A close-up of the bookshelves made of MDF clad in bamboo veneer.

The orange-painted MDF cabinets add a pop of color to the sun-washed kitchen.

Laminated-MDF cabinetry helps to hide clutter in the kitchen.

Heron is a collection of storage units by Rodolfo Dordoni for MDF Italia that feature a distinctive lacquered panel, available in a range of colors.

The living room is furnished with a Vita modular shelving system from MDF Italia, a Lili coffee table by Add Interior, and a custom sofa by Linea P International. The Dot cushions are by Hay.

The hanging Iko Iko pendants in the kitchen add a vertical touch to a space and help frame the views outside.

Rock table by Jean-Marie Massaud for MDF Italia. Here’s why this table won: it can withstand a helluva lot and it does so solidly and elegantly. Massaud intended this piece to work in both a residential and contract setting, which means it can take a beating. Fiber-reinforced cement comprises the base, while a tempered-glass top (or lacquered, if you prefer) lightens up the mood.

LJ chair by Laurens van Wieringen for De Vorm. Dutch designer Laurens Van Wieringen married a powder-coated steel frame with a seat made of recycled PET bottles, and LJ was born. Van Wieringen, who is winning the game of repurposing cast-off materials, brings a discerning eye and a plethora of manufacturing acumen to the process of making this chair. Simple, good-looking AND recycled? Yes.

The kitchen cabinets’ MDF fronts have a serrated finish

This bach in New Zealand was designed with a combined open-plan kitchen, living room, and dining area, for which homeowner and architect Gerald Parsonson designed a dining table that seats ten. Bare bulbs, open shelves, and bright orange MDF cabinets in the kitchen maintain the low-key vibe.

On one side of the house’s central stair is the travertine-clad kitchen. The custom cabinetry is made of painted MDF with stainless-steel counters; the oven is by Smeg.

Collect 2010 is made of oak and painted MDF, and is constructed in Småland, Sweden.

Van Beek’s extra space is home to her office. She works on a Tense table by Piergiorgio and Michele Cazzaniga and Flow chairs by Jean Marie Massaud, both for MDF Italia.

At a seaside New Zealand house, the simple kitchen has strandboard cabinetry and an MDF island that conceals a fireplace at one end. The bright green cabinetry of the island are a happy pop of color that references the native greenery outside.

Ice Green marble from Signorino Stone forms the backsplash and countertops. The island bench was custom built with 2PAC grooved MDF in the front and Tasmanian oak legs. The bespoke kitchen hood is made from folded metal with a bronze detail seam up the middle.

Light pours into the Ankneys’ living/dining area with its clear pine plywood ceiling, clear-finish MDF paneling on the walls, and reclaimed-fir flooring.

The concrete wall mimics the slope of the hill outside as a reference to early Maori structures that were dug into the land. The simple kitchen has strandboard cabinetry and an MDF island that conceals a fireplace at one end. The ceramic works on the built-in seat at right are by Raewyn Atkinson and Robyn Lewis.

The walls and floors are composed of MDF with wood veneer clipped to the aluminum structure.

MDF panelling also allowed for contraction and expansion of the moving vessel.

Air grates were carved into painted MDF for a cleaner look than typical register grills.

The kitchen replaced a former hallway with custom-designed MDF cabinetry and an island topped with quartz.

Architect Eric Logan sits in the guest house. The interiors are made up of oiled masonite wall paneling, raw MDF cabinetry, and an oiled concrete floor.

The shelving and cabinets are a Hygge Supply design, made of MDF and finished in no-VOC powder coat color.

In contrast to the otherwise white and bright rooms, the kitchen resonates with the black exterior. Lacquered MDF cabinetry is sleek and seamless.

In the bathroom there is a lacquered MDF, metal, and glass cabinet, which has also been designed by Marcante-Testa.

Here is a look at the lacquered MDF and Vienna straw cabinet, which was designed by Marcante-Testa and crafted by Falegnameria Fiore.

Eric Logan's guest house is adjacent to his family’s home. The interiors are made up of oiled masonite wall paneling, raw MDF cabinetry, and an oiled concrete floor.

When their house was in need of a pick-me-up, a London couple turned to the designer of their favorite coffee shop for an industrial-strength renovation. A Lebanese cedar island and stainless-steel countertops provide ample work space—and a place to display treasured items, such as the Buono V60 drip kettle by Hario. The island features a Franke sink with a Vola faucet. The oven is by Siemens and white MDF cabinets stow tools.

The door is made of MDF panels attached to a wood frame and topped with an ash veneer. The tiles are from Spanish brand Vives.

Light timber floors, white-painted MDF shelving and cabinets, as well as black metal accents, give the home a clean and contemporary appearance.

The kitchen cabinets are Emozioni by Helvex MDF with a high-gloss finish. Beneath the microwave is a space to mount a tablet for controlling the home automation system.

This kitchen combines functionality and affordability with minimalism and clean lines. The solid wood and plywood are completed with MDF panels and come in two options, natural oiled or varnished.

In the kitchen, glossy white MDF and quartz countertops allow for maximum light reflection, as do the white walls and ceilings. The stools are from Zone Maison.

The second-floor vacation suite has a convertible Softline sofa and cardboard stools from Stange Design. The storage unit is clad in black MDF.

The mezzanine floor above the living room holds a study and library with views over the meadow. The desk and shelving, made from iroko and painted MDF, are designed by Featherstone Young.