Medicine Cabinets: Compact Storage Spaces for First Aid Kits

Medicine cabinet types

In older homes, most medicine cabinets were recessed into the wall. This type is known as inset-mounted medicine cabinet. A medicine cabinet of this type can be installed if your bathroom wall is stripped to the studs. However, if you plan to retrofit a new medicine cabinet by cutting through an existing wall, make sure that you employ the help of professionals. This is because installing a recessed medicine cabinet requires looking into the plumbing and other fixtures that may be affected during the process.

Wall-mounted medicine cabinets, on the other hand, are hung directly on the wall and no recessing is needed. These are usually situated on the wall above the bathroom sink.

Despite modern innovations in the designs of bathroom cabinets, they have always served the same purpose and are still integral fixtures in many homes. Medicine cabinets usually feature mirrors on the doors. As a medicine cabinet mirror may be the only mirror in a bathroom, some manufacturers use premium float glass to provide a rich reflection and distortion-free viewing. They can be framed in a wide range of materials such as stainless steel, wood, aluminum, hard plastic, and sometimes, even beveled mirror edging. These medicine cabinets may have adjustable shelves, rust-free interiors and convenient push-button mechanisms for opening the door. You could also choose from either right- or left-hand opening doors.

What to stock up on

A medicine cabinet must be adequately stocked with essential medicines and first aid paraphernalia for it to be useful. To take care of minor emergencies, the medicine cabinet must hold medication for minor emergencies such as cuts, bruises, stomachaches, toothaches and the like. A medicine cabinet should also hold analgesic for pain, ointment for the prevention of infections, antacids, medicine for upset stomach, antihistamines to relieve allergies, decongestant to relieve colds, cough medications, syrup of ipecac in case of poisoning, anti-itch and anti-inflammation lotions, and an antiseptic. Paraphernalia that should also be stored in the medicine cabinet include measuring spoons, an adult and/or child thermometer, adhesive tape, bandage, a small pair of scissors, tweezers, Band-Aids and gauze pads.

The cabinet's width should be about equal to the width of the vanity or sink below it. However, there are some over-sized models whose selling points are their ”all-in-one" convenience feature. These types of medicine cabinets should preferably be installed at eye level and within arm's reach. In addition, for safety reasons, a medicine cabinet must be out of reach of small children. Keeping your medicine cabinet well-stocked could save you trips to the hospital in case of minor accidents or illnesses.