All You Need To Know About Wood Like Materials And Finishes For Your Home

by Sreya Dasgupta | February 1, 2024 | 6 mins read

Wood material for your home

Choose the best wood-like material that suits your style and budget

Wood is timeless. It has been a commonly used material for ages in most homes. Be it wardrobes, cabinets, bed, panels and flooring this is everyone’s go to material without a shadow of doubt!

Although solid wood as a material has always been the first choice it comes with its set of disadvantages. First its expensive and therefore does not work for those with tight budgets. Its heavy, prone to damage, difficult to maintain and a little environmentally unfriendly. 

Advancements in technology have given rise to several alternatives that resemble the look and feel of solid wood but are factory made, cheaper and easy to maintain. 

So here we bring to you the best wood-like materials that you can choose  for your flooring, panels, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, beds and more.

Plywood For Your Cabinets, Wardrobes And Furniture

One of the best alternatives to solid wood is engineering wood, also known as manufactured wood. It is made by binding particles and strands with adhesives to form a composite material. Plywood is one of the most common types of engineered wood where thin sheets of wood or layers of veneer are bonded with adhesives to form a solid wood-like material. It is comparatively cheaper to solid wood, easy to work with and versatile. Plywood can be used for furniture, sofa, panelling and frames. The only problem with plywood is that it cannot resist too much weight and is not water-resistant. 

Plywood for your cabinets wardrobe and furniture wood material
Plywood is your best friend if you are looking for an alternative to solid wood
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Ceramic Tiles With Wooden Finish

Are you obsessed with the wooden flooring and the warmth it brings to spaces? Does the headache of maintaining it stop you from giving your floor a wooden makeover? We have a solution for you! Try Ceramic or natural stone tiles with a wood-like finish. Ceramic or natural stones add shine and grandeur to your room. The wood like look adds to the warmth of the place so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Wood floor material ceramic tiles with wooden finish
Floor tiles that give an illusion of wood are a great alternative to solid wood

Wooden Finished Wallpaper For A Rustic Look

The easiest way to add a rustic touch to your space is wallpaper that resemble wood. You can use a wood finished wallpaper or a 3D wallpaper for your walls. They are pocket friendly and easy to maintain. There are a lot of designs and textures you can choose from these days. So if you want to design your living room or bedroom with a warm, woody feel then this is the perfect solution for you. 

Wood material texture wooden finish wallpaper for a rustic look
Let your walls look woody and warm with wallpaper

Vinyl Flooring For A Vintage Look And Feel

One of the most trusted substitutes for real wood is vinyl. This finish is lightweight and highly water and stain-resistant. It also has anti-slip properties that makes it perfect for bathrooms as well. Vinyl for flooring is ideal as it is low maintenance and feels soft underfoot. The only issue with vinyl floors is that they can get damaged by harsh chemicals or excessive exposure to sunlight, however they have an extensive lifespan if maintained with care. 

Wood material for furniture with vinyl flooring for a vintage look and feel
A vinyl floor adds a rustic feel to your home

MDF Is An Excellent Alternative To Solid Wood Material

Made from wood pulp and residue of hard and softwood, MDF or Medium Density Fibreboard is cheaper than plywood and has a smooth surface just like solid wood material. It is not water-resistant and quite limited and therefore we do not recommend it for wet areas such as the bathroom or kitchen. You can use veneer laminates on MDF for an original wood-like finish. MDF can be used on shelves, panels, partitions and modular furniture.

Mdf is an excellent alternative to solid wood material
An intelligent alternative to real wood for your home’s interiors

Try High-Density Fibreboard If You Want Something Durable

Like MDF, High Density Fibreboard or HDF is also made from wood residue but is more robust and dense as compared to the former. You can use it for furniture that needs a firm base and structure. The adhesive used is waterproof making it more durable than other materials. You can use lacquered glass finish if you want to add a luxurious touch to your room. High Density High Moisture (HDHM) and Boiling Water Proof (BWP) are two other popular alternatives to solid wood. They are both highly water-resistant and ideal for wet areas like balconies, kitchen cabinets  and the like. HDHM and BWP are the best wood like materials for kitchen cabinets if you want an alternative to additional solid wood.

High-density fibreboard is made from wood residue but is more robust and dense than the former
HDF is durable and can be used for furniture
Complement your home's interiors with various materials and finishes

Veneer Sheets Will Help You Get The Ultimate Wooden Flooring Finish 

Veneer sheets are made of real wood and have a unique grain pattern. You can use them on MDF furniture and cabinets. These are also used for flooring. They bring in warmth to the interiors of spaces and look close to real wood. In this image here we seen an entire wall finished in veneer that makes this bedroom look cosy and inviting. Veneer is easy to maintain and cost-effective, and if appropriately maintained, can last for many years.

Ultimate wooden flooring finish and wood material texture
Veneer sheets resemble real wood very closely

Also, check out Different Types Of Modular Kitchen Materials

Particle Boards Are An Environment Friendly Option

Made from wood waste like wood chips, sawmill shavings, or sawdust, particle board is an eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable wood like  material. It used to make bookshelves, furniture, floating shelves and more. The only drawback with it is that particle boards are prone to disintegrate due to water damage and so need a little more of your care and attention.

Particle board are an environment friendly wood material for furniture
Particle boards are eco-friendly and great if you are into sustainable living

Hope your questions related to “wood material”, “wood floor material”, “wood material texture”, or “best wood material for kitchen” are answered to some extent.

If you want to know more about home interiors, get a free consultation with our designers today or walk-in to any of our experience centres. 

And for more ideas, tips and design know-how do check out other blogs in this or go to our guides section. 

If you liked reading about wood materials, also have a look at the difference between mdf vs plywood.

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Sreya Dasgupta is a content writer at DesignCafe

Sreya Dasgupta

Sreya Dasgupta is a content writer in DesignCafe who loves travelling, reading and archiving inspiring stories of life through her words. Her belief of finding something interesting in every nook & corner of this world, her passion for exploring new culture, culinary and lifestyle inspires her to write. When not working, she loves spending time with her Ukelele.

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