The cabinet directly above the basin is one of the hardest working pieces of bathroom furniture you will ever own. It frames the mirror or replaces it, holds the items you reach for every morning, and sets the tone for the whole room. Choosing the right one is a quiet decision that has loud consequences for daily life. At Furniture in Fashion we have helped shoppers make this exact choice many times over, and these are the questions worth thinking through before you commit.
Start with the wall, not the cabinet. Measure the width available between any obstacles such as a window, shaver socket or light switch. Measure the height from the top of the basin to the ceiling and decide how much air you want above the unit. As a rule, leave at least 25 centimetres between the rim of the basin and the underside of the cabinet, so you can wash your face comfortably.
The cabinet should never overhang the basin. A cabinet slightly narrower than the basin tends to look balanced, while one of equal width can feel heavy. If the cabinet is wider than the basin, the room reads as poorly proportioned even when nothing else is wrong.
A mirrored front saves a separate mirror and bounces light around. A solid door hides clutter and gives you a clean architectural line. Open shelving creates a relaxed feel and works in larger bathrooms, although it does demand discipline with what is on display. Browse our full range of bathroom cabinets to see all three approaches side by side.
An LED strip across the top or sides of the cabinet does more than look smart. It throws even light across the face, which is something a single ceiling pendant rarely manages. If you currently rely on overhead lighting alone, an illuminated cabinet can replace your existing wall light and tidy the wiring in one move. Pair it with appropriate bathroom lighting elsewhere in the room for layered brightness.
Adjustable shelves are worth more than they sound. Toothbrush holders, electric razors and skincare bottles vary wildly in height, and fixed shelving wastes the space above shorter items. Look for at least two adjustable shelves and a small interior socket if you charge a toothbrush or shaver inside the cabinet.
Bathrooms swing between dry and humid throughout the day. Moisture resistant finishes such as lacquered wood, painted MDF with sealed edges and powder coated metal tend to hold up well over the years. Avoid raw timber unless it has been sealed for damp environments.
The cabinet should speak the same visual language as the rest of the room. A vanity in oak pairs well with a cabinet in similar tones or a quiet contrast such as soft black. Shopping for both at the same time helps, and our bathroom vanities include matching wall units in many of the same ranges.
Most above sink cabinets are wall hung, which means you need a wall that can carry the load. Stud walls are fine for lighter cabinets if fixings are placed into the timber. Heavier units with integrated lighting and mirrored doors benefit from being mounted into masonry or with a sturdy timber batten across studs. If in doubt, ask a fitter to check before drilling.
Soft close hinges are quiet in the early hours and reduce wear on the cabinet over time. If your bathroom is narrow, check whether the doors are hinged or whether they slide. Hinged doors need room to swing, which can clash with sconces or tap handles in tight layouts. A bathroom mirror nearby with a clear surround can also help you judge whether the cabinet feels visually balanced in the space.
Aim for at least 25 centimetres between the basin rim and the underside of the cabinet, with the top edge sitting around 180 to 200 centimetres from the floor for comfortable access.
No. A cabinet slightly narrower than the basin looks balanced. Anything wider tends to make the wall feel top heavy.
They are not better in every situation, but they do save space and add storage. In small bathrooms they almost always make sense.
Lacquered or painted finishes with fully sealed edges resist steam well. Stainless steel and powder coated metal are also reliable in busy family bathrooms.
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