Floating cabinets mount to the wall with a gap between the cabinet and the floor beneath. Floating cabinetry is not a new concept; in fact, it has been around for a long time. With today’s options in style, design, and construction material, the possibilities of building one-of-a-kind floating cabinets are endless.
What Is a Floating Cabinet- Exactly?
Floating cabinet, or floating vanity, is a vanity style that sits above the floor. Floating cabinets have gained a lot of praise and popularity in recent years. Designers created older model bathroom cabinets and vanities to stretch from floor to ceiling, acting much like a cabinet in any other part of the house. However, the floating vanity cabinet came along to fix some design flaws. For one, the bathroom is a unique space. Cabinets with legs and bases set on the ground invite damage and water-logging, especially in such a high-traffic and moisture-heavy area. Not only that, but the number of items one typically needs to store in a bathroom is small- and these items can often fit into a tiny space. The floating cabinet is the perfect fit.
The Benefits of a Floating Cabinet
The beautiful thing about floating cabinets is that they are customizable to different widths and heights to fit any small or large space. It is also an option to tailor each floating cabinet drawer’s heights to fit your personal needs. For example, one can construct larger drawers and place them on the bottom for towel storage or cleaning products and place smaller doors on top to store toiletry products. One can also mount floating cabinets at any desired height, rather than the standard height of 34.5″ for regular cabinetry. Combining drawer/door design options means more flexibility; for example, drawers in the middle and doors on either side, or vice versa.
Another advantage of floating cabinetry is that cleaning the floor beneath is easy and convenient since the cabinet is off the floor. Space also appears more significant, as there is no break in one’s view. The area underneath a floating vanity is also a perfect storage space for items such as a vanity bench, wastebasket, or toiletries basket.
Installation Process: How-To Properly Mount a Floating Cabinet to the Wall
A critical step before installing floating cabinets is to ensure the vanity wall has been properly enforced. This wall will handle the cabinet’s weight, the countertop, and all the belongings stored in the cabinet.
- The first step is to install blocking between the wall framing. Plan to mount the cabinet onto the blocking rather than just the studs.
- The second step is to install individual, low-profile brackets on the wall before installing the floating cabinet. These brackets will ensure the cabinet will not fall off the wall once the countertops are installed.
Wood veneers, solid woods, melamine, or even exotic metal sheets are utilized to create stunning floating cabinetry. These sleek designs are a fit for any house, as they can appear both traditional or ultra-modern depending on the material used in constructing them.
