Like the 51% of Americans who invested in new bath cabinets last year, you probably know that the right cabinetry can make or break a bathroom design. While you want bathroom cabinets to match your overall aesthetic, there’s more to them than just their appearance.
Storage is always high priority in the bathroom, especially if you’re always short on space for linens, towels, and toiletries (a surefire sign your cabinetry needs an upgrade or refresh). But how do you pick quality custom bath cabinets suited to your needs?
Holland’s Custom Cabinets can help.
Seven Tips for Selecting the Perfect Bathroom Cabinets
Unless you have a degree in design, refurbishing a bathroom can seem overwhelming. To help you get up to speed, let’s take a quick look at seven considerations for selecting new custom bath cabinets.
1. Use the Right Materials
Bathroom cabinets and vanities come in contact with water, spilled makeup, and cleaning products every day. Plus, bathrooms tend to be wetter, hotter, and steamier than other rooms in the house.
To hold up against whatever water you throw at them, you need custom-built bathroom cabinets that are up to the challenge. Otherwise, you’ll be looking at constant repair and replacement.
Certain materials are more suited to warm, moist environments than others. For example, solid wood and wood veneers generally work well in bathrooms, provided they are properly sealed and lacquered. Laminates and thermofoils are also good choices, depending on your needs. The material must also be strong enough to bear the weight of heavy stone, marble, or quartz countertops. Cheap materials are prone to cracking or sagging under load.
2. Pick Your Finish
Besides choosing the right materials, you must also pick an appropriate surface finish for your custom bath cabinets. Most homeowners lean towards laminate because it is highly stain- and water-resistant. If you do choose laminate, we recommend matte finishes. They make smudges, scratches, and stains less visible.
You can also fabricate the basic structure of the cabinets in plywood and finish them off with glass shutters. Glass creates a light, airy look that gives bathrooms a contemporary look.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider finishing bath cabinets with latex paints and primers. Avoid using oil-based products, as they contain higher numbers of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can release vapors and impact health.
3. Account for Storage
The secret to creating a spa-like haven in your home is to outfit your bathroom with ample storage. Imagine the feeling of having extra space for skincare products, shampoo and conditioner, face towels, and more!
Assess the state of your bathroom’s existing storage. What items require a new home (or currently have no home)? Do you need more drawers for bottles and tubes? Would you benefit from adding a couple of extra cabinets for your children? Do you need to accommodate frequent changes in toiletries and other products? What happens if something new gets added to the mix — will it have a place? Answering these questions can help you pick a custom bathroom cabinet design appropriate to your needs.
At Holland’s, we understand that adequate storage is essential for an uncluttered bathroom. That’s why we create custom bath cabinets that combine your unique taste with incredible functionality, including . . .
- Bathroom vanities
- Linen storage cabinets
- Wall cabinets
- Mirrors
- Pullout shelves
- Locking drawers and cabinets
- Floating shelves
- Customized compartments
- Lighted shelves.
4. Make Sure It’s the Perfect Size
When it comes to bathroom cabinet styles, size matters. You need adequate space with room to grow to ensure everything has a place. If you’re not sure how to measure existing cabinet space and plan for expanding it, call the professionals. A professional designer can give you tips on where to begin and what options to consider for optimizing space.
Additionally, cabinets must be sized so that they fit in with the rest of the bath. Cramming a large cabinet system into a tiny bathroom makes no sense, regardless of your storage needs. Instead of giving up on valuable floor space, try stowing products in baskets, hampers, and bags.
5. Find Out Where the Plumbing Goes
The location of your plumbing will likely dictate whether you’ll need a wall- or floor-mounted cabinet system. For example, if the plumbing comes up through the floor, a floor-mounted cabinet can help conceal it. However, if you have your heart set on a wall-mounted cabinet, you might need to reroute pipes and drains.
Here’s a word of advice: rerouting plumbing to install new built-in bathroom cabinets is going to take a big chunk of any budget. Be sure you explore various options and alternatives for upgrading your bathroom without the need for costly plumbing changes.
6. Avoid Matching Too Much
Naturally, you want your cabinets to “go with” everything else in your bathroom. But consider this: many custom bathroom cabinets noted for their form and style, don’t necessarily mirror what’s already there. Rather, they complement existing features.
Consider having at least one hero element in your bathroom — something that adds a contrasting “pop” of color. This could be a cabinet face or a countertop.
For example, neutral tiles and floors pair well with dark-hued cabinets. Alternatively, if you want a white, Shaker-style vanity for your pristine white bathroom, try breaking the monotony with a colored countertop. There’s plenty of room to experiment, so don’t hesitate to get creative!
7. Don’t Cramp Your Style
Your bathroom is your oasis. It’s probably where you start and end your day. It should be an inviting refuge that reflects your personality. When considering custom bathroom cabinet designs, explore different styles and configurations that suit your taste. Don’t be afraid to play with a little color and texture to make a dramatic statement.
We Are Here to Help
The right bathroom cabinetry should keep things organized as well as make for a tranquil space that suits you and your family’s needs. We’re confident that when you pair these seven suggestions with your requirements, you’ll have no trouble creating the bathroom of your dreams! Are you interested in getting new, custom-built bathroom cabinets to refresh your space? If so, reach out to Holland’s Custom Cabinets today. We take pride in offering a wide variety of innovative and eye-catching designs, expert craftsmanship, and premium materials.
