Asked on Dec 28, 2013
Any Way to Remove the Door to a Medicine Cabinet?
by
Anna Ibarra
+19
I am trying to update my son's bathroom, soon to be the guest bathroom. It is so outdated. I had the light fixtures replaced. They were those large hollywood big lights- ugly. Well I have to patch up and then paint over. I also want to add trim around the whole thing. Maybe I'll get braved and do inspirational one I saw on Pinterest /HT. However, the medicine cabinet on only one side has the mirror door that has to go. I don't like it at all. Any ideas!
I hope that you can all see what I dealing with.
I also have to remove it as opening the door will run into the light fixture. I wanted the glass shades to go downward.
It's one of them piano hinges I think that is what they are called.
Here is another view of the light fixture- fell in love with it. Also you can see the Monterrey texture on the wall. Kinda don't want that in this bathroom, but I don't think I will mess with it and paint over it.
13 answers
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Find out how to get the hinge goes, up or down, then with an awl and hammer tap the open end either up or down. Once you have it started, it should start moving. Being in the bath, you may need to lube it with WD40. Just spray the whole seam. I think once it is loose, it should be easier to move. BTW if the rod is going up (like to the ceiling) cut it off where your pliers can grab it. And give it a push or a pull! Door is removed!
Cathy W
on Dec 29, 2013
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If you don't want the mirror but want to leave it in situ and disguise it or make a feature of it, what about using some of that patterned, opaque film that you just apply to glass - it would work for mirrors too. This stuff is generally used to make windows more private so people cannot see into your house. It comes on a roll and you can buy it at the hardware store. If you pick a nice pattern, it might make a nice feature.
Carole
on Dec 29, 2013
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If you don't like the texture of the walls that's a easy fix, messy but not too time consuming. You just have to sand it with a power sander, be careful no to use too ruff a grit but if you skim over the texture lightly it will knock down the ridges.
Annette C
on Dec 29, 2013
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It's hard to tell the size of the med cab door, but I replaced mine ( it was louvered wood) with a picture frame that doubles as the door. Add any artwork you want inside the frame. I used the existing piano hinge to mount the frame.
Teri LaMarco
on Dec 29, 2013
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@Cathy W has the right answer for removing the mirror. You would then paint the interior to match the wall color and still be able to utilize the shelves inside the medicine cabinet. I would put a frame around the cabinet to disguise it and make it appear as a built-in.
Pat Dollar
on Dec 29, 2013
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agree with Bill, remove n get new one. Had one SO old it had slot in the back for used razor blades.....
Susan Cryor
on Dec 31, 2013
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Yea.....how sanitary was that idea?
Susan Cryor
on Jan 02, 2014
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Re: the wall finish. If you go ahead and sand it, you could skim coat it with something. It might not be perfectly smooth but would be a lot better to paint.
Lori
on Nov 16, 2014
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Love the lights. Where did you find them? Am getting ready to remodel a 20 year bathroom and make it have an Asian theme. Those lights would look awesome in it.
Darlene
on Jan 08, 2015
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Thanks Humnbird, bought them off Craiglist. I also wanted to update this bathroom -over 30 yra old. I wanted an industrial/rustic look. I wanted different lites, but the former owner got them online and cost a little more then I like to spend.
Anna Ibarra
on Jan 09, 2015
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Thanks Anna. I will keep searching. If you ever get rid of them, keep me in mind. I am in love with them Cant wait to see your finished project. I have 2 medicine cabinets to remove and thinking of using them in my walk in closet to hang my jewelry in. Saw a post on here somewhere about doing this.
Darlene
on Jan 10, 2015
- See 2 previous
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@Anna Ibarra it is indeed a piano hinge. You will have to get the cabinet open to expose the spine and sides - may have to remove that one light to get it open all of the way. Once open you will be see where the spine is attached to the cabinet and be able to unscrew it in order to detach the door. Here is a sight for installing a piano hinge - http://www.cookebrothers.co.uk/continuous/installation_recommendations.html should be able to follow it backwards in the instructions.
Gail Salminen
on Jan 19, 2015
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I would first remove that out dated mirror. Unless you want that look. But being it's for a teenage boy, I wouldn't think so. Then open the doors to cabinet and look for any screws. Most old cabinet sit inside the wall. Which means you'll have to finish it off with the opening or cover the whole thing up to make it one smooth wall. Then hang a more updated framed mirror and paint the wall.
Ltt834476
on Feb 13, 2015
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