Made at 173
For a Funky Little Spot
Built from leftover lumber, improved by experience, and remembered for far more than its shelves.
Taking a break from the kitchen posts until some of the punch list items are done, so I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to document an old, minor project. At the same time, for transparency's sake, let me point out that I'm setting up for the next post. Don't let that bother you too much...or at all!
Anyway, not long after moving into 173, it became apparent there was a need for a medicine cabinet. Fortunately, there's this funky little spot between the entryway and the kitchen, where the basement door is, that is too small to do anything with:
Finding a Home for a Medicine Cabinet
That little wall was the perfect spot for a medicine cabinet, and after some project or other (I don't recall at this point) I had some scrap wood available. If you've been reading this blog at all, you know I usually try to find a project to use up the scraps, and that's exactly what I did for this cabinet.
Yup! Pretty rustic, but almost twenty years ago I think that's what we were going for (that's my excuse anyway, just let me have it!).
Looking Back Twenty Years Later
Truth be told, I kind of enjoy looking back at these early projects. If I were building this cabinet today, I'd do a dozen little things differently. The joinery would be cleaner, the proportions a little better, and I'd probably spend a lot more time fussing over the details. But every project here at 173 represents where I was at that particular moment. This cabinet reminds me that before I knew how to build the bigger projects, I had to build the little ones first. Looking back isn't embarrassing,it's just part of the journey.
To show the scraps used, and just how rustic this thing was:
The panel in the door is leftover from the original front porch makeover - which took place long before there was a House 173 blog. Back then I wasn't thinking about documenting projects. I was just trying to improve the house one little job at a time.
Life Changes...So Do Medicine Cabinets
I digress...as time went on, and 173ites grew older, the number of medications, balms and salves grew, and as you can see - anarchy reigned!
Funny how that happens. The cabinet never really changed; life did. Looking back, I'm glad I never tore it down simply because my skills had improved. Every time I walked past it, I was reminded of a younger version of myself trying to figure things out with a handful of scrap boards and a house full of ideas. I think every old house deserves to keep a few reminders like that.
What started out holding a few everyday necessities slowly became packed with the little things that seem to accumulate over twenty years of homeownership.
Its Natural Habitat
Here's a shot so you can see the old medicine cabinet's natural habitat.
If you've noticed, I've referred to this as the old medicine cabinet.
There's a reason for that.
After nearly two decades of faithful service, it was finally time for a change. It had earned its retirement.
That's a story for the next post.
Hey, thanks for stopping by... see ya' next time!
What I appreciated most wasn't the cabinet itself, it was your attitude toward it. Every woodworker has projects they'd build differently today, but not everyone is willing to show them. Instead of apologizing for the rough edges, you recognize them as part of learning the craft. That's something every DIYer understands. The line about the joinery being cleaner today rang especially true. Experience isn't measured by having perfect early projects; it's measured by being able to look back, smile, and see how far you've come.By the end, I wasn't eager to see the new cabinet because the old one had failed, I wanted to see it because the old one had finished its job. That distinction makes all the difference. - The Seasoned DIYer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why build a custom medicine cabinet instead of buying one?
Older homes often have narrow wall spaces or unusual framing that won't accommodate standard medicine cabinets. A custom cabinet makes use of otherwise wasted space while providing storage sized specifically for the home's needs.
What makes scrap lumber suitable for cabinetry?
Well-seasoned leftover lumber is often just as stable as newly purchased wood. Small cabinet projects are excellent opportunities to repurpose offcuts while reducing waste and lowering project costs.
How do woodworking skills change over time?
Experience usually shows itself in cleaner joinery, more consistent proportions, better material selection, and improved finishing techniques. Looking back at earlier projects can be one of the best ways to measure that growth.
Why do homemade storage projects often become too small?
Most storage isn't outgrown because the cabinet shrinks, it's because life changes. Families accumulate medications, first-aid supplies, and everyday household items that weren't part of the original design.
Is it worth keeping early DIY projects?
Often, yes. Even if they're eventually replaced, early projects document the evolution of both the homeowner and the house, making them meaningful parts of a home's history.
Keywords
medicine cabinet, DIY medicine cabinet, homemade medicine cabinet, scrap wood woodworking, bathroom storage ideas, custom medicine cabinet, beginner woodworking, small space storage, House 173, home improvement blog