Choosing Bathroom Cabinet Fixtures: Your Total Guide

Choosing Bathroom Cabinet Fixtures: Your Total Guide

Bathroom cabinet fixtures are an essential part of any bathroom design. The fixtures you choose can impact your space’s overall aesthetic and functionality, creating a look and feel that you’ll experience every time you enter your bathroom. 

Luckily, there are a wide variety of bathroom cabinet fixtures available to choose from. No matter your aesthetic choices, there’s something for everyone. Those choices include:  

Cabinet Knobs and Pulls

Cabinet knobs and pulls are small pieces of hardware that attach to the front of the cabinet doors and drawers. They come in various shapes, sizes, and styles. Cabinet knobs are typically round or square and are a good option for smaller cabinets or drawers. On the other hand, cabinet pulls are longer and typically used for larger cabinets or drawers.

Cabinet Hinges

Cabinet hinges are the hardware that attaches the cabinet doors to the frame. They come in various styles, including butt, European, and surface-mounted hinges.

Butt hinges are the most common type of hinge and provide a simple and reliable hinge option. They are visible when the cabinet doors are closed and come in various sizes and finishes to match your bathroom cabinets. European hinges, also known as concealed hinges, are hidden from view and provide a sleek and modern look to the bathroom. 

They are typically adjustable and provide a soft-close mechanism for quiet and smooth operation. Surface-mounted hinges are visible and give the bathroom a more traditional look. They are available in a variety of finishes to match your bathroom cabinets.

Drawer Slides

Drawer slides are the hardware that allows the cabinet drawers to open and close smoothly. They come in styles such as under-mount slides, side-mount slides, and center-mount slides.

Undermount slides are hidden from view and provide a smooth and quiet operation. They are typically used for higher-end bathroom cabinets and are available in various weight capacities. 

Side-mount slides are visible and provide a more traditional look to the bathroom. They are available in multiple weight capacities. Center-mount slides are attached to the bottom of the drawer and provide a simple and reliable slide option. They are typically used for lighter-weight drawers.

Cabinet Latches and Catches

Cabinet latches and catches are the hardware that keeps the cabinet doors closed. They come in various styles, including magnetic catches, roller catches, and ball catches.

Magnetic catches use magnets to keep the cabinet doors closed. They are typically invisible when the doors are closed and provide a reliable and straightforward option for keeping them closed. Roller catches use a spring-loaded roller to keep the cabinet doors closed. 

They are typically visible and give the bathroom a more traditional look. Ball catches use a ball and socket mechanism to close the cabinet doors. They are typically used for heavier cabinet doors and provide a reliable and durable option for keeping them closed.

Cabinet Hangers

Cabinet hangers are the hardware that attaches the cabinets to the wall. You’ll find them in different styles, including wall-mounted brackets, Z-clips, and French cleats.

Wall-mounted brackets are the most common type of cabinet hanger and provide a simple and reliable option for attaching the cabinets to the wall. They are typically visible and come in various weight capacities. 

Z-clips provide a hidden mounting option and are typically used for higher-end bathroom cabinets. French cleats are a more decorative option and provide a secure and stable mount for the cabinets.

Cabinet Lighting

Cabinet lighting is a popular option for bathroom cabinets, providing a functional and decorative element. Various cabinet lighting types include under-cabinet, above-cabinet, and interior cabinet lighting.

Under-cabinet lighting provides a functional element by illuminating the countertop below the cabinets. It is typically installed on the underside of the cabinets and comes in various sizes and styles. 

Above-cabinet lighting provides a decorative element by illuminating the top of the cabinets. It is typically installed on top of the cabinets and comes in various sizes and styles. Interior cabinet lighting provides a functional element by illuminating the interior of the cabinets and is typically installed inside the cabinets. 

Choosing Bathroom Cabinet Fixtures: Your Total Guide

Cabinet Organizers

Cabinet organizers are essential for bathroom cabinets, providing a functional and efficient way to organize the contents. There are various types of cabinet organizers, including pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, and drawer organizers.

Pull-out shelves provide a functional element by allowing easy access to the contents of the cabinets. They are typically installed on slide-out hardware. Lazy Susans provide a functional element by maximizing the space in corner cabinets. 

They are typically installed on a rotating mechanism and come in various sizes and styles. Drawer organizers provide a functional element by organizing the contents of the drawers. They are typically made of various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal, and come in various sizes and styles.

Cabinet Trim and Molding

Cabinet trim and molding are decorative elements that add a finishing touch to bathroom cabinets. They come in many styles, including crown molding, base molding, and trim molding.

Crown molding provides a decorative element by adding a curved or angled piece of molding to the top of the cabinets. Base molding provides a decorative element by adding a piece of molding to the bottom of the cabinets. Trim molding provides a decorative element by adding a piece of molding to the edges of the cabinets.

Cabinet Feet and Legs

Cabinet feet and legs are decorative elements that elevate the bathroom cabinets off the ground. They come in different styles, such as tapered legs, bun feet, and turned legs.

Tapered legs provide a modern and sleek look by tapering from a wider top to a narrower bottom and are typically made of wood. Bun feet provide a traditional and classic look by adding a round or square foot to the bottom of the cabinets. 

Turned legs provide a decorative element by adding a turned and carved leg to the bottom of the cabinets. They are typically made of wood and come in various sizes and styles.

Cabinet Hardware Accessories

Cabinet hardware accessories are additional elements that add functionality and style to bathroom cabinets. They are available in styles such as drawer slides, cabinet locks, and cabinet knobs and pulls.

Drawer slides provide a functional element by allowing the drawers to slide open and closed smoothly. They are available in various weight capacities and can be either side-mounted or under-mounted. Cabinet locks provide a security element by adding a locking mechanism to the cabinets. 

They can be either key-operated or combination-operated. Cabinet knobs and pulls provide a decorative element by adding a finishing touch to the cabinets. 

Choosing the right bathroom cabinet fixtures can be overwhelming, but with careful consideration of the function and style of your bathroom cabinets, you can make an informed decision. Remember that each type of fixture comes in various sizes, styles, and materials, so choosing fixtures that complement your bathroom cabinets’ overall design is essential.

Choosing Bathroom Cabinet Fixtures: Your Total Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Bathroom Cabinet Fixtures

Determine Your Style

Before choosing any bathroom cabinet fixture, determine the style of your bathroom. Look at the color scheme, the materials used, and the overall design to get an idea of the style you are going for. This will help you choose fixtures that complement the style of your bathroom.

Set a Budget

Set a budget for your bathroom cabinet fixtures. This will help narrow your options and ensure you are not overspending on fixtures.

Measure Your Cabinets

Measure your cabinets to determine the size of the fixtures you will need. This will ensure the fixtures fit correctly and look proportional to the cabinet.

Choose the Material

Choose the material for your fixtures based on your personal preference and the style of your bathroom. Metal fixtures are the most popular and come in various finishes, including chrome, nickel, brass, and bronze. Glass and ceramic fixtures can add a pop of color to the bathroom and are available in a wide range of shapes and designs.

Consider the Finish

Consider the finish of the fixtures and how they will complement the other fixtures in the bathroom. Choose a finish that matches or complements the other fixtures in the bathroom, such as the faucet and showerhead.

Select the Type of Hinge

When choosing hinges for your bathroom cabinet doors, consider the type of hinge you want. Butt hinges are the most common and provide a simple and reliable hinge option. European hinges are concealed and provide a sleek and modern look to the bathroom. Surface-mounted hinges are visible and provide a more traditional look.

Determine the Weight Capacity of Drawer Slides

When choosing drawer slides, determine the weight capacity of the slides and ensure that they are suitable for the size and weight of the drawer. Under-mount slides provide a smooth and quiet operation and are hidden from view. Side-mount slides are visible and provide a more traditional look to the bathroom.

Towel Bars, Toilet Paper Holders, and Shower Curtain Rods

When choosing towel bars, toilet paper holders, and shower curtain rods, consider the size and style of the fixture in relation to the bathroom and the other fixtures you have chosen. Choose a size and style that complements the overall design of your bathroom.

Coordinate the Finish and Style of All Fixtures

Coordinate the finish and style of all fixtures in the bathroom to create a cohesive and polished look. Choose fixtures with similar finishes and styles to create a harmonious and unified look in the bathroom.

Installation

When installing your bathroom cabinet fixtures, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. If you are unsure of how to install a fixture, consult a professional to ensure it is installed correctly and safely.

Choosing the right bathroom cabinet fixtures is important in creating a beautiful and functional bathroom. With so many options available, choosing the right fixtures for your bathroom can be overwhelming. 

By following the step-by-step guide outlined above and considering the style, budget, size, material, finish, hinge type, weight capacity, and coordination of all fixtures, you can choose the perfect fixtures for your bathroom cabinets.

Let Mountain States Kitchen and Bath Help! 

We specialize in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms across the Wasatch Front, from Spanish Fork to Salt Lake City, Utah, and everywhere in between. 

Contact Mountain States today to learn more about what we offer, or swing by our showroom in Lehi, Utah, and see some of our beautiful options and designs for yourself. We’ll happily answer any questions or schedule an in-home consultation with you.

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