What Is the Best Wood for Bathroom Cabinets?
When selecting solid wood cabinets for the bathroom, keep in mind that you can stain them to achieve just about any look you desire. Therefore, color doesn’t necessarily have to be your deciding factor. For the best wood cabinets for the bathroom, consider the following types of wood:
Solid Teak Wood
Teak is naturally resistant to water and moisture, thanks to the oil contained within the wood. This makes it an ideal option for bathroom wood cabinets in humid environments. It is also known for its durability and capacity to resist decay, which is essential in an environment prone to moisture. It also holds up well to scratches and dents. While teak is a great choice for bathroom cabinets, it is also in shorter supply, which makes it more expensive than other wood choices.
Maple
Maple is a more budget-friendly option for bathroom wood cabinets and is also considered to be durable. Although it is not as moisture-resistant as teak or oak, it is still a good choice for the bathroom.
Maple’s slight reddish tint makes it a classic beauty. This type of wood is often used in cabinetry and furniture because it displays an even grain that can be sanded to a very smooth finish, which results in a uniform appearance.
Maple is one of the hardest woods you will find, so it has high durability, doesn’t scratch or dent easily, and is resistant to warping and cracking. Maple falls within the mid-range when it comes to wood choice pricing.
The downside to maple is that it isn’t the easiest wood to stain, and dark stains do not come out very well. So, if you have your heart set on darker wood cabinets, maple may not be your best choice.
Cherry Wood
If you like the look of darker colored wood with an elegant appearance, cherry wood may be the choice for you. This wood typically comes in two different color choices: light-colored sapwood and red heartwood. It has a warm, rich color and a distinct grain pattern that may darken over time. Because cherry wood has such a beautiful natural color, it can be costly and is not recommended to paint over.
Douglas Fir
This is one of the most abundant and common sources of wood in America and is a good option if you are looking for light-colored wood for your bathroom cabinets. Clear fir is more expensive than its knotty fir relative, but both are relatively affordable, and a good choice for those who are working with a lower budget.
Walnut
Wood from the walnut tree is very popular for bathroom cabinets. If you like durable cabinets in an attractive dark wood color, you will love walnut. This wood is extremely hard and not easily scratched, making it a great choice in a kids bathroom.
Oak
Oak is a classic hardwood used in many high-quality furniture pieces and cabinets. It is one of the hardest woods you can use for your cabinets, which makes it highly resistant to damage and humidity. Oak is a very stable wood, which means it is less prone to warping and rotting in a damp, humid bathroom environment. Oak stains well, but it can be uneven at times, with the grain darkening more in some areas than others. This can create a streaky appearance that may look a bit out of place in your newly remodeled bathroom.
Birch
Birch is a pale-colored wood that you can polish to produce a beautiful sheen. The neutral color of birch makes it a strong choice if you want your cabinets to just blend in rather than be the star of the show.
If you are concerned about warping, birch is one of the best choices due to its warp-resistant properties. This is one type of wood that can definitely stand up to the bathroom humidity. As a bonus, birch is such an abundant tree that it has become one of the most affordable hardwoods available today.
Birch does, however, have its downsides. The wood tends to scratch easier than many other hardwoods. It is also difficult to stain without ending up with a blotchy appearance. This is because the wood is more porous which can can ituneven absorption.
Still, if you are on a budget, you are likely to find birch to be the best wood for your bathroom vanity.
Plywood
An alternative to using solid wood for your bathroom cabinets is plywood. This option can be a little bit tricky because plywood comes in such a wide variety of sizes, qualities, and densities. If you go the plywood route, you’ll want to select a type of plywood that is as solid as possible. This means high-density plywood should be your preferred option.
While plywood doesn’t have the natural beauty of solid wood, it does offer some benefits. For one, it does not expand as much as some solid wood does in humidity. This means it is less likely to warp and cause issues with over-expanding. Plywood also tends to hold up better to water damage, which is, of course, crucial in a bathroom setting.
Plywood is a cheap option, so if your budget is on the lower end, this may be the best option.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
Another option for your bathroom cabinets is MDF, which is made of various types of compressed wood. If properly treated, it can be resistant to moisture from humidity. However, it’s best to ensure it doesn’t come into direct contact with water often, as this can cause it to warp. When damaged, MDF is very difficult, and nearly impossible to repair.
While it does not offer the beautiful appearance of natural wood choices, MDF does take paint very well, which means you can match it perfectly to whatever color you choose for your bathroom. It is also a very cost-effective option and typically even more affordable than plywood.
Wood for Bathroom Cabinet Shelving
There are a few considerations to make before choosing the best wood for bathroom shelves. Among some of the most popular wood choices for shelving are mahogany, teak, pine, cherry, birch, cedar, and maple.
Pine is a nice choice for bathroom shelves if you wish to use it to display small, light objects, such as decorative items, while cherry wood is ideal if you desire a more elegant look.
Another consideration is the design and type of wood to use for the shelving in your bathroom cabinets.
While all of the same options apply: solid wood, plywood, and MDF, keep in mind, you don’t have to use the same wood type inside your cabinets as you do for the exterior. In fact, it is often more cost-effective to use MDF or plywood on the interior, even if you have an oak exterior. Because the internal shelving and storage are hidden, it will not affect how the cabinet looks on the outside.
Which Type of Wood for Bathrooms Is Most Water-Resistant?
No wood in the world is 100% waterproof because all wood is porous and absorbs water. Yet, some are better at resisting water than others.
Shelf Genie recommends certain species of oak, such as European, that are highly resistant to absorbing water. Cherry wood is also exceptionally moisture-resistant and ideal for humid environments.
Solid wood is usually a good choice for bathroom cabinets, but it is important to make sure you have proper ventilation to minimize moisture buildup. Also, make sure you regularly wipe off any water sitting on bathroom cabinets, as this will help preserve and prolong the life of the wood.
You can also choose a custom bathroom solution, such as those offered by Shelf Genie. All our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, which ensures your satisfaction.
To learn more or to get started, book a free consultation with us today! Our experienced designers will help you choose the perfect bathroom shelving or sliding drawers for cabinets in your home!
