How to Make Your Own Antique Medicine Cabinet

When choosing to make an antique medicine cabinet, there are three main options available to crafters: start from scratch using antique and vintage materials, purchase a used antique medicine cabinet and refurbish it, and finally, purchase a new, unfinished pre-made cabinet at a craft store and “age” it using historical hardware and accessories.

If authenticity and craftsmanship are your goals, consider making your antique medicine cabinet from scratch. While you will need wood, you will also need some plate glass, hardware and paint. A great way to add an extra feeling of authenticity to your craft is to purchase vintage materials. Look at thrift stores and flea markets for old furniture that has a substantial amount of wood and hardware on it. You will need enough wood to form the flat back panel, two side panels, a top and a bottom panel, and depending on the amount of shelves desired, anywhere between two to four selves inside of the antique medicine cabinet.

In addition to wood, hardware including two or three hinges and one knob will be needed. If unable to locate these items at a thrift store, try a salvage store or even a site like Ebay to locate some. For the cabinet’s closure, you can either use a modern-day magnet system of closure or, install a smaller knob with a latch on it for a more authentic feel. It may also be helpful to select your color, for the cabinet, desired before attempting to purchase hardware, that way you will know the color and the materials used for the hardware will be compatible together. Finally, if using all vintage materials, consider purchasing some antique glass for the window of the cabinet. The glass can be purchased from old furniture or even an old picture frame, and cut down to size by a local professional. If safety is an issue, and you would want glass that is required to have modern standards, consider having your antique medicine cabinet’s door custom framed. Places like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Garden Ridge offer custom picture framing. Be sure to stop by and ask for an estimate and service request before considering this option.

Should you choose to refurbish an existing antique medicine cabinet; many of the techniques from the do-it-yourself example above can be utilized including: hardware and paint selection, types of closures, glass refurbishment, and custom shelving. Where the situation differs is how you choose to refurbish the cabinet. If you are trying to keep with the antique medicine cabinet’s original theme, then try to stay as close to the primary paint color and hardware used when the cabinet was first made. Larger paint stores sell historical paint and finish colors; however, depending on the size of your cabinet, paint sold in craft and hobby stores may be more to your needs, as sometimes certain colors are only sold in gallon buckets in the larger home stores.

Finally, if you decide that you want the look of an antique medicine cabinet, without going through all of the trouble of making or refinishing one, considering purchasing a pre-made, unfinished wooden cabinet at a local craft store. They are found usually in the range of $25 to $40, and can be customized to your specifics. While all already have hinges, they can be easily replaced using old hardware and closure methods. As for paint, there are two options: you can purchase a historical color or finish and make the antique medicine cabinet look like it has been restored, however, since the wood is new already and doesn’t have that “cracked” look to it, you may want to consider purchasing a special-effects kit that distresses wood and makes it look aged. This way, the cabinet, when combined with the hardware and distressed finish, will look more authentic and “used.” For ideas, go to local antiques shops or historical home sites to evaluate antique medicine cabinets in various configurations. Be sure to bring your camera along, so you can compare antique cabinets and get an idea which direction you wish your craft to emulate.