. Though cabinet lighting is primarily used in kitchens, it can be just as, if not more, effective in a vanity area, namely in the medicine cabinet. It's a great way to provide ambient lighting, bathing your space with a relaxing, diffused glow whose warmth can be customized. But it's also incredibly practical, because it illuminates your products for easier access, and, if placed all around the cabinet front mirror, also provides even lighting for your face. Anyone who's ever had to shave or do their makeup under poor lighting knows that this is a godsend for all kinds of beauty routines. 

Choosing the perfect lighting for your medicine cabinet starts with placement. Consider whether you want in-cabinet lighting to brighten up the shelves, over-cabinet lighting that creates a beautiful accent, under-cabinet lighting for your vanity, a surrounding mirror light that's perfect for grooming, or a combination of all four. 

Secondly, you need to consider installation options. DIY Plug-in models are fine for under- and over-cabinet lighting (if you ignore the visible cord), but they can be complicated to integrate inside without a pre-existing outlet. The most practical alternatives are wireless lights that run on replaceable or rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, for a more permanent, harmonious solution, cabinet lights can be hardwired directly to the electrical system. Although enthusiastic DIYers can tackle this last installation themselves, hiring a professional is the safest way to avoid accidents like electrical shock, fire hazards, or building code violations. 

When it comes to type, LED, or light-emitting diodes, overwhelmingly dominate the market these days, so you don't have much of a choice there. Even if you did, LED is better for your electrical bill and the environment, plus it's highly customizable, so it's clearly a winner. Finally, decide on a style. Options include discreet strips, compact puck lights, and larger light bars. Strips are the most flexible of the three, since they can be bent and cut, making them perfect for a mirror mount. Puck lights provide more focused lighting, while light bars are sturdier and, therefore, more durable. All three usually feature adjustable brightness, and some smarter models can change warmth and color, as well as connect to an app on your phone.