The Bathroom Mirror Cabinets Every Modern Home Needs

Efficient storage solutions are one of the most underestimated tools in the design of functional and attractive bathrooms. Not as an afterthought, but an integral part of the layout and practical use of the bathroom. With all the toiletries, cleaning products, cosmetics and medications that we keep in the average bathroom, practical storage is a godsend. But instead of being a problem, storage combined with a mirror becomes an opportunity in bathroom layouts. Through this article, we are going to look at how the bathroom cabinet mirror can add good looks and make daily grooming and cleaning routines easy. We will look at decorative ideas for the family bathroom and the courtesy toilet that combine storage and mirrors.

Tall bathroom mirror cabinet with interiors in Sable finish. 45×144 cm

Good Bathroom Organisation

Over the years, bathroom artefacts have been honed and refined to what they are today, converting the bathroom into a well-oiled machine. Nevertheless, there have never been so many expectations placed on the domestic bathroom as there are today. We want our bathrooms to be home spas, where we can take refuge from the stresses of life. We want our bathrooms to be beauty parlours where we can apply make-up, style our hair and perform other grooming routines. And naturally, we want our bathrooms to be clean. Given that the family bathroom serves multiple users, it’s no surprise then that storage for all these uses is quintessential. But why is storage so important to get right?

#01      Making the most of available space:  contemporary bathrooms are not typically big spaces. So, we must be highly organised and efficient with every square centimetre. Good storage will make the most of the bathroom layout and help avoid clutter.

#02      Facilitating daily routine: most of the things we do on a daily basis we do without thinking. Providing bathroom storage in a logical and orderly organisation saves time and makes life a little easier. Bathroom mirror cabinets above the vanity unit, for example, for cosmetics and medicines, are an essential part of morning routines.

#03      Avoid visual clutter: While you may want to display some grooming products on open shelving, most are better off out of view. And that also goes for cleaning products, even more so. Hidden storage behind a mirrored cabinet panel helps to declutter and visually elevate the bathroom space.

Pairing Bathroom Storage & Bathroom Mirrors

There are practical and aesthetic reasons to combine storage solutions with bathroom mirrors. Given that good light is one of the most important features of any bathroom, the mirror is a great way to reflect any available illumination. The effect helps to brighten the space, especially with reflections of natural daylight within the bathroom. Similarly, the placement of the mirror at a focal point in the bathroom layout adds to the perception of space. With a full-length mirror, it can appear to literally double it. Even above a vanity unit, the effect of the reflections is noteworthy and adds depth.

Then there are the decorative possibilities offered by bathroom cabinet mirrors. As a bathroom fitting, the cabinet reflects and elevates the style of the décor. Nowadays, especially the range of options available is vast. That includes everything from the latest high-tech medicine cabinets to more sculptural furniture options. In fact, the bathroom cabinet mirror can become a focal point of the entire design.

The Best Mirror Cabinet for Bathroom Storage Options

So, it makes sense to bring these two staples of contemporary bathroom design together. What are the most practical options for combining storage and mirrors? The following mirror cabinet suggestions describe the various typologies of furniture items that integrate mirrors and storage within a single design. One or more of these will be suitable for any bathroom configuration, no matter what the style.

Smart Bathroom mirror cabinet with two doors and sidelight. 80×70 cm

Bathroom cabinet with mirror

The classic bathroom fitting is centred on the Wash Hand Basin or vanity unit below. The height should coincide with the eye line, in other words, between 160 and 170 cm off the bathroom floor. Leave a gap between the top of the sink and the bottom of the cabinet; this area should be tiled to protect the bathroom walls from splashes. As a rule, the cabinet should be roughly the same width as the sink below. Keep any opening sections free from the faucet. Remember to leave provision for lighting, which should project an even light over the face.

Mirror 120×60 cm with frame shelf in Fresno Nigra finish

Floating shelving & mirror combination

While some medicines and cleaning products should be kept out of sight, especially for family bathrooms, other bathroom items are best stored within easy reach. The design of some toiletries, on the other hand, is simply too beautiful to hide away. Bathroom mirrors with shelves are stylish and save on valuable space. Choose a simple geometric shape with adjustable height shelving or add width to the frame holding the mirror in place, and use it as a practical shelf.

Full-length mirror

For some time now, we have been looking for inspiration from professional spas in the design of the home bathroom. That goes for every element, from the sanitary artefacts to luxurious towels and robes. A tall mirrored bathroom cabinet, either floating or free-standing, adds to the luxurious sensation of pampering. In addition to providing a holistic view of our body, the extra space is ideal for hanging bathrobes.

Swivel bathroom mirror with back shelves 90 cm

Swivel mirror & shelving combination

A more contemporary and flexible solution takes its cue from the adjustable retractable lens mirror. A vertical mirror is held off the bathroom wall on a pivoting column support. The blank side of the mirror contains standard shelving for items that are hidden when the mirror faces outwards. Yet they are placed at handy reach when required.

Storage & Mirrors for Small Bathrooms & WCs

Keep things simple in your powder room or guest WC. A vanity unit combined with bathroom mirror shelving should be perfectly adequate. Furthermore, a simple mirror attached to the wall takes up much less volume and adds visual depth. Add a few decorative objects sitting on the shelf, reflected in the mirror, for character.

Wall-mounted bathroom mirror cabinet Pure Black

Adding Lighting to Bathroom Mirror Cabinets

To get the full-on benefits of the bathroom cabinet mirror, combine it with lighting. There are several different options to choose from that add a stylish flourish. Nevertheless, whatever light you choose, it should provide good colour rendering and project an even light, with no shadows. Sunlight provides the most accurate colour rendering; however, that’s not always possible in a cabinet mirror. So, opt for a light bulb with a colour temperature of between 5000K and 6500K for optimum results when applying makeup or grooming.

One of the following bathroom mirror cabinets with lights design suggestions will work for your bathroom or WC:

Built-in LED lighting: the LED bathroom mirror cabinet is energy-efficient and sleek. LED lighting projects an even illumination and is infinitely more flexible than traditional halogen or fluorescent options.

Strip-lighting: the simple silhouette and no-fuss design is efficient and attractive. Place directly over the cabinet mirror or to either side.

Applique: also known as wall lights or sconces, this option is perfect for making a design statement. There is a great variety of fittings to choose from, appropriate for any style you want to create. Attach to either side of the wall next to the mirror in a symmetrical layout.

Pendant light: for a more bespoke solution to cabinet lighting, install a hanging light fitting over the cabinet mirror. But make sure to use an IP-rated bulb.

Concealed lighting: Use LED strips as hidden lighting that provides a glow or halo effect around the frame of the bathroom cabinet. This lighting can be combined with other direct light sources, adding depth and dimension to the bathroom space.

Decorative Ideas for Mirrored Storage

Anyone who has ever designed a bathroom knows that every centimetre counts. As well as all the practical storage demands placed on contemporary bathrooms, we also want to express our own stamp on the décor. With a well-thought-out configuration and clever design, any bathroom has the potential to be calming and inspirational. And the mirror surface is an essential part of that equation. Moreover, mirrored bathroom wall cabinets help to visually extend the space.

#01      Think outside the box

With clever sliding door mechanisms, bathroom mirror cabinets don’t have to be rectangular anymore. Circular or oval-shaped designs might be the perfect way to add geometric or organic curves to the interior décor. The mirrored doors operate via a sliding mechanism which provides easy access to the cabinet contents.

90×30 cm framed mirrors with Sable finish
45×144 cm tall bathroom mirror cabinet, interior in Sable finish

#02      Two cabinet mirrors for a double vanity unit

If you have the space for a double-vanity unit, then adding two separate mirrors is a practical storage solution. Keep the mirrors aligned but separate. The effect is pure luxury and adds light and reflectance to the bathroom.

#03      Create a storage & mirror collage

Combine several elements in a composition, including bathroom cabinet mirrors, a vanity unit and floating storage units with shelves. Centre the mirrored bathroom cabinet on the WHB and install the other storage elements to hand. We recommend choosing elements with a common thread, either a material or a shared style.

Structure + mirror Column Seda

#04      Keep things minimal

Add a minimalist decorative flourish to bathroom décor with a frameless mirror supported on a metal column paired with a metal storage tray. The look is ultra-modern and is best suited to storing toiletries in attractive packaging.

#05      Reconditioned vintage dressers

There has been a marked trend in recent years to treat the bathroom as a habitable room. Vintage pieces of furniture, such as reconditioned dressers with drawers and an antique-style mirror, are popular. An element like this can add oodles of character and rustic charm. Pieces like these can complement but not replace a bathroom cabinet.

Summary

The combination of a bathroom mirror and storage is both practical and attractive. We looked at how storage is an underestimated tool in creating a chic and luxurious bathroom décor. And we’ve also explained how mirrors are useful in bathroom layouts beyond their use for personal grooming. Before installing your bathroom mirror cabinet, follow this checklist to help you avoid mistakes.

• Measure the available wall space and choose a suitable size cabinet mirror. Storage mirrors for bathrooms come in a variety of dimensions. Typically, they are slightly narrower in width than the WHB.
• The depth of the cabinet should not exceed 60 cm (24 inches) and measure no less than 45 cm (18 inches) to be useful without interfering with the bathroom sink.
• Place the mirrored cabinet at eye-level, centred on the WHB or vanity unit.
• Prepare an inventory of bathroom items to be stored. And remember to include cleaning products. We recommend organising different types of products in separate storage solutions with child-proof closing mechanisms.
• Include lighting when choosing a bathroom mirror with lights, whether the source is integrated or separate. Generally, it’s best to combine direct and indirect light sources to provide task and ambient light.
• For easy access to toiletries, a bathroom mirror with a shelf provides the ideal storage solution in small bathrooms.
• Choose a style that complements the overall bathroom décor.

120×30 cm mirrors in Sable finish with built-in LED lighting

Add Storage to your Bathroom Mirror

We have listed the numerous advantages of a bathroom mirror with storage in this article. Whether you choose a custom-made cabinet or a high-tech medicine cabinet, good storage transforms the bathroom experience. In addition, it makes cleaning and maintenance a lot easier. To explore the large variety of bathroom mirror cabinets available today, we recommend a visit to your nearest Porcelanosa showroom. Browse the different options online before seeing them in reality, and remember to jot down a few measurements to take with you. Meanwhile, drop us a line with any queries regarding the content of this article.

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