Bathroom Cabinets

The guide to choosing the perfect bathroom sink cabinet

A bathroom sink cabinet is sometimes the biggest piece of furniture in a bathroom. Since it is most often the focal point, choosing a design that fits your style and functionality is vital. Consider the size and mounting style of the sink you are using when picking a cabinet and countertop.

• Cabinet Types

  

  A bathroom sink cabinet can either house one or two sinks and typically has a range of sizes available. The area under a sink cabinet houses the pipes and mechanical units as well as provides storage. With larger bathroom sink cabinets, drawers are added on either side to provide storage.

• Size

  

  A typical bathroom sink cabinet can range from 18”-60”+ in width and a standard depth of 18”-21”. Traditionally, bathroom sink cabinets stand at 30” tall, but more modern styles provide a height of 36” which reduces strain on the neck and back.

• Utilization

  

  To determine the cabinet size, figure how much interior space you will need to use for storage. If you have a large bathroom with a double vanity, the space under the sink is not as important as a smaller vanity because you will most likely have other storage areas. If you plan to store a waste bin underneath your sink, keep in mind the measurements of the bin when deciding on a cabinet size.

• Materials

  

  The interior of your sink base cabinet should be water resistant, or have a water-resistant coating. Melamine or polyurethane-coated wood are good options. Selecting hardware for your cabinets can be just as time-consuming as selecting the cabinet. Remember that the design of the hardware should be consistent with the overall design of the room.

Tips

• Consider the space the vanity is going in. A master bath will require a larger size bathroom sink cabinet, whereas a powder room will need a smaller size.
• If you have a small bathroom, choose a small sink cabinet with a lot of storage either under the sink or to the sides.
• If you are unconcerned about size, consider a cabinet style with decorative elements and bring in extra furniture for storage purposes.
• Match the style of cabinet to your existing design. A modern vanity in a Tuscan-style bathroom can throw off the look.
• Examine your existing kitchen cabinets and fixtures. Take note of what you don’t like and what you wish you had to make the shopping experience less painful.
• If you are an older citizen and plan to stay in your home through retirement, consider getting pull handle hardware. For arthritic hands, pull handles are easier to maneuver than knobs.
• If you are having trouble finding the right hardware finish, match it to the existing faucet or door handle finishes.