Wood in the bathroom
Natural and durable
Key points at a glance:
- Choose the right types of wood: Moisture-resistant woods such as teak, oak, or birch are particularly well-suited for use in the bathroom.
- Protecting wood properly: Oiling, varnishing, and proper ventilation and heating ensure that wood in the bathroom remains durable and resilient.
- Incorporating wood thoughtfully into your design: Wooden furniture, paneling, or accessories create a warm, natural atmosphere and complement many different design styles.
What kind of wood should I use in the bathroom?
As a living material, wood reacts to environmental factors. In the bathroom, these factors are primarily moisture and heat. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the type of wood is suitable for the environment, while of course also taking design considerations into account. Below is an overview of woods that are particularly well-suited for this purpose.
Dark woods
Dark wood creates an elegant look, especially when using woods like teak and mahogany. These are ideal for damp rooms and can quickly transform a wooden bathroom into a truly luxurious space.
However, woods such as walnut, American hickory, and heat-treated ash can also be used in the bathroom without hesitation. Unlike the woods mentioned earlier, they have a slightly more rustic look, which is why they blend well into a dark, natural-style bathroom.
Light-colored woods
Those who prefer a bright bathroom also have plenty of options to choose from. Oak, beech, and maple, as well as many conifers such as spruce and pine, provide suitable wood for the bathroom. Only pine should not be exposed to too much direct splashing water.
Birch is practically a must for a Scandinavian-style bathroom—and, of course, it looks great in other bathrooms as well. If you’re looking for a more tropical feel, you might want to opt for mango wood instead. It adds a particularly striking accent to a bathroom with natural stone.
Care and durability of wood
While untreated wood in the bathroom can cause problems, with the right design and maintenance measures, the material is durable and can withstand humidity without issue. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Oil or varnish
First of all, you should oil or varnish untreated wood in the bathroom. Both options are suitable, but you shouldn't switch between them.
Hard wax oil can be used to seal the wood in the bathroom. This process must be repeated about two to three times a year to maintain the protection. The more oil that is used, the less moisture the wood absorbs and releases.
If, on the other hand, varnish is used, the wood will no longer absorb moisture. It is therefore particularly well-suited for making wood in the bathroom waterproof. However, even small cracks must be repaired immediately, as moisture can otherwise become trapped in the wood.
Substructure (for walls and floors)
If you’re using not only wooden bathroom furniture but also wood paneling or wood-look tiles in your bathroom, you must ensure that the wood isn’t simply installed directly on the concrete. It’s important to have a suitable subfloor with a vapor barrier. This prevents moisture from accumulating under or behind the wood and helps avoid mold in the bathroom.
Proper ventilation and heating
To protect the wood in your bathroom, proper ventilation and heating are especially important. Warm, humid air, in particular, should not be allowed to linger in the room for too long. By the way, this also applies to bathrooms without wood. So be sure to ventilate regularly to give the wood in your bathroom enough air to breathe.
Design ideas
Furnishing a bathroom with wood is no problem as long as it’s properly maintained. But how can you make the most of this natural material?
Bathroom furniture
Wooden bathroom furniture is a particularly obvious choice. The selection is correspondingly wide, ranging from bathroom cabinets and shelves to vanities. Be sure, therefore, to choose the right type of wood to complement the overall aesthetic of your bathroom.
Wood paneling
Wood paneling is becoming increasingly popular in modern bathrooms. Whether used for individual accent walls, as room dividers, or even as a full-floor covering, this material gives the bathroom an irresistibly lively yet relaxed feel.
Accessories
If you’re looking to add a touch of style, wooden accessories can make a big impact in your bathroom. Soap dispensers with wooden accents, stools with a tree-trunk look—depending on your bathroom’s style, even a small accessory can make a big difference.
Wood-look elements
If you don’t want to use real wood, many materials—such as tiles—are available in a wood-look finish. While these materials may be easier to maintain, they don’t have the same natural effect on the indoor climate. However, they can be a viable alternative, especially as a substitute for more expensive woods.
Design styles featuring wood in the bathroom
Some design styles also make particularly heavy use of wood in the bathroom:
Natural bathroom
The most obvious use for wood is, of course, in a natural-style bathroom. Combined with the right plants for the bathroom, this creates a true wellness oasis.
Scandinavian bathroom
Wood is an essential element in Scandinavian bathrooms. Light-colored woods, in particular, emphasize the warm, natural, and relaxed overall design. Local birch typically plays the leading role.
Japanese bathroom
Wood is also an indispensable element of the Japanese bathroom. Traditionally, the wooden bathtub takes center stage here. Of course, wood also plays a major role in the combination of Japanese and Scandinavian styles—known as “Japandi.”
Country style
Wood should also be used generously in a country-style bathroom. Whether the style is French, English, or some other variation, the warmth and natural character of the material play a key role in enhancing the overall design.
