How to Mount a Medicine Cabinet on a Bathroom Wall

Medicine cabinets are among the most useful storage installations in a bathroom—they organize daily essentials, reduce clutter on countertops, and hide things you don't want visible. But mounting one poorly is a common mistake that ends in a cabinet pulling away from drywall or, worse, crashing down. The job itself is straightforward if you approach it methodically: find the structure behind the wall, position the cabinet at comfortable reach height, and anchor it properly. Done right, a medicine cabinet will hang solid for decades. Done carelessly, you'll spend money twice.

1. Find Your Anchor Points First. Use a stud finder to locate the wooden studs behind your bathroom wall. Mark them lightly with a pencil. If your cabinet will sit across studs, this is ideal—you'll screw directly into solid wood. If not, note where the studs are anyway; they determine where you can anchor securely. Check at least 12 inches in both directions from where you plan to hang the cabinet.
2. Mark Eye Level on the Wall. Eye level for most adults is 48 to 60 inches from the floor. Measure up from the floor at the center point where you want the cabinet to hang and mark a horizontal line with a pencil. Use a level to ensure this line is truly horizontal. This line will guide the top or mounting rail of your cabinet.
3. Position and Mark Every Hole. Have someone help you hold the cabinet in place, or use shims and temporary supports to position it against the wall at your marked height. Look at the back of the cabinet—it will have pre-drilled holes or a mounting rail. Line these holes up with your pencil line and, using a level on top of the cabinet, ensure it's dead level. Mark the screw holes clearly with a pencil.
4. Drill Pilot Holes Straight. Using a drill with a bit slightly smaller than your screws, drill straight into the wall at each marked hole. If you're drilling into studs, drill slightly deeper than the final screw will sit. If you're drilling into drywall only, drill to a depth that leaves room for the wall anchor to seat properly. Drill slowly and keep the bit perpendicular to the wall.
5. Secure Drywall with Heavy Anchors. If your pilot holes are in drywall (not studs), install heavy-duty toggle anchors or molly bolts in each hole. Follow the anchor manufacturer's instructions—usually this means screwing the anchor in until it's snug and the wings or butterfly expand behind the drywall. These anchors will hold the cabinet weight far better than drywall alone.
6. Tighten in a Crisscross Pattern. Have your helper hold the cabinet level and in position. Insert the screws through the cabinet's mounting holes into your pilot holes or wall anchors. Start all screws by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten them gradually in a crisscross pattern (top left, bottom right, top right, bottom left) to pull the cabinet evenly against the wall.
7. Verify Level and Plumb. Once all screws are snug, set your level on top of the cabinet and check that it's horizontal. Then place your level vertically against the side of the cabinet to confirm it's plumb (perfectly vertical). If either is off, slightly loosen the appropriate screw and tap the cabinet into position, then re-tighten.
8. Test the Door Swing Freely. Open and close the cabinet door slowly. It should swing freely without hitting the wall or binding on the frame. If it catches, the cabinet may not be sitting flat against the wall. Check that there are no gaps between the cabinet back and the wall surface. Tighten screws slightly more if you see daylight.
9. Seal All Gaps Against Moisture. If the cabinet doesn't sit perfectly flush due to wall irregularities, use paintable caulk to fill gaps around the edges. This also prevents moisture from creeping behind the cabinet. Run a small bead along the top and sides, then smooth it with a wet finger. Let it cure per the caulk manufacturer's instructions before painting.
10. Paint Over Marks and Holes. If you've drilled holes or made marks that show, touch up the wall with bathroom-grade paint that matches the existing finish. Use a small brush and keep the paint away from the cabinet itself. Let it dry fully before loading items into the cabinet.
11. Load Heavy Items on Lower Shelves. Place heavier items like bottles and jars on lower shelves. Reserve upper shelves for lighter things like bandages and cotton swabs. Leave some space—a packed cabinet is harder to use and looks cramped. Wipe down the interior before filling if the cabinet sat on the shelf before installation.