Clever Wall Storage In Powder Rooms

A Powder Room Storage Odyssey

I’ll admit it – I’ve never been a huge fan of medicine cabinets. There, I said it. I know they’re practical, but something about those bulky, builder-grade boxes just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s the way they jut out from the wall, interrupting the flow of the room. Or maybe it’s the unappealing visuals of toothpaste smeared cotton balls and old bottles of mouthwash peeking out every time you take a look in the mirror.

When we were renovating the powder room in our mountain house, I was determined to find an alternative storage solution that would keep all the daily necessities hidden away, while also maintaining a beautiful, cohesive design. Little did I know, this would become a full-blown quest – a powder room storage odyssey, if you will.

After consulting with some designer friends, I realized I wasn’t alone in my distaste for standard medicine cabinets. Nate Berkus, Amber Lewis, and even Orlando Soria all shared my aversion to the typical built-in storage options. And boy, did they have some strong opinions on the matter.

“I’ve always avoided them but now the trade-off for storage has me slowly converting,” Nate Berkus admitted. Amber Lewis was even more blunt: “I am not a fan or a heavy user of the Medicine Cabinet.” Meanwhile, Orlando Soria proudly proclaimed himself “fully on Team Medicine Cabinet,” arguing that they provide valuable storage at the perfect height.

Clearly, this was a debate with no easy answers. But I was determined to find a solution that would work for our powder room – one that would keep things tidy and organized, while also aligning with my design sensibilities. After all, as a designer, I firmly believe that style and function can (and should!) go hand-in-hand.

The Powder Room Storage Conundrum

As I delved deeper into the powder room storage dilemma, I realized there were a few key factors I needed to consider. First and foremost, the size and layout of the space. Our powder room was on the smaller side, with limited wall and vanity real estate. That meant any storage solution would need to be thoughtfully integrated to avoid feeling cramped or cluttered.

Secondly, I had to weigh the tradeoffs between form and function. While I loved the idea of a beautiful, statement-making mirror as the focal point, I also needed to ensure we had enough space to stash all the necessary toiletries and sundries. It was a delicate balancing act, to be sure.

And then there was the issue of wasted wall space. In a tiny powder room, every inch counts. I couldn’t bear the thought of letting all that vertical real estate go to waste, especially when there were so many creative storage solutions to explore.

As I mulled over all these considerations, one thing became abundantly clear: there was no one-size-fits-all answer. The perfect powder room storage setup would have to be tailored to the unique needs and constraints of the space. It would require a custom, thoughtful approach – not just a quick, off-the-shelf fix.

Hunting for the Ideal Powder Room Storage

With my criteria firmly in mind, I set out on a quest to find the ideal powder room storage solution. I scoured design blogs, consulted with contractor friends, and even picked the brains of some fellow design enthusiasts. And let me tell you, the options were endless.

From floating shelves above the toilet to built-in cabinets between the studs, the possibilities were truly limitless. And the more I explored, the more I realized that the key to great powder room storage was all about maximizing every square inch.

One idea that really piqued my interest was the concept of a custom, recessed medicine cabinet. The notion of integrating storage seamlessly into the wall, rather than having it protrude outward, was incredibly appealing. As Nate Berkus put it, “I wish someone would invent one that universally works with a vintage mirror.”

But alas, custom solutions often come with a hefty price tag. And while I was willing to splurge on certain elements of the powder room design, I couldn’t justify spending thousands of dollars on a storage cabinet – no matter how beautiful it might be.

That’s when I stumbled upon a genius DIY alternative: a hinged mirror concealing a hidden shelving system. As design blogger Dabito from Old Brand New demonstrated, this clever workaround allowed for ample storage without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of a gorgeous, statement-making mirror.

Eureka! I had found my powder room storage solution. Or had I?

Striking the Perfect Balance

As excited as I was about the hinged mirror idea, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would truly be the right fit for our powder room. After all, the space was already quite small, and I didn’t want to risk overwhelming it with a bulky, custom-built storage system.

I also had to consider the needs of our guests – after all, the powder room is often the first (and sometimes only) bathroom they’ll encounter during a visit. Did I really want them digging through a hidden cabinet every time they needed to freshen up?

Decisions, decisions. It was time to weigh the pros and cons of each potential storage solution, and determine which one would strike the perfect balance for our powder room.

On the one hand, the recessed medicine cabinet idea offered the ultimate in hidden storage. No more unsightly bottles and jars cluttering up the vanity – everything would be neatly tucked away, out of sight and out of mind. And with a custom, vintage-inspired mirror on the front, it could even double as a stunning design element.

But then there was the hinged mirror option. Sure, it might not offer quite as much storage capacity, but it would certainly be a showstopper. Imagine the look on guests’ faces as they discovered the hidden shelves behind that elegant, framed mirror. Plus, it would be a breeze to access those daily essentials without having to open up a cabinet door.

Hmm, decisions, decisions. After much deliberation, I finally decided on a hybrid approach. For the master bathroom, we opted for the recessed medicine cabinet route – but with a twist. Instead of the standard builder-grade mirror, we splurged on a custom, antique-inspired frame that would seamlessly integrate with the room’s vintage-meets-modern aesthetic.

And in the powder room? Well, that’s where the hinged mirror solution truly shone. We worked with our contractor to build a shallow, custom cabinet between the studs, topping it off with a beautiful, oversized mirror that could swing open to reveal all our daily essentials. The perfect balance of form and function, if I do say so myself.

The Joys of Hidden Storage

As I stand back and admire our finished powder room, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. Not only does the space look absolutely stunning, but it’s also incredibly functional – a true testament to the power of thoughtful, strategic storage solutions.

Gone are the days of unsightly clutter spilling out from a bulky medicine cabinet. Instead, everything is neatly tucked away, hidden from view but easily accessible when needed. And that hinged mirror? It’s the star of the show, commanding attention with its elegant, vintage-inspired frame.

Whenever guests come to visit, I love watching their faces as they discover the hidden shelves. The look of surprise and delight is priceless, and it always serves as a reminder that clever storage can be just as delightful as beautiful design.

Of course, not everyone may share my aversion to traditional medicine cabinets. As Orlando Soria eloquently put it, “I am fully on Team Medicine Cabinet. I know they can be a bummer for some designers who would rather have a pretty decorative mirror above a sink, but there’s just stuff you can store in one that doesn’t make sense anywhere else.”

And he’s absolutely right. For some, the convenience and utility of a well-designed medicine cabinet may outweigh any aesthetic concerns. But for me, the hunt for the perfect powder room storage solution was all about finding that sweet spot – where function and form coexist in perfect harmony.

The Joy of Thoughtful Design

As a designer, I truly believe that the secret to great design lies in the details. It’s not just about creating beautiful spaces, but spaces that also work seamlessly for the people who inhabit them. And when it comes to the powder room, thoughtful storage solutions are key.

Sure, you could slap up a standard, builder-grade medicine cabinet and call it a day. But where’s the fun in that? Instead, I encourage you to embrace the challenge, to think outside the box, and to explore all the creative possibilities that lie waiting to be discovered.

Because at the end of the day, the true joy of design isn’t just in the final product – it’s in the journey. It’s in the thrill of problem-solving, the satisfaction of a clever solution, and the delight of seeing a space come alive in a way that truly speaks to the people who use it.

So whether you opt for a custom-built, recessed cabinet or a hinged mirror with hidden storage, embrace the process. Savor the pursuit of the perfect powder room storage setup, and revel in the knowledge that you’ve created a space that’s not just gorgeous, but truly functional as well.

After all, isn’t that what great design is all about?