Traditionally the vanity has taken on the bulk of bathroom storage, with an occasional assist from a medicine cabinet. But lately tower bathroom cabinets have been taking hold with homeowners. Tall cabinets are most often installed atop a counter or as a freestanding piece of furniture adjacent to a vanity.

Tower cabinets offer handy storage at eye level and provide easy access. They are also a great place to conceal electrical outlets, whether inside or on the side of the cabinet. 

Stylish Division

Stacking two cabinets can divide the sink area from a makeup table area. The cabinets can also anchor two floating shelves. Countertop towers provide storage at eye level, which is especially nice to include in a bathroom that doesn’t have room for a medicine cabinet.

Takeaway: 

When placing a countertop cabinet between two areas, consider which side of the room it will serve the most. Then have the door open up to that side.

Linen Storage

When planning a contemporary renovation for their bathroom, a countertop tower can be placed in a corner to keep the room feeling as open as possible. Integrate the design by matching the room’s molding around the top of the cabinet.

Takeaway: 

Install an electrical outlet on countertop cabinets rather than cluttering up the nice lines of a backsplash with it.

Backsplash Frame

Countertop cabinets can provide pleasing boundaries for a tiled wall backsplash. Careful measuring allows the square tiles to fit between the mirror frame and the cabinets.

Takeaway: 

Note bottom drawers are great for storing jewelry, electronic devices or everyday items like hairbrushes.

Full Height

The towers atop a vanity can extend all the way up to the high ceiling, but make sure the scale is appropriate for the size of the bathroom. The top cabinets are hard to reach, so they’re best for storing infrequently used items. But even if they remain empty, these upper cabinets are key to the pleasing proportions of the towers.

Takeaway: 

Outlets and pullout shelves installed inside the tower makes them great for storing and plugging in electric toothbrushes and shavers or for charging phones.

Display Space

A vanity, can also be styled for display — it’s always nice to bring art and organic elements into a bathroom. But the open look also can be functional and attractive. Neatly folded towels and toiletries corralled into baskets would look great.

Takeaway: 

When planning for open shelves, add closed storage on the bottom to provide balance.

Symmetrical Arrangement

Twin storage towers gives cabinetry a more traditional furniture-like feel and provides symmetry that’s easy on the eye.

Takeaway: 

Use the sides of towers to your advantage. They provide a convenient spot for hand towel rings.

Handy Hampers

Often a hamper is a freestanding piece in a bathroom — an afterthought brought about through necessity. Towers can provide hampers that make collecting and sorting dirty laundry easy and attractive.

Takeaway: 

Don’t forget to plan for a hamper or laundry chute when renovating a bathroom, laundry room or closet.