Surface Mount Medicine Cabinets

When Surface Mount Is the Better Choice

Surface mount installation is the right approach in several situations where recessed mounting is either impossible, impractical, or unnecessary.

If your wall has plumbing, electrical wiring, or HVAC components behind the planned cabinet location, surface mount avoids the risk entirely. You mount the bracket to the wall surface without touching what is behind it — no stud finder needed, no inspection holes, no surprises behind the drywall.

If you are in a rental, surface mount is the only realistic option. There is no wall modification involved — just screw holes that can be patched with spackle when you move out. The cabinet removes cleanly, and the wall returns to its original condition with minimal repair.

If your wall is exterior (insulated), concrete, fully tiled, or built with non-standard construction, surface mount works where recessed cannot. Tile walls simply need tile-rated anchors and a masonry bit for pilot holes. Concrete walls need concrete anchors. The installation process adapts to the wall material without requiring cavity access.

If you want the simplest possible installation, surface mount is a 30-to-45-minute project with basic tools. Mount the bracket, check level, hang the cabinet. For LED models, plug the power cord into the nearest outlet or route it through a small drilled hole for a cleaner look. Compare this to the 60-to-90-minute recessed process that requires drywall cutting and framing. For a detailed comparison, see our recessed vs. surface mount guide.

What Surface Mount Looks Like

The one tradeoff of surface mount installation is visual: the cabinet body extends 4 to 5 inches from the wall surface rather than sitting flush inside it. In larger bathrooms, this is barely noticeable. In smaller bathrooms it is more visible, though the mirrored front door still functions identically as a vanity mirror regardless of mounting method.

Some homeowners actually prefer the slight projection because it brings the mirror closer to the face — approximately 4 inches closer than a recessed cabinet — which can improve visibility for detailed grooming tasks, especially in bathrooms with limited vanity lighting.

Available Series and Sizes

Every Allsumhome medicine cabinet supports surface mount installation. The full LED-equipped lineup — Boost-M1 (20-72" wide), RIM (24-56" with clock), Illusion (20-48"), and Ample (24-36" with generous external storage capacity) — all include a surface mount hanging bracket and wall anchors in the box.

Non-lighted models start as narrow as 12 inches for pedestal sinks and half-baths. See our medicine cabinets without lights for the compact non-LED options.

Use the same 70-90% vanity width rule for surface mount sizing — the proportions are identical to recessed. A 36-inch vanity needs a 25 to 32-inch cabinet. A 48-inch vanity needs a 34 to 43-inch cabinet. For the full chart, see the vanity-to-cabinet sizing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you mount a surface mount medicine cabinet?

Surface mount installation uses three steps: mount the included hanging bracket to the wall using screws and wall anchors, verify it is level, then hook the cabinet body onto the bracket. For LED models, plug the power cord into the nearest wall outlet. Total time is 30 to 45 minutes with a drill and level. No drywall cutting, framing, or electrical work is required.

2. Can you surface mount any medicine cabinet?

All Allsumhome medicine cabinets are dual-mount — every model includes hardware for both surface mount and recessed installation in the same box. You are not purchasing a surface-mount-specific product. The same cabinet installs either way, which means you can start surface-mounted and convert to recessed during a future renovation without buying a new cabinet.

3. Does a surface mount medicine cabinet stick out too far?

A surface mount cabinet extends approximately 4 to 5 inches from the wall surface. In most bathrooms, this is barely noticeable — roughly the same depth as a towel ring or soap dispenser mounted on the same wall. The projection also brings the mirror 4 inches closer to your face, which some users prefer for detailed grooming. If a completely flush look is essential, choose recessed installation instead.

4. Can you surface mount on a tile wall?

Yes. Surface mount works on tile walls by using tile-rated wall anchors and drilling pilot holes with a masonry-rated bit. No tile cutting or removal is required — you drill through the tile surface only where the bracket screws go. This is significantly simpler than recessed installation on tile, which requires cutting through both the tile and underlying drywall.

5. Is surface mount or recessed better?

Neither is universally better — the right choice depends on your wall and your priorities. Surface mount is faster (30-45 min vs 60-90 min), works on any wall type, and is fully removable. Recessed looks more built-in and saves 4-5 inches of bathroom depth. The cabinet itself is identical for both methods — you are choosing an installation approach, not a different product.

Every cabinet in this collection mounts to the wall surface in under 45 minutes with no wall cutting or special tools. All models include hardware for recessed conversion if you change your mind later. Not sure which installation method is right for your bathroom? Get free advice from our team — including a video-call walkthrough to assess your wall. Free shipping on all orders to the contiguous U.S.