We’ve all seen the inspiring bathroom pictures on blogs and in magazines. Â They have freshly laundered towels folded or rolled just perfectly, gorgeous bouquets of fresh flowers and carefully curated countertop accessories. Â There’s not a toothbrush or stick of deodorant in sight. Â And so we wonder quietly to ourselves…..do people actually live like that?
The answer is a combination of yes and no. Â Bathrooms, like kitchens, are functional spaces first, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be pretty. Â Those perfectly styled photos you see are just that, perfectly styled….for that photo. Â There is a very real person who uses that bathroom, and God knows they use deodorant and toothpaste……at least I hope they do. Â 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. Â 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. Â He prefers to have his things ready at hand. Â But Linda wants the countertop clutter-free. Â 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. Â 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. Â I think the most budget friendly options are those that are wall mounted as opposed to those that are recessed. Â But really that all depends on your level of diy skills. Â 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. Â 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!