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Pull out cabinets allow instant, easy access to items and help minimize clutter (by Old World Kitchens & Custom Cabinets, photo by Bob Young)[/caption]
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Most kitchen cabinets are big and boxy - huge square spaces that are often under utilized. Well designed organizers can help make better use of these large spaces, but installing cabinets in different sizes and shapes is an even better way to maximize the efficiency and accessibility of your storage. Traditional kitchen cabinets more or less have to be lined up side to side at the top or base of your kitchen. But tall, thin, rectangular cabinets can be squeezed into small spaces that a traditional cabinet simply wouldn't fit, like alongside a refrigerator, by the stove, and so on. The flexibility of these non-standard cabinets alone makes them an excellent choice for a small kitchen, because it makes it possible to add storage to spaces that just aren't big enough for a full sized cabinet.
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Slim pull out cabinets can fit in spaces that traditional cabinets can't, and are much more efficient for odd shaped items (by Dura Supreme Cabinetry)[/caption]
But flexibility of size and shape isn't the only advantage that pull out cabinets offer. Where a traditional cabinet usually features only a single, fixed shelf, a tall, thin, pull out cabinet will have many long shelves stacked on top of each other and mounted on full extension glides. As with many kitchen cabinet organizers, this lets you pull everything in the cabinet all the way out, letting you easily see everything inside and store items throughout the entire cabinet, from top to bottom and front to back. These types of cabinets range from something as small as a spice rack to as large as a full pantry, and make it possible to store more stuff not only in less space, but in space that would have otherwise been left empty.
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Segmented drawers can store a full set of dinnerware in less space than a traditional cabinet, and keep individual pieces better sorted (by Dura Supreme Cabinetry)[/caption]
Another increasingly popular option is to get rid of the traditional cabinets entirely and replace them with large, deep drawers. Like pull out cabinets, these are mounted on full extension glides, giving you easy access to the farthest back parts of the drawer and letting you store more items in less space than a traditional cabinet. One major perk of this design is that you can have drawers as wide or deep as you need them, arranged in whatever way is most convenient to the items you need to store. For example, one of the more popular types of drawers right now are designed with simple, moveable pegs in the bottom that allow you to section off the drawer to store dishes or glasses in different sizes and shapes. A set of dishes that might take up a full upper cabinet can easily be stacked in a single drawer, both saving space and making them easier to access and put away.
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Stackable drawers make it easy to consolidate utensils and keep them better organized (by Richard Landon Design, photo by Roger Turk, Northlight Photography)[/caption]
Deep drawers with multiple sliding layers are another unique and increasingly popular option. Though they're only slightly taller than a traditional drawer, the sliding layers allow you to store significantly more items inside, and keep them much better organized. Typically this layout is used for utensils and cutlery - a layer for flatware, a layer for knives, and a layer for kitchen utensils, each of which has a built in divider (or knife block) that can be pulled out individually. Not only does this keep all your utensils very well sorted and in a single place, it consolidates two drawers and a knife block worth of stuff into a single slightly larger drawer.
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Tall, thin cabinets and wide, deep drawers are both still fairly unconventional options, but they're fast becoming much more common (by Schwartz and Architecture, photo by Matthew Millman)[/caption]
Of course, the major drawback for all of these non-standard cabinets is that, to get them, you have to replace at least some if not all of your existing cabinets, which can be quite expensive. That said, while organizers are much easier to install, pull out cabinets and modified drawer storage come out ahead in terms of ease of use. They're easier to access (since opening the cabinet and pulling out the shelves is a single motion rather than two), and often better organized, since they're designed from the ground up, rather than built to accommodate an existing space. Particularly in a small kitchen where space is at a premium, it can be worth the extra cost to have the cabinets custom made.
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Custom fitting cabinetry to a small kitchen means being able to make the most of every inch of free space (by ATD Contracting Services Inc.)[/caption]
Really, that potential for customizability is the the biggest advantage of abandoning a traditional cabinet layout in favor of a combination of pull out cabinets and drawers. More and more, homeowners are realizing that kitchen storage isn't one-size-fits-all, and storage that's designed intuitively to fit the needs of the space is fast becoming a must-have feature for buyers. More than that, replacing traditional cabinets with custom ones makes it possible to fine tune them to your own personal needs: if there's something you have a lot of, or use frequently, you can incorporate that into the base cabinet design so you'll have ample storage space for those items exactly where you'll be using them, rather than having to find a spot to put them in a bunch of standard cabinets. From spice racks to spare dishes to utensils, there are myriad options available to get the kind of storage that's the most intuitive, efficient, and accessible for you personally - which is something traditional cabinets simply can't offer.
But what do you think? Would you overhaul your kitchen cabinets for added storage space and usability? Let me know what you think in the comments below!...
Monaco 24" Bathroom Vanity Set 000-24-01-M from Blossom[/caption]
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Most small bathroom vanities clock in somewhere between 18" and 30" wide, but even vanities with exactly the same outside dimensions can be functionally very different. When all that available space is used for a cabinet, most of it is going to get wasted simply because not everything you're going to be storing is the right size and shape for a cabinet. At the very least, most of the top half of the cabinet is going to go unused unless you stack your items on top of each other, which makes them less accessible. Adding in more types of storage divides up the space, ensuring you're actually using all of it.
Bristol 30" Single Bathroom Vanity in Cottage White 157-V30-CWH-SW from James Martin Furniture[/caption]
Shop James Martin Bathroom Vanities under 40" wide:
Of course, there's no perfect, one-size-fits-all bathroom vanity; what type of storage is best for you depends a lot on what kind of items you want to keep on hand. Really, the first step in shopping for a small bathroom vanity should be lining up your toiletries. Skin care, hair care, makeup, grooming tools, towels, TP, cleaning supplies - all of it, anything you have in your bathroom now or wish you had space to store there. From there, it should be easy to figure out how much of what different types of storage you need - and find a vanity that has it all.
Milano 30" High Glossy White Modern Bathroom Vanity KFM30-GW from KubeBath[/caption]
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Bathroom cabinets aren't entirely without their merits. While most conventional ones are impractically oversized, narrower or shorter cabinets are great for storing tall, narrow bottles - like hairspray, lotion, or cleaning products. Personally, I prefer cabinets that are either at waist height (making them both smaller and a little more accessible) or that are shunted off to the side of the vanity, letting you make use of the full height of the cabinet without giving you more space than you need. Big bonus points for a shelf (or, better yet, a pull-out shelf) to help you further divide up and organize the space.
Barcelona 24" Bathroom Vanity Set 005-24-06 from Blossom[/caption]
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Drawer storage is much more useful than having a single large cabinet, but the types of drawers you can find vary widely in size, shape, and number from one vanity to the next, and different types of drawers are good for storing different things. Most common on more traditional styled vanities are small, shallow drawers, usually placed just beneath the counter or in a column on one side of the vanity. These are great for keeping smaller items sorted and accessible. Some drawers are even divided up to make it easier to keep everything organized.
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Bliss 24" Gray Oak Free Standing Modern Bathroom Vanity FMB24-GO from KubeBath[/caption]
Shop Bathroom Vanities under 30" wide:
On the opposite end of the spectrum, it's becoming more and more common to see small bathroom vanities that replace their main cabinet with a large, deep drawer. Oftentimes these are U-shaped to accommodate the sink and plumbing, but are great for stowing larger items. And while a cabinet-sized drawer has approximately the same storage capacity as a plain cabinet, a drawer mounted on full-extension glides lets you easily see everything stored inside, so you'll never have to go digging for what you're looking for.
Levi 24" Dark Gray Oak Modern Bathroom Vanity With Cubby Hole L600WB from KubeBath[/caption]
Last but not least, lots of small bathroom vanities are designed with white space in mind. On the one hand, that makes for less hidden storage - which means these vanities aren't a great option for people who have a lot of stuff and don't particularly want to keep it organized. On the other hand, all that white space can help make a small bathroom feel less cramped, and open shelves are good for storing bulky items in an attractive way - like rolled up towels or a basket full of TP - without taking away from the leanness of the vanity's silhouette.
While there's no such thing as a single perfect vanity, once you know the best types of storage for the kind of items you have, it's so much easier to find the vanity that's perfect for you. When it comes to working with a small space, you don't want to compromise, and increasingly you don't have to. No matter what your dream specifications, chances are there's a vanity that has exactly the combination of drawers, shelves, cubbies, and cabinets for your needs.
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Now, I'm not talking inexpensive rolling carts or wire racks. While those will work, they're always going to look like a temporary solution. Instead, I prefer storage cabinets designed to match your vanity - genuine pieces of furniture rather than stop-gap solutions. I love the combination of this Masselin Vanity, Wall Shelf, and Side Cabinet from Virtu USA. This simple setup basically triples your usable storage space with a nice combination of easily accessible and private storage. It also expands your counter space so you can have important items reachable at arm's height, or have a nice decoration if you choose to put the storage cabinet elsewhere in your bathroom.
[caption id="attachment_3539" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Glenayre 24 Inch Vanity With Matching Storage Cabinet From Xylem"]
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Of course, simple black or espresso colored storage cabinets are pretty easy to come by, if only because of the profusion of those two colors in modern bathroom design. But if your existing bathroom vanity isn't one of the two, and you aren't looking to redo your whole bathroom, things can get a little more complicated. Wood tones can be especially difficult to match. That said, many vanities on the market today are part of a larger set of items, like the Glenayre collection from Xylem, which a Vanity, Storage Cabinet, and Mirror all in the same design. That means that if you can find a vanity that's close to your own (or from the same manufacturer), simply poaching storage cabinets from other sets can work just as well.
[caption id="attachment_3540" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Windsor 60 Inch Vanity And Matching Storage Cabinet From Xylem"]
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More traditional collections of bathroom vanities and storage cabinets have matching hand carved details, which can create a wonderful sense of antique quality and unity. Small details are carried throughout every part of the collection, from the Vanity itself to the Storage Cabinet and Mirror in this Windsor Collection. This makes it easy to accessorize and keep a tidy, unified decor if you're in for a major bathroom remodel. But if you're only looking to add a single piece, it can make it a little more difficult to match the detailing on your existing vanity with a new storage cabinet.
[caption id="attachment_3541" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mount Vernon 48 Inch Bathroom Vanity And Mirrored Storage Cabinet From Kaco"]
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If that's the case, you want to aim first for a matching wood tone or finish, and then look for a simplified shape. While it might not be possible to match your exact design if your vanity has a lot of antique-style woodwork, many traditional (and even contemporary) bathroom vanities share similar silhouettes that are much, much easier to match. This Mount Vernon Storage Cabinet (meant to pair with the matching Vanity from Kaco) is an especially safe choice. While the subtle crotch veneer on the bottom drawer might stand out as a unique detail, the deep merlot finish is easy to match. Plus, the mirror dominating the front face eliminates unnecessary detailing and helps integrate the piece into your bathroom by, quite literally, reflecting it.
[caption id="attachment_3542" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="London 65 Inch Bathroom Vanity And Matching Storage Cabinet From Design Element"]
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It's even simpler to match white bathroom vanities, not the least because they usually come either in pure solid white, or a slightly cream tinted antique off-white. Though this Storage Cabinet from Design Element is designed to match the slightly spa-style London Vanity, the simple white finish and subtly frosted glass make an excellent pair for just about any solid white vanity, even one with a little more decoration.
[caption id="attachment_3543" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cream White Transitional Bathroom Vanity And Storage Cabinet From BellaTerra Home"]
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For an antique style white vanity, again you want to look for storage cabinets with a slightly minimized, more transitional design, and probably an off white finish, like this Cream White Storage Cabinet from Bellaterra. You don't even have to get the matching Vanity - it'll work just fine with almost any antique inspired white bathroom vanity for the simple reason that it mimics the silhouette of an antique vanity without loading up on all the hand carved details that would make two designs clash.
[caption id="attachment_3544" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Wall Mounted Modular Bathroom Vanity And Storage Cabinets From Silkroad Exclusive"]
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On the way far other end of the spectrum, I'm just going to say that I love love love modular storage cabinets, especially wall mounted ones, for a modern bathroom. This Modular Vanity from Silkroad Exclusive comes with the super-small wall mounted cubbies as part of the set, which you can affix wherever or however you want - in the checker pattern pictured above, mirrored on either side of the vanity, or otherwise. Wall mounting the storage cabinets, especially shallow ones like these, allow you to make the most of your wall space without taking up any floor space, and give you the freedom to get exactly the storage you need exactly where you want it, especially in a small bathroom.
[caption id="attachment_3545" align="aligncenter" width="217" caption="All Module Wall Mounted Vanity And Storage Cabinet From Silkroad Exclusive"]
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A fully wall mounted collection, like this All Module Vanity Set means that your storage and your sink are both totally customizable to your height. This is especially nice for people who are particularly tall or small, and who might otherwise have difficulty finding storage cabinets that are of a height that's convenient and comfortable to use. Great for a master bath for two people of very different height, since you'll be able to nab everything you need in the same style without having to compromise on a comfortable height.
[caption id="attachment_3546" align="aligncenter" width="252" caption="Metro Espresso Bathroom Vanity And Storage Collection From Sagehill Designs"]
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Buying new storage cabinets as part of a larger remodel may make it easier to get a matching setup, but buying storage cabinets separately gives you a ton of flexibility to build exactly the type of storage you want. The Metro collection from Sagehill Designs is supremely versatile, offering a Glass Cabinet, a Wood Cabinet, Drawer Shelf, and Topper to finish off any combination of two or more pieces, plus the Vanity itself. Each can be purchased individually and assembled in a wide variety of ways, with flexible pieces that create the polished, finished look of a single piece, even if your "storage cabinet" is made of multiple pieces. This allows you to not only get the type of storage you want, but also to customize the appearance of the cabinet to your own personal taste.
So if you're feeling a little crowded with your current bathroom configuration, or if you're just sick of the wire towel rack or bargain-store hutch over your toilet, even if you have a small bathroom, there are so many options out there to get the storage you need and have it look the way you want. What are you looking for in bathroom storage cabinets? Do you need something large for lots of extra towels, or just something small to stash your toothpaste?...
Dior 18" Modern Side Cabinet in Zebra Gray KSC-700-ZG from Virtu USA[/caption]
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The most common types of bathroom storage cabinets are sort of like a smaller version of a standard vanity: they're about the same height, but narrower and sit closer to the wall, and usually have shelves or drawers for more organized storage. These types of cabinets are pretty much a straight supplement to your bathroom vanity and can be purchased individually in a wide variety of colors and styles, or as part of a larger bathroom vanity collection. The biggest advantages of a half-height cabinets are that they also add usable counter space, which most cabinets don't, and they don't take up space on your upper walls, so they can be used for other forms of storage. Unfortunately, you'll need to bend down to access most items stored inside these cabinets.
Brookfield Linen Cabinet in Country Oak 147-114-5076 from James Martin Furniture[/caption]
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Full height cabinets are basically two half height cabinets stacked one on top of the other (sometimes literally), and are usually between five and six feet tall. The obvious advantage here is that you get twice as much storage space in exactly the same amount of floor space. These storage cabinets typically offer a greater variety of types of storage, too. While half height cabinets are usually either cabinets or drawers, full height cabinets can (and do) have both. Ones sold in two pieces can sometimes be mixed and matched, too, so you can have almost any combination of drawers, shelves, cabinets, open shelves, and glass-walled cabinets to suit the needs of your space. Higher shelves can be more accessible than low-lying cabinets, but these storage towers don't add counter space, and they can feel a bit looming in smaller bathrooms.
Savannah Linen Cabinets In Driftwood 238-107-5011 from James Martin Furniture[/caption]
You can also find tall bathroom storage cabinets that are more like wardrobes or linen cabinets. Instead of having a top and bottom half, these usually have one or two tall doors that open on a closet-like space filled with shelves. These are usually about as wide as other full-height storage cabinets, but they can also be quite a bit wider. If you have a large bathroom but no dedicated linen closet, this can be a great option; they have lots of storage space that's ideally suited for large-scale items, like towels, toilet paper, or cleaning products. That said, they aren't great for smaller spaces, and generally aren't the best for storing smaller items, as you have to open the entire cabinet to get at anything inside.
Claire Rotating Wall Cabinet With Mirror WC-B802 from the Wyndham Collection[/caption]
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Some modern designers, like the Wyndham Collection, have come up with even more innovative cabinets that are specifically designed to do more while taking up less space. This Claire cabinet does triple duty, combining shelf storage, compact towel bars, and a full length mirror. Fixed on a pivoting axle, this cabinet can be spun around, making it possible to access different types of storage on multiple sides of the cabinet. This unique design makes it possible to cram much more functionality into the same amount of space, and it looks good doing it, too. Fully mounted, the cabinet only sticks out a little more than foot into the bathroom and has no doors or drawers to take up more space, which makes this a surprisingly viable option for a smaller bathroom.
Allier Gray Oak Bathroom Linen Side Cabinet FST8130GO from Fresca[/caption]
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If you have a really small bathroom, though, a traditional floor-mounted storage cabinet is probably too large, no matter how well designed it happens to be. If you don't have much (or any) floor space to spare, you're going to want to look into wall mounted storage cabinets instead. Like medicine cabinets, wall mounted storage cabinets are hung on or recessed into the wall, and contain several small, narrow shelves that are ideal for storing small items like toiletries. But while medicine cabinets come in more or less one standard size and virtually always mount either directly above or adjacent to the vanity, wall mounted cabinets can be hung anywhere you have the wall space. These petite cabinets come in the widest range of sizes and shapes, from very small cubes to near full-sized cabinets. Larger models can attach to the side of a wall mounted vanity for added counter space, but the vast majority offer straight cabinet-style storage.
25" Wall Cabinet In White WCV8000WCWH from Wyndham Collection[/caption]
Overjohn storage cabinets are a subset of wall mounted storage cabinets that are specifically designed to be mounted above the toilet. Usually consisting of a cabinet, a single open shelf, and sometimes an integrated towel bar, these are a nice option if you have a big mirror and not a lot of free wall space around it. Since many overjohn cabinets have built in towel bars, they're a smart and straightforward replacement for plain-jane towel bars hung above the toilet, as they offer a lot more storage without sacrificing functionality. That said, these are usually taller and wider than most wall mounted cabinets, so they're a lot less flexible in terms of where they can be installed.
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