Acrylic vs laminate kitchen cabinets: Which is the more suitable for your kitchen?

Types of Acrylic Sheeting for Kitchen Cabinet

1. Clear Acrylic Sheeting

One of the most popular choices for kitchen cabinets is clear acrylic sheets. These sheets render a sleek, ultra-modern touch to cabinets. The finish is highly polished and smooth; which enhances the look of any kitchen. Besides their enticing appearance, they are very strong, scratch-resistant, and hence ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity.

 2. White Acrylic Sheeting 

White acrylic sheets are ideal for kitchen cabinets because they exude cleanliness and minimalism. They can give a sense of brightness and space in a kitchen. Similar to the clear acrylic sheets, the white ones have the attributes of strength, ease of cleaning, and maintenance, hence increasing their popularity in the world of kitchen designs.

3. Colored Acrylic Sheeting

Coloured acrylic sheets are among the excellent choices in case one wants to give their kitchen a bit of colour. They are available in varieties of hues, which thereby offer close to an infinite number of possibilities for customization according to taste or integration into the existing décor of the kitchen. In their coloured versions, they retain the high gloss and strength of other acrylic sheets.

4. Mirrored Acrylic Sheeting

Mirrored acrylic sheets can deliver a rather unique and luxurious feel with their reflective surface, which gives a sense of depth and dimension to a kitchen, making it look larger than its actual size. Besides, they are lightweight and more shatter-resistant compared with regular glass mirrors, thereby including a safety factor in the list of their benefits.

5.  Light Diffusing Acrylic

The light-diffusing acrylic sheets are designed to spread light uniformly, thus reducing glare and hotspots. This makes them an ideal choice for cabinets situated under lights or in parts of the kitchen with abundant natural light. Beyond their practical advantages, they also contribute to a cosy and warm ambience in the kitchen.

2. Glossy Kitchen Laminates

In case you want a high-gloss finish, then glossy laminates for the kitchen will be the right choice. They reflect light very well and give your kitchen brightness and a sense of spaciousness. Added to this very significant advantage is that glossy laminates for the kitchen are easy to clean, although they show fingerprints and smudges more in comparison with matte finishes.

3. Textured Kitchen Laminates

Textured kitchen laminates add a tactile dimension to your kitchen cabinets. They come in various patterns—from wood to stone and everything natural. These laminates do bring depth and interest; however, again, a bit more care may be necessary with this texture for cleaning purposes.

4. Metallic Kitchen Laminates

Metallic laminates lend a sleek, modern look to your kitchen cabinets. They mimic the appearance of metals like steel, copper, or brass, adding a touch of industrial chic to your kitchen. Metallic laminates are durable and easy to maintain, making them a practical as well as aesthetic choice.

5. Decorative Laminates

For those who want to make a statement with their kitchen cabinets, decorative laminates are the perfect choice. They come in a wide range of designs, laminate kitchen colours, and patterns, allowing you to express your style and creativity. Whether you prefer bold, vibrant patterns or subtle, elegant designs, there's a decorative laminate to suit your taste.

Advantages of Acrylic Kitchen Cupboards

When it comes to designing a modern kitchen, one popular option is an acrylic modular kitchen which offers a sleek and glossy finish that can elevate the overall aesthetic of the space. While both acrylic kitchen cabinets and laminate cabinets are pretty popular today, making a choice boils down to the advantages each of them has over the other.

• Acrylic lacquer is available in various colours that offer a mirror-like effect and retain its colour and brightness for years.

• Acrylic cupboard renders a sophisticated look to your kitchen, making it look classy, elegant and chic.

• Acrylic cabinets for the kitchen are easy to maintain as you can clean them with plain water.

• It is highly resistant to moisture, heat-resistant, non-toxic and anti-bacterial, making it safe for kids, you and pets at home.

• It has a much better lifespan because it is UV resistant, making it an ideal choice for Indian climate conditions.

• They are entirely water-proof so do not create bubbles or cracks on the surface of acrylic cabinets for the kitchen.

Disadvantages of Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

Despite several advantages, high-gloss acrylic cabinets for the kitchen also have their set of disadvantages.

• Its glossy finish reflects the tiniest of defects, smudges, scratches, and fingerprints. This is especially true for darker acrylic finish kitchen cabinets.

• While acrylic kitchen cabinets accentuate the look of the kitchen and your home, it comes at a cost. It is more costly as compared to laminate kitchen cabinets. The general price range starts at ₹1000 to ₹1600 per square foot, depending on the gloss level. The entire modular kitchen may take around ₹1.75L and upwards to complete.

• It requires regular cleaning and maintenance.

• It is better to not use it as it may be prone to damage.

Advantages of Laminate Kitchen Cupboards

• Laminates have been in use in Indian kitchens for several years. Let us take a quick look at a few advantages over other materials.

• Cupboard designs come in various laminate kitchen colours such as matte laminate, high-gloss laminate and natural textures that give you a wooden finish laminate feel. It has more variety as compared to acrylic kitchen cabinets.

• It is budget-friendly and cost-effective compared to acrylic kitchen cabinets and wood cabinets. Because of its relatively low price, it is a preferred material of choice for kitchen designs in most households.

• They are easy to maintain and can be wiped with a wet cloth.

• They can sustain rough use and wear and tear more than acrylic finish cabinets.

• The general price range starts at ₹2000 per sheet, and the total cost of the kitchen on average can be anywhere between ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000, depending on the area that needs to be covered.

   

Disadvantages of Laminate Kitchen Cupboards

• While there are several advantages of using laminate finish kitchen cupboards, there are a few disadvantages.

• Since they are pressed on MDF or particleboard, a slight inconsistency in pasting it can create bubbles in the laminate. It needs to be pasted smoothly and left to dry for a minimum of three to four days.

• Low-pressure laminates are not as durable as high-pressure laminates. The seams of the particleboard tend to be visible or uneven in a low-pressure laminate finish kitchen that does not compliment your home décor.

• There are fewer colours in low-pressure laminates and may need to change a few years.

• They are not as water-resistant and durable as acrylic finish cabinets. Constant exposure to water along the seams may lead to the loosening of the glue, making the laminate come out before time.

Acrylic vs Laminate Kitchen Cabinet: Which is Perfect According to Your Need?

Acrylic and laminate modular kitchen designs have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, there is no thumb rule that one can follow in choosing one over the other. While several homeowners prefer laminate kitchen cabinets, a few prefer acrylic because of its sheer lustre and finish.

• If you are looking for a cost-effective solution and want to renovate your kitchen after a few years, you may opt for laminate modular kitchen designs.

• On the other hand, if you love the look and feel of a kitchen and don’t mind spending a little more, acrylic kitchen design may be a good choice for you.

• You can, alternatively, opt for a combination of both materials to complement the look of your home. You can give it the best of both worlds. Your decision is totally influenced by price, budget, look and style.

Which Finish for Kitchen Cabinets is Suitable for Indian Kitchens? 

You can choose acrylic and laminate finishes for the kitchen cabinet, depending on your needs and requirements. Acrylic finishes give that end gloss and are water and heat-resistant; however, they show smudges more easily and generally are heavyweight on the pocket. Laminate finishes are strong and durable, simple to maintain, and come in a plethora of designs; most importantly, they are heat and moisture-resistant. Finally, if you like high-end and glossy, and you are okay with regular maintenance, then go in for acrylic. On the other hand, if you are looking for a cost-effective, low-maintenance, vastly customisable option, laminate would suit your needs more.

How can Beautiful Homes help you with beautifying your kitchen?

Every kitchen is different, as is the emotion attached to each. Asian Paints Beautiful Homes can help you get the desired look and style as per your preference. With a team of skilled interior decorators and home stylists, we offer you a range of kitchen cabinet designs that will transform your kitchen and make your dream come true.

We guide you with the perfect kitchen cabinet material as well as kitchen cabinet colour combinations to design your personalized modular kitchen within your budget. You can book a 3D consultation call with our design experts or walk into our showrooms to get a first-hand look and feel of the kitchen designs and materials. 

AP Beautiful Homes currently has showrooms in Raipur, Jaipur, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, Nashik, Amritsar, Tumakuru, Coimbatore and Karur. In addition, we are in the process of expanding our network of stores to other cities of the country, bringing your designs closer home. 

At Beautiful Homes Service by Asian Paints, what we’re best at is partnering with you to craft the home of your dreams. If you’re eager to get started on creating that perfect haven we’re here for all your interior design, home décor & renovation needs – reach out or find one of our state-of-the-art stores near you. 

We’re currently available in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune and Kolkata, with new locations coming soon!