Wood in the bathroom - what to consider

In the bathroom, especially high-gloss surfaces, tiles, glass and ceramics enjoy great popularity. This is hardly surprising, as these materials are predestined to withstand the difficult conditions in the bathroom and are also very easy to clean. However, they also quickly give off the effect of a clinical and cold interior. Natural materials, such as wood, on the contrary, immediately give the bathroom an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. But even today, many people are still skeptical about whether real wood can be used at all in wet rooms like the bathroom. However, this basic skepticism is unfounded. What must nevertheless be considered when furnishings made of wood are used in the bathroom is explained in the following article.

The special conditions in the bathroom

. The climate in the bathroom is fundamentally different than in the other rooms of the apartment. Due to the warm water vapor, the moisture content in the air is at a very high level. In addition, most people prefer comfortably warm temperatures in the bathroom, which is why the heating is also set quite high. However, when the bathroom is left after use, the heating is turned off and the windows are opened. Especially in winter, this leads to very strong fluctuations in the room temperature. Wooden bathroom furniture must be able to withstand these adversities. This means that they must not absorb and store water vapor and moisture - otherwise mold would quickly form. In addition, the temperature fluctuations must not cause the furniture to warp. The consequences would eventually be flaking or cracking of their surfaces. So it turns out that the demands on the furniture in the bathroom turn out to be very high.

The use of wood in the bathroom

. Solid wood has the characteristic that it is extremely sensitive to moisture - this is the main weakness of the material. Therefore, in the bathroom it is essential to use either a material with appropriate impregnation or a very robust type of wood. There are actually some types of wood available that are excellent for use in damp rooms, such as acacia or teak. These feature resistance classes 1 and 2, which means that they could be used outdoors without any problems. Their natural ingredients, such as essential oils and rubber, ensure that the material is absolutely resistant to both moisture and mold. Thus, furniture made of these woods can be used in the bathroom without any problems. Incidentally, wooden tiles are also made from these types of wood. These can be laid extremely easily, are easy to maintain and, unlike tiles, provide a wonderfully warm feeling on the feet. If other types of wood are to be used in the bathroom, it is essential that they have some other protection against moisture. Well protects, for example, a high-quality colorless varnish, which completely seals the wood. However, if the wood is working, it is possible that the varnish will crack, and thus moisture will still find its way into the piece of furniture. Thus, wax and oil are even more suitable - because through them the wood can continue to breathe. In addition, this also promotes a healthy indoor climate in the bathroom. Woods that basically work little under temperature fluctuations and moisture influence are generally well suited, such as Douglas fir, pine or beech. As a general rule, wood should never come into contact with large amounts of water over a long period of time. After washing your face or taking a shower, puddles should thus always be dried off immediately. If the wood absorbs water quickly, this is a sign that the wax or oil on the surface needs to be renewed.

Great wood furnishing ideas for the bathroom

. Those looking for an alternative to the conventional clean look in the bathroom will be thrilled with the numerous design options that solid wood offers. Particularly trendy is currently, for example, a bathroom interior in Asian style. Here, everything is kept as simple as possible and white ceramics are complemented by a few golden accents. Dark wood is particularly suitable for the implementation of this style, with which the bathroom is transformed into a Far Eastern spa area in no time. A real highlight is also created by combining solid wood and concrete. With natural materials, furniture made of cast exposed concrete in industrial style looks particularly aesthetic. Suitable are, for example, precious woods such as acacia or teak, but also very smooth wood, for example, beech wood, is ideal for such an urban combination. Wood, on the other hand, can also be used to create a romantic vintage bathroom. In this case, the natural material is combined with embroidered linen towels, an old faucet, playful decorations and enamel. A freestanding bathtub with filigree feet is a very special highlight.