Introduction to Kitchen Design
Kitchen design is an art that combines functionality and aesthetics to create the dream kitchen.
Careful material selection has always been essential for achieving both practical functionality and a stylish finish in your kitchen. The choice of materials plays a crucial role in determining the overall look and feel of the space – acrylic for countertops, backsplashes, or island fronts can offer contrast and will elevate a kitchen’s design.
In this article, we’ll share ideas for combining different materials to inspire your next kitchen project.
Choosing Materials
Choosing the colour for your kitchen is a key consideration.
The right colour scheme can dramatically influence the overall look and feel of your kitchen. It allows you to make both bold statements or subtle accents to suit your style.
The wrong colour scheme, however, can have an equally dramatic effect. It can overpower or smother the space – or make the kitchen look stark, sterile and severe.
But, while colour is definitely important, it is not the only thing you have to get right if you want the dream look for your new kitchen. It is only one of the many key aspects of interior design to consider.
Materials Matter Too
When selecting materials for the kitchen, you need to consider factors such as durability and maintenance, as well as the more obvious: visual appeal.
The likes of wood, laminate, acrylic, and other materials, offer both unique benefits and some potential drawbacks.
Metal or glass can also be used to enhance both the performance and appearance of your kitchen design.
Solid Wood
Solid wood is a timeless premium material for kitchen cabinetry that offers natural beauty and durability in equal measure.
Painted finishes are popular too, as they provide a bespoke look – allowing for a wide range of colour options to create custom, furniture-like cabinetry.
Acrylic is highly durable, scratch resistant, and UV resistant. This makes it an ideal choice for kitchen cabinets.
Acrylic is available in both high gloss and matte finishes, so you can choose a sleek, shiny look if you want a glossy finish. On the other hand, you can opt for a more understated, contemporary matte finish. Matte will give you a different vibe.
Mixing materials, such as combining acrylic with wood or glass, can create a genuine focal point in the kitchen.
Cabinet Design
Cabinet design is a critical aspect of kitchen design, as it can greatly impact the overall look and feel of the space.
Achieving clean lines is essential for a modern cabinet design, helping to create a streamlined and sophisticated aesthetic.
Upper cabinets can be made from a variety of quality materials, including wood, laminate, and acrylic.
Stunning Gloss Finishes
Acrylic cabinets offer a stunning and quality gloss finish that reflects the light and adds a sleek appearance to the kitchen. The reflective surface creates the illusion of space and gives a modern feel to any space. This is an advantage over matte.
Glass panels in cabinet doors can add further lightness. What’s more, they also enable you to showcase decorative elements in the kitchen.
The Cabinet Interior
The cabinet interior also plays a key role in storage and functionality, distinguishing the internal structure from the exterior finishes.
Lower cabinets can be made from different materials, such as wood or MDF, to create a unique and layered look of quality.
Mixing different textures in these materials can further enhance the visual and tactile appeal of the kitchen design.
Lower Cabinet Design
Acrylic cabinets can add a touch of modernity and sophistication to the kitchen.
The choice of material for the cabinets depends on factors such as durability, maintenance, and visual appeal.
For high traffic areas, it is important to select durable, scratch-resistant materials for cabinet doors and drawer fronts to ensure longevity and maintain a pristine appearance.
Moisture-Resistant and Durable
High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) is denser than MDF, making it strong and moisture-resistant, suitable for humid environments, such as the kitchen.
A combination of quality materials, such as wood and acrylic, can create a unique and stylish look. The materials chosen for cabinets that sit at a lower level should stand up to daily wear and environmental factors like water damage and humidity.
Kitchen Island Design
A kitchen island can be a striking focal point in the kitchen, and can be made from a variety of materials.
Bold colour choices or material contrasts can make the island a standout feature that adds energy and personality to the space.
Acrylic will give you a finish of high gloss and a sleek look that can add depth and interest to the kitchen. Using high gloss acrylic cabinets on just your kitchen island can provide a real contrast to the rest of your new kitchen design.
An island can be used to establish a sense of separation between different areas of the kitchen.
For example, combining natural oak with high gloss bold acrylic panels forms a layered look that is striking and draws the eye to it.
Open Shelving
Open shelving is a stylish way to introduce both elegance and functionality into your kitchen space.
When combined with acrylic kitchen cabinets, open shelving strikes a contrast between the high gloss look of the cabinets and the natural and warm textured look of the shelves.
This pairing not only gives depth to your kitchen but also allows you to display your favourite dishes, glassware, or ornaments. This will make the kitchen feel more personal, homely and inviting.
Acrylic cabinetry combined with open shelves strikes the right balance of contemporary and welcoming. It will also create a sense of openness and airiness. All in all, open shelves are a great addition to any interior.
Acrylic Cabinets
Acrylic kitchen cabinets are a popular choice because of their stunning finish of high gloss finish and their durability. They are considered low maintenance cabinets and require minimal effort to keep clean.
Their appearance is streamlined and feels ultra-modern. The easy cleaning process makes acrylic cabinets a practical option for busy households. This is stunning cabinetry to behold in any room.
The reflective properties of acrylic kitchen cabinets can make a small kitchen look more spacious and bright. As the acrylic material is high gloss it may require more frequent cleaning to maintain its pristine appearance than some cabinet materials. However, this is a straightforward and fuss-free task.
They are highly durable and resistant to scratches and UV rays. Regular cleaning is important—ensuring the surface remains free from dust and smudges that can dull the shine.
Layer Oak with Acrylic
Layer oak with acrylic to produce a kitchen design with style that contrasts warm natural aesthetics of wood with light modern finishes. It can be used to build a modern and sophisticated look in the kitchen. Not only that, it can be budget-friendly too. Incorporating gloss acrylic into your kitchen design can transform the space into a functional room that truly reflects your personal taste and brings style and light to the room.
Reflective Properties
One of the standout features of acrylic kitchen cabinets is their remarkable reflective surface. The finish of gloss acrylic cabinets captures and reflects light, instantly brightening the space and making it feel larger and more open.
With their ability to reflect light and add visual interest, gloss acrylic cabinets are a smart choice for anyone looking to create a bright, modern kitchen – but one that will have timeless appeal and style in abundance.
Drawer Fronts and Hardware
Drawer fronts and hardware are key elements in defining the style and functionality of your kitchen cabinets. Gloss acrylic cabinets offer a variety of front options, from minimalist slab designs to more detailed shaker or recessed panels, allowing you to tailor the look to your preferred aesthetic.
The gloss finish of acrylic fronts brings a modern, polished feel to the kitchen, while the choice of hardware—whether sleek and contemporary or more classic—can further enhance the overall design.
Choose Hardware that Complements the Look
Selecting hardware that complements the glossy surface of your acrylic cabinets adds a touch of sophistication and ensures a cohesive look throughout your kitchen.
With so many combinations available, you can easily design a kitchen that reflects your personal style and meets your practical needs.
Countertop Surfaces
Selecting the right countertop surface is essential for tying together the look of your kitchen, especially when you have acrylic kitchen cabinets.
Popular choices like granite and quartz offer exceptional durability, resisting heat, stains, and scratches—making them ideal for busy kitchens.
Laminate countertops provide a budget-friendly alternative, with a wide variety of colours and patterns to complement the finish of gloss acrylic cabinets.
Great Pairings and Combinations
No matter which material you choose, the key is to ensure your countertop enhances the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen while standing up to daily wear.
Pairing a gloss acrylic cabinet with a durable granite or laminate surface generates a harmonious balance between style and practicality, resulting in a kitchen that is both beautiful and functional.
The matching of cabinets to countertop is an important aspect of interior design in any kitchen.
Granite, quartz, or laminate, all can produce a stunning look.
Maintenance and Repair
Acrylic kitchen cabinets are celebrated for their durability and resistance to moisture, scratches, and UV damage, This makes making them a practical choice for high-traffic kitchen spaces.
To preserve the finish and keep them looking pristine, regular maintenance is important. Simply wipe the surface with a soft cloth and mild detergent to remove fingerprints and smudge. You should also avoid the use abrasive cleaners as these can scratch the material.
Despite regular cleaning being important, these are high gloss cabinets that have an easy-to-clean surface and you would still say they are a low maintenance, overall.
Low Maintenance: High Reward
In the event of minor damage to acrylic kitchen cabinets – such as small scratches – repairs are straightforward: touch-up pens or replacement panels can restore your cabinets to their original condition.
Thanks to their easy-to-clean high gloss surface and robust construction, acrylic kitchen cabinets offer long-lasting beauty and functionality.
If you want to ensure that your kitchen remains an inviting space for years to come, high gloss acrylic cabinets could be the smart choice for you.
Just get in touch with the Kitchen Warehouse team to find out more. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have.