The Real-Deal Guide to 800mm Shaving Cabinets
Right then. You’re doing a bathroom reno. Good on ya. It’s a messy, chaotic, but brilliant job. You’re probably swimming in tile samples and trying to figure out tapware. But let’s stop for a sec and talk about the one thing that can make or break the room: the shaving cabinet. Seriously. Get this wrong, and you’re doomed to a life of cluttered benchtops. Get it right, and you’ve got a slice of organised heaven. And for most Aussie bathrooms, the 800mm width is the absolute sweet spot. Here at The Blue Space, we’ve helped with more renos than we’ve had hot dinners, so let’s have a proper chat about why this cabinet might just be your new best mate.
First Off, What Are We Actually Talking About?
Let's not overcomplicate it. An 800mm shaving cabinet is a mirrored cabinet that's 80cm wide. It’s the most popular kid in school for a reason. It just works. It lines up perfectly over a standard 800mm or 900mm wide bathroom vanity, which gives you this lovely, satisfying symmetry. It looks planned. Behind the mirror is where the magic happens. A home for your electric toothbrush, your partner's fifty skincare bottles, the Panadol... all the stuff that normally lives out in the open. The whole point is to reclaim your bench space. A clear benchtop makes a bathroom feel twice as big and a hundred times more calming. It’s a dead-simple, two-for-one deal: a great mirror and a heap of storage.
The Big Install Question: In the Wall or On the Wall?
This is a biggie, and you need to decide this early. It completely changes the look and the amount of work involved. No mucking around, here’s the lowdown.
Surface-Mounted: The Straightforward Choice
This is what it sounds like. You buy the cabinet, and you whack it on the wall. Well, your tradie does. It’s the go-to option if you’re just replacing an old cabinet or if you have solid brick walls where cutting a big hole isn’t really on the cards. It’s faster, cheaper, and less dusty. The cabinet itself will stick out from the wall by about 15cm, giving it a solid, tangible presence. The sides are visible, so good brands will have nicely finished side panels—sometimes with mirrored strips that cleverly reflect the surrounding tiles to make the cabinet feel less bulky. It's a classic for a reason.
Recessed: The Super Sleek Look
Now, if you want that proper designer, minimalist vibe, recessing is where it’s at. The body of the cabinet goes *into* the wall cavity, so all you see is the flat mirror, sitting flush with the tiles. It looks phenomenal. It’s a brilliant trick in a small bathroom because it doesn’t eat into your headspace over the basin. But, and I can’t stress this enough, you have to plan for it. This is a decision you make before the walls are even plastered. Your builder needs to frame out an opening between the wall studs. You have to be 100% sure there's no plumbing or electrical wiring hiding in that spot. It’s more work, more planning, and yes, more money in labour. But the end result? A clean, seamless look that is pure class. I’m a sucker for it.
Let's Talk Doors. It Matters More Than You Think.
For an 800mm wide cabinet, you’ve got choices. A single door gives you one glorious, uninterrupted slab of mirror. It’s a clean look, no doubt. But you’ve got to have the space for that big door to swing open without smacking into a tall tap or your head. A double-door setup, with two 400mm doors, is often more practical. It's the perfect 'his and hers' (or 'yours and yours') solution. No more fighting over shelves. The smaller doors also need less room to open, which is a lifesaver in a tight spot. That tiny vertical line down the middle of the mirror? You’ll stop noticing it after a day. Honestly. It's a non-issue.
What’s it Made Of? Finishes That Last
Bathrooms are steamy, wet places. Your cabinet needs to be tough. Polyurethane, or 'poly', is a fantastic finish. It’s basically a baked-on paint that creates a seamless, hard-wearing shell that’s super easy to wipe down and very water-resistant. For a bit more personality, you can't go past the new-school laminates. Some of the woodgrain ones from brands like Ingrain are so realistic, they add a warmth and texture that can stop a white bathroom from feeling too sterile. And don't forget the frame. A simple white frame is classic, but a black-framed cabinet, maybe from a range like Bao, can act like eyeliner for the room, adding definition and a bit of drama.
Shape Up: Breaking Out of the Box
Who says a cabinet has to be a rectangle? The shape is your chance to make a real statement. Yeah, a rectangular shaving cabinet is the safe, practical choice. But have a look at a round one. It completely changes the feel of the wall, breaking up all those straight lines from the tiles and the vanity. A pill-shaped shaving cabinet does a similar thing but gives you a bit more height and mirror space. And the arch shape is just beautiful. It’s got a soft, elegant feel that can elevate the whole room. Choosing a unique shape like this turns your humble cabinet into a genuine feature.
The Cool Tech: Lights and Other Goodies
Modern shaving cabinets can be pretty clever. A cabinet with built-in LED lighting is a total game-changer. It puts light right on your face where you need it, not on top of your head creating weird shadows. Perfect for makeup, perfect for shaving. A demister is another one of those little luxuries that makes a massive difference. It’s a heating pad behind the glass that you switch on before a shower, and bingo – no fog when you get out. And for the ultimate convenience, some cabinets, like the top-end models from Otti, have power points tucked away inside. You can charge your toothbrush out of sight. No more cords on the vanity. It’s brilliant.
A Quick Dive into Lighting Colour (Kelvins)
If you get a lit cabinet, you might see numbers like '3000K' or '4000K'. This is the colour temperature of the light, measured in Kelvins. Don't let it scare you, it’s dead simple. 3000K is a 'warm white'. It’s got a yellowish, cozy glow like a traditional light bulb. It's lovely and relaxing for a soak in the tub. 4000K is 'natural white'. It’s a much more neutral, balanced light without being too harsh. This is the sweet spot for task lighting – perfect for seeing true colours when you're doing your makeup. Anything above 5000K is 'cool white', which has a very bright, almost bluish tinge. It's very energising but can feel a bit clinical for some people. Many modern cabinets let you switch between different colour temperatures, giving you the best of both worlds.
How to Keep It Looking Schmick: Cleaning and Care
You’ve spent the money, now how do you look after it? For the mirror, forget those fancy sprays. The best trick is two microfibre cloths: one slightly damp with just water, and a second one that’s bone dry. Wipe with the damp one, then immediately buff with the dry one. No streaks. For the cabinet body, it depends on the finish. A polyurethane surface is a dream – just wipe it with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scourers like the plague. For laminate or woodgrain finishes from a brand like Timberline, do the same – a gentle wipe is all it needs. Every now and then, give the hinges a quick wipe to stop dust from building up. Taking 30 seconds to do this every week will keep your cabinet looking brand new for years.
Putting it All Together Like a Pro
So how do you make it all look cohesive? An 800mm cabinet over an 800mm vanity gives you that clean, pillar look. Putting it over a 900mm vanity also looks great – it gives you a bit of breathing room on the bench. Think about how the shapes in the room play together. If you've got a lovely round countertop basin, a curvy pill-shaped cabinet above it will look amazing. And match your metals! If your cabinet has a black frame, get black taps. If it’s frameless, match your taps to the showerhead. Don't forget the little things that make a huge difference. Your basin waste and the bottle trap under the sink should match everything else. Using a full set of quality wastes and traps is a pro move. It shows you've thought about everything. It’s the stuff that makes a bathroom feel truly finished.
Look, at the end of the day, a good shaving cabinet is a quiet hero. It works hard, it keeps your secrets (and your clutter), and the right one will make you happy every single morning. It’s worth taking the time to choose a good one. If you’re ready to dive in, have a look around our site or give our team a buzz. We actually love talking about this stuff and can help you find the perfect fit for your place.
