Your Complete Guide to 450mm Shaving Cabinets
Right then. Been staring at that old bathroom, dreaming of a change? Your head's probably buzzing with ideas. But then you hit the wall. The classic problem: storage. Especially in a bathroom that's a bit on the cosy side. It's a classic Aussie dilemma – you want that clean, open feel, but where does all the stuff go? This is where a cracking little bit of kit comes in: the shaving cabinet. Honestly, it's one of the smartest moves you can make to get storage without gobbling up floor space. Here at The Blue Space, we've helped countless people transform their bathrooms with the right cabinet, and the 450mm size is a real crowd-pleaser. Let's have a yarn about why it might be the perfect piece of the puzzle for your place.
So, What is a 450mm Shaving Cabinet Anyway?
Let's get straight to it. A 450mm shaving cabinet is a wall-hung storage unit that’s 450 millimetres wide and has a mirror for a door. Simple as that. Forget those rusty old medicine boxes from your grandma's house; these are a whole different beast. It's a mirror and a cabinet rolled into one tidy package. That 45-centimetre width makes it a superstar for those spots where you have a little bit of room to play with but can't fit a large, bulky unit. It’s a clever trick to get your benchtops looking spotless and all your bathroom bits and bobs tucked away. It might look like a simple box, but it pulls a lot of weight in making a bathroom work properly.
Where Does a 450mm Shaving Cabinet Actually Work Best?
You’d be surprised how handy a cabinet this size can be. It's that perfect in-between size, making it a real problem-solver in heaps of different spots around the home.
The Powder Room Power-Up
While some powder rooms are tiny, others have a bit more space to work with. If you're not restricted to the narrowest wall, a 450mm cabinet is a brilliant choice. It gives you a more generous mirror for your guests and a roomier spot to stash spare loo rolls, hand soap, and air freshener. It adds function without overwhelming the space.
The Ensuite Saviour
Got an ensuite? That's probably the best spot for a 450mm jobbie. It's got enough guts to hold all your gear – and your partner's – without looking like a monster on the wall. Just whack it up over the sink. Boom. Instant storage, problem solved. Suddenly, the whole room just feels calmer. And that's the goal, right?
The Small-to-Medium Bathroom Solution
What if your main bathroom is just... average-sized? Not massive, not a shoebox. The 450mm is your guy. You get that little bit of extra shelf space you wouldn't get in a smaller one, but it doesn't look chunky. It's a great home for the Panadol, the band-aids, you know, the family stuff. Everything's tucked away. Plus, the mirror throws light around the place, which always makes a room feel bigger.
A Good Match for Your Vanity
Here's a good tip. This size is the perfect partner for a 600mm or 750mm vanity. Pop it in the middle of a 600, or just off to one side on a 750. It just looks right. It lines everything up – cabinet, basin, vanity – so it looks like you planned it properly from the start, not like an afterthought.
The Different Flavours of 450mm Shaving Cabinets
The width might be locked in at 450mm, but that's where the uniformity ends. There's a heap of choice out there, depending on the style of your bathroom and the little extras you're after. We make it a point to stock a massive variety over at The Blue Space so you can find the one that’s just right.
Let's Talk Shapes
The shape of your cabinet is a big deal. It can totally change the mood of your room.
Rectangular
You can't go wrong with a classic rectangular. They just work. Clean lines, simple, and heaps of straightforward shelf space inside.
Round
A round cabinet is a good way to soften up a bathroom. Bathrooms have a lot of hard lines with tiles and vanities, so a circle adds a gentle, interesting touch while still hiding your stuff.
Pill-Shaped
Think of Pill-shape as half-rectangle, half-circle. That long, curvy shape is what you're seeing everywhere right now. Looks very cool and modern.
Arch
Arches are back in a big way. That curved top adds a touch of class and elegance. It can make a plain wall look really special and it works just as well in a new build as it does in a classic home.
Clever Features to Look For
Modern shaving cabinets have some pretty cool tricks up their sleeves.
LED Lighting
The LED light shines right on your face, not from the ceiling. It's a massive help when you're shaving or trying to get your eyeliner straight. It also gives off a nice soft glow, which is a bit gentler on the eyes if you get up in the middle of the night.
Internal Power Points
Some of the best cabinets have a power point and even USB ports hidden inside. So you can stick your electric toothbrush or shaver on to charge inside the cabinet. Finally! No more cables all over the bench.
Adjustable Shelves
Make sure you get one with adjustable shelves. Trust me, it makes life so much easier when you can move them around to fit things.
Soft-Close Doors
This sounds like a tiny detail, but you'll be glad you have it every morning. The hinges are soft-close, so the door can't slam shut. It just makes the whole bathroom quieter and more peaceful.
A Few of Our Favourite Brands
We're pretty picky about the brands we stock. We only work with the best.
- Otti: Otti is always on top of the latest trends. Their cabinets look amazing and work beautifully, and they often come in a bunch of different colours.
- Bao: If you're after great value, Bao is a brand to look at. Their cabinets are well-made, look sharp, and have all the practical features you need for a family bathroom.
- Timberline: A true blue Aussie favourite. Timberline cabinets are built to last and you can customise them to your heart's content, so you get the exact look you want.
- Ingrain: For those who love a bit of natural timber, Ingrain is fantastic. Their cabinets bring a real warmth and beautiful texture to a bathroom.
The Main Reasons to Get a 450mm Shaving Cabinet
So, what's the actual reason you'd get one? Let's boil it down.
1. Squeezes Storage into a Compact Footprint
Look, our houses aren't getting any bigger. Using your wall space is just common sense. A cabinet on the wall gives you storage but takes up zero floor space. Simple as that.
2. It's a Mirror and a Cabinet. Two for One.
You need a mirror. You need storage. This gives you both. It's that simple. Not only does this save you physical space, it can save you some cash too since you're not buying a separate mirror and a separate storage unit. It just makes things easier, and gives you a really clean, uncluttered look above your sink.
3. A Tidy Bathroom is a Happy Bathroom
You know it's true. A clear benchtop just feels better. When you can hide all the toiletries away, the whole bathroom feels more put-together. Instead of looking at a jumble of bottles, you've got a clean, calm surface. It changes the room from just a place you use, to a place you can actually relax.
4. Your Own Personal Grooming Hub
When everything you need is right there behind the mirror, your morning rush gets a whole lot easier. And if you go for a model with lights and a demister, you're really in business. The built-in light gives you a clear view for those little jobs, and a demister means your mirror is clear the second you step out of a hot shower. It turns that little patch of wall into a proper, effective station for getting ready.
A Few Final Things to Think About
Before you hit 'add to cart', there are just a couple more things to mull over. Getting these details right will mean you end up with a cabinet you'll love for years.
Installation: On the Wall or In the Wall?
This is a pretty important decision. You've got two ways to go:
Surface-Mounted
This is the easy way. You just screw the cabinet straight onto the wall. It's faster, cheaper, and pretty much anyone can do it. The only thing is you'll see the sides of the cabinet.
Recessed
This is the schmick-looking option. Your builder cuts a hole in the wall and sinks the cabinet into the cavity, so only the mirror door sits on the outside. It looks amazing and saves you that extra few inches of space. But, it's a bigger job and you need to make sure you have a clear, empty space inside your wall. You have to check for pipes, wires, and studs before you commit. Have a chat with your builder about it early on.
The Finish and Material
If you do surface-mount your cabinet, you'll see its sides. So, the colour and material matter. A white gloss finish is a safe bet for a bright, clean look. Matte black is very modern and adds a bit of drama. A timber-look finish brings in some warmth and texture. Have a think about what will sit nicely with your tiles, your vanity, and your taps.
Pulling the Whole Look Together
Remember to think about how it will look with everything else. A 450mm wide cabinet sits well above a bathroom basin of a similar size, or centred over a 600mm or 750mm vanity. Also, don't forget the little details, like your basin waste and tapware. You can find all the matching pieces, right down to the best wastes, on our site to make sure you get a perfectly coordinated look.
Really, the 450mm shaving cabinet is just a solid, versatile workhorse for an Aussie bathroom. It’s a smart choice that gets you that perfect balance of being compact but still having good storage. It’s a mirror and a roomy cabinet in one, helping you get a bathroom that's tidy, works well, and just feels good to be in. No dramas.
