The 1200mm Shaving Cabinet: Your Bathroom's Secret Weapon
So, you’re in the thick of planning a bathroom renovation. Good on ya. It’s exciting stuff. But it’s easy to get bogged down in picking tiles and taps and forget about one of the most important things: where you’re going to put all your stuff. A cluttered vanity top can ruin a beautiful new bathroom, fast. That's why we're here to have a good chat about the 1200mm shaving cabinet. Here at The Blue Space, we see these as a bit of a secret weapon for a top-notch bathroom.
First Off, What Are We Talking About?
Let's get the simple bit out of the way. A 1200mm shaving cabinet is a storage unit with a mirror on the front that you hang on the wall. The big deal is its size – 1.2 metres wide. That's a serious bit of storage and a very generous mirror. It’s not just a place for your toothbrush. It’s a proper piece of furniture that can define the look of your whole room. It’s all about getting that handy storage right where you need it, hidden away so your bathroom stays looking clean and sharp.
Is This a Good Fit for Your Bathroom?
A big cabinet like this isn't for every single space, but for some bathrooms, it's a perfect match. You get the idea. It's especially useful in a few key situations we see all the time.
Got a busy family bathroom? This thing is a lifesaver. Seriously. There's enough space inside to stop the morning chaos. Everyone can have their own shelf for their gear – toothbrushes, sunscreen, bandaids, the lot. And the huge mirror means two people can get ready side-by-side without any arguments. It helps you keep the benchtop clear, which makes cleaning up heaps easier. That's a win for any parent.
Or maybe you're building a beautiful big master ensuite. A 1200mm cabi adds that splash of hotel luxury. It just looks right. Put it above a matching 1200mm wide bathroom vanity and you’ve got a stunning focal point. The massive mirror bounces light around, making the whole room feel bigger and brighter. It’s your own personal station for getting ready, keeping the vibe peaceful and spa-like.
Alright, What Are the Different Kinds?
Just because you’ve settled on the size doesn’t mean the decisions are over. Nope. You’ve still got options to make sure it’s the right fit for your style and your bathroom's build. Let's break it down.
Hanging it: On the Wall or In the Wall?
Surface-Mounted
This is the standard way to do it. You just hang the cabinet straight onto the wall. It’s dead simple. Your builder can pop it on and you're good to go. It will stick out from the wall a bit, usually around 15cm, so you just need to account for that in your space. Easy.
Recessed
Now this is a slick look. With a recessed cabinet, the body of it is built *into* the wall cavity. All you see is the mirror, sitting nice and flush with your tiles. It makes the room feel bigger and looks super clean. The catch? You need to plan for it. Your builder has to make a hole in the wall, and you need to be sure there are no pipes or wiring in the way. It’s best for a new build or a major reno where you're taking the walls back to the frame anyway.
Doors, Doors, Doors
With a cabinet this wide, you're going to have a few doors. It just makes it easier to use.
- Two Doors: This gives you two wide 600mm doors. It’s a simple, balanced look.
- Three Doors: This is probably the most common setup you'll see. Three doors, about 400mm each. It's handy because you only need to open a small section to grab what you need.
One thing you really want to look for is soft-close hinges. Any decent shaving cabinet will have them. It means no more slammed doors, which saves the mirror and just feels a bit fancy.
Fancy Extras: Lighting and Power
This is where things get really clever. Modern cabinets can come with some brilliant built-in features.
LED Lighting
This is a game-changer. LED shaving cabinets have lights built right in. They give you perfect, even lighting for doing your makeup or having a shave. No weird shadows. It's a fantastic feature.
Anti-Fog
Ever get out of the shower and have to wipe down a foggy mirror? An anti-fog pad, or demister, is a little heating element behind the glass that stops this from happening. It’s a small thing, but you'll love it every single day.
Power Points Inside
This is genius. You can keep your electric toothbrush and shaver charging inside the cabinet, out of sight. No more messy cords on the benchtop. It keeps everything looking tidy.
Thinking Outside the Box (Or Rectangle)
The 1200mm size is pretty much always a rectangle, and you'll see some great rectangular shaving cabinets out there. But if you're looking at other sizes, it's worth knowing there are other shapes that can bring a different feel. For a softer look, people are loving pill-shaped shaving cabinets and even perfectly round shaving cabinets. And for a bit of elegance, arch shape shaving cabinets are becoming a huge trend. Just some food for thought!
The Main Reasons to Go Big
So, why go to all this trouble for a big cabinet? Well, the payoffs are huge.
1. Tonnes of Storage
This is the big one. The sheer amount of space you get is incredible. You can finally find a home for everything. Full-sized shampoo bottles, the family-sized sunscreen, the first-aid kit, all your cosmetics. It all gets tucked away on the shelves, leaving your vanity top beautifully clear. A clean bench makes for a calm bathroom.
2. It Makes Sharing Easier
That wide mirror is a blessing for any couple or family. Two people can use it at once without bumping elbows. It honestly makes the morning rush hour so much less frantic. You can even give everyone their own zone inside the cabinet. His and hers, sorted.
3. It Just Looks Great
There's no denying it. A big, single cabinet and mirror create a strong, clean line across the wall. It makes the room feel wider. The mirror bounces light around, which is great for making any space feel brighter and more open. It acts as a real centrepiece for the room, making it feel finished and properly designed.
A Few Last Things to Think About
Before you pull the trigger, just have a quick think about these last details. It'll make sure you get it 100% right.
What's it Made Of?
You want the cabinet to match the rest of your bathroom's vibe. You can get them in all sorts of finishes.
- White: You can't go wrong with classic white. It works everywhere.
- Black: A matte black cabinet is a bold choice that looks amazing with black taps.
- Timber-Look: Finishes that look like wood bring a lot of warmth and a natural feel to a room. Brands like the Aussie-made Ingrain do this beautifully.
- A Pop of Colour: If you want to be a bit more adventurous, some brands like Bao, Otti, or Timberline offer coloured options to show off your personality.
Matching it Up
A 1200mm shaving cabinet looks best when it’s sitting above a vanity of the same width. It just lines up perfectly. Think about your bathroom basin too. If you have two basins, the single large mirror ties them together nicely. Also, make sure you hang it high enough to clear your taps, but not so high that you can't see in the mirror properly! And don't forget the little things that tie it all together, like matching your basin wastes and any visible traps and grates to your tapware finish.
Putting it Up
Look, this is a big, heavy cabinet. You need to make sure it's installed properly. It has to be screwed into the studs in your wall, not just the plasterboard. This is a job for a pro. Get your builder or a chippy to do it. They’ll make sure it’s level, secure, and safe for you to load up with all your gear.
And that's the long and short of it. A 1200mm shaving cabinet is a brilliant bit of kit. It’s practical, it looks fantastic, and it helps you create a bathroom that’s a pleasure to be in every day. If you’ve got the wall space, it’s an choice you won’t regret.
