Modern advances have brought a lot of space-saving technologies into our everyday lives. File cabinets have been replaced by tiny thumb drives. Multi-use kitchen appliances now do the jobs of a cabinet full of gadgets. However, modern innovations seem to have had the opposite effect on personal care items. A 2024 study by the Environmental Working Group found that the average adult uses nine personal care products each day. If you’re a skincare junkie or a cosmoholic, that number may sound low to you. It’s safe to say the average person is storing far more products than a bar of soap, a bottle of lotion, and a hand towel on their bathroom counter these days, and one bathroom design choice that makes your space feel cluttered is a lack of storage. 

Of course, you don’t always have control over how much storage your bathroom offers, and there are plenty of bathroom cabinet ideas that will add storage and declutter your countertops, but they will also involve a considerable reno project. Luckily, there is one easy way to upgrade your storage space and add a designer touch to your bathroom: antique cupboards. Often found at thrift shops or garage sales, vintage cupboards can be upcycled into a chic organization feature for your bathroom.

Thrifted cupboards need only a little imagination to fit into any décor scheme. One aspect of the cupboard that is easily adjustable is the door (or lack thereof.) If you find a great cupboard but don’t like the mirrored door, build your own cabinet door to replace it. If you prefer the open cupboard look, just remove the door if it has one, and paint the back of the unit a bold color or use a bright shelf liner to create an eye-catching backdrop for your items. Then, give your toiletries a facelift by storing them in matching bottles and containers. This will transform your personal items from bathroom eyesores into design elements all their own.

A thrifted vintage cupboard will likely come with some flaws, but evidence of age can add charm and character to the cupboard, giving it even more of a unique, designer feel. Of course, you can try to restore the piece to its former glory, which is often easier than you think with just a little know-how and elbow grease (if you’re working with a wood cupboard, here’s everything you need to refurbish wooden furniture). If a flaw is really bothering you, see if you can cover it with a hand towel, position a houseplant to hide it, or use other pretty antique items like a platter, bowl, or jar to keep it out of view. The more elements you can add to beautify your vintage cupboard, the more it will fit right in as a décor piece that is as stylish as it is functional.