What's Your Bedroom Furniture Made Of?

When you go in search of master bedroom furniture, you're going to find that not all beds are created equal. In fact, many beds are made of different materials. Some are wood beds, while others are made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard). What is the difference in these two materials, and is one more appropriate than another for a particular use or type of bedroom furniture?

MDF is an engineered wood product formed from breaking down softwood into wood fibers that are then combined with wax and resin in high temperatures and pressure to create panels. In Australia, the main species of wood used to make MDF is plantation-grown radiata pine, though many other woods can be and are used around the world. You are probably thinking about the material that forms the bottom of a drawer in an inexpensive dresser or chest of drawers, but that's not MDF – it's particle board. MDF is denser than typical particle board but not as dense as hardwood. Often, discount beds are made of MDF. Of course, this is not necessarily a bad thing, since MDF is a lighter weight material than hardwood and can be moved around more easily.

Often, casual bedroom furniture (as opposed to large, stately items) has a lot of MDF in it. While there may be some hardwood, most affordable modern bedroom furniture includes at least some MDF. Modern bedroom sets are built for the average American, who moves several times in his or her life and also changes decor in the home frequently. That calls for inexpensive furniture, as well as furniture that is easily portable. Whereas it takes several individuals to move large pieces like hardwood modern platform beds, one or two people can lift a bed made of MDF with ease.

One excellent use for MDF is in children's bedroom furniture. Youth bedroom sets should never be extremely expensive, since your child will frequently outgrow or mature beyond the liking of the decorations and furnishings within his or her room. Also, with the abuse that is often heaped upon a child's furniture, you wouldn't want to spend a fortune on a nice, wooden bed that is meant to be a family heirloom, becoming an antique someday. Rather, you can purchase less expensive, more tolerant MDF furniture for your child's room. This gives mobility to the furniture so it can be rearranged and saves money so that your pocketbook stings less when it's time to redecorate your child's room.

Aside from a kid's bedroom set, you can also make good use of MDF in a guest room. Twin bedroom sets are frequently made of MDF and rarely found in hardwood form, and this can be the perfect furnishing for your guest room, especially if it is infrequently occupied. Even if you prefer hardwood furnishings in your own bedroom, MDF can be a great, inexpensive material to use in the rest of your home, saving you money and hassle when it's time to move or redecorate.