How to install a medicine cabinet in the bathroom?

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Answer
To install a medicine cabinet in your bathroom, follow these steps:

Installing a Surface Mount Medicine Cabinet

  1. Locate the Studs:
    • Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs.
    • Mark the studs with a pencil to ensure secure mounting14.
  2. Determine the Placement:
    • Decide on the optimal placement for the cabinet, considering factors such as height and accessibility.
    • Hold the cabinet in place and use a level to ensure it is straight.
    • Mark the wall lightly with a pencil to indicate the cabinet's position14.
  3. Create Mounting Holes:
    • Hold the cabinet in place and mark the wall where the mounting holes are.
    • Drill holes at the marked locations, ensuring they are not too wide14.
  4. Mount the Medicine Cabinet:
    • Position the cabinet in the desired place, aligning the cabinet holes with the drilled holes.
    • Screw the fasteners through the holes to secure the cabinet to the wall, tightening them loosely at first and then fully once the cabinet is in place14.

Installing a Recessed Medicine Cabinet

  1. Check for Utility Lines:
    • Use a flashlight to inspect the wall for any utility lines, such as wires, supply lines, or pipes.
    • If lines are present, consider a surface mount cabinet or consult a professional23.
  2. Approximate Cabinet Placement:
    • Place the cabinet against the wall to determine its position.
    • Mark the wall at the center of where the cabinet will go, usually above the sink23.
  3. Cut the Wall Opening:
    • Cut along the marked outline to create a hole for the cabinet.
    • Install blocking to support the cabinet23.
  4. Install the Cabinet:
    • Insert the cabinet into the hole, ensuring it is centered and secure.
    • Attach the cabinet to the blocking using screws or other fasteners23.

Additional Tips

  • Ensure the cabinet is at a comfortable height, typically around 72 inches above the floor3.
  • Leave at least 3 inches of space above and below the cabinet to clear any obstructions3.
  • Consider the type of cabinet and the wall material when choosing the installation method4.
By following these steps, you can successfully install a medicine cabinet in your bathroom, providing convenient storage and a visually appealing addition to the space.




Author: The Home Depot



Key insights

  • Installing a medicine cabinet can make your morning routine less chaotic by keeping everything neatly organized and easily accessible.
  • Use a stud finder to locate and mark any studs where you're going to place your cabinet, but be aware of pipes and wiring that may be present.
  • Installing a medicine cabinet may require a cam mounting lock for support.
  • ️ Carefully cut the perimeter mark of the rough opening just through the drywall, not the studs, when installing a recessed cabinet.
  • ️ Adding additional studs for support may be necessary if the wall does not have a stud on the other side of the opening.
  • ️ Just like that you have a beautiful and functional medicine cabinet that will make getting ready for the day a whole lot easier.

Timestamped Summary

  • 00:00 Install a medicine cabinet by following the steps for recessed or surface mount, and consider the type based on your wall and existing mirror.
  • 00:54 Locate and mark studs, switch to surface mount if necessary, mark placement of cabinet, and mount bracket on wall.
  • 01:28 Mount the cam lock to support the top of the medicine cabinet and then have a helper lift it into place.
  • 01:38 Install the cabinet onto the bracket, secure it with toggles, use drywall anchors if needed, and add shelves to finish the job.
  • 02:28 Install additional studs to support the medicine cabinet and secure it to the wall.
  • 03:11 Install medicine cabinet, secure, patch, repaint, insert shelves, and enjoy a beautiful and functional addition to your bathroom.

Video Full Text

  • 00:00 Your morning ritual can be less chaotic if everything you need is lined up neatly in rows on shelves in a medicine cabinet. We're going to take you through the steps and show you how to install a recessed or surface mount medicine cabinet. There are two basic types of medicine cabinets recessed these install into the wall and surface mount. These attach to the surface of the wall to install any version of medicine cabinet get to know your wall a little better. If it's load-bearing consult a professional. There may be more preparations needed if you have any doubts. A surface. Mounted cabinet is a good choice. If you already have a mirror where the medicine cabinet is in place.
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  • 00:54 You can go ahead and remove it off. The wall use a stud finder to locate and mark any studs where you're going to place your cabinet. Some stud finders will also locate pipes and wiring. If any are present you may want to switch to a surface mount. A surface mount cabinet is a good option. If you have a wall you can't cut into or if you have plumbing or electrical lines behind the wall mark the placement of where you want the cabinet on the wall. If a bracket is included with your cabinet mount. It on the wall screw it to every stud possible.
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  • 01:28 Your cabinet may have a cam mounting lock to support the top of the medicine cabinet screw. Those into place then have a helper lift.
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  • 01:38 The cabinet up and position it onto the bracket then tilt the mirror into the toggles at the top and lock the cabinet into place if your mounting holes aren't on studs use drywall anchors rated for the weight of your cabinet and its contents with your cabinet firmly attached to the wall finish the job by adding the shelves if you're installing a recessed cabinet start by making an outline for the medicine cabinet on the wall centered over the sink and now it's time to cut a big hole carefully cut the perimeter mark of the rough opening just through the drywall not. The studs at this point pull out the drywall where the medicine cabinet will go mark.
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  • 02:28 The center stud with a square at the bottom of the opening saw the stud for the medicine cabinet to rest on now measure from the bottom edge of the opening to the bottom plate on the floor inside the wall for additional studs to support the cabinet cut. Two two by fours to this length feed a pre-cut 2x4 into the wall on one side of the opening so they sit on the bottom plate and then screw them to the drywall repeat on the other side of the opening. The bottom of the medicine cabinet will rest on these if your wall does not have a stud on the other side screw a pre-cut 2x4 into the drywall so that it is slightly larger than the vertical measurement of the opening.
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  • 03:11 Congrats. You now have a hole framed out and ready to support the weight of your medicine cabinet set the medicine cabinet in place and make sure it's level use the mounting holes inside the cabinet to secure it per. The manufacturer's instructions patch the screws in the drywall and repaint the patches finally insert the shelves then add your favorite products. Just like that you have a beautiful and functional medicine cabinet that will make getting ready for the day. A whole lot easier. Here's a list of tools and materials to take on this project like a pro good luck and thanks for shopping at the home depot you.
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