10 Design Moves to Borrow From These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
Make your bathing area more functional and efficient with these clever cabinet additions
Why settle for no-frills storage in your bathroom when you can fit out the space with tricked-out cabinets that have clever, functionality boosting features instead? Seemingly standard cupboards and drawers that actually boast smart, unique or high-tech design elements and accessories behind their closed doors or drawer fronts can make a world of difference when it comes to making a bath zone more organised, practical and user-friendly. Case(s) in point? The 10 smart, steal-worthy bathroom cabinet ideas you’ll find below. While they may look fairly basic upon first glance, take a closer look and you’ll find that the beauty (and benefits) of these bathroom storage units are found well beyond the surface.
Keen to incorporate one (or several!) of these ideas into your bath zone? Don’t forget to tell us which ones in the Comments section.
Keen to incorporate one (or several!) of these ideas into your bath zone? Don’t forget to tell us which ones in the Comments section.
If you wish to enhance the mood of your bathroom, line the base of your vanity or medicine cabinet with LED strip lighting, which can also double as a night light when you need to use your bathroom late at night or early in the morning, but don’t want to turn on your bright overhead lights in case they jolt you wide awake from your sleepy state.
2. Add a cubby for your electric gadgets
Want your hairdryer, straightener, electric toothbrush or shaver to be easily accessible but don’t want them cluttering the top of your vanity? A compact nook with a lift-up door (like the one pictured) or pocket doors to stash your grooming gadgets may be just what you need. Position the compact cabinet on top of your vanity so that it sits at a comfortable and convenient height, and in front of an electrical outlet so the devices can remain plugged in, charged and ready to go at all times.
Alternatively, if countertop space is at a premium, you might like to consider incorporating a drawer that boasts a built-in electrical outlet into your vanity or bathroom cupboard instead.
Read more: Solve Your Hairdryer Woes With These Simple Storage Solutions
Want your hairdryer, straightener, electric toothbrush or shaver to be easily accessible but don’t want them cluttering the top of your vanity? A compact nook with a lift-up door (like the one pictured) or pocket doors to stash your grooming gadgets may be just what you need. Position the compact cabinet on top of your vanity so that it sits at a comfortable and convenient height, and in front of an electrical outlet so the devices can remain plugged in, charged and ready to go at all times.
Alternatively, if countertop space is at a premium, you might like to consider incorporating a drawer that boasts a built-in electrical outlet into your vanity or bathroom cupboard instead.
Read more: Solve Your Hairdryer Woes With These Simple Storage Solutions
3. Raise the bar with a slide-out step
Do you have youngsters who struggle to reach the basin in your family bathroom, or everyday items that sit on top of your vanity, on high shelves or in tall cupboards they find difficult to access because of their diminutive height? A pull-out or fold-down step is a nifty addition for any family bathroom (notice how the step in this transitional space is disguised as a run-of-the-mill drawer). Position it at the base of your vanity or other cabinetry in your bathroom that your little ones may need to access.
It may also prove useful when cleaning, as it will allow you to dust and wipe over hard-to-reach spots, like the top of your mirror or medicine cabinet.
Do you have youngsters who struggle to reach the basin in your family bathroom, or everyday items that sit on top of your vanity, on high shelves or in tall cupboards they find difficult to access because of their diminutive height? A pull-out or fold-down step is a nifty addition for any family bathroom (notice how the step in this transitional space is disguised as a run-of-the-mill drawer). Position it at the base of your vanity or other cabinetry in your bathroom that your little ones may need to access.
It may also prove useful when cleaning, as it will allow you to dust and wipe over hard-to-reach spots, like the top of your mirror or medicine cabinet.
4. Divide and conquer clutter with drawer organisers
Bring order to messy drawers with inserts that divide the storage space into separate, easy-to-manage (and navigate) sections for different bath-time and grooming essentials, like razors, brushes and combs, and skincare. This clever, clutter-free set-up shows how it’s done. A deep, roomy drawer conceals two smaller drawers, each of which boast removable organisers that can be taken out when in use and reconfigured when the need arises.
Jute vanity with drawer inserts: Kohler
Read more: How to Organise Your Bathroom Storage So You Can Relax
Bring order to messy drawers with inserts that divide the storage space into separate, easy-to-manage (and navigate) sections for different bath-time and grooming essentials, like razors, brushes and combs, and skincare. This clever, clutter-free set-up shows how it’s done. A deep, roomy drawer conceals two smaller drawers, each of which boast removable organisers that can be taken out when in use and reconfigured when the need arises.
Jute vanity with drawer inserts: Kohler
Read more: How to Organise Your Bathroom Storage So You Can Relax
5. Push for innovative drawer runners and door hinges
It’s not pleasant waking up to the sound of someone slamming bathroom drawers and cupboard doors early in the morning when they’re hurriedly trying to get ready so they can race out the door. Nor is the sharp, shooting pain you feel after slamming your fingers in these cabinet fronts. That’s why innovative drawer systems and door hinges (like push-touch drawers, and soft-close drawer runners and doors) are a solid investment for any bathroom, especially for those designed for families with young kids, or people with motor or mobility issues. Not only do they offer smooth and silent function, but they’re also safer, extremely durable and ergonomic, too.
It’s not pleasant waking up to the sound of someone slamming bathroom drawers and cupboard doors early in the morning when they’re hurriedly trying to get ready so they can race out the door. Nor is the sharp, shooting pain you feel after slamming your fingers in these cabinet fronts. That’s why innovative drawer systems and door hinges (like push-touch drawers, and soft-close drawer runners and doors) are a solid investment for any bathroom, especially for those designed for families with young kids, or people with motor or mobility issues. Not only do they offer smooth and silent function, but they’re also safer, extremely durable and ergonomic, too.
6. Opt for mirrors inside and out
While mirrored doors are a standard inclusion on most medicine cabinets, when shopping around for one for your bath zone or talking custom bathroom storage options with your designer, we suggest opting for one that boasts a mirrored interior, too. Why? As you can see looking at this sleek cabinet, a mirrored back panel will allow you to see items that are hidden at the back of your cabinet, which means you’ll be able to find and access whatever you’re looking for quickly and with ease. This particular design also features an adjustable built-in magnifying mirror that slides up or down for users of different heights.
Verdera medicine cabinet: Kohler
While mirrored doors are a standard inclusion on most medicine cabinets, when shopping around for one for your bath zone or talking custom bathroom storage options with your designer, we suggest opting for one that boasts a mirrored interior, too. Why? As you can see looking at this sleek cabinet, a mirrored back panel will allow you to see items that are hidden at the back of your cabinet, which means you’ll be able to find and access whatever you’re looking for quickly and with ease. This particular design also features an adjustable built-in magnifying mirror that slides up or down for users of different heights.
Verdera medicine cabinet: Kohler
7. Hide a washer/dryer inside your vanity
Live in a pokey apartment that lacks a laundry? Then you may like to take design cues from the crafty set-up pictured here. When closed, this vanity appears to have six roomy drawers, but pull on any handle on the right hand side and the trio of drawers (which is actually a cleverly disguised cupboard door made from three drawer fronts that have been attached together) opens to reveal a washer/dryer inside. Genius!
Live in a pokey apartment that lacks a laundry? Then you may like to take design cues from the crafty set-up pictured here. When closed, this vanity appears to have six roomy drawers, but pull on any handle on the right hand side and the trio of drawers (which is actually a cleverly disguised cupboard door made from three drawer fronts that have been attached together) opens to reveal a washer/dryer inside. Genius!
8. Select cabinet doors that stay out of the way
Hands up if you’ve almost taken yourself out when opening a medicine cabinet door that opens outwards (no, just me?). Or perhaps you simply find side-swinging cabinet doors annoying because they block your view and get in your way when open? Either way, whether your bathroom storage woes are centred around safety or convenience, you may like to reconsider regular doors in favour of ones that lift or slide up, like the up-lift mirrored panel pictured here. Some pull-up door systems are also semi-automated for added functionality and user-friendly appeal.
See more of this mid-century modern bathroom
Hands up if you’ve almost taken yourself out when opening a medicine cabinet door that opens outwards (no, just me?). Or perhaps you simply find side-swinging cabinet doors annoying because they block your view and get in your way when open? Either way, whether your bathroom storage woes are centred around safety or convenience, you may like to reconsider regular doors in favour of ones that lift or slide up, like the up-lift mirrored panel pictured here. Some pull-up door systems are also semi-automated for added functionality and user-friendly appeal.
See more of this mid-century modern bathroom
9. Introduce space-maximising solutions
In bathrooms where space is at a premium, it’s important that the storage solutions you incorporate into the zone are smart and use every last centimetre of room available. Take this clever bathroom cabinet for example. Rather than fitting the tall, deep, narrow cupboard out with basic shelving, a pull-out storage system has been used instead to maximise space and ensure that the cabinet’s contents are always visible and easy to access.
Corner drawers, rotating carousels for awkward nooks and built-in compartments on the back of cupboard doors are other crafty storage solutions you might like to consider.
See more of this master ensuite
In bathrooms where space is at a premium, it’s important that the storage solutions you incorporate into the zone are smart and use every last centimetre of room available. Take this clever bathroom cabinet for example. Rather than fitting the tall, deep, narrow cupboard out with basic shelving, a pull-out storage system has been used instead to maximise space and ensure that the cabinet’s contents are always visible and easy to access.
Corner drawers, rotating carousels for awkward nooks and built-in compartments on the back of cupboard doors are other crafty storage solutions you might like to consider.
See more of this master ensuite
A hide-away hamper that looks like an ordinary drawer or cupboard is another neat idea that will enhance the look and functionality of your bathroom, as it will free up floor space and hide your dirty laundry from sight.
12. Go high-tech
Are you a fan of cutting-edge technology? Why not give your bathroom cabinets the high-tech treatment? For those who wish they could watch the news while getting ready in the bathroom every morning, or an episode of their favourite TV show while soaking in the tub at night, you might be keen to splash out on a medicine cabinet that features a mirrored door with an integrated LCD TV screen. Alternatively, you might like to kit out your cabinetry with in-built speakers so you can listen to the radio or mood-enhancing music while preparing for the day or night ahead.
If entertainment-focused cabinet add-ons aren’t really your thing and you’d prefer handy, high-tech inclusions that are more practical in style, consider incorporating a mirrored medicine cabinet with in-built, dimmable lights or an electric defogger into your space instead.
M Series flat plain mirror cabinet with integrated TV: Robern
Are you a fan of cutting-edge technology? Why not give your bathroom cabinets the high-tech treatment? For those who wish they could watch the news while getting ready in the bathroom every morning, or an episode of their favourite TV show while soaking in the tub at night, you might be keen to splash out on a medicine cabinet that features a mirrored door with an integrated LCD TV screen. Alternatively, you might like to kit out your cabinetry with in-built speakers so you can listen to the radio or mood-enhancing music while preparing for the day or night ahead.
If entertainment-focused cabinet add-ons aren’t really your thing and you’d prefer handy, high-tech inclusions that are more practical in style, consider incorporating a mirrored medicine cabinet with in-built, dimmable lights or an electric defogger into your space instead.
M Series flat plain mirror cabinet with integrated TV: Robern
TELL US
Which of these clever cabinet ideas are you keen to incorporate into your bathroom? Or does your bath zone already boast tricked-out cupboards and drawers? We’d love to know, so please share your thoughts and suggestions in the Comments section.
MORE
Should You Put the Medicine Cabinet On the Bathroom Wall or In It?
Find a Bathroom Vanity That Suits the Way You Live
Clever Design Ideas for Your Bathroom Vanity
10 Ways to Add Extra Storage to Your Bathroom
Which of these clever cabinet ideas are you keen to incorporate into your bathroom? Or does your bath zone already boast tricked-out cupboards and drawers? We’d love to know, so please share your thoughts and suggestions in the Comments section.
MORE
Should You Put the Medicine Cabinet On the Bathroom Wall or In It?
Find a Bathroom Vanity That Suits the Way You Live
Clever Design Ideas for Your Bathroom Vanity
10 Ways to Add Extra Storage to Your Bathroom
Do you often struggle to find items in your bathroom cabinet because it’s so dark inside? Then in-built cabinet lighting will solve all your problems. Opt for recessed downlights (use glass shelves in your cabinet or open shelving unit, rather than ones made from solid materials like timber or stainless steel, as this will allow the light to filter through to the bottom of the cabinet), or try a back-lit panel that illuminates the entire storage space, like the one shown here.
For added functionality, rather than a switch-operated light, select a sensor light that automatically turns on and off once the cabinet door is opened or closed.
See more of this modern bathroom