The Best Bathroom Cabinets

Buying Guide

The bathroom is an important area of any house — and in addition to a toilet, sink, and shower or bath, requires plenty of space to put things.  You need storage for your toiletries as well as easy access to towels and washcloths.

MORE: The Best Bathroom Sinks

Before you choose bathroom cabinetry, consider your storage needs. Are you looking for a way to store linens or toiletries? For towels and washrags, you’ll need more space than for smaller items like extra toilet paper or cosmetics.

Look at materials. For today’s bathrooms, you’ll find cabinets in materials like wood, plywood, PVC plastic, and MDF, or medium-density fiberboard. This is an inexpensive, engineered wood product made from sawdust and shavings, dehydrated and then mixed with resin and wax and compressed to form smooth, lightweight panels. Generally speaking, MDF isn’t waterproof or even water-resistant, but manufacturers can make them so by painting and sealing the wood.

You’ll also need to assess the size of the room and find shelving options that will fit into the space you have available. You can find tall, narrow cabinets that will fit in a corner or between your vanity and your toilet. Shorter, wider cabinets are ideal if you have towel racks or other shelving you’re working around.

The décor of your bathroom also comes into play. If you have lighter cabinets and trim in your bathroom, you’ll want to go with a light-colored or even white wood. You can find darker-colored wood to match a bathroom with deep, rich hues. There are even rustic cabinets that will be a great match for farmhouse décor. Whatever look you’re going for, you can find cabinetry that works well.

• Storage space is an important consideration for any cabinetry you choose. Look at where the shelves are located and the depth of each. Some have adjustable shelves that will give you more space if you need it.
• As you install your cabinetry, consider whether younger household members might accidentally tip it over. Heavier furniture could cause injury. You might want to look for cabinetry that attaches securely to the wall to prevent it from falling on someone.
• Bathroom furniture will inevitably gather dust and dirt over time. Look for cabinets with a finish that lets you wipe them clean as needed.
• You’ll inevitably need to assemble your cabinets before you can use them. Some are easier to set up than others. Make sure your cabinets come with all necessary hardware, as well as step-by-step instructions. Bonus points if a cabinet has labeled parts to help walk you through the setup process.
• Durability is a consideration. Look for a cabinet that’s built to last and you won’t have to replace it every few years. Pay attention not only to the type of wood, but also the quality of the hinges and door handles.
• Be sure to measure not only the width and height of your chosen cabinet, but also the depth. This will not only determine how far it sticks out from the wall, but how much you can store inside it.
• Even if you choose a cabinet made from materials that easily hold up in damp conditions like those found in bathrooms, moisture can still wear on the metals in your cabinet. The hinges, screws, bolts and doorknobs may need to be replaced occasionally. You might find they start to rust or corrode over time. Check the integrity of your cabinet every now and then to make sure it won’t fall apart when you least expect it. This is especially important if your cabinet is bolted to the wall, as those bolts may degrade.