One of the major decisions you will make when refurbishing or building your house is cabinetry. The two rooms in the home that need cabinets are the kitchen and bathroom. You simply cannot leave your utensils, ingredients, shower gels, and shaving creams lying around.
When you go cabinetry shopping, you will be naturally drawn to a set, firstly, by the looks of it. However, did you know that you need to know which cabinet is specific to the kitchen or bathroom? Yes, kitchen and bathroom cabinets may look similar but differ in certain features and functionalities.
Now, I am not saying you cannot use a kitchen cabinet in your bathroom and vice versa but when choosing cabinets, there are certain intricacies you need to know before doing so. Continue reading the article as I point them out to you.
What Is The Difference Between Kitchen And Bathroom Cabinets?
You would think any type of cabinet could fit in the kitchen or bathroom and serve the same storage purpose. However, though kitchen and bathroom cabinets can look the same, there are some differences between them.
1. Size
Generally, kitchen cabinets tend to be larger than bathroom cabinets. You are likely to have more items in the kitchen than in the bathroom that needs to be put away into storage. Even if you do not cook much and have few cooking equipment and ingredients, they will still need more space than all your hygiene products.
Bathroom cabinets, on the reverse, are smaller compared to kitchen cabinets. It is assumed that fewer things will be stored in your bathroom cabinets as opposed to your kitchen cabinets. Consequently, kitchen cabinets offer more storage space as compared to bathroom cabinets.
2. Dimensions
Now let’s get a bit technical here and give dimensions to these cabinets. If you intend to go cabinet shopping and want to be sure what you are buying is either a kitchen or bathroom cabinet, you can go along with a tape measure.
Kitchen cabinets are comparatively deeper, measuring an average of 24 inches, and most have a height of 34 inches. These dimensions are however not set in stone as some people may even prefer that their kitchen cabinets touch the ceiling, making it a few more inches taller.
On the other hand, bathroom cabinets are 21 inches deep and 31 inches high on average. Therefore, to compare, kitchen cabinets are mostly deeper and taller than bathroom cabinets.
When it comes to size and dimensions, however, it is all not so rigid as these cabinets can be customized to suit your kitchen or bathroom.
3. Material Used
Bathrooms and kitchens are areas of moisture and humidity. As such, you should always make sure whatever you are using in there can withstand humidity in the long run. I enjoy hot baths after a long day and always realize that my mirror, cabinets, and doors are foggy after I am done. If my bathroom cabinets were not made of medium-density fibreboard (MDF), I’d be doomed.
So, one of the ways kitchen and bathroom cabinets differ is the type of material they are made of. Because bathrooms tend to have a higher level of humidity than kitchens, bathroom cabinets are made from materials and finishes that are highly resistant to moisture like MDF, solid surface wood, and PVC.
Kitchen cabinets are, on the other hand, made of plywood, stainless steel, and aluminum.
4. Style
Kitchen cabinets sometimes have an already cut-out portion for plumbing under the sink area. This is one way to differentiate between kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Per design, most manufacturers make room for the sink’s plumbing in kitchen cabinets. These cut-outs can be created though after the cabinets have been purchased.
On the other hand, bathroom cabinets do not come with this specification. So, in terms of style, you can strike the difference between kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Can A Kitchen Cabinet Be Used In The Bathroom?
You may have fallen in love with a set of kitchen cabinets while shopping for bathroom cabinets. If you are wondering if you can use a kitchen cabinet in your bathroom, the answer is in the affirmative. However, certain changes need to be made and other factors considered to make that work.
1. Size Of Bathroom
Because kitchen cabinets mostly tend to be larger, deeper, and taller than bathroom cabinets, you should consider the size of your bathroom before deciding to use a kitchen cabinet there.
You don’t want the end product to be an even smaller and clumsier bathroom space, taking away from the relaxing atmosphere you would love your bathroom to have. But of course, if you have a big bathroom, a kitchen cabinet could work fine in your bathroom.
2. Material Used
Depending on the type of material used for the kitchen cabinet, it can be used in the bathroom. Because bathrooms have a high level of humidity in there, bathroom cabinets are made from moisture-resistant materials so they can last longer.
Therefore, if the kitchen cabinets you intend to use for the bathroom are made from MDF, solid wood, or PVC you can be assured of their durability as these materials tend to be resilient against humidity.
3. Items To Be Stored
You can use a kitchen cabinet in the bathroom if you have a lot of things to store in there and feel like the standard bathroom cabinet will be too small. As previously mentioned, kitchen cabinets are larger, deeper, and taller than bathroom cabinets.
Therefore, if contrary to the assumption, you need more storage space in your bathroom, you can opt for a kitchen cabinet.
Pros And Cons Of Using Kitchen Cabinets In The Bathroom
Though it is possible to use kitchen cabinets in the bathroom, the move comes with up and downsides.
Pros
1. More Storage
On the positive side, you get more storage space by using kitchen cabinets in the bathroom. This means if you are obsessed with skin and general self-care, you have more cabinet and counter space to store all those facial creams and essential oils.
2. Great For Tall People
Also, because kitchen cabinets tend to be taller, if you install them in your bathroom, you do not have to bend as much. This is especially helpful if you are tall as it elevates the tendency of waist and back pains while using your bathroom sink.
Cons
1. Reduces Kitchen Floor Area
A disadvantage of using kitchen cabinets in the bathroom is that they may eat up your bathroom floor area, making it smaller and less comfortable. Remember, kitchen cabinets are more extensive so know your dimension before deciding to install kitchen cabinets in your bathroom.
2. Cabinets May Not Last Long
Again, if the material and finishing used for the kitchen cabinet cannot withstand moisture, it will be a bad idea to use it in the bathroom. You should therefore know the type of material and finishing used for the cabinet.
3. Extra Cost
If the kitchen cabinet comes with a cut-out that was supposed to have been for the under-sink plumbing, you will need to cover up that area before using it in your bathroom. This will need you to part with some money. So, using kitchen cabinets in your bathroom may mean extra cost.
Pros And Cons Of Using Bathroom Cabinets In the Kitchen
If some bathroom cabinets appeal to you but you would like to use them in your kitchen, below are some pros and cons you should consider.
Pros
1. Great For Small Kitchens
Bathroom cabinets will be great in your kitchen if you have a small space as they comparatively do not take much floor space. It will even be more amazing if you do not have so many items to put in storage and the space in the bathroom cabinets will suffice.
2. Durability
Also, bathroom cabinets are durable as they are made to be installed in a high-humidity area so they can survive in the kitchen as well. The kitchen has comparatively lower humidity than the bathroom so if the cabinets are meant for the bathroom, they will surely last long in the kitchen.
Cons
1. Less Storage Space
Bathroom cabinets are generally smaller than kitchen cabinets so using bathroom cabinets in the kitchen translates to less storage space. Unless your cooking equipment and ingredients are not too many, this would be a problem as there will not be sufficient space for storing your pots and pans.
2. Extra Cost
Also, you will need more money to refurbish some bathroom cabinets to make them suit your kitchen. For instance, a portion of the bathroom cabinet, mostly shelves, will need to be cut out to accommodate the under-sink plumbing
Conclusion
In conclusion, kitchen cabinets and bathroom cabinets may look the same and are different in features and size. Though one can be interchanged for the other, you must know the advantages and disadvantages of taking such a decision as it goes beyond you just liking the cabinet.
I would recommend using cabinets meant for the kitchen in the kitchen and those meant for the bathroom to be used in the bathroom.
No matter your preference, there will always be one for you, either already made or custom-made.