Short answer: steel is the safer choice anywhere damp or busy, such as a bathroom, a laundry corner, an entryway or a kitchen, and it holds magnets. Wood and particleboard feel warmer and close more quietly, which matters more in a bedroom or living room. Whichever you pick, anchor anything tall to the wall.
Moisture
Particleboard and MDF are wood particles or fibers bonded with resin, usually under a laminate or paint. The Composite Panel Association notes that both swell measurably in high humidity or water, more than solid wood does, and that the swelling doesn't fully reverse when the panel dries. That's the bulge you see at the bottom of a cabinet that stood next to a sink or a wet doormat.
Steel doesn't swell. Its weak point is the finish: where a chip goes through to bare metal, moisture can start rust. Wipe up water, touch up chips with matching paint, and keep the feet out of standing water.
Air quality
Particleboard, MDF and hardwood plywood sold in the U.S., including furniture made from them, have to meet the EPA's formaldehyde emission limits under TSCA Title VI. Look for a label that reads "TSCA Title VI compliant". A steel cabinet's panels aren't composite wood, so the label only applies to any wood-based parts it has.
Moving and rebuilding
If you move every year or two, flat-pack furniture is easier to take apart than to carry assembled. Particleboard holds screws in the board itself, so don't overtighten them, and expect the holes to wear if a piece is rebuilt many times. Whatever the material, bag and label the hardware as you take it apart.
Magnets, noise and dents
- Magnets. Steel doors and sides hold magnets, handy for hooks, notes and lists.
- Noise. Steel doors can sound metallic when they shut. Magnetic catches or small felt bumpers soften it; the doors on Pantry 72 close on magnets.
- Dents and chips. A hard knock can dent steel. Particleboard is more likely to chip at corners and edges.
End of life
Steel is North America's most recycled material, according to the Steel Recycling Institute, and scrap-metal recyclers take metal furniture. Check with your local program for what it accepts and whether you need to remove non-metal parts first.
Room by room
| Room | Steel | Particleboard or wood |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom, laundry corner | Good fit: humidity won't swell it | Keep it away from splashes and check that the edges are sealed |
| Entryway (wet shoes, umbrellas) | Good fit; wipes clean | Put a tray or mat under it |
| Kitchen pantry | Good fit; holds magnets | Fine away from the sink and dishwasher |
| Bedroom, living room | Fine; doors can sound metallic | Warmer look, quieter doors |
Our steel pieces: Little Arch 71, Arch Wardrobe 71, Arch Wardrobe 60 and Pantry 72. For sizing, see Will a tall cabinet fit?