Burning Question: Mirror Or Medicine?
We’re back with another bathroom question and this time it’s all about what you love above the sink. Do you prefer a medicine cabinet for a bit of concealed storage? Or do you love the sleek clean-lined look of a mirror without anything hidden behind it? Would a bathroom without a medicine cabinet be a deal breaker? Or do you love the lighter look of a mirror without all the hidden Advil?
We’re itching to hear where you stand on the issue. In fact, we whipped up this handy little poll to keep everything tabulated:
[poll id="13"]
We’d love to hear more about why you voted the way you did, so feel free to comment away with more details.
Image courtesy of Pottery Barn.
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I love the recesses cabinets (best of both worlds), but our old house was lacking. My handy huband made an exra deep recess in the wall, finished the interior, installed glass shelves and built a mirror with ledge/shelf as the door. It is fabulous!
I think it depends on the bathroom – ideally I would like a large mirror with storage elsewhere, but in our teeny tiny master bath, I really appreciate having a recessed medicine cabinet.
I thought of something that might make a good “burning question” or maybe just a topic for a post. What do you do when people give you home-decor type gifts that you don’t really like? We recently bought a new house and my mother-in-law is constantly buying stuff for us to decorate with. It’s all very nice (and often expensive) stuff, but our aesthetics are very different and most of it just doesn’t jibe with how I see our space. But I’d hate to come off as ungrateful or hurt her feelings (my in-laws are wonderful).
So…put the stuff out for a while, then move it into storage? Just learn to love it? Only put it out when they’re visiting? (That last option doesn’t really work for us since we see our parents almost daily.) Curious to know what others do in these situations…
What I find so interesting about medicine cabinets, is how many people go snooping through others cabinets. It’s amazing how many people will openly tell you they always sneak a peak. I’ve always wanted to fill mine with balls (marbles or golf balls) so the person gets caught. ;)
We were presented with this problem in our bathroom. We chose to go with a big mirror over the vanity, and then hid the medicine cabinet behind a print on canvas (of our clawfoot tub during the renovation), which opens on a simple hinge. The best part is that nosey guests probably would not know it is there.
You can see pics of the bathroom here if you like: http://ourcastlereno.blogspot.com/2009/05/bathroom-before-and-afters.html
Love the blog!
Personally I think that medicine cabinets are never big enough for the stuff you need, and from what I’ve learned from a few of the comments, they aren’t all that great for your medicine. I would rather have some storage under the cabinet, or one of those plastic drawer sets in the hallway linen closet. Its better than trying to fit things in the cabinet only to have it tumble out every time you need contact solution.
You always seem to read my mind with your timely posts. I’ve been contemplating this very question with my master bathroom that currently has the large plate mirror over the double sink vanity (boring). I was thinking we may have to go with the double inset medicine cabinet idea since there is not any good storage in there for toothpaste and whatnot. I’m not looking forward to spending the extra $s though, two mirrors would be so much cheaper.
Congratulations on your baby girl! I’ve been out of the blog loop for a while and was happy to come back and see you had your baby.
Only mirror, but because of lack of space now with hidden storage behind.
I have to say a big NO to medicine cabinets – I’m NOT a fan. I love mirrors though!
I’m with the many other people who said recessed medicine cabinets are the best – though I’ll add a warning that if you replace an old one (like 1960s era), don’t be too shocked if the wall behind it is full of used razorblades! I discovered this through personal experience – you can read the whole story here: http://www.jillcarson.com/blog/2009/10/bathroom-part-i/
If you like medicine cabinets, as I do (our bathroom is too small to do without one), check these out
http://woodessentials.com/
Handcrafted in Brooklyn, NY. We have one in a custom size and we love it!