Choosing the Right Materials for Bespoke Joinery: A London Homeowner’s Guide

Not All Timber is Created Equal

You’ve decided to invest in bespoke joinery. Brilliant. You’ve worked out your vision, selected the space, even saved a few Pinterest boards. And then your joiner asks: “What material are we building this from?”

Cue internal panic.

Whether you're commissioning a wardrobe, bookshelf, media wall or built-in banquette, the material choices can feel… well, overwhelming. MDF? Plywood? Veneer? Solid timber? Oak or ash? Painted or clear finish? Water-resistant or flame-retardant?

Don’t worry — this post is your no-nonsense, non-jargon guide to the most common joinery materials used in bespoke carpentry here in the UK — what they are, when to use them, and what to avoid (especially in a London climate).

The 5 Most Common Materials in Bespoke Joinery

1. MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard)

Ah yes — the most misunderstood material in the game.

• ✅ When It Works: Painted built-ins, wardrobe carcasses, bookcases, panelling

• ❌ When to Avoid: Wet areas (unless moisture-resistant MDF), very long unsupported spans

• 💡 Best Used For: Painted shaker wardrobes, alcove cabinets, panelling

MDF is strong, affordable, smooth, and easy to paint. But don’t confuse it with cheap chipboard from the DIY store. When used by pros and properly sealed, it’s a high-performing staple in British joinery.

Our Tip: Ask for moisture-resistant MDF (often green-tinted) in bathrooms or kitchens.

2. Plywood

The darling of architects and Scandi-inspired spaces.

• ✅ When It Works: Visible carcasses, drawer boxes, minimal-style furniture

• ❌ When to Avoid: Super high-gloss painted finishes — edges can be tricky to get razor clean

• 💡 Best Used For: Modern media units, children’s rooms, kitchens, anywhere you want grain and durability

Plywood is made from thin layers of timber glued together with alternating grain — making it strong, stable, and lightweight. Birch ply is most popular, but we also use oak and poplar ply depending on the look and budget.

Our Tip: Edge-banded plywood gives a clean, minimalist look without visible layers.

3. Veneered MDF / Ply

Looks like solid wood. Behaves like engineered board. Often the sweet spot.

• ✅ When It Works: Places where you want the look of timber, without the warping

• ❌ When to Avoid: High-impact zones that need repairable solid wood

• 💡 Best Used For: Cabinet fronts, shelving, statement panels

Veneered boards are sheets of MDF or ply topped with a real timber veneer (oak, walnut, ash, maple, etc). They offer beauty, consistency and often lower cost than solid wood — with less risk of movement or cracking.

Our Tip: Ask us about matching veneered fronts with solid timber edging for a seamless premium finish.

4. Solid Timber

Beautiful. Timeless. But not always practical.

• ✅ When It Works: Feature pieces, tops, exposed joinery, long-term investment

• ❌ When to Avoid: Full doors or panels that could warp (esp. in central heating)

• 💡 Best Used For: Worktops, stair details, trims, furniture tops

We love working with oak, ash, beech, and walnut. But solid wood moves — it expands and contracts with the seasons, which can cause warping or cracking if used incorrectly.

Our Tip: If you want solid timber, we’ll always explain the movement risks — and design around them.

5. Spray-Finished Paint Systems (on MDF or Veneer)

Not a material, but an important finish.

• ✅ When It Works: Anywhere you want a smooth, professional, wipe-clean look

• 💡 Best Used For: Kitchen units, wardrobes, media units, panelling

Our studio uses hardwearing spray-applied paints, not hand-rolled gloss. These provide even coverage, strong durability, and custom colour-matching (think Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Dulux Heritage, etc).

Our Tip: Want zero fingerprints? Ask for a 10% matt finish or textured lacquer.

Joinery Material Mistakes We See All the Time

• Assuming MDF = Cheap – It’s not the material, it’s how it’s used.

• Using solid wood where MDF would be more stable

• Skipping edge banding on plywood or veneer, resulting in chips later

• Not asking about moisture resistance in bathrooms or kitchens

• Letting style win over performance — that American walnut might look great, but it dents like a peach.

💬 Our Conversation with Clients

When we begin a project, we never assume you know your materials. That’s our job.

Instead, we ask:

• How do you use the room?

• What kind of wear and tear do you expect?

• What colours, finishes or grains feel like “you”?

• How important is durability, sustainability or budget?

Then we match materials to lifestyle — not just aesthetics.

We Are Ready When You Are:

Choosing the right material is about your space, your needs, and your taste. Not just what’s trendy. That’s where bespoke joinery — and our guidance — makes all the difference.

Whether you’re building wardrobes, panelling a parlour, or remodelling a kitchen, we’ll help you get it right.

🔗 [Book a joinery consultation today] 📧 Or email us with your idea, and we’ll advise the best build approach