25 Cheap & Easy DIY Medicine Cabinet Ideas

Last updated on September 26, 2023

Here are 25 different ways to make a DIY medicine cabinet, from adding extra storage to giving it a whole new look.

Building a medicine cabinet is a fairly simple woodworking project that can be completed in a few hours. The most difficult part is cutting the mirror to size, but as long as you have a straight edge and a steady hand, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

These tutorials will show you how to build a medicine cabinet in a variety of different ways. Some of the projects may be more difficult than others, depending on your experience level with woodworking.

However, overall these tutorials are great for anyone who wants to learn how to build a medicine cabinet.

What you need to know first:

You will need a mirror cut to size for your cabinet.
You can use an old frame mirror for a cheap project.
You will need to build a small wall cabinet or a floating shelf.
You can use the plans for a glass door cabinet and change the glass to a mirror.
It may cost you $70 to $100 in materials to build.

How to Build a Medicine Cabinet

Tutorial: thisoldhouse.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

1/2″ plywood
1/4″ plywood
1″x2″ lumber
1/4″ thick mirror
Construction adhesive
Cabinet hardware
Paint or stain
Tools: saw, drill, screw gun, hammer, measuring tape, level

This project is a fairly simple one that anyone with basic woodworking skills can complete. It should take no more than a few hours to build the medicine cabinet, and another hour or so to install it.

The most difficult part of this project will be cutting the mirror to size, but as long as you have a straight edge and a steady hand, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

Tutorial: carmeonhamilton.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

Tape measure
Level
Stud finder
Cordless drill
1 1/4″ hole saw
Plywood
Paint or wood stain
Cabinet hardware
Mirror
Construction adhesive
Caulk
Paintable caulk

This project involves creating a niche above your bathroom vanity and then covering it with a hinged mirror. It’s not overly difficult to do, but it does require some planning and precision in order to get the results you want.

athomewithashley.com diy medicine cabinet

Tutorial: athomewithashley.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

1×4 boards
MDF fiberboard
Construction adhesive
Paint
Hinges
Mirror

This project is a great way to update your bathroom without doing a complete gut job. It’s a budget-friendly renovation that will add personality to your space.

To make your own DIY medicine cabinet, you’ll need some basic supplies like 1×4 boards, MDF fiberboard, construction adhesive, paint, and hinges. You’ll also need a mirror of your desired size.

The project itself is not too difficult, but does require some basic carpentry skills. You’ll need to be able to measure and cut the boards for the frame of the cabinet as well as the shelf (if you’re making one).

You’ll also need to be able to use a drill to attach the hinges and screws. If you’re not confident in your abilities, it might be best to enlist the help of a friend or family member who is more experienced.

Tutorial: shanty-2-chic.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

1/2″ plywood
1×4 lumber
1×6 lumber
Mirror
Cabinet hardware
Paint or stain
Wood glue
Nail gun and nails
Saw

This project is a great beginner build and perfect for small bathrooms! It provides hidden storage behind the mirror and is easy to put together with just a few tools.

Tutorial: livingwithlady.com

Supplies:

Picture frame in size of choice
1×3 pieces of select pine
Table saw (Or your preferred method of cutting wood.)
Shelf pin jig
Shelf pins
Screw gun
Screws
Kreg Jig R3 for pocket holes (optional)
Wood plugs (optional)
Paint in color of choice
2 hinges to attach the frame to the box
Magnetic closure

This project is a great way to add some extra storage to your bathroom without spending a lot of money. It is also a relatively easy project that can be completed in a few hours.

Tutorial: familyhandyman.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

Tape measure
Plywood
Ruler or a straight edge
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Sandpaper
Stiles
Construction adhesive
Cordless drill
1 inch hole saw
Paint or a sealant
Latch
Knob or handle
Screws
Hinges

This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others, as it requires careful measuring and attention to detail. However, the end result is a beautiful medicine cabinet that will add style and function to any bathroom.

Tutorial: instructables.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

Recycled materials (wood, cardboard, etc.)
Basic woodworking tools (saw, drill, etc.)
Medicine cabinet (or other storage solution)

This project entails building a box out of recycled materials and turning it into a medicine cabinet. It is not difficult to complete, but does require some basic woodworking skills.

loctiteproducts.com diy medicine cabinet

Tutorial: loctiteproducts.com

Supplies:

Tape measure
Plywood
Ruler or a straight edge
Circular saw
High-grit sandpaper
Stiles
Construction adhesive
Cordless drill
1 inch hole saw
Paint or a sealant
L brackets
Mirror
Cabinet hardware

This project is for an intermediate DIYer and involves creating a medicine cabinet and mirror that conform to your space. It requires some elbow grease, but the end result is worth it!

Tutorial: dap.com

Supplies:

Wood
Plywood
Nails
Hammer
Saw
Paint
Glass

This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others, but it is still manageable for most people. You will need to have some experience with woodworking and construction in order to complete it.

The finished product will be a beautiful medicine cabinet that you can be proud of.

Tutorial: buildipedia.com

Supplies:

Power drill
Screwdriver
Circular saw
Wood
Level
Tape measure

This project is a bit more difficult than your average DIY project, but it is definitely doable with some help from a friend. You will need to be able to use a power drill and screwdriver, as well as a circular saw.

It is also helpful to have some experience working with wood, although it is not necessary. The most important thing is to take your time and make sure that everything is level and secure before moving on to the next step.

Tutorial: eattravellife.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

1×4 lumber
Plywood
Ruler or measuring tape
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Drill
1 inch hole saw
Sandpaper
Stain or paint (optional)
Polyurethane (optional)
Hardware (screws, hinges, handles, etc.)

This project is a bit more difficult than the average DIY project, but it is still doable for most people. It will take some time to complete, but the end result will be worth it.

You will need to have some woodworking skills and knowledge to complete this project, as well as access to the necessary tools.

littleredwindow.com diy medicine cabinet

Tutorial: littleredwindow.com

Supplies:

Tape measure
Plywood
Ruler or straight edge
Circular saw
Wood glue
Cordless drill
1 inch hole saw
Paint or stain
Polyurethane
Hanging hardware

This project is a quick and easy way to add a frame to a plain mirror. It is simple to do and only requires basic supplies.

The most difficult part of this project is measuring and cutting the wood for the frame, but even that is not too difficult.

diydesignfanatic.com diy medicine cabinet

Tutorial: diydesignfanatic.com

Supplies:

Cabinet
Mirror
Tape measure
Ruler or straight edge
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Sandpaper
Paint or stain
Cabinet hardware (knobs or handles)
Drill
Screws
Anchors (if needed)

This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others, but it is still manageable for most people. It involves building a cabinet and then adding a mirror to it.

The dimensions of the cabinet and mirror will need to be determined before starting this project.

Tutorial: prodigalpieces.com

Supplies:

Paint
Sandpaper
Tongue & groove panels
Graphic or design

This is a fairly easy project that anyone can do with some basic DIY skills. It will take some time to complete, but the end result is definitely worth it.

You’ll need to remove the mirror from the cabinet door, and then sand and paint the door panel. Then, you’ll need to cut up panels of tongue & groove to fit the door panel.

Finally, you’ll add your own personal touch to the front panel with a graphic or design of your choice.

How to Build a Hidden Medicine Cabinet

Tutorial: abeautifulmess.com

Supplies:

a frame
wooden boards
nails
hammer
saw

This project is a great way to add some extra storage to your bathroom without taking up too much space. It’s perfect for small items like skincare products, makeup, or even medicine.

It’s not too difficult to make, but you will need some basic woodworking skills and tools. You’ll also need to be able to find a frame that fits your desired size.

How to Build a Recessed Medicine Cabinet

Tutorial: hertoolbelt.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

6 inset cabinet door hinges
3 latches
1 sheet of beadboard or 1/4″ plywood
Mirror (3 pieces cut to 11 1/2″ x 27 1/2″)
7 1″ x 4″ x 8′ boards (actual 3/4″ x 3 1/2″)
Wood glue
Screws
Sandpaper
Wood filler
Primer/paint/stain

This project involves building a recessed medicine cabinet. It requires cutting a hole in the wall, removing drywall and some studs, and preparing the studs with additional 2x4s to create a secure space for the cabinet.

Tutorial: oldhouseonline.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

Antique mirror
Carpentry tools
Construction adhesive
Cabinet hardware
Paint or stain

This project involves building a medicine cabinet into a wall using an antique mirror as the door. It is not a difficult project, but it does require some basic carpentry skills and knowledge of how to work with antique mirrors.

DIY Bathroom Cabinet

Tutorial: lizmarieblog.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

Plywood
1×2 lumber
1×4 lumber
Cabinet hardware
Paint or stain
Wood glue
Nails or screws
Saw

This is a great project for anyone who wants to add some extra storage to their bathroom. It is a bit more difficult than your average DIY project, but Liz Marie does a great job of explaining the steps involved. Overall, this should be a relatively easy project for most people.

Tutorial: handyman.net.au

Expected cost: $70-$100

Supplies:

1x door (1650 x 300 x 19mm)
1x piece of plywood or MDF (for the carcass)
1x piece of plywood or MDF (for the shelves)
1x sheet of louver door (or 2x if you want to make your own door)
1x set of hinges
1x set of handles or knobs

This cabinet has about three times as much storage as a typical medicine cabinet. It’s also a great project for a woodworking novice, thanks to simple joinery and a readymade door.

Assembling the top and base is the trickiest bits. A single louver door is cut in half to form two.

Recycle a wardrobe door or buy one for about $25. You may need to adjust the height and width of the cabinet to suit your door (this one measured 1650 x 300 x 19mm).

So buy the door first, then alter the carcass and shelves as necessary.

Tutorial: thewickerhouse.com

Supplies:

Plywood
Screws
Paint
Drill

This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others, but it’s still doable for most people. You’ll need to be able to use a screwdriver and drill, and you’ll need to be careful when painting.

Other than that, it’s a pretty straightforward project.

Tutorial: pillarboxblue.com

Supplies:

An old wine box
Chalk paint
Paintbrush
Sandpaper
Stencils (optional)

This is a fairly easy project that anyone can do. It requires some basic woodworking skills and knowledge of how to use chalk paint.

The most difficult part is probably finding an old wine box to upcycle.

How to Turn a Mirror Into a Medicine Cabinet

Tutorial: hgtv.com

Expected cost: $70-$100 per cabinet

Supplies:

1/2″ plywood
1×2 lumber
1×4 lumber
1/4″ dowel rods
Wood glue
Wood filler
Sandpaper
Stain or paint
Rivets
Drill
Jigsaw
Ruler or measuring tape
Square
Level
Chalk line
Stud finder

This project is a bit more involved than your average DIY, but it’s still relatively easy to do. It will require some basic woodworking skills and knowledge of how to use a drill, saw and rivet gun.

The most difficult part is probably cutting the hole in the wall for the cabinet insert, but as long as you have a stud finder and a jab saw, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

DIY Medicine Cabinet Makeover

Tutorial: francoisetmoi.com

Supplies:

Paint
Paintbrush
Tape
Paper
Pencil

This project entails painting a bathroom medicine cabinet. It is not difficult to complete, but does require some prep work and patience when creating the back wall stripe pattern.

lovelyluckylife.com diy medicine cabinet

Tutorial: lovelyluckylife.com

Supplies:

Paint
Paintbrush
Empty medicine cabinet

This is a fun little makeover project to give your old medicine cabinet a new life. We love the idea of using chalk paint to give it a new look.

designimprovised.com diy medicine cabinet

Tutorial: designimprovised.com

Supplies:

Wallpaper
Measuring tape
Scissors
Adhesive
Sponge

This project is a great way to add some personality to your medicine cabinet! It is a relatively easy project that anyone can do, and only requires some basic supplies. The most difficult part may be measuring and cutting the wallpaper to fit your cabinet, but other than that it is a quick and easy project.