Why Wood Works in the Bath
Don’t be afraid of choosing the warmest, most versatile material for your bathing space — it can work wonders
Jo Leevers
September 29, 2019
Houzz contributor. I also write about interiors and houses for leading UK magazines and newspaper supplements. Recent work at www.joleevers.com
Houzz contributor. I also write about interiors and houses for leading UK magazines... More
Laying a wooden floor or covering surfaces in wood used to be a decor no-no in the bathroom. But modern sealants and paints and super-efficient ventilation systems mean you can now embrace the tones and textures of wood. Check out these designs for inspiration.
A Touch of Rustic
In an old, beamed home, you can tap into the woody feel without going too back-to-nature. In this bathroom, the house’s own bones are complemented by touches of wood— the chair, the bath panel — that strike a balance between traditional and contemporary.
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In an old, beamed home, you can tap into the woody feel without going too back-to-nature. In this bathroom, the house’s own bones are complemented by touches of wood— the chair, the bath panel — that strike a balance between traditional and contemporary.
Find a bathroom designer on Houzz
Ribbon of Wood Grain
Still nervous about using too much wood in a damp room? Fear not — a wide ribbon of wood-veneered storage softens up this pristine and angular bathroom, but rarely comes in direct contact with water. It’s a lovely mixture of materials.
Still nervous about using too much wood in a damp room? Fear not — a wide ribbon of wood-veneered storage softens up this pristine and angular bathroom, but rarely comes in direct contact with water. It’s a lovely mixture of materials.
Refresh an Old Favorite
Tongue-and-groove paneling is a tried-and-true way to cover bathroom walls to hide a tangle of pipes. If you’ve gone for this practical option, you can move with the trends by repainting the paneling as color fashions come and go.
Tongue-and-groove paneling is a tried-and-true way to cover bathroom walls to hide a tangle of pipes. If you’ve gone for this practical option, you can move with the trends by repainting the paneling as color fashions come and go.
Modern Lines
This sleek horizontal paneling adds real depth and originality, fashioned into the door and walls. On a practical note, dark wood needs to be well lit to bring out its drama.
Shop for bathroom vanity lighting
This sleek horizontal paneling adds real depth and originality, fashioned into the door and walls. On a practical note, dark wood needs to be well lit to bring out its drama.
Shop for bathroom vanity lighting
Steal Style From the Sauna
This bathroom has taken a style tip from the steam room — a slatted bench — then used the wood theme along the bath panel and in a striking arch over the basin. This structure provides storage and adds richness.
This bathroom has taken a style tip from the steam room — a slatted bench — then used the wood theme along the bath panel and in a striking arch over the basin. This structure provides storage and adds richness.
Step It Up in Style
This bench, flooring and console are reminiscent of satisfyingly chunky-feeling reclaimed railway ties, but with a sleeker finish. When properly treated, rich boards can retain their beauty without warping or staining. Sensibly, though, this design incorporates tiles in a similar format for areas that will get plenty of wet footprints.
This bench, flooring and console are reminiscent of satisfyingly chunky-feeling reclaimed railway ties, but with a sleeker finish. When properly treated, rich boards can retain their beauty without warping or staining. Sensibly, though, this design incorporates tiles in a similar format for areas that will get plenty of wet footprints.
Mix With Metal
This industrial-feeling bathroom is decorated in tiles and wood that fit the style of this converted stable property. The bands of weathered metal that run across the equally worn boards would also look striking in a loft bathroom, particularly if the wall wasn’t butting up to the shower.
This industrial-feeling bathroom is decorated in tiles and wood that fit the style of this converted stable property. The bands of weathered metal that run across the equally worn boards would also look striking in a loft bathroom, particularly if the wall wasn’t butting up to the shower.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
The curved wall of the bathroom-based sauna sets the tone for this room’s wood theme: dark, rich and smooth. The same wood continues in the vanity unit and storage over the basins, making the entire space feel luxe rather than rustic.
The curved wall of the bathroom-based sauna sets the tone for this room’s wood theme: dark, rich and smooth. The same wood continues in the vanity unit and storage over the basins, making the entire space feel luxe rather than rustic.
Wraparound
A powder room can happily work in wood, with walls covered in veneer sheets that showcase a beautiful grain.
This room has tiles on the floor, but you could go the whole way and create a warm-hued cocoon. The illuminated inset shelf is a lovely addition to prevent the feeling of a below-deck cabin.
A powder room can happily work in wood, with walls covered in veneer sheets that showcase a beautiful grain.
This room has tiles on the floor, but you could go the whole way and create a warm-hued cocoon. The illuminated inset shelf is a lovely addition to prevent the feeling of a below-deck cabin.
Surround a Sink
A chunky length of wood works as a surface for this bathroom’s basin and continues up the walls. Regular oiling will keep the wood protected and in good condition, while a deep basin helps keep splashes to a minimum.
Tell us: Would you go for wood in the bathroom? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Wood in the Bathroom? Absolutely!
See more ideas for using wood in the bath
Find cabinet makers and woodworkers
Shop for bath products
A chunky length of wood works as a surface for this bathroom’s basin and continues up the walls. Regular oiling will keep the wood protected and in good condition, while a deep basin helps keep splashes to a minimum.
Tell us: Would you go for wood in the bathroom? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Wood in the Bathroom? Absolutely!
See more ideas for using wood in the bath
Find cabinet makers and woodworkers
Shop for bath products
T. Walton Carr, Architects is a full-service Architecture firm based in Ohio. The firm specializes in customized... Read More
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We like our southern pine floors in the bath and throughout the house. They look warm even on a dreary day like today. Though they have dings now, they add character and some of the grain even look like hearts.
Renovating an old Spanish 19020s home completely inside out, yet preserving every original detail such that the character of the home stays unchanged was my husband's dream. Updating the kitchen and the bathrooms and all the wiring and plumbing but keeping the original hard wood floors and making it functional to our needs is a challenge that my husband took on
We have completed various jobs using engineered oak flooring in bathrooms with underfloor heating. The construction of engineered oak can withstand the differences in heat and a good double coat of hard wax oil or lacquer repels any water that lands on the surface. Functionality aside, wood flooring in a bathroom is also visually stunning. Visit our website to see our different engineered oak options that work well in .