How To Build A Recessed Medicine Cabinet With Mirror

One of bathroom necessities that makes it functional and practical is recessed medicine cabinet. If you prefer to buy it, you must cut the wall to accommodate the bulk of the wall unit. For example, a cabinet that is 20 inches wide and 26 inches tall may call for a hole that is at least 19.25 inches wide and 25.25 inches tall. The depth may be about 5.25 inches. Since the sides of these units are usually manufactured from unattractive aluminium of fiberglass, full insertion into the opening is necessary. Alternatively, you can build one yourself and add a mirror to the door. To solve the common problem of installing the medicine cabinet recessed into the wall, you must be careful in locating the studs in the wall where you cut the hole.

Tools you will need: 2 pieces 20 by 6 inches (sides) 2 pieces 13½ by 6 inches (top and bottom) 2 pieces 12¾ by 5 ½ inches (shelves) 2 pieces ¾ by ¾ by 20 inches 2 pieces ¾ by ¾ by 16 inches One piece 16 by 20 by ¼ inch plywood (back) Wood glue Hammer 2d finish nails 2d box nails 6d finish nails 2) ¾ inch Piano hinges with screws.

Follow these instructions to build a recessed medicine cabinet with mirror.

• Lay the two sidepieces on the floor next to each other. Allowing for the top and bottom of the cabinet, mark the end pieces where you want the two inside shelves to go.
• Next, run a bead of glue on one edge of the top piece and secure it to the side piece with second finish nails. Repeat this for the bottom of the cabinet and then again to attach the other side panel.
• Run a bead of glue on the end of one of the shelves, set it in place and secure it with the nails. Next, run a bead of glue on the backs of all the ends and shelves, set the quarter-inch back in place, and secure it with second box nails.
• Place some glue on one of the pieces of ¾-by-¾-by-20-inch moulding and secure it to one of the sides at the front of the cabinet with second box nails. Repeat this for the other side panel.
• Secure the two pieces of ¾-by-¾-by-16 inch moulding the same way you did in Step 4. Measure the back of the cabinet and draw the shape on the wall in the desired location. Cut the drywall with the keyhole saw. Slide the cabinet into the wall and secure it. securing it through the side panels into the studs in the wall with six finish nails.
• Make a mark 1½ inches from the long edge of the door at the top and the bottom. These are where you will install the piano hinges for the door. Install the hinges with the screws provided, then hold the door in place and attach the door to the inside of the side panel of the medicine cabinet.