For most Australian bathrooms, the safest starting point is to choose a shaving cabinet that is the same width as the vanity or slightly narrower. A 600mm vanity usually suits a 450mm to 600mm cabinet, a 900mm vanity usually suits a 750mm to 900mm cabinet, and a 1200mm vanity often works with either a 900mm or 1200mm cabinet depending on how much storage you need.

If the bathroom is a main family bathroom, storage usually matters more than creating a feature mirror look. If it is a powder room or guest ensuite, a narrower cabinet or feature mirror can sometimes look lighter and more balanced.

Quick Size Guide: Shaving Cabinet vs Vanity Width

Use this as a practical planning guide before ordering. Always check the exact cabinet dimensions, wall studs, tile set-out and any nearby power points before installation.

Should the Shaving Cabinet Match the Vanity Width?

A matching-width cabinet gives a clean, built-in look and maximises mirrored storage. This works especially well above 900mm and 1200mm vanities, where a smaller mirror cabinet can sometimes look under-scaled.

A slightly narrower cabinet can be the better choice when the vanity sits close to a side wall, towel rail, window, shower screen or tall cabinet. It can also help if the basin is offset and you want the mirror centred over the basin rather than over the whole vanity.

Practical rule: match the vanity width when storage is the priority; go slightly narrower when wall space, basin position or visual lightness matters more.

Surface-Mounted vs Recessed Shaving Cabinets

A surface-mounted shaving cabinet is usually simpler to install because it sits on the finished wall. The trade-off is projection: deeper cabinets can sit forward from the wall and may feel bulky in a narrow room.

A recessed shaving cabinet creates a slimmer look because part of the cabinet sits inside the wall cavity. It needs more planning, especially around framing, plumbing, electrical wiring and waterproofed areas. If you are renovating from scratch, decide this before tiling so your builder can check what is possible.

• Choose surface-mounted for easier upgrades, rental-friendly refreshes or finished bathrooms where wall changes are limited.
• Choose recessed for a cleaner built-in result during a full renovation, provided the wall cavity allows it.

Door Swing, Lighting and Power Points Matter

Before choosing the widest cabinet available, check how the doors open. A double-door or triple-door cabinet can be more practical than one wide door because it reduces the swing into the room.

If you are planning an LED shaving cabinet, demister pad, internal power point or nearby wall light, allow time for an electrician to confirm the wiring and switching. This is especially important if the cabinet will be recessed or if the mirror area is already tiled.

Also check the height. The cabinet should be comfortable for the people who use the bathroom, but it should not crowd the basin mixer, splashback, wall-mounted tapware or feature tiles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing by vanity width only: wall space, basin position and door swing can change the best cabinet size.
• Ignoring cabinet depth: a deep cabinet can make a small ensuite feel tighter, especially above a narrow vanity.
• Forgetting lighting: a mirror cabinet may block planned wall lights or sit awkwardly below an overhead light.
• Ordering too late: recessed cabinets, LED cabinets and power points should be planned before tiling and final electrical work.
• Underestimating storage: in a main bathroom, a wider cabinet can reduce bench clutter and make daily routines easier.

Final Recommendation

If you want the most balanced choice, start with a shaving cabinet close to your vanity width, then adjust for wall space and storage needs. For a 900mm vanity, a 900mm cabinet is usually the cleanest fit. For a 1200mm vanity, choose 1200mm when storage is the priority or 900mm when you want a lighter look.

For compact powder rooms, a smaller mirror cabinet can be enough. For family bathrooms, shared ensuites and busy households, the extra storage of a wider shaving cabinet is usually worth planning for early.

Planning your bathroom update? Compare your vanity width, basin position and mirror storage needs before ordering, and confirm surface-mounted or recessed installation with your installer before the tiles go on.