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Medicine Cabinets-Purchase Tips
When purchasing a new medicine cabinet there are few things that need to be considered. Space, style and options are three items that need attention when purchasing a new medicine cabinet.
Medicine Cabinets and space considerations
Space is a major factor that needs some thought. Measure your space above your vanity for a starting point. Your medicine cabinet should be sized in proportion to the vanity it is mounted above.
Think also about lighting. If you purchase a medicine cabinet with top lighting, or are going to buy top lights then this isn't as important.
If, however, you are going to add stylish vanity lights on either side of your medicine cabinet then you will need to allow for the space they require.
When considering space, you will also need to think how high above the vanity you will mount your cabinet.
With a standard sink and faucet, this needs little consideration, but if you are installing a vessel or countertop sink, or a faucet with a long neck then this needs some extra thought. You will need to allow for clearance, and also to avoid any splash up. The other thing to think about is the height of the users. Mounting the bottom of your cabinet too high may create a problem for young children in the household.
Medicine Cabinets and style
What style medicine cabinet will you choose? When choosing style there are two more things to think about. Style in the sense of decor is one thing you will want to decide. What is your style preference, and what is the general style that will coordinate with the other fixtures and elements in your bath? And do you want single door, sliding doors, or tri-view. You will find medicine cabinets in all the popular styles. Country, Shaker, Art Deco, Traditional and Contemporary medicine cabinets and more are available.
The other style consideration is whether you want a recessed or a surface mount. This will depend not only on your personal preference, but on the wall construction of your bathroom. You will need to determine whether or not the wall is a load bearing wall. If it is a load bearing wall, then you will need to fall back on a surface mount.
Also be cautious if you are installing a recessed medicine cabinet. Proceed with caution until you know where your wiring is, and take any safety precautions needed such as turning off circuit breakers.
Medicine cabinets and special options
Adjustable shelves and good hinges are not special options but are something to be considered.
There are a number of special options in today's medicine cabinets.
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Deep medicine cabinets are being made available, that are large enough to house larger items such as curling irons and blow dryers. This can go a long way in solving storage needs as well as keeping things out of sight when not in use. Medicine cabinets come with lights built in, eliminating one step in the shopping process.
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Electrical outlets that are built in to some medicine cabinets can prove very handy, and put them just where they are needed.
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There are finally a few medicine cabinets showing up on the market that offer locking space, or an optional lock box that can be added to certain models. In a household with small children this could add an element of safety where medications are concerned.
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High end units even offer a section which has cold storage for medications and cosmetics.
AS you can see, there are a number of things to think about and coordinate when selecting a medicine cabinet.
One other thought: Many times medicine cabinets will be listed as either surface mount or recessed. If you find a cabinet you especially like, but it is the wrong application, dig a little further. Many models are offered with both options.
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