Can You Put Any Cabinet in a Bathroom?

If you watch any DIY home improvement shows, you’ve probably seen some clever bathroom cabinet alternatives, like an antique dresser or a leftover kitchen cabinet being repurposed as a bathroom vanity.

While many of these ideas can help you save money or add some design flair, it’s important to remember that the bathroom has some particular requirements.

So, if you’re wondering, “can I put any cabinet in a bathroom?” let’s look at the key elements of bathroom cabinets first:

When finished, you’ll know whether a particular cabinet can work in your bathroom space.

Before purchasing a new cabinet for your bathroom, check the height dimension. Bathroom cabinets should be about 30-32 inches tall. This is slightly shorter than standard kitchen or laundry cabinets, which average about 34-36 inches tall.

Why the height difference? Because your bathroom routines are different than those in the kitchen or laundry room.

For example, when leaning over the sink to wash your face or brush your teeth, you need a little bit more room to stand comfortably. If you’ve ever used an extra-tall bathroom vanity, you probably noticed how awkward it felt. Especially if there was a countertop vessel sink.

Now, if you’re on the taller side, you might want an extra-tall bathroom cabinet. But if you’re used to standard bathroom vanities, we recommend sticking with the 30-32 inch height.

Your bathroom cabinet will need to have room for a sink. If you already have a sink picked out, make sure to measure its size, so you’ll know whether the cabinet has enough depth to accommodate it. If the space is too shallow, you’ll need either a different sink or a new cabinet, depending on which one is more important to you.

Your bathroom cabinet must also be strong enough to hold the sink in place. Materials like fiberglass or porcelain aren’t quite as heavy, but if you’re planning on concrete or enameled cast iron, you may need cabinet reinforcements to withstand the extra weight. This is particularly critical for under-mount sinks, which, unlike drop-in or vessel sinks, don’t have a countertop to support them.

Keep in mind that the cabinet must also have room for the faucet. Many drop-in sinks come with pre-drilled holes for the faucet placement, but if you’re going with an under-mount or vessel sink, you’ll need at least 5-7 inches of cabinet surface space on top of the sink depth.

Most standard bathroom cabinets are 21 inches deep, which leaves plenty of room for both a sink and a faucet. But if you need a slimmer profile, you could opt for a wall-mounted faucet.

Note that the installation costs of wall-mounted plumbing tend to be higher, but the design aesthetic is beautiful. It all just depends on your style and budget.

In addition to height and depth, it’s important to ensure your bathroom cabinet can accommodate plumbing pipes below it.

This is something that DIYer’s often forget when attempting to upcycle a cabinet for the bathroom. You might find a gorgeous cabinet that seems perfect for your bathroom remodel, only to realize that your cabinet has all drawers and can’t fit a drain line. It’s possible to retrofit a cabinet with drawers, but you’ll probably pay extra to hire a professional, which defeats the savings of a DIY job.

If you have a small bathroom space or you’re looking for a particular style, you could opt for a custom bathroom cabinet. That way, you won’t have to worry about plumbing configurations because the professionals will handle it for you. To get a free upfront quote on custom cabinetry, contact Cabinet Coatings today. Our friendly and knowledgeable cabinet experts are standing by, ready to help bring your dream bathroom to life!

Last but not least, you’ll need to consider the cabinet’s drawer vs. door configuration because it will heavily impact the usability of your bathroom.

For example, if you spend a lot of time getting ready each day, you may benefit from having multiple cabinet drawers that can neatly store your toiletries, makeup, and hair care accessories. Especially if your bathroom is small, and you don’t have a medicine cabinet or shelf space.

On the other hand, if you’re in and out of the bathroom quickly and don’t need a ton of storage space, a cabinet with doors may suit you just fine (they tend to cost less too).

In any case, it’s important to reflect on the number of drawers and doors before deciding to put a cabinet in your bathroom. No matter how beautiful the cabinet may be, functionality is key!