water + cheap MDF = regret.
That’s the truth. I tried to “make do” with a low-end vanity in one of my rentals—figured tenants wouldn’t care. Big mistake. Within six months, the bottom was puffed up and the doors barely closed. Ended up replacing it anyway, so the “savings” were pretty much imaginary. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay for quality up front.
Yeah, MDF and water just don’t mix—seen it too many times. I always tell folks, cheap vanities are like cheap umbrellas... they work until the first real storm. Spending a bit more upfront usually saves headaches (and cash) down the road.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a different experience with MDF vanities. We did our bathroom on a pretty tight budget last year, and honestly, the MDF one we picked up has held up fine so far. Maybe it’s luck, or maybe it’s because we’re careful about splashes and wipe things down pretty quick? I dunno. I just couldn’t justify dropping double or triple the price for solid wood when we had so many other things to fix up.
I guess it depends on how much use the bathroom gets and if you’ve got kids who treat the sink like a water park. Has anyone else managed to make the cheaper stuff last? Or is it just a ticking time bomb and I’m in denial?
Honestly, I think you’re doing it right. MDF gets a bad rap, but if you’re careful with moisture and keep up with basic maintenance, it can last a good while. I’ve seen plenty of budget vanities hold up just fine, especially in bathrooms that aren’t used by a herd of kids. The trick is sealing any exposed edges and making sure water doesn’t sit for long. Not everyone needs to go all-in on solid wood—sometimes the “cheap” option is just practical.
I hear you on MDF. Honestly, I’ve seen some of those “budget” vanities outlast fancier stuff, especially when folks actually pay attention to drips and splashes. That said, I’ve also had to swap out a few where the edges just swelled up like a marshmallow after a plumbing leak. It’s all about how much chaos your bathroom sees, I guess. For a guest bath or powder room, MDF can make a lot of sense. Main bath with three kids? I’d probably steer folks toward something tougher, but hey, not everyone’s got the budget for oak and marble.
