Painted Furniture
Made at 173
Why Build Another Medicine Cabinet?
As you can see, the cabinet was overflowing with those remedies to ameliorate the pains and dyspeptic disorders of the aging denizens of 173, Clearly it was time for a larger cabinet, and what better time than after a relatively major project that left scraps lying about the ol' workshop. If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you know I like finding uses for project scraps, most of which can be seen on the Made at 173 page at the top of the blog.
Health is the state about which medicine has nothing to say. - W. H. Auden
Building from Kitchen Leftovers
And so it began, The plan was simple - make a bigger medicine cabinet, and use only materials leftover from the kitchen project, or stuff on hand at 173.
The divider and shelves were an interesting mix...sawn-to-size, repurposed shelved from the kitchen nook, a piece of scrap wood, and a piece of scrap PVC board from some long-forgotten project. The door were also made from some piece acquired long ago:
Mixing Old and New
The hinges were leftover from the kitchen, but that isn't saying much. When I ordered hinges off Amazon, I didn't read carefully, and didn't know hinges came in pairs (doh!). So I ended up with twice the number of hinges that were needed...know anyone that needs hinges? The handles (seen below) were the original cabinet handles, which is a nice way to integrate the original, which is something I always like to do if I can. I also went retro, old-school, old fashion (or whatever else you wanna call it) and painted the cabinet white (leftover paint from the kitchen).
A Little Character Goes a Long Way
But - it was just a little too plain. So, like I did with the buffet-side cart-typing table-thingy in the dining room, I made a stencil to add just a modicum of design to the cabinet:
One thing I've learned over the years is that utility doesn't have to be boring. A cabinet can simply hold bottles and bandages, but if I'm going to walk past it every day, I want it to have just a little personality. The stencil only takes a few extra minutes, but it turns a plain white cabinet into something that feels like it belongs at 173 instead of just occupying a wall.
And so, without further ado, here is the new medicine cabinet in its natural habitat:
Hey, thanks for stopping by - see ya' next time!
PS: That picture gives a hint at the kitchen reveal which is coming soon!
I'm definitely not a woodworker, so I wasn't looking at the joinery or wondering how the cabinet was built. What I noticed was the way you made something completely ordinary feel interesting. Most of us have a medicine cabinet and never think twice about it. You took one look at yours, realized life had outgrown it, and built another one almost entirely from leftovers.I also liked that you kept the original handles. That's such a small detail, but it made the new cabinet feel connected to the old one instead of replacing it outright. Those little touches are what make House 173 feel less like a DIY blog and more like reading the ongoing story of a home. - The Casual Reader
Frequently Asked Questions
Why reuse leftover materials instead of buying new lumber?
Using project leftovers reduces waste, saves money, and often results in furniture that matches other projects because the materials, finishes, and hardware already share the same design language.
How do you plan a project around scrap materials?
Rather than starting with fixed dimensions, measure the usable pieces first and let those dimensions influence the cabinet's size, shelf spacing, and overall layout.
Why reuse the original cabinet hardware?
Reusing quality hardware preserves a connection to the original project while reducing cost. Older pulls and knobs are often sturdier than modern replacements and help maintain continuity within a home.
Why paint a utility cabinet instead of staining it?
Paint provides a durable, easy-to-clean surface that's well suited for bathrooms. It also allows cabinets built from mixed materials, including PVC and different wood species, to appear as one cohesive piece.
How do stencils hold up on painted furniture?
When applied over fully cured paint and protected with a clear topcoat if desired, painted stencils can remain crisp for years while adding personality without overwhelming the design.
Keywords
medicine cabinet, DIY medicine cabinet, scrap wood project, repurposed materials, bathroom storage, homemade cabinet, painted cabinet, woodworking, Made at 173, House 173