Bathroom wall cabinets are a fantastic way to add storage and style to your bathroom. But picking the wrong size can lead to frustration, clutter, or even safety hazards. Whether you’re renovating or simply upgrading your storage, avoiding common mistakes will help you choose a cabinet that fits your space perfectly and meets your needs. Let’s highlight the top mistakes to avoid when selecting bathroom wall cabinet sizes—and how to get it right the first time.
Mistake 1: Not Measuring Your Space Properly
One of the most common blunders is skipping or rushing the measuring step. It’s essential to accurately measure the width, height, and depth of the wall space where you want to install the cabinet. Don’t forget to consider nearby fixtures like mirrors, light switches, and towel rails. Even a few centimetres can make a big difference between a perfect fit and a frustratingly tight or oversized cabinet.
Mistake 2: Choosing a Cabinet That’s Too Large for the Space
While it’s tempting to go for maximum storage, a cabinet that’s too big can overpower your bathroom. Oversized cabinets can make a small bathroom feel cramped and limit movement. They might also block light or interfere with other fixtures. Always choose a size that balances storage needs with the size of your room. Click the link to explore wall-mounted units.
Mistake 3: Selecting a Cabinet That’s Too Small
On the flip side, picking a cabinet that’s too small won’t solve your storage problems. It can leave you with clutter spilling onto countertops and no room for essentials. Think about what you need to store now—and in the future. If you share the bathroom or have a growing family, err on the side of more storage.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Cabinet Depth
Depth is often overlooked, but it’s crucial. A cabinet that sticks out too far can feel intrusive, especially in narrow bathrooms or near doorways. Too shallow, and it won’t hold much. The ideal depth usually ranges between 6 and 12 inches (15 to 30 cm). Consider how much clearance you need for comfortable movement.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to Plan for Door Swing and Accessibility
Even the best-sized cabinet can become a nuisance if its doors don’t open fully or are hard to reach. Ensure there’s enough clearance for cabinet doors or drawers to open without hitting other fixtures or walls. If children or elderly family members use the bathroom, think about ease of access—soft-close hinges and handles that are easy to grip can help.
Mistake 6: Overlooking the Height and Placement
Height matters as much as width and depth. Installing a cabinet too high can make it difficult to reach, while too low might interfere with sinks or other fittings. The placement should allow for comfortable access and work well with your bathroom’s layout and lighting.
Mistake 7: Not Considering the Overall Bathroom Style and Balance
A cabinet that’s the wrong size can throw off your bathroom’s visual balance. A huge cabinet in a small room can dominate the space, while a tiny cabinet might look out of place in a large, luxurious bathroom. Choose a size and style that complements your bathroom’s design and feels proportionate.
Mistake 8: Skipping Professional Advice When Needed
Sometimes it’s worth getting expert input, especially if you have a tricky layout or unusual storage needs. Professionals can help you find the right size and placement, ensuring your cabinet is both functional and safe.
How to Declutter Before Arranging a New Cabinet
Are you excited to install your new bathroom cabinet and use it? Most people can’t wait to organise the storage space and feel good about their choice. However, what you don’t want to do is pile all of your toiletries in there to start with. You should take this opportunity to declutter so that you have space inside the new cabinet. Here are some useful tips on how you can do this.
Chuck What You Do Not Need
Most people are guilty of hoarding items they no longer use or need. Indeed, there are bound to be some products like this in your old cabinet. Therefore, you need to be ruthless and throw out any items you don’t need. Alternatively, you could give them to friends if you think they’ll use them and they’re unopened.
Be Honest About Usage
Something you always have to do with decluttering is be honest with yourself. You can end up keeping a lot of toiletries that you’ll never get around to using. Thus, make a pile of items and consider when you last used them. If it’s been months, it’s time to get rid of it. All it’s doing is taking up space.
Check the Expiration Date
Most people don’t realise that there are expiration dates on toiletries. This is something that you definitely want to check, as there’s no point in keeping something that’s past its best. Check each product for an expiry date. Alternatively, there could be a PAO symbol, which stands for ‘period after opening.’
Conclusion
Selecting the right bathroom wall cabinet size is more than just picking what looks good. Avoid these common mistakes by measuring carefully, considering your storage needs, and thinking about how the cabinet will fit and function in your space. With a little planning, you’ll find a cabinet that keeps your bathroom organised and stylish for years to come.
