Recessed Medicine Cabinet

When selecting a bathroom medicine cabinet, the key factors to consider are your vanity width, sink layout, available wall space, door clearance, and whether you prefer one large cabinet or two separate cabinets.

Unlike a standard bathroom mirror, a medicine cabinet does not need to span the full width of the vanity. The right size should provide balanced proportions, comfortable door clearance, and enough storage for your daily routine.

Here is a practical guide from Tetote to help you choose the right fit:

1. Choose Based on Vanity Width

As a general rule, your medicine cabinet should be slightly narrower than the vanity. For double-sink vanities, you can choose either one larger cabinet or two smaller cabinets positioned above each sink.

• 24-inch Vanity: 16–20 in cabinet
• 30-inch Vanity: 20–24 in cabinet
• 36-inch Vanity: 24–30 in cabinet
• 42-inch Vanity: 30–36 in cabinet
• 48-inch Vanity: 36–40 in cabinet
• 60-inch Single-Sink Vanity: 40–48 in cabinet
• 60-inch Double-Sink Vanity: Two 20–24 in cabinets or one 40–48 in cabinet
• 72-inch Double-Sink Vanity: Two 24–30 in cabinets or one 40–48 in cabinet
• 84-inch Double-Sink Vanity: Two 30–36 in cabinets or one 48 in cabinet
• 96-inch Double-Sink Vanity: Two 36–42 in cabinets or one 48 in cabinet

For wider double-sink vanities, two separate medicine cabinets can create better visual balance and give each sink its own storage and mirror space.

2. Consider Your Sink Layout

Your sink placement is just as important as the overall vanity width.

• For a single-sink vanity, center the medicine cabinet above the sink or primary grooming area.
• For a double-sink vanity, one large cabinet can create a cleaner, more continuous look.
• Two separate cabinets can be positioned above each sink for better symmetry and more individualized storage.
• When installing two cabinets, make sure the spacing between them is visually balanced and leaves enough room for lighting or other wall fixtures.

3. Check Wall Space and Door Clearance

Before ordering, measure the available wall area and check the location of your faucet, backsplash, lighting, outlets, nearby walls, and side cabinets.

• Leave enough clearance on both sides for the cabinet doors to open fully.
• Leave at least 3 inches between the top of the cabinet and overhead lighting whenever possible.
• Make sure open doors will not interfere with sconces, walls, or adjacent cabinetry.
• For recessed installation, confirm that the wall cavity has enough depth and does not interfere with plumbing, wiring, or structural framing.
• For surface mounting, consider the cabinet depth as well as the door swing.

4. Choose One Cabinet or Two

Both layouts can work well depending on your vanity and bathroom design.

One Large Cabinet
Creates a cleaner, more unified look and provides a larger continuous mirrored surface. This works especially well for single-sink vanities and medium-width double vanities.

Two Separate Cabinets
A practical choice for wider double-sink vanities. Each sink gets its own mirrored storage area, creating a more symmetrical layout and making it easier for two people to use the vanity at the same time.

Tetote Pro Tip:
Choose a medicine cabinet that complements the vanity rather than trying to match its full width. For single-sink vanities, one centered cabinet usually provides the most balanced look. For wider double-sink vanities, either one large cabinet or two cabinets above the individual sinks can work well. Before ordering, double-check the cabinet dimensions, sink positions, door opening clearance, installation type (recessed or surface mount), and available wall space.