Design Your Dream Kitchen

By Amanda Demster, House and Home Writer Bathroom StorageDone Right

Morning routines are often hectic. The smallest problems, like a mis- CABINETS VERSUS DRAWERS

placed comb, a lost makeup brush or a missing can of mousse, become major hassles. Having a well-organized bathroom can help cut down on The first thing to consider is what needs to be stored and where. According to Stephen Schmidt, owner and designer at Schmidt Cabinetry & Furniture, Wakarusa, stress and may even shave some time off your morning routine. upright cabinets are a convenient way to keep towels and washcloths at hand. “It’s a little nicer than having to lean down and pull a drawer open to get to what you need,” he said. “And they store a little nicer in an upright cabinet than in a drawer.” A creative idea for double master vanities, Schmidt said, is to store linens in the middle, rather than to one side, so they are equally accessible. Keeping linens in a cabinet also frees up drawer space for other items. All-drawer vanities give more options for categorizing. These often feature U-shaped drawers, which fit around plumbing. However, these can have drawbacks. “It’s more for aesthetics than it is for practicality, but it does work,” Schmidt said. Over the last few years, Schmidt has seen a decline in demand for stand-alone vanities in favor of free-hanging styles. These do not feature a toe kick, giving a few more options for open storage underneath. Again, there are pros and cons to this. “In those cases, you have to plumb into the wall. You can’t go down because the pipes will be visible,” Photo courtesy of Schmidt Cabinetry & Furniture, Wakarusa Schmidt said. 8 | Michiana House and Home | February 2021 |