Bathroom design with wooden elements
Wood is a special material that creates a unique atmosphere of comfort and tranquility. And this is exactly the kind of material that is very useful in a bathroom – a place to relax after a long day, and a place to do spa treatments. However, because of its sensitivity to humidity and temperature fluctuations, wood is almost never used as a bathroom decoration. However, technology is evolving and improving. After all, they make boats out of wood, which is literally always in the water, and for bathroom decoration, it is the number one material, so why would a bathroom be any worse than it is? Nothing – think manufacturers and find options for using wood in this room. The bathroom can be placed in some imitation wood bathroom set.
Advantages and disadvantages of wood finishes
In addition to its ability to add a comfortable atmosphere, wood has other advantages in bathroom design.
- It is one of the most environmentally friendly materials, as it is created by nature itself, and you simply cannot find a more natural material.
- The tactile contact with wood gives the user a pleasant sensation and helps to relax the mood.
- Walking on a wooden floor stimulates blood circulation and has a health-improving effect on the whole body.
- The scent of wood has a positive effect on health, turning an ordinary bath into a spa experience.
- Wood is durable, so you don’t have to worry about having to redecorate in the next twenty years.
In addition, it is versatile and can be combined with any interior style.
The main drawback remains the dislike of wood in high humidity conditions. This disadvantage can be eliminated by varnishing and special protective impregnations, some of which require regular refurbishment. Depending on the extent of the wood’s exposure to moisture, you will need to re-treat it every three to five years. It also helps to extend the life of wooden bathroom finishes by ensuring proper ventilation, and since natural ventilation is usually inadequate in homes, installing a forced-air system can incur additional costs. And natural wood materials themselves cost an order of magnitude more than other materials.
What kind of wood can be used in a bathroom?
Most importantly, this refers to those exotic species where high humidity is a natural growing condition. Obviously, we are talking about tropical trees, which have a dense structure and a high oil content. If you want a bathroom made of wood, mahogany or teak is a good choice. It contains rubber, which is the basis of rubber, so it is water-resistant. The mahogany species Cumaroo, Iroko, Sapele, Paduk, and Campas also perform well. But they come at a high cost.
A more budget-friendly option is to use thermally modified wood. By subjecting the wood to high heat and pressure, moisture, resin, and lignin are removed. This makes the wood more resistant to wear and tear while maintaining its natural beauty. Wood treatments include birch, pine, ash, and cedar.
It is also impossible not to mention the king of all trees – oak. The substance that leaches from its material has medicinal effects, so the heat treatment of this species is not affected. But here, various impregnations are used, which allows the material to be used for bathroom decoration. Bathrooms can be placed on some imitation wood bathroom set.
How to use wood in the bathroom
You can decorate any surface with wood: floors, walls, ceilings. But this solution is usually used in saunas and sauna rooms. Compartmentalization is the fashion today. Therefore, you can, for example, use wood only in the sink area. In addition to paneling, bathroom furniture can also be made of wood. Wooden shelves look great in a bathroom or on a sink worktop. What about the sink, the bathtub, or even the toilet itself? This is all possible as well. The look of such sanitary ware is very original and beautiful.
A. Alternatives
However, if natural wood is not for you because of cost or because it is too difficult to maintain, but from a purely aesthetic point of view, you really want to see it in your bathroom, then there is another solution. You can choose materials that mimic different types of wood. The construction market offers a wide range of options.
B. Tile
This traditional material used for bathroom decoration looks good from all angles. It is durable and long-lasting, resisting moisture, temperature fluctuations, and aggressive chemicals. It doesn’t get any more satisfying than that. In this case, it is also a natural material like wood, because it is made of different types of sand and several types of clay. For example, if the base is quartz sand, then this tile is flexible and more comfortable. It is much warmer than other types, which is a very important quality for the bathroom. However, it is worth mentioning that in the bathroom it is better to choose glazed tiles, which are more resistant to wear and tear. If you want to create a “wooden” countertop, then there are also special clinker tiles for this purpose.
Bathroom tiles can mimic the grain and look of different types of wood, allowing you to choose options that suit a variety of tastes and colors to create the right ambiance.
C. Porcelain Stoneware
This is a type of tile made from a mixture of ground rock, high-quality clay, and natural mineral dyes. This composition gives it greater strength, which is why it is used as a floor covering. Rectangular models with a rough texture can be found in stores. They can be used to create the visual and tactile sensation that the floor is real parquet.
D. PVC sheets
They are made of polyvinyl chloride, which is chemically resistant to alkalis, mineral oils, most acids, and solvents, and is therefore highly resistant to ordinary tap water. It contains rock salt and petroleum components to improve its properties, which makes it strong and resistant to temperature changes. other advantages of PVC boards include.
- Durability.
- Good insulation properties.
- Good sound absorption.
- Easy to install.
- Relatively easy to care for.
But a major advantage is that the cost is very reasonable compared to other wood finishes used in bathroom design. PVC panels will fit any budget. In addition, they are available in a very large selection of patterns and colors, which allows you to create any style of interior with their help. Quality materials can be distinguished by clear patterns and uniform colors, and it is good if the panels have several lintels. Also, since PVC panels are not a natural material, be sure to buy only certified products, otherwise, when heated, they may release harmful substances.
E. Linoleum
This may seem strange, but you can also use it if you want your bathroom to look like wood. After all, it is one of the materials that have a large selection of options that mimic the grain and pattern of the wood. But choose PVC-backed linen with a uniform structure so it can handle high humidity. A uniform structure also avoids the need for a substrate, which is the main accumulator of moisture. In addition, linoleum must be highly resistant to abrasion and have anti-slip properties (for this purpose, corundum chips are added to the surface layer).
F. Wallpaper
In addition to linoleum, you can find various wood designs: bark, planks, wood stacks, precious wood grains, etc. And wallpaper is another budget-friendly option for wood grain bathroom finishes. The following types of wallpaper are suitable for this purpose
Washable and moisture resistant – doesn’t leak and is very easy to care for.
Vinyl – can handle not only excess moisture and steam but also direct contact with water.
Liquid – A water-based plaster that, once dry, will not come into contact with water.
Self-adhesive wallpaper is an option that makes the installation process easier. Thanks to the adhesive layer on the back, you can simply get it wet and stick it to the wall.
Material combination options
If you want to use natural wood in your bathroom design, the best option is to combine it with other natural materials. This can be tile, which we’ve already talked about, or stone. Marble or granite worktops and sinks go well with wood. If necessary, you can also lay stone on the floor. The main rule is that stone, tile, and wood should be combined in warm or cool colors. Combining materials of different colors is quite a complicated task and cannot be handled without proper experience.
If you intend to use materials that mimic wood, artificial stone can be used as an alternative to natural stone. It looks just as beautiful but requires much less care. Bathrooms can be furnished with some imitation wood bathroom set.
You can also combine “wood” materials with decorative tiles to create a rustic interior. Lots of chrome or metal tiles allow you to create a loft-style design. But if you are a classicist, then you need tiles and ceramic sanitary ware in warm colors. It’s best to plan the layout of your bathroom ahead of time, or even sketch it out, so you have a good idea of how the room will end up looking. And here are a few pictures of wooden bathroom designs for your reference.
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