Aesthetics and Funcionality: Using Acrylic Sheets for your Cabinets

Buying a house is the first step to getting the home of your dreams. Decorating this home, and getting the interiors to match up with your aspirations, is the next. Picking the right materials for your kitchen is very important to get the right look and maintain functionality.  

Acrylic sheet for kitchen cabinets

Acrylic, often referred to as plexiglass or lucite, is a highly versatile material used in doors, windows, cabinets, and partitions. This transparent thermoplastic homopolymer is now a favourite of homeowners and interior designers. It is available in a mind-boggling variety of colours, thicknesses, and opacity. Going by current trends, it is very likely that acrylic sheets shall soon be the top choice for kitchen cabinets.

Acrylic sheets add to the aesthetics and functionality of your kitchen, giving it a stunning and sophisticated look. Let us consider some of the top advantages that make acrylic sheets the perfect choice for modern and elegant kitchens.

Advantages of using acrylic sheets 

The high-gloss finish is the first thing that catches your attention about acrylic sheets. This is because they were developed as a heat-resistant, lightweight alternative to glass. This plastic polymer is inherently transparent, but several different colours can be added during production. This means you can pick from a variety of coloured acrylic sheets for kitchen cabinets and get a glass-finish look.

There is a reason why acrylic is growing in popularity and demand. With more of us opting for flats and apartments, the kitchens are usually small. Using highly reflective acrylic sheets adds light, colour, and space to the kitchen, elevating its aesthetics and giving it a stunning modern look.

Acrylic is also easy to maintain and highly chip resistant, making it the right choice for Indian kitchens.

Acrylic Vs Laminate 

Acrylic sheets and laminates are the two popular materials used in kitchen cabinets these days. As a homeowner, your choice of material will depend on several factors.

In general, acrylic sheets are more expensive than laminates but also offer a highly glossy, reflective finish. Some laminates are available in a high-gloss finish, but these are nearly as expensive as acrylic sheets.

Acrylic cupboards require regular maintenance. Due to their glossy surface, dust, dirt, fingerprints, and grease marks easily show up on these surfaces. Matte laminates, however, are low maintenance in comparison.

Acrylic sheets are available in various colours, but laminates are available in matte finish and with prints as well. Overall, acrylic cabinets are more reflective and better at lighting up the kitchen.

Picking the right colour acrylic sheets

The USP of acrylic sheets is that these are safer, lighter, and better alternatives to glass. They are heat- and chemical-resistant, making them perfect for kitchens. They are versatile and available in several colours to suit your kitchen décor. Interior designers, however, recommend using bright-coloured acrylic sheets for kitchens. White, yellow, red, orange, ochre, mint green, and baby blue are colours you can choose from. This is because light-coloured acrylic sheets are better at reflecting light and eliminating shadows from your kitchen. Grease, dust, and hand prints show up better on darker acrylic, adding to the maintenance burden as well. However, if you have a large kitchen with lots of natural lighting, you may want to experiment with complementary or contrasting coloured acrylic sheets for kitchen cabinets.

Acrylic sheets – Maintenance Tips

• While acrylic surfaces require daily cleaning, maintaining them is a simple process. Acrylic cabinets can be cleaned, dusted, and disinfected very easily.
• Use a soft, microfibre cloth to wipe clean acrylic cabinets and remove any dust or dirt. Do not use steel wool, brushes, or cleaning tools that may leave scratch marks.
• Acrylic surfaces do not require chemical cleaning products. Use warm, soapy water every few days to remove stains and grease. Air dry the acrylic surface and avoid using ammonia-based products as these damage the surface.
• Acrylic sheets are UV resistant, and exposure to sunlight causes very little discolouration. With minimal maintenance, your acrylic cabinets will look bright and beautiful even after years.

The cost factor

Acrylic sheets can be slightly more expensive than most laminates, but the durability and beauty that this material offers more than makes up for the difference. Unlike laminates, acrylic sheets do not swell up or get damaged with exposure to moisture or sunlight, making them perfect for the long haul. The seamless sheets give your kitchen cabinets a smooth and flawless finish.

Acrylic sheets are the right choice for kitchen cabinets. Not only do they give your kitchen a stunningly beautiful look, but they are also very environment-friendly materials that can be recycled. It is no wonder, then, that acrylic is quickly becoming the favourite of interior designers and homeowners.