10 Signs It’s Time to Replace the Old Cabinets in Your Bathroom

If you have old cabinets in your bathroom, you might be thinking about updating your interior design. Your cabinet doors might be hanging off the hinges, or the coat of paint is running thin. Knowing whether or not your cabinets need replacement is the key to getting effective renovations. With that in mind, the team at Cardinal Wholesale Cabinets, LLC is here with these ten important signs you need to replace your bathroom cabinets.

Contact us today to discuss bathroom cabinets in Phoenix, AZ!

1. Not Enough Counter Space

If you find yourself sharing counter space or your family has recently grown in size, your bathroom cabinets might not be cutting it anymore. A new bathroom vanity can provide more counter space and storage options. For example, you could expand your countertop to add an additional sink and a series of cabinets to accommodate more users. You can switch from horizontal cabinets to vertical cabinets, or you can install a larger sink.

2. Wear and Tear

Kitchen cabinets buildup wear and tear over time from ordinary usage. If your cabinet doors look a bit faded and shabby, it might be time to replace them. You should consider replacing your cabinets if you notice any of the following signs:

• Cracked or faded paint

• Wood grain is exposed

• Visible holes

• Cabinet doors won’t hang level

• Corners are rough or rounded

• Scratches or gouges in the lower or upper cabinet doors

Depending on the scope of the damage, you can restore or replace your cabinets. Restoring your cabinets involves stripping the doors of their finish and giving them a fresh coat of paint. You can update your cabinets with durable materials, like birch, cherry, oak, slate, stone, or poplar.

3. Outdated Style

If you like to keep your house updated to match the current trends and be up to code, your old cabinets or vanity might be out of style. If you use your bathroom every day, you’ll want your cabinets in their best condition. An old and outdated cabinet style can ruin the look and feel of your bathroom. For example, traditional cabinet doors with vintage finishes and decoration are going out of style, while more contemporary minimalist designs with high-gloss finishes are in vogue.

4. Changing Bathroom Fixtures

The vanity is typically built around the pipes and plumbing, meaning issues with your sink and other fixtures can affect your vanity and cabinets. If your sink is old and starting to wear through, you may want to consider updating your cabinets at the same time you get a new sink. Beyond the improved quality, a new cabinet or vanity might fit your preferred style of sink better. For example, a vessel sink might not be compatible with your current cabinet or vanity.

5. Need More Storage Space

Storage is one of the primary functions of bathroom cabinets, so replacement is an option if you are struggling for space under your sink. If you own a family, you may find that your space needs will grow as your family does. Modern vanities have countless options for shelves, drawers, and more—enough space for decorations on the vanity too!

6. Mold or Mildew

Mold and mildew are always a sign that you should replace your fixtures. Mold and mildew might form when moisture levels in your cabinets are high. High moisture levels can result from leaking pipes or a crack in your sink basin. Mold can pose a health hazard to you and your family, so replacing a mold-ridden cabinet is always the better option. Mold can also spread to other fixtures of your home, so removing it quickly will stop the spread.

7. Improper Sizing

Another reason to replace your cabinets is you have the wrong bathroom vanity size. Old cabinets that are the wrong size either leave too much space on either side or make things too cramped because they are large. As a general rule of thumb, you need at least 18 inches of clear space to install a single standard sink/cabinet combo. For a double sink installation, you need at least 48 inches of wall space. You also need at least 30 inches of clearance in front of the cabinets to give you enough walking space.

8. Selling Your House

If you are planning on selling your house, updating your bathroom cabinets is an excellent way to increase your home’s resale value. A set of mid-range cabinets in your bathroom can generate an impressive 70% return on interest. Moreover, installing new cabinets is more affordable than many other home renovation projects, so the initial costs are much lower. To maximize the return on investment, you can also install a new mirror or backsplash to complement your new bathroom cabinets.

9. Cabinet Age

Another main reason to replace your old cabinets is age. Typical bathroom cabinets can last about 30 to 50 years, depending on their material and usage conditions. Humidity levels in bathrooms are high, so cabinets can be more susceptible to rotting and mold if there is little ventilation. If your cabinets are nearing the 30-year mark, we highly recommend contacting an expert to discuss replacement options.

10. Leaks

Lastly, leaks from your plumbing fixtures can damage your cabinets, requiring you to replace them. Water can cause wood to rot and may eat away the finish inside your cabinets. If leaking pipes damage your cabinets, you will have to replace the faulty plumbing, or it will just damage any new cabinets you install.