As the old adage states, form follows function. If you’re thinking about updating your bathroom cabinets, consider functional requirements, as well as aesthetics.
Great bathroom design is all about striking a balance between style and practicality.
We chatted to Aimee and Frank Tarulli from Thomas Archer to seek their expert tips and bathroom cabinet ideas for the ultimate master bathroom. With Aimee’s interior styling expertise and Frank’s building experience, they’ve covered everything from custom bathroom cabinets and vanities to mirrored and recessed cabinets.
1. Consider mirrored cabinets to maximise space
According to Aimee, often when designing bathrooms, you’re working with a smaller space that can be challenging to get enough of everything into.
She recommends thinking about clever ways to maximise the space and create the illusion of a larger room. Mirrored cabinets are brilliant at providing not only a storage solution but will reflect the finishes and trick the eye into thinking the space may be larger than it is.
“Mirrored cabinets are always a preference for our clients as they double the storage space in the bathroom and bring all the everyday bathroom essentials at eye level without the need to physically bend down to access lower cupboards or drawers,” says Frank.
2. Use tall wall cabinets for bonus storage
Thinking about wall-hung bathroom cabinets? Aimee says that if you have the space in a bathroom, tall wall cabinets are a great idea. Tall bathroom cabinets affixed to the wall provide maximum storage space and can even double up as another option for linen storage.
Aimee says bathroom wall cabinets can keep linen like towels at the ready and easy to access. Plus, bulky items like toilet rolls are also cleverly tucked away in wall storage without being out on display.
Frank’s thoughts for wall-mounted bathroom cabinets: “Wall cabinets work best when tucked behind a door so they don’t take up visual bulk in the room”.
3. It’s all about the vanity
Whether you’re looking at floating bathroom cabinets, slimline bathroom cabinets, or still figuring out your bathroom cabinet designs, it’s important to consider the bathroom vanity.
Frank says: “A beautifully designed vanity can be a showstopper in any bathroom”. He recommends looking for clever and unique ways to incorporate stylish interior design elements – like a floating shelf – or opportunities to use interesting materials to make the vanity eye-catching.
“Consider the length and weight of the vanity when planning,” says Frank. “Floating vanities look great but you will need to carefully consider the weight and if the joinery unit needs a concealed kicker for support.”
According to Aimee, a great vanity will have maximum storage and room for everything. She says it’s a good idea to plan your vanity with the items you use most in mind – consider how many personal appliances you have and use every day and how often you need to access them.
“Opting for drawers over cupboards will mean easy and quick access to everything and the ability to have everything in eyes reach. Cupboards are often a more cost-effective solution however keep in mind the amount of potential ‘dead space’ you may be left with in the hard-to-reach backs of deep vanity cupboards,” Aimee says.
4. Don’t forget about your sink
Thinking about bathroom basin cabinets or bathroom sink cabinets? Frank says: “When planning your vanity carefully consider the sink you choose. An under-counter sink will take up precious space within the vanity, so if storage is tight, consider a top mount counter basin so you are left with more room to play with in the vanity.”
5. Consider your finishing touches
When it comes to cabinet finishes, Aimee says they need to work back to the overall colour scheme.
“Often, matching to base cabinets or the vanity or opting for basic shade like black and white will tie the look together,” says Aimee. “If the sides of a shaving cabinet are visible, ensure a finish is specified so you don’t end up with white melamine on areas that are visible.
“Consider an overall colour theme for the bathroom and ensure your cabinet colours all work together with tile choices and fixtures. It’s a great idea to get samples of everything and create your own mood board so you can get a visual feel of the whole room and how all the finishes work together.”
Frank recommends thinking about who is using the bathroom and the durability of different surfaces and how they perform.
“A laminate material is hard-wearing and great in family bathrooms where children are using cabinets every day. These surface options look great and stand to the durability and water test well,” says Frank. Not to mention they pair well with the floor tiles too.
All images supplied by Thomas Archer. Photography by James Geer, Styling: Aimee Tarulli, Build: Thomas Archer.
This article was originally published as How to select a bathroom cabinet by realestate.com.au written by Erin Morris.