We’ve all seen the inspiring bathroom pictures on blogs and in magazines. They have freshly laundered towels folded or rolled just perfectly, gorgeous bouquets of fresh flowers and carefully curated countertop accessories. There’s not a toothbrush or stick of deodorant in sight. And so we wonder quietly to ourselves…..do people actually live like that?
The answer is a combination of yes and no. Bathrooms, like kitchens, are functional spaces first, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be pretty. Those perfectly styled photos you see are just that, perfectly styled….for that photo. There is a very real person who uses that bathroom, and God knows they use deodorant and toothpaste……at least I hope they do. So where do they keep all those daily necessities that you never see in the perfectly curated pictures?
That is the main question Linda, a reader who submitted her bathroom for today’s design dilemma topic, was asking. She’s in the process of giving her master bathroom a little update on a budget. One of her main goals is to tackle the issue of bathroom storage, so that she can clear off the countertop.
A Design Yes or No?
Linda’s husband doesn’t want to keep his daily toiletries in the cabinet down below the sink. He prefers to have his things ready at hand. But Linda wants the countertop clutter-free. While bringing in mirrored medicine cabinets would be the most functional solution to her bathroom storage woes, she’s worried they’ll look dated.
But I think medicine cabinets are making a comeback. And thanks to retailers like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware they’ve certainly never looked better.
I mean, this here ain’t your grandma’s medicine cabinet. And how great does it look on that matte black tile?!
As you can see medicine cabinets come in a wide variety of styles and price points these days. I think the most budget friendly options are those that are wall mounted as opposed to those that are recessed. But really that all depends on your level of diy skills. Obviously a wall mounted version will be the easiest to install.
Budget Bathroom Update
So I say YES bring in a couple of clean-lined medicine cabinets that will both solve the storage issue and look great.
(sconce, medicine cabinet, soap dispenser, towel)
A grey color on the walls that meshes well with the color of the countertop will really make the white medicine cabinets shine. I love the combination of grey and white with warm wood tones, so I’d leave the bathroom cabinet as is.
So what do you all think? Personally I think the most important thing in any space in your home is how well the design works for you, so functionality is hugely important to me. And I think medicine cabinets are ideal in this scenario, with Linda’s husband wanting easy access to his toiletries. Plus, I think they would look really great, so it’s a win-win. Do you think medicine cabinets are a design yes or no? I myself am considering using this one in my son’s super small bathroom…..when I eventually get around to sprucing it up. 😉 I really love the sliding door feature!
Medicine cabinets for the win. I put them in our last home’s master bath remodel and I miss them in our new one. I have several pinned for the future. I don’t understand why they went away. I don’t need a full frontal view every am and pm. I have a full length mirror for that. Just need to see my face and hair, thanks you very much!