Mirror Cabinets

Mirror cabinet or shaving cabinet

The two terms describe the same product. Shaving cabinet is the older Australian name for a mirrored wall cabinet above the basin, and mirror cabinet is what the same thing is usually called now. Either way you are choosing a mirror with storage behind it, so judge it on shelf depth, door style and whether the mirror suits the room.

Surface mounted or recessed

Surface-mounted cabinets sit on the face of the wall and are the straightforward install, which makes them the safe choice for a retrofit. Recessed cabinets sit inside the wall cavity so the mirror finishes almost flush, which looks far neater but needs a stud wall with nothing in the way. Check for pipes, wiring and bracing before you plan a recess, and confirm the cavity depth against the cabinet specification.

LED mirror cabinets and demisters

An LED mirror cabinet gives you storage and even face-height lighting in one unit, which is the biggest practical upgrade you can make above a vanity. Many include a demister pad so the glass stays clear after a shower. Anything hardwired needs a licensed electrician, so decide on the cabinet before the electrical rough-in if you are renovating and have the cable run to the right spot.

Sizing it to the vanity

Keep the cabinet 50mm to 100mm narrower than the vanity on each side, the same rule as a plain mirror, so a 900mm vanity suits a 700mm to 800mm cabinet. Mount the bottom edge 100mm to 150mm above the benchtop so tap splash does not reach it. Also check the door swing, because a hinged door needs clearance that a sliding or push-to-open door does not.