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Interior Design vocabulary · Materials & Finishes

MDF

Meaning in interior design, with examples

/ˌem diː ˈef/abbreviationCommon term

In interior design, MDF means: Short for medium-density fibreboard: a smooth, stable board made from wood fibres and resin, used for cabinets, shelves, panelling and painted furniture.

In Turkish: MDF, orta yoğunlukta lif levha

How it is used

The standard base material for bespoke joinery and painted cabinet doors. It cuts cleanly and takes paint well, but it swells if it gets wet, so moisture-resistant MDF is specified for kitchens and bathrooms. Cutting it makes fine dust, so dust extraction is needed.

Example sentences

  1. The panelling will be made from MDF and painted on site.

  2. Use moisture-resistant MDF for the bathroom cabinets.

Common collocations

  • moisture-resistant MDF
  • painted MDF
  • MDF panelling
  • MDF board
  • veneerA very thin sheet of real wood or stone glued onto a cheaper, more stable board such as MDF or plywood, giving the look of the solid material.
  • laminateA hard, man-made surface made of layers of paper and resin pressed together, often printed to look like wood or stone, used on worktops, cabinets and floors.
  • joineryFitted woodwork made for a specific space, such as built-in wardrobes, shelving, kitchen units, panelling and doors, and the craft of making it.
  • bespokeDesigned and made specially for one client or one space rather than bought ready-made from a catalogue.

More terms: Materials & Finishes

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