If you’re planning on buying a pre-made bathroom vanity, there’s a good chance that it comes paired with some kind of supplemental storage. But while it’s really common for vanity manufacturers to offer add-ons that are bundled with (and often designed to match) their vanities, they don’t always list all the available options with every bathroom vanity. So if you’re looking to build a complete bathroom, rather than settling for just a vanity (or a cabinet you don’t totally love), check out this list of different types of bathroom storage that almost every manufacturer carries.
Linen Cabinets
Far and away one of the most common types of bathroom storage cabinets – and one that virtually every manufacturer offers at least a few of – is the classic linen cabinet. These are tall, tower-like cabinets – usually two-tiered, often with shelves on top and a closed cabinet on the bottom. Some are designed pretty strictly for storing towels and such, while others are obviously more geared toward stowing toiletries, but regardless of the interior arrangement, linen cabinets offer the most storage for the amount of floor space they take up, but can be a bit hulking and unwieldy in smaller spaces.
Storage Cabinets, Bridges, and Vanity Tables
Another common bathroom storage option is the side cabinet. A cousin or little sister to the linen cabinet, these are usually the same height as your vanity or a bit shorter, designed to extend your counter space while adding in a little extra cabinet or drawer storage. These can be as small as an extra set of drawers or as large as a vanity table, and are often used as bridge or connector pieces to join two smaller bathroom vanities into a single, not-quite-solid double vanity.
Over The Toilet Hutches
Less often, you’ll find manufactures that offer over the toilet storage hutches. These are a little nicer (and sturdier) than generic wire ones you’d pick up at a big-box bed and bath store, made of wood instead of wire, and with built-in, closeable cabinets rather than just open shelves. Of all the options on this list, though, these are the least likely to be obviously paired with a vanity, so if you want one, you should look for them specifically rather than holding out for a package deal.
Medicine Cabinets
The biggest problem with with any type of wood bathroom storage cabinet is that unless they’re specifically designed as part of a set, they might not be a perfect match for your vanity. Many manufacturers circumvent this problem by offering simple cabinets in a few of their most popular finishes, but if you’re really concerned about making everything match, you might be better off opting for a mirrored medicine cabinet instead. Without any wood trim, you won’t have any problem getting a cohesive look, and almost all manufacturers offer stylish medicine cabinets designed to add storage over your sink no matter what style your vanity.
Storage Mirrors
On the opposite end of the spectrum are bathroom storage mirrors. Rather than having purely mirrored surfaces that conceal storage behind them, these are simple mirrors framed or embellished with shelves, cabinets, or cubbies. Unlike most of the options on this list, these almost always come specifically paired with individual vanities, simply because they’re designed to work with the layout of the vanities they’re paired with as well as match the finish and design. Manufacturers with a more modern bent may carry more versatile versions, but typically if these are available, the manufacturer makes it obvious.
Free-Floating Shelves and Wall Mounted Cabinets
Last but not least, you can often find simple wall mounted shelves designed to match your vanity. This is another option that shows up more frequently among manufacturers with transitional, modern, or contemporary leanings, and ones that cater specifically to smaller bathrooms. In the same vein, you can also often find wall-mounted side cabinets. These come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from petite cubbies to nearly full-sized linen cabinets, but take up much, much less space than freestanding ones, which makes them a great, flexible option for a smaller space.
The real trick to getting exactly the bathroom storage you want is to dig a little deeper. Even if a bathroom vanity isn’t paired with any storage at all, the people that make it probably make the piece you’re looking for in a matching style – you just might have to do a little looking!
