A Kansas City cabinetmaker on why bathroom storage should be built around your life, not the other way around.
Story by Ann Butenas / Photos courtesy of Custom Wood Products
When it comes to bathroom design, cabinetry is often an afterthought, but it shouldn’t be. Billie Deatherage represents Custom Wood Products as Brand Ambassador following a long career as an independent designer in the Kansas City market. Deatherage has years of experience helping homeowners rethink existing spaces and incorporating more storage and functionality into their bathroom cabinetry. From tailored dimensions to material choices built to withstand daily humidity and wear, custom cabinetry offers a level of function and longevity that a standard vanity simply can’t match. We asked Deatherage to share some insight on what to consider when planning bathroom cabinetry for your home.
KCH&S: What’s the biggest difference between a standard, off-the-shelf vanity and a custom-built one, and why does that difference matter to homeowners?
Custom Wood Products: Stock vanities come in predetermined sizes, configurations, materials and finishes, which keeps costs down but limits options. Stock vanities are almost always displayed as stand-alone furniture; many have contoured “furniture look” features on the sides. This can be problematic in a small bathroom where the vanity needs to sit flush to a side wall. A custom vanity is built to fit the space exactly, working around plumbing, HVAC vents, awkward walls or small footprints while incorporating storage features like grooming stations, plug strips or roll-out trash. Other cabinetry in the room, such as linen cabinets and toilet room storage, can be built to match the vanity for a cohesive look.
KCH&S: What are some of the most popular styles or finishes you’re seeing in bathroom cabinetry right now, and how do you help clients choose one that will still feel right in ten years?
Custom Wood Products: Warm woods like white oak, walnut and hickory in medium tones are popular for bringing warmth to a space that can sometimes feel clinical. Painted cabinetry is trending toward warm greiges, muted greens and deep blues rather than stark white which has been popular for the last decade. The clean lines of Shaker and Slim Shaker doors remain dependable choices. Bolder, darker and dramatic finishes are showing up as focal points in powder rooms.
KCH&S: What construction methods or materials should homeowners look for to make sure their bathroom cabinetry holds up to moisture and daily use over time?
Custom Wood Products: Plywood boxes are the most durable choice, holding up far better than particleboard or MDF in humid conditions. High-quality MDF works fine for painted doors and drawer fronts, but standard MDF isn’t ideal for boxes in high moisture areas. Solid wood is attractive but expands and contracts with humidity, so a premium finish is a must. Drawer construction counts too: look for dovetail joints, full extension glides and hardware rated for frequent use, since bathroom drawers open dozens of times a day.
KCH&S: Storage seems to be a huge issue in bathrooms. How does custom cabinetry solve storage problems that a standard vanity can’t?
Custom Wood Products: Storage can be tailored to how a homeowner lives. Shallow drawers work well for makeup or medications, while deeper drawers can hold towels or be outfitted with plug strips for hair appliances. Tower storage with interior plugs can conceal chargers for a toothbrush or razor, eliminating clutter on the countertop while providing good eye-level storage. Trash rollouts, tilt-out hampers and roll-out shelves are functional solutions rarely found in prefab vanities.
KCH&S: What’s the long-term value of investing in custom cabinetry versus buying something prefabricated?
Custom Wood Products: Well-built custom cabinetry can be refreshed over time with a new paint job, updated pulls or new countertops. Inexpensive cabinets, by contrast, typically need full replacement rather than a refresh, making quality construction a better long-term investment.
KCH&S: What’s one thing you wish more homeowners understood before they start shopping for bathroom cabinetry?
Custom Wood Products: Bathroom cabinets face daily use, moisture and seasonal humidity, so quality matters more than looks alone. Online shopping offers endless options but can be confusing, so read the material and size specifications closely. And when replacing a vanity, always verify plumbing accessibility first. A new sink not lining up with existing plumbing is a common and avoidable problem.
