Where Do You Stash Your Medicine?
For some it's a box tucked away in the kitchen pantry, for others it's a dedicated bathroom cupboard
A friend of mine shared a story about finding herself with itchy mozzie bites on a visit to her ageing mother. After venturing to her mum’s ancient medical cabinet for relief, she discovered an item with a 26-cent price tag on it. Not only that, but deep in the depths of the cupboard, she also found an item with the chemist’s phone number on it – sounds normal, right? Maybe, except for the fact that it was a seven-digit number … and Melbourne numbers have had eight digits since the early 1990s. I don’t know about you, but this made me take a long, hard look at the unorganised medicine supply I had lurking in the back of my cupboard and an even closer look at the solutions Houzzers have come up with to tame it. Take a look.
Old school. A charming collection of vintage first-aid boxes attached to the wall lets everyone know what’s in these boxes.
If you don’t fancy sharing your medicine storage with the family’s dental products and lotions and potions in the main bathroom cupboard, can you squeeze in an extra dedicated cabinet? This will keep medicine supplies in the right hands. A stand-out red cross works a treat in this bathroom.
On that note, remember to store any medicines – whether prescription or off-the-shelf – in their original containers. You might think you’ll remember what they are, but it’s safest if everyone else does too.
On that note, remember to store any medicines – whether prescription or off-the-shelf – in their original containers. You might think you’ll remember what they are, but it’s safest if everyone else does too.
Push pull. Medicines should ideally be kept away from moisture and heat to keep them fresh, so the bathroom is only a good place for them if they are out of the way and behind a door. That’s why this clever contraption, a pull-out storage system that allows you to easily see the cabinet’s contents and maximises space, works so well.
If you were to go down this route, ensure the door has a seal and is closed properly. Remember to regularly clean out and organise your medical cabinet, too – you could get into the habit of doing it every few months. And don’t forget to dispose of any old medicines responsibly – not down the toilet where they can pollute the water supply.
When did you last clean out your medicine cabinet?
If you were to go down this route, ensure the door has a seal and is closed properly. Remember to regularly clean out and organise your medical cabinet, too – you could get into the habit of doing it every few months. And don’t forget to dispose of any old medicines responsibly – not down the toilet where they can pollute the water supply.
When did you last clean out your medicine cabinet?
Or how about this discreet little pull-out cabinet at the end of the vanity?
Recessed. The main advantages of a recessed cabinet is that it saves space and is typically more aesthetically pleasing. It’s more labour-intensive to instal, so it may well cost more, but that’s the price you pay for a streamlined and sophisticated cabinet like this one.
Flip top. Taking centre stage in a clean-as-a-pin white bathroom, and up high and out of reach of toddlers’ curious fingers, this medicine cabinet is one to watch. After all, we expect our medicine to be dispensed in a clean, sterile environment, don’t we? This flip-open door allows the neat contents to be revealed in one easy move.
His and her. If you have the space, and a double sink, a pair of his and her cabinets provides plenty of storage and is especially useful if you don’t want HIM using your deodorant.
In a basket. Baskets can be a great way to organise your toiletries, especially if you have open shelving. Just ensure that if you’re storing medicines here, they’re well sealed – you could use plastic containers within the baskets.
Cupboard love. If you don’t want to store your toiletries and medicines in the bathroom, you could hang a shoe bag, featuring lots of different compartments, in a linen cupboard or wardrobe. With transparent pockets, you can see at a glance exactly what you have.
Alternatively use pretty boxes – or converted shoe boxes – and label them so you know what’s inside.
Kitchen kit out. The advantage of keeping your first-aid kit in the kitchen is that it’s close to hand in a space that traditionally has more accidents. Keep it simple and wall mount your first-aid kit in a visible spot that’s out of reach of little ones, or cordon off a dedicated cabinet.
TELL US
Where do you store your medicines and toiletries? Tell – or show us – in the Comments. And don’t forget to share your shocking discoveries!
MORE
10 Design Moves to Borrow from These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
21 Bathroom Vanities That Steal The Show
How to Organise Your Bathroom Storage So You Can Relax
TELL US
Where do you store your medicines and toiletries? Tell – or show us – in the Comments. And don’t forget to share your shocking discoveries!
MORE
10 Design Moves to Borrow from These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
21 Bathroom Vanities That Steal The Show
How to Organise Your Bathroom Storage So You Can Relax