The simple, single-sink vanity of the past has given way to a host of cabinet options. Home centers stock a variety of premade cabinets, including base units, wall units, matching medicine cabinets, and even floor-to-ceiling storage units. Don’t limit yourself to the bathroom department when cabinet-shopping. The kitchen department may have a wider selection, and the differences in the cabinets are often negligible.

Like kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets are available in two basic styles. American-style cabinets have a face frame made of 1x2 boards applied to the front of the carcasses, with door hinges often visible. This style gives a more traditional look. European, or frameless, cabinets have no face frame. The doors cover all but a small portion of the cabinet front, and the door hardware is invisible when the doors are closed. Frameless units provide a sleeker, more contemporary effect.

When shopping, look at several brands to get a feel for differences in quality and style. Screws and dowels are a sign of solid construction; metal clips or staples suggest inferior quality. Look for tight joints, doors that close solidly, matched grains in wood units, smooth topcoat finishes, and heavy-duty hardware.

If you can’t find exactly what you want in a stock cabinet, a good trim carpenter or cabinet-builder can probably build one for you. Custom cabinetry costs more, but you’ll be assured of a snug fit and a style you like.

Cabinets and countertops typically come from separate manufacturers. It’s a good idea, however, to buy them from the same supplier to ensure a proper fit.