Using Warm Wood Finishes In Bathroom Furniture

Creating a bathroom environment that is both an inviting retreat and a functional, open living area, takes more than just laying out fixtures. Certain choices in material and finishes can be used to ensure a sense of warmth and comfort. Natural wood, for example, provides a very desirable material with which to create a unique space with spa-like qualities. Diverse in its attributes, wood is adaptable, elegant, welcoming—even luxurious. The result: furniture in choice wood tones transforms the bathroom from a sterile and cold area of the past into a space that exudes natural warmth.

Finished properly, wood also boasts extremely hygienic and easy-care properties. Many people still believe incorrectly that wood and the bathroom are mutually exclusive. However, in this respect, bathroom furniture cannot be compared with home furniture. Bathroom furniture is manufactured specifically for wet areas and is resistant to both water and increased humidity.

When common bathroom fixtures such as washbasins, bathtubs and shower trays are fitted with wood paneling, drawers, or shelves, then they become items of furniture in their own right. These water focused elements can also be complemented by dry storage areas such as wall cabinets with valuable space for keeping supplies, accessories, or other needs. Equally practical and space enhancing are wall-mounted shelves and bathroom-specific mobile storage units. Providing the same wood surfaces across all of these items creates an integral design appearance that brings together all of the different aspects of the bathroom, making it a space that is as well-designed as the living area.

Furniture grade wall mounted bathroom storage units and mobile units on casters provide flexibility and an abundance of storage. Photos courtesy of Duravit USA, Inc.

Of course, not all wood surfaces are the same. To create the ultimate personalized retreat, designers can usually pick from a variety of wood veneer options such as Bleached Oak, American Cherrywood, Rosewood, Ebony, or dark Oak. It is also common to find a variety of décor finishes available, ranging from lighter hues, patterns and colors, to darker ones. Thanks to this wide spectrum of options, bathroom furniture not only reflects different lifestyles, it also gives definition to the bathroom. Whether light or dark, uniform or with a pronounced grain, the user will experience the natural color of the wood throughout the lifetime of the bathroom.