Recessed Medicine Cabinets

Why Choose Recessed Over Surface Mount?

The primary advantage of a recessed medicine cabinet is space. Because the cabinet body sits inside the wall rather than on its surface, it adds zero outward depth to your bathroom space. In a small bathroom where every inch between the vanity and the opposite wall matters, a recessed cabinet keeps the wall profile completely flat.

The visual result is equally important. A recessed installation creates a seamless, modern look — the mirrored door appears to float on the wall surface with no visible cabinet edges or mounting brackets. This built-in aesthetic is particularly suited to contemporary bathroom designs, minimalist renovations, and new construction where walls are open during framing.

Recessed mounting does require more preparation than surface mounting. You need a minimum wall cavity depth of 4 inches (standard for interior walls built with 2x4 studs), and the wall must be free of plumbing, electrical wiring, and load-bearing structural elements behind the planned location. A stud finder with AC wire detection is essential before cutting. For a complete step-by-step installation walkthrough, see our recessed vs. surface mount guide.

What You Get with Every Recessed Cabinet

Every Allsumhome recessed medicine cabinet shares a construction foundation designed for the demands of in-wall installation.

The aluminum frame is engineered for wall-cavity environments where moisture from bathroom humidity can accumulate behind drywall. Unlike wood-framed cabinets that swell and warp in humid cavities, the aluminum frame holds its shape and finish indefinitely. The dual-layer structure used in the RIM and Illusion series adds rigidity without adding weight — important when the cabinet is supported by framing lumber rather than surface-mounted brackets.

Adjustable glass shelves let you configure the interior around what you store. Standard shelf depth is 4 inches, which matches the interior cavity depth and accommodates most toiletries, grooming products, and medications. The Ample series offers slightly deeper shelving for larger items.

Soft-close hinges are standard on every model, preventing the door from slamming against the wall frame — particularly important in a recessed installation where a slamming door could vibrate the surrounding drywall over time.

LED-equipped recessed cabinets connect via a plug-in cord routed through the wall cavity to the nearest outlet, or can be hardwired for a completely cordless look. The wall cavity itself becomes the wire management channel — one of the hidden advantages of recessed installation that surface mount cannot replicate. Free engineer-assisted video call support is available for wiring guidance.

Available Series and Sizes

All five Allsumhome LED medicine cabinet series support recessed installation. The Boost-M1 offers the most accessible entry price with full CRI 90+ LED, anti-fog, and USB outlet. The RIM series brings a slim aluminum frame with a clock and temperature display. The Illusion series features mirror doors, a night light, and a five-sided mirror design with built-in outlets rated for up to 1800W. The Ample series has a night light and generous external storage capacity that delivers maximum storage volume. Our cabinets are available in widths ranging from 16 to 96 inches.

Size your recessed cabinet using the 70-90% vanity width rule — your cabinet should be 70 to 90 percent of the vanity width below it. For detailed sizing by vanity width, see the vanity-to-cabinet sizing chart. Cabinets wider than 48 inches are combination units that ship in two packages and join seamlessly inside the wall opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How deep does a wall need to be for a recessed medicine cabinet?

A standard recessed medicine cabinet requires a minimum wall cavity depth of 4 inches. Most interior walls built with 2x4 studs have approximately 3.5 inches between the drywall faces, which is sufficient because the cabinet face sits flush with the wall surface instead of sinking the entire cabinet deep within the cavity. Exterior walls with insulation typically do not provide enough usable depth for recessed installation.

2. Can you recess a medicine cabinet in any wall?

No. Recessed installation requires an interior wall free of plumbing lines, electrical wiring, HVAC ducts, and load-bearing structural elements behind the planned location. Exterior walls (which contain insulation and sheathing), concrete walls, and walls with horizontal fire blocking may not work. Always use a stud finder with AC wire detection before cutting into any wall.

3. What size medicine cabinet fits between studs?

Standard studs are spaced 16 inches on center, leaving approximately 14.5 inches of clear opening between two adjacent studs. A single-door recessed cabinet up to 14 inches wide fits between one stud bay without additional framing. Wider cabinets — from 20 inches up to 72 inches — span multiple stud bays and require horizontal blocking at the top and bottom of the opening.

4. How long does it take to install a recessed medicine cabinet?

Recessed installation typically takes 60 to 90 minutes for a standard DIY installation. This includes locating studs, cutting the drywall opening, installing framing lumber at the top and bottom, mounting the cabinet, and connecting power (for LED models). Surface mount installation of the same cabinet takes 30 to 45 minutes since no wall cutting or framing is required.

5. Can a recessed medicine cabinet also be surface mounted?

Yes. Every Allsumhome medicine cabinet is a dual-mount product — the same cabinet body installs either recessed or surface mounted using hardware included in the box for both methods. You can start with surface mount today and convert to recessed later during a renovation. The cabinet stays the same; only the mounting method changes.

Browse the full recessed medicine cabinet collection below. Every model features dual-mount hardware for both recessed and surface installation, so you are never locked into one method. Not sure which series or size fits your vanity? Get free installation and sizing advice from our team. Free shipping on all orders to the contiguous U.S.