MDF or Wood Vanities in Your Bathroom? – Bathroom Vanity Blog

Last Updated on February 6, 2023 by Cheryl Khan

If you’re thinking of starting a bathroom remodeling project similar to the ones discussed on industry conferences, sooner or later you’re going to need to decide between MDF or solid hardwood cabinets in the bathroom. MDF has earned a pretty bad reputation for itself by many woodworkers and furniture purists over time. You may be surprised to find out that MDF is actually not a terrible material for bathroom vanities, though solid hardwood and birch veneers are a superior option. I’ll explain below.

59″ Boardwalk Double Bath Vanity

So, should you opt for MDF or Wood vanities in your Bathroom? The decision depends on what’s more important to you. Each has advantages and minor disadvantages but they are both fine for use in the bathroom.

What is MDF Wood?

MDF or Medium-Density Fiberboard is an engineered wood made from composite wood pieces and fibers, which are held together with either a wax or resin adhesive. A thin decorative veneer layer is then stretched around the composite plank of wood. MDF is denser than plywood, and is used all over the furnishing industry. It is NOT to be confused with plywood.

MDF is one of the most economical materials in cabinet construction, and that’s its true benefit. In the past, its durability came into question especially when placed in humid bathroom conditions. But when finished properly, MDF can be used in the bathroom with few if any problems. That’s the rub, though: MDF is a comparatively inconsistent material, due to variance in the fiber sizes and qualities of the many different woods used to make the material, and so it’s hard to determine how “well finished” an individual board may be.

MDF is commonly found in cheaper vanity cabinets, and although it is usually fine, it’s not the best choice for your bathroom. It’s best to keep your MDF cabinets in the kitchen and other drier environments.

[READ: How Much Can a Bathroom Remodel Add to Property Value?]

Solid Wood Bathroom Vanities

“Solid wood” is a blanket term that encompasses two very different styles of wood: there is standard solid wood (all natural real wood), and “solid hardwood.” Solid hardwood is perhaps the most durable and sturdy wood material for bathroom cabinets, and is made from woods like oak, cherry, and maple. Planks of natural solid wood (“real wood” like you’d find in the lumber section of a hardware store) tend to shrink and expand as humidity changes, which can cause cracks in the painted or veneered finish of your cabinets, and in extreme cases, this morphing may lead to warping. So “natural solid wood” is best left in drier environments, as with MDF.

“Solid hardwood” is a totally different material from natural wood. It is a sort of manufactured wood that uses pure fine wood pulp from a single oak or maple source, which allows the wood to bend and expand with humidity fluctuations, but will always revert to its original shape, which means no cracking or warping. This is by far the best material to use for bathroom furniture, and for this reason, most of the vanities we carry are built with it. On any given product page, look for “The Solid Hardwood Advantage” in the product details to ensure you are getting the highest quality materials for your money.

MDF or Wood Bathroom Vanities

Durability in Humid Conditions

Humidity plays a large role in the decision to use MDF or Solid hardwood in your bathroom. According to the NAHB, bathroom cabinets can last a lifetime if properly cared for. Read the full report here.

MDF cabinets don’t expand and contract as much as real wood, but they can be damaged by moisture if water is allowed to penetrate the surface of MDF. This would result in some serious swelling in your vanity. With proper ventilation and perfect sealing of the material, MDF can be used in the bathroom without any problem. As an added precaution, you can seal the backs and edges around MDF cabinets with oil-based sealer and a few coats of poly sealer. This should prevent warping and shrinking, and is a recommended step to take if you buy an MDF vanity.

Real wood is porous in nature so it will absorb water molecules in the air. This is what causes vanities to warp over time. Because of its unique finish, MDF can prove to be a better material in the bathroom so long as it has a quality finish. If you can, try to stay away from cheap and poorly-made MDF vanities as those will bring you headaches in the future.

Solid hardwood (manufactured wood) is designed, like MDF, to handle humidity-based expansion and contraction without cracking and bending. However, while MDF swells when introduced to water, Solid Hardwood is so finely and consistently granulated that swelling won’t occur at all – even if it’s not perfectly sealed. The wood is designed to thrive in humid environments. The downside is that this material doesn’t do so well in extremely dry environments – in other words, it’s the perfect material for bathroom vanities, but not great for kitchens and other, drier rooms.

Tips to Control Humidity in the Bathroom

Humidity and moisture are a big deal in the bathroom. To learn more about proper ventilation, you can check out some of these posts I’ve written:

1. Does a Bathroom Extractor Fan Have to Run to the Outside?
2. Mold In The Shower, Prevention Tips and Tricks
3. How to Get Rid of Shower Mold

Visual Appearance

Real wood carries a rich and natural grain texture that is authentic and appealing to the senses. Veneered MDF, or veneered solid hardwood, mimics the look of a natural wood finish but can be distinguished by a keen eye.

Cost

MDF wins in terms of cost hands down. MDF bathroom cabinets can be ideal if you’re remodeling the bathroom on a budget. Solid wood or solid hardwood vanities cost more but are usually stronger and available in more details designs such as hand carvings seen in antique, country, and transitional bathroom cabinets. Of course, as with many things, you get what you pay for, and we would not recommend MDF cabinets if you intend to install a vanity that will last a long time. If you have the budget for it, we suggest opting for Tell City Furniture.

[READ: How to Get the Designer Look for Less – Bathroom Tips]

Formaldehyde

One thing to keep in mind is formaldehyde VOC’s. Formaldehyde is a byproduct of adhesives used to attach MDF veneers to the wood. This is the faint chemical smell associated with new furniture. For those who are sensitive of smell, you’re best off sticking with solid hardwood or natural wood vanities.

Deciding Which is Right For You

Tradewinds Imports.com is the premiere online source for quality built bathroom vanities. Here you can find bathroom vanities made with MDF or solid hardwood. If you’re unsure about what’s best for you, you can ask for help from one of our friendly bathroom specialists by calling 1-888-900-0477 or filling out this Contact Form. Below are a few examples of MDF and solid hardwood vanities, to get a sense of how similar these materials look to the naked eye. Just keep in mind that what lies underneath may be more important for your remodeling project.

–MDF Bathroom Vanities–

36″ Modern Single Bathroom Vanity – Cherry – $894.00

60″ Axa Double Bathroom Vanity in Glossy White – $1,499.00

60″ Daniella Double Bathroom Vanity in Gray Oak Countertops – $1,199.00

–Solid Wood Bathroom Vanities–

59.75″ Woodland Bluestone – Natural Pine – $1,995.00

72″ Caroline Estate Double Bathroom Vanity in Grey – $2,029.00

72″ Savannah Double Vanity Cabinet- Driftwood – $1,885.00

–Click Here to View More Quality Bathroom Vanities–

More Bathroom Vanity Tips:

1. 20 Small Bathroom Vanities that Are Big on Style
2. What is the Standard Height of a Bathroom Vanity?
3. Things to Know Before Purchasing a Bathroom Vanity

About the Author
Cheryl Khan is a designer and writer at Tradewinds Imports, an online specialty site dedicated to retailing fine bathroom furnishings. She has extensive knowledge about all the finer details that go into planning the perfect bath renovation project and is an expert in all things bathroom!

Cheryl Khan