A Comprehensive Guide: How to Choose Acrylic Furniture

Looking for stylish, aesthetically-blending, yet affordable furniture? Learn how to choose acrylic furniture that will amplify the look of your interior and exterior spaces.

Furniture in modern times is no longer about mere convenience and purpose. The furniture used in a space conveys volumes about what the area is all about.

Modern acrylic furniture pieces are the best tools to turn your design dreams into reality for all places like:

1. Venue,
2. Site,
3. Store,
4. Room, etc.

You can design furniture with a personal touch that suits your home and office decor.

High-quality acrylic furniture is long-lasting and sturdy, like its wooden counterparts.

Whether you wish to get:

• A salad bowl-shaped table for your salad bar or
• A cot shaped like a cricket bat for your cricket-themed bedroom,

— Anything is possible using acrylic.

However, there are some prerequisites that one must know on how to choose acrylic furniture:

1. You must consider the setting or environment where you will place them.  
2. You must also take into consideration the lighting of a space.

So, how will you decide if a piece of acrylic furniture will suit your space?

If not, how can you decide on what fits best?

You are at the right place to read this epic acrylic furniture buying guide.

From this article, you will learn some tips for choosing acrylic furniture for your home and office spaces.

Understanding Acrylic Furniture

What was once an aesthetic visual treat for the ultra-rich and exclusive experience zones is now used in many places.

Acrylic furniture is made from acrylic plastic. But this plastic provides the glaze of glass without breaking!

Acrylic furniture was first made in the 1960s to make a piece of furniture appear rich like glass but sturdy enough to serve its original uses.

Some unique properties of acrylic that make it stand out among other materials are:

• Transparency in reflecting light with a glass-like unique sheen,
• Durability and sturdiness like wood,
• Malleable and ductile like metals, thus able to carve and cut any design,
• Cost-effective compared to all other raw materials,
• Easily blend with the aesthetics of a space,
• Recyclable and manufactured in an environmentally friendly process,
• Versatile to fit any space with the same need.

Acrylic combines the best features of all materials used in furniture. Acrylic effectively addresses the challenges of traditional wood and metal furniture.

Read this interesting article on the differences between Acrylic and Glass Furniture. You will also learn to choose the right furniture for your office and home decor.

All one needs to focus on is choosing the right acrylic furniture to fit a given space or venue.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Acrylic Furniture

Many readymade acrylic furniture items are available in the online and offline markets today. Some designs appear too attractive to believe they are made from plastic.

You may wonder how to choose acrylic furniture from what is shown online or told by the dealers.

Let us see some common buying tips for acrylic furniture, which include:

• An assessment of the material,
• Intended purpose, and
• Aesthetics of the surrounding spaces.

Factor 1: Evaluate Acrylic Furniture Quality

The first step on how to choose acrylic furniture is to assess the grade of acrylic.

The term acrylic is broadly used to describe different variants of thermoplastics.

Plexiglass refers to the basic variant and is often addressed as acrylic. A higher grade of acrylic is termed as Lucite.

The main differences in the quality of different acrylic grades are their thickness and clarity.

— Acrylic sheets range from 1mm to 25mm in thickness.

The best acrylic furniture is made from thick sheets that give a substantial bold look. Conversely, thicker sheets have lesser optical clarity and lesser shine.

Factor 2: Design and Style

From minimalistic clear and transparent tables, chairs, and stools, to theme-based customized vintage divans, and bar stools, acrylic material suits them all.

While plain acrylic sheets give a rich look, you can go for frosted or colored acrylic furniture to add more relevance to your spaces.

For instance, you can get brown-colored acrylic sheets to give your furniture a wood-like look while retaining a glossy shine.

The products are:

1. Dining tables with frosted table tops,
2. Dragon-styled easy chairs with serrated frostings on the surface,
3. Circular step stools laminated with cartoons, etc.

So, keep in mind. Your design goals and furniture ideas are relevant to your room or office space theme and purpose.

Factor 3: Functionality

When choosing the right acrylic furniture, you must consider the purpose it is to be used for.

Well, acrylic furniture does have a versatile nature.

➼ For instance, a clear transparent acrylic table can serve as a dining or study table for quick usage.

However, you can look for apt furniture that suits your requirements.

➼ For instance, if you are designing chairs for your textile showroom, you can add your shop logo and design in colors of your choice.

Such furniture attracts customer attention.

Sometimes, it is desirable to change the slope or tilt the study table while drawing, using the laptop, etc.

For this, you can get an acrylic table with an adjustable tabletop.

Then, communicate the same with acrylic vendors to see if you can get the best furnishings in acrylic.

Factor 4: Size and Space

Most manufacturers post a detailed description of the dimensions of their acrylic products.

One of the pro tips for choosing acrylic furniture is to pre-measure your room or office space where you wish to add a piece of furniture.

This measurement helps you filter and browse the right products that fit your spaces.

If you run a playschool, you can design your tables and chairs in different colors. You may also get playing aids like a rocking horse, slide, etc., done in acrylic.

With careful size considerations, you can fit optimal furniture for a decent strength in your playschool.

— Of course, acrylic is safe for children as it does not break.

Factor 5: Budget

Once you have decided on the desired thickness, design, and dimensions of your acrylic furniture, it is time to check the cost.

Start by browsing online and looking at the prices of various furniture pieces in acrylic.

Use the above-discussed parameters to fine-tune and filter your desired products.

From your research, analyze how much you can divide for such furniture.

If you have a custom need for your home, office, or outdoor spaces, you can do an approximate calculation of how much extra you may have to shell out.

If you are unsure about the cost of custom acrylic furniture, inquire with local manufacturers.

Types of Acrylic Furniture

Now that we know how to choose acrylic furniture. Let us look at the different kinds of acrylic furniture.

Choose from a wide range of acrylic products:

• To decorate your homes,
• Offices,
• Shops,
• Establishments,
• Indoor and outdoor venues for parties, and so on.

Type 1: Chairs and Stools

Clear and transparent acrylic chairs are now the most popular choice for several indoor and outdoor parties today.

Thanks to their glass-like look and shine, you can reuse them many times for any event, such as:

• Birthday parties,
• Weddings,
• Corporate meetings, etc.

Clear or colored acrylic chairs are the best custom seating options for your shops and office spaces.

Some tips for choosing acrylic furniture for schools or offices include adjustable stools for versatile use.

• You may use colored step stools for toddlers.

Anyone loves a dash of colors at the right places in the right hues and contrast.

Type 2: Tables and Desks

Who would refuse an ergonomic table or desk that is also visually appealing?

— Acrylic tables are sturdy enough to handle up to 30-50 kg of load placed (depending on the material thickness).

Designers are using acrylic to make study desks and workstations for office spaces.

Such modern acrylic furniture improves the overall experience at workspaces and are instant mood lifter upon entering an office.

Since acrylic does not conduct heat or electricity, it is safe to place electronic equipment and gadgets in your office.

The best acrylic furniture benefits:

• Adjustable table tops with sloping options,
• Removable desks and
• Colored or Frosted finishing.

Type 3: Shelves and Storage Units

Utilities made from acrylic are replacing most traditional cupboards and racks. But are they long-lasting?

— Yes, they are.

Let us see some pro tips on how to choose acrylic furniture for storage purposes:

1. When storing sharp articles like knives, screwdrivers, etc, make sure their edges are covered to prevent scratching acrylic surfaces.
2. Enquire if your storage units have an anti-scratch coating on the inner side to prevent accidental scratches and damage.
3. For increased organizational visibility, go for transparent acrylic. To keep your storage contents hidden, go for colored or frosted shelves.
4. Ensure the units have sufficient handles for opening and closing, thereby preventing touches on the surface with bare hands.

Type 4: Decorative Pieces

Some furnishings are more about increasing the aesthetic appeal in your home or office.

For instance, a lamp that goes with your room theme is a unique element. Thin acrylic sheets can be used to design such items and reflect light appropriately.

Similarly, you can use acrylic to design wall units to hold photo frames, trophies, souvenirs, etc.

These pieces can be designed precisely in a color that reflects the paint of your wall and lighting.

The best acrylic furniture you could have imagined for your requirements:

• Shoe stands,
• Printer racks,
• Spice boxes, and
• Other small furnishings

Maintenance and Care Tips

After learning how to buy acrylic furniture, it is essential to understand how to maintain it.

While acrylic is easier to maintain than wooden or metal furniture, it still requires regular but minimal upkeep.

Let us learn in detail about the cleaning, polishing, and safety instructions steps for acrylic furniture.

Tip 1: Cleaning Methods

If your area is prone to dust daily, you must do dry dusting with a micro-fiber duster that does not scratch. Or you may use a lint-free dry microfiber cloth for the same.

Every week, do wet wiping with a microfiber or cotton cloth.

— A soap solution made from water with baby shampoo or handwash will be enough. This step is crucial to keep your furniture shiny and clean.

After wet wiping, clean again with a dry cloth, and now your furniture is as good as new.

If your manufacturer recommends or gives you any cleaning liquid for regular use, stick to the same.

Tip 2: Preventing Scratches

Scratch removal requires polishing depending on the degree or depth of the scratch.

Little scratches can be handled by buffing up with a plastic cleaner and a soft cloth.

However, get an opinion from your manufacturer if it is safe to use a particular cleaner.

Avoid cleaners containing ammonia. Most glass-cleaning solutions contain it.

Just because acrylic looks like glass, the same cleaners will not work on acrylic and may sometimes result in damage.

For deeper scratches, you may require professional polishing solutions. To prevent scratches, you may ask your manufacturer to add a coat of anti-scratch polish.

When not in use, make sure to cover your furniture with a curtain cloth.

Tip 3: Handling Stains

Stains like food spills, paint, ink, milk, etc, can cause a slight blur when wiped off from acrylic surfaces.

For such reasons, it is necessary to use enough protective equipment.

Say, in the case of acrylic dining tables, use enough table mats and coasters to prevent food spills.

In case of spillage, try to immediately wipe off with a soft cloth. Then, use a soap solution and microfiber cloth to do a wet wipe, followed by a dry wipe.

The faster you clean, the easier it is for the stain to fade.

However, if the spill or stain has dried, avoid scratching it off the surface. Use a damp microfiber cloth to slowly remove the stain.

Then, do a wet wipe and a dry wipe. Avoid scratching spills as much as possible.

Styling Tips with Acrylic Furniture

If you ask how to select acrylic furniture for your home that is minimalistic, clear acrylic furniture is your best choice. They reflect the natural lighting and setting of your room.

Of course, you can repurpose the same furniture piece any number of times without having to replace or discard them.

Fusion furniture is also a trending concept these days. For instance, you can have an acrylic table top for your wooden table.

This clear acrylic table top makes your wooden table appear more rich.

Chairs in a marriage event can come with a space to add pamphlets with the names of the bride and groom.

This way, it appears as if the furniture is customized for a wedding, but in reality, it gets reused for events.

Adding colors to your furniture must be done in the correct contrast.

For instance, if you have a pastel-colored cafe, go for furniture in darker shades in the same hue so that your furniture pieces appear prominent.

You can include your brand logo in:

• Acrylic chairs,
• Tables,
• Desks,
• Cupboards,
• Racks, etc.,

In places like:

• Schools,
• Colleges,
• Offices,
• Shops, etc.

Conclusion

I hope this acrylic furniture buying guide, has given you all the information you need on acrylic furniture.

Many misconceptions exist about the quality and usability of acrylic in furniture.

Through this article, we learned that acrylic furniture has well been in use for many years.

However, it is only since the start of this millennium that we’ve seen queries on how to choose acrylic furniture for various needs.

Acrylic furniture suits any space and outperforms traditional materials like wood and metal. Its durability and transparency make it a functional yet visually appealing treat for users.

Classic Concepts is a pioneer in designing and delivering customized acrylic furniture.

Our catalog is proof of all the possibilities in the world of acrylic furniture. You tell us your requirements, and we will come up with the best design and quality in the industry.

So, do take a look at our acrylic furniture and come back to us with what you have in mind.

FAQ:

Is acrylic furniture durable?

Thick acrylic sheets are used to make furniture, which can withstand heavy weight. Acrylic sheets can withstand almost 30 times the weight sustainable in a glass of the same thickness. Though acrylic is lighter than glass, it is a highly durable replacement.

How do I clean acrylic furniture without damaging it?

Stick to the cleaning routine mentioned by your manufacturer. Regular cleaning and wiping prevent any damage to clarity and shine. Avoid cleaners containing Ammonia.

Try covering exposed surfaces with a cloth when not in use. Use protective elements like tablecloths, coasters, covers, mats, etc., wherever required.

Can acrylic furniture be used outdoors?

Yes, they can be used outdoors. In reality, clear or colored acrylic furniture pieces look strikingly beautiful when placed outdoors as they radiate maximum light falling on them. Be careful to keep them away from articles causing scratches. Protect them from birds and insects perching by keeping them indoors when not in use.

Is acrylic furniture safe for homes with children and pets?

Yes, they are safe for use by children. In such cases, make sure your furniture has an anti-scratch coating and get them redone periodically. However, avoid such furniture from coming in contact with their teeth or nails. You may add baby-proofing tapes and guards to prevent scratches or marks due to biting.

Can I customize acrylic furniture to fit my specific needs?

Most definitely, you can. The beauty of acrylic lies in its ability to be customized into any shape. You can carve, laminate, or print any pattern of your choice to keep your furniture blended with your room or office theme.