Everything You Need to Know Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets – Best Designs, Advantages, Disadvantages and Tips

Kitchens require abundant storage to ensure your counter is not cluttered and all your utensils are well organised. Cabinets define the aesthetic of your kitchen apart from providing space for storage and scope for the organisation. The vibe and feel of your kitchen will affect the food you make too! Since modular kitchens have become popular in India, people have been revamping their kitchens for increased convenience and better aesthetic value. Wood and glass were the most preferred material for cabinets, but with improved technology, a more significant plethora of materials are available in the market. Each material has a spectrum of finishes, textures, and colours. Materials like Acrylic, Laminate, MDF, Glass etc., are widely used. Acrylic kitchen cabinets and Laminate are the most popular among these because of their finish and durability.

What is the Acrylic Material Used in Kitchen Cabinets?

Acrylic is a thermoplastic homopolymer also known as plexiglass. It is a modern alternative to acrylic glass kitchen as it is more durable and offers high transparency. The first piece of acrylic was produced in 1928 by the Rohm and Hass company. It was commercially released in the market in 1933. It is available in different sizes and thicknesses of sheets, rods and pipes, glossy and anti-glare textures, and a broad spectrum of acrylic kitchen cabinets colours. 

This material gives a durable, anti-chip, glossy and shatter-resistant alternative to glass. Acrylic kitchen cabinets give your kitchen a sleek, modern, and elegant look. The base of the cabinets is either MDF or commercial plywood, which is finished with a layer of acrylic kitchen cabinets colours.

There are two types of acrylic kitchen cabinets, one made of wood, MDF or plywood and just coated with a layer of acrylic sheet, and the other type is made entirely of acrylic. The former is cheaper while the latter is more expensive as it is entirely made of acrylic. The latter is a high gloss acrylic kitchen cabinet with a solid colour. The former needs to be used with a sealer for more extended durability. 

A Modern Grey Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

This modern elegant acrylic kitchen design has grey acrylic cabinets. They are of a high gloss finish and are very reflective. The local yellow lighting used complements the grey and gives a luxurious vibe. The wooden texture breaks the monotony while keeping up the aesthetic. As the kitchen is small, acrylic kitchen cabinets work best because they create an illusion of a bigger space. This kitchen does not look as small as there is no clutter, it is chic, and the acrylic is highly reflective.

Red Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

This kitchen design has a lot of cabinets below the counter but very few above it. This makes the kitchen look spacious. Warm colours have an advancing illusion; hence they are primarily used in larger spaces. This kitchen has a red, white and brown colour palette. The material used is acrylic. As seen in the above image, there is abundant natural lighting and local lighting. Warm yellow light is added to the chimney, which perfectly complements the statement bare wall behind it and a white light below the upper cabinets, which complements the high reflective white wall behind it. 

Brown Acrylic Kitchen Cabinet

One can never go wrong with a brown and white colour palette. It gives a sophisticated and spacious look. These brown acrylic kitchen cabinets are perfect for your spacious kitchen. The marble effect of the wall behind the counter gives a very subtle but luxurious look. They have used brown cabinets only at the bottom and have used white at the top to break the monotony and not make it look cluttered. Glass and mirrors are known to make any space more sophisticated and spacious. Despite abundant natural lighting, they have added a strip of LED light below the white cabinet to make sure you have enough light while you make delicious food for your family; with love and care. 

Teal Cabinets with Designer Tiles

This kitchen design adds a pop of colour while still keeping it elegant. The acrylic used for the cabinets is highly reflective, proving perfect for a small kitchen. They have used a teal, brown and white colour palette here. The designer tiles make a statement in this design, which perfectly complements the green acrylic kitchen cabinets. The highly reflective marble flooring enhances the look. The while cabinets on the top have a strip of yellow LED light attached to it which comes in handy at night without natural light. 

Black And White Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

One can never go wrong with black and white. It is said to be the most luxurious and sophisticated pair of colours. This spacious kitchen uses a combination of black acrylic kitchen cabinets and white acrylic kitchen cabinets. The marble used on the counters is a combination of black and white, perfect for this design. They have primarily used black cabinets but sprinkled a little white to break the monotony and make it lighter. The plain white flooring brings the whole look together while cancelling the eye-catching, highly reflective black. The nude designer tiles above the stove add a personal essence to the design. 

All-White Acrylic Kitchen Cabinet with Brown Pairing

This modular acrylic design for the kitchen is perfect for a simple yet elegant house. Sold white acrylic cabinets are perfect for you if you want your kitchen to be minimal and straightforward. If you are confused about acrylic vs wood kitchen cabinets, you can add a few wooden elements and wooden flooring to avoid repetition. A white theme also complements natural lighting very well. You can add a few indoor plants on the counter to bring some colour and nature into your kitchen. You can also add LED strips below the cabinets on top for convenience in the absence of natural light. 

Cabinets With Statement Tiles

This design is our personal favourite! The shade of blue used with wood gives a beachy vibe. The light blue makes the kitchen look breezy and calm, and the high gloss of acrylic makes it look elegant. The designer tiles they have added break the monotony while complementing the design. While the tiles do make a statement here, they do not attract all attention to themselves. The wooden shelves in the top cabinets are very convenient as they do not have a door and accentuate the top cabinets. 

Advantages Of Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

Like everything, even acrylic kitchen cabinets have pros and cons. Enumerated below are some advantages of having acrylic kitchen cabinets. 

• They offer a very high reflective and high gloss finish.
• They are more durable and easier to maintain when compared to glass which offers a similar finish.
• They are UV resistant and perfect for acrylic kitchen cabinet doors in India. 
• They are available in a wide variety of colours and textures. 
• They are moisture-resistant, hence effortless to clean.
• These acrylic finish kitchen cabinets can be cleaned easily with water and soap. 

Disadvantages Of Acrylic Panels for Kitchen Cabinets

• Due to its high glossy texture, all kinds of stains, fingerprints and scratches are visible.
• They need to be cleaned frequently and thoroughly.
• Acrylic kitchen cabinet prices are higher than their wood or laminate counterparts.
• Finding the same shade again is impossible; hence if one door is damaged, you will be required to change all the cabinets to maintain symmetry. 

Acrylic vs Laminate

Acrylic and laminate are the leading materials used for kitchen cabinets. Although they are made with different processes, they can offer similar characteristics; hence it is essential to know the difference between them if you want to make an informed choice.

• Acrylic sheets for kitchen cabinets have a higher degree of reflection when compared with laminate. They give a sleeker and more elegant look. While laminate is also available in a high gloss variant, the degree of reflection is lower. 

• If you have a smaller kitchen, high reflective acrylic kitchen cabinets are a better option as they will give an illusion of a bigger space. 

• Due to the high gloss characteristic of acrylic cabinets, fingerprints and scratches are more visible on them; hence a combination of laminate and acrylic is also used for kitchen cabinets. 

• The cabinets below the counter are made using laminate, while the ones above are made using acrylic. This gives the high reflective sleek look you want while keeping it easy to maintain.

There is a vast span of acrylic sheet colours for kitchen cabinets available, while there is only one type of texture. Laminates are available in a plethora of colours as well as textures. Matte, high gloss, gloss, wood etc., are available in laminates. This gives you the liberty to experiment with different textures and break the monotony. You can have one row of high gloss laminate while others of matte or wood. It gives artistic freedom.

The disadvantage of high gloss and a high degree of reflection is that fingerprint marks, dirt, stains and scratches are more visible. As the reflectiveness of laminate is lower, dirt and stains are not as evident. Acrylic kitchen cabinets and laminate kitchen cabinets both are moisture and heat resistant, tarnish resistant and fade resistant; laminate is more durable. The disadvantage with laminate is that it may fade a little over time compared with acrylic. Owing to its superior finish and gloss, the cost of acrylic kitchen cabinets is more than laminate. The latter provides more variety and durability at a lower cost; hence it is a perfect option if you are on a budget. 

How To Choose a Colour for Your Acrylic Cabinets?

After choosing the material and texture for your kitchen cabinets, the next thing to choose is the colour. The acrylic kitchen colour you choose will define your aesthetic. Make sure you choose the colour very wisely as it will transform the look of your kitchen. Here are some things to consider while choosing and knowing the acrylic kitchen cabinet's pros and cons.

Space Availability

Warm and dark colours have an advancing effect, making the space seem smaller. If you have a smaller area for a kitchen, use light shades and nudes or neutral colours. White and beige work best for a small kitchen. Larger kitchens also provide room for experimenting thus you can experiment with different colours that reflect your personality. The best part is that the acrylic kitchen cabinets prices are affordable and hence can be highly customisable as well.

Natural Lighting

If you have a space with less natural light, opt for lighter shades of neutral colours. This will make your space look fresh and ambient. If you have a large window, balcony attached to the kitchen, or an open kitchen, you can go for more vivid darker colours. While white and brown are some colours ideal for a small kitchen, if you have ample space, then you can go for colours like red, green, yellow etc. 

Coordinate With Backsplash And Countertop

The first step in choosing a colour is to look for a colour palette matching the aesthetic of your house. If you are changing just the cabinets, make sure it matches the countertop and the backsplash. Choose a colour palette that compliments the countertop as well as the backsplash. You can have complimentary colours or matching colours. If your countertop and backsplash are white, you can go for black acrylic or brown acrylic cabinets. 

Reflect Your Personality And Mood

Make sure the colour palette you choose for your kitchen also matches the mood and aesthetic of your house. If your house has minimalistic and straightforward furniture, go for white or nudes instead of vivid colours. Think about whether you want your kitchen to be a private space or do you want it to be inviting where people can come in and have a friendly chat with you while you cook. For the former, go for light, subtle colours. For the latter, you can experiment with a pop of lime or vivid orange. 

Tips For Maintaining Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

Acrylic kitchen cabinets are among the easiest to maintain. They are fade-resistant, UV resistant, and moisture-proof. However, they are very user-friendly, with sure dos and don’ts to clean them. We have put together some great tips to help you clean your acrylic kitchen cabinets.

• The best way to clean the acrylic cabinets is by using a microfiber cloth and some detergent. Please make sure only to use a microfiber cloth.
• You can wipe the stains off the acrylic cupboard away with a wet cloth too.
• Do not use a dry cloth, paper towels, or a brush.
• Avoid harsh detergents and household cleaners. 
• Read the chemical properties of the cleaners before using them to avoid any harmful chemical reactions. 
• Make sure not to hand damp cloth against the cabinets or dry cloth against the acrylic kitchen cabinets.  

The evolution of modular acrylic cabinets for kitchens has become very popular. After comparing it with other variants and analysing its advantages and disadvantages, we can conclude that acrylic is undoubtedly one of the best materials to use for the cabinets of your modular kitchen. Choosing the designs and colours according to your convenience can be a tough choice. Consulting expert home interior designers at NoBroker can be extremely helpful. Please leave a comment below this article, our executive will be in touch with you soon.