Wall-mounted storage saves bath space

Q: I don't like my present medicine cabinet. Unfortunately, it came with the house, so I've been stuck with it. Since it's outdated and in a poor state of repair, I'm going to have a new one installed. Can you please give me some tips on choosing a new medicine cabinet?

A: Medicine cabinets have come a long way since the days of painted metal boxes with a mirror door. Today, they can be more like a piece of furniture than just a place to see your reflection and store accessories.

With all the new styles available, it can get a little confusing when trying to choose the right one. Here are some basic tips:

Size does matter. In most cases, you'll need to replace your old medicine cabinet with one of the same size and style. So know the exact specifications of your present cabinet and if it's a wall-mounted or recessed-installed unit. This will help narrow your choices.

Also, decide if you want to go ultra-modern or old-school. Old-school is basically a cabinet only, while ultra-modern may have electrical gadgets built in, things like lights, radio or even a TV.

Finally, make sure the door swings open from the correct side to fit your bathroom. Otherwise, your new medicine cabinet may cause a big headache.

Q: We are remodeling and upgrading our half-bathroom that presently has a simple wall-hung sink to save space. For smaller bathrooms I understand that a pedestal sink would be the normal upgrade, but I am looking for some storage space as well. But trying to fit in a vanity and sink top would be difficult. Any ideas for us to look into?

Wall-hung fixtures do help in smaller areas because they're easier to walk around than fixtures that take up floor space. A practical solution to your issue could be a "wall-hung vanity." These types of vanities are often overlooked because a lot of homeowners are not familiar with them.

Wall-hung vanities can accept standard vanity sink tops and offer a clean, streamlined look with plenty of foot space under the unit.

However, in most cases they can be a "higher end" unit because they may need extra structure supports and proper wall backing. While it may cost you more for a wall-hung vanity, it may not be such an off-the-wall idea if you end up with extra storage space in a smaller bathroom.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of "Ed Del Grande's House Call," host of TV and Internet shows and a LEED green associate.