Why Is Acrylic Furniture So Expensive? (Find Out Now!)
The type and style of furniture you have in your home says a lot about what kind of person you are. There are tons of different furniture options and styles to choose from. You can go with vintage, modern, acrylic, or hardwood furniture, or a mixture of all of them. There are also many different price tags attached to each kind of furniture. One of the more expensive options to choose from is acrylic furniture.
Acrylic furniture is expensive because of what it’s made of and how good it looks. Acrylic furniture can look modern, vintage, or both and is very durable. This combination of durability, versatility, and beauty all factor into the steep price placed on acrylic furniture.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at what acrylic furniture is and why it costs so much. If you’re on the fence about whether or not acrylic furniture is worth the steep price tag, this article will help put that question to bed.
Why is Acrylic Furniture so Expensive?
Acrylic furniture is unique and has features and an appearance unlike any other type of furniture. Let’s look at the main reasons that acrylic furniture is priced the way it is.
The Material Itself
There are several different types of acrylic furniture, but the most popular and most used ones are plexiglass and Lucite. Lucite, plexiglass, and other types of acrylic are special, durable types of plastic that are more difficult and costly to produce than regular plastic. Acrylic has the appearance and feel of glass but the consistency of plastic. Because of the cost and difficulty involved in making acrylic, it’s more expensive than other types of furniture.
The Durability of the Furniture
Acrylic furniture is much more durable than most other types of furniture. It looks like glass furniture, but you can’t shatter it. Acrylic also feels and handles like plastic, but it’s much sturdier. You essentially get glass furniture with extra strength and durability.
Its Overall Appearance
The cost of the material and the quality are big reasons why acrylic furniture is expensive. However, it’s as popular as it is, which adds to its value because of its appearance. Like I said before, you’re getting furniture that looks and feels like glass but without liability. When it’s clean and polished, acrylic furniture is so clear that you almost can’t see it.
Acrylic furniture tends to have a sheik and modern look, but you can also make it appear vintage. The subtle twists and bends that acrylic can handle give it versatility, unlike any other furniture.
Does Acrylic Furniture Scratch Easily?
One of the only downsides of acrylic furniture is that it scratches pretty easily. Scratches are very noticeable on acrylic furniture because of its clear, transparent appearance. It’s extremely important to handle acrylic with care and not place any sharp or hard objects on it. If, however, you want to put coasters or other hard objects on your acrylic, you should put some padding or a buffer between them.
Can You Fix Scratches in Acrylic?
The good news is that it’s possible to eliminate scratches in your acrylic furniture. There are special polishing kits made specifically for acrylic furniture that is capable of repairing minor scratches. It’s always better, however, to avoid scratches in the first place. All you need to do is be very cautious and careful with what you put on your acrylic and how you handle it.
Is It Tough to Take Care of Acrylic Furniture?
Acrylic furniture isn’t overly tough to take care of, but it is finicky and requires special care practices. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to caring for your acrylic furniture.
Only use approved tools and materials
You want to make sure to avoid any cleaners that contain ammonia. Ammonia is detrimental and harmful to acrylic, and you should opt for cleaners such as Brillianize. Windex and similar cleaners contain ammonia and will break down your acrylic furniture. Another good option for a cleaning material is to use hot, soapy water.
Apply your cleaner of choice
Take your microfiber cloth and dry brush away debris or dust sitting on the surface of your acrylic. Once you’ve done that, apply your cleaner and wipe it dry one section at a time. Be gentle and patient while cleaning your acrylic, as you don’t want to be too aggressive with it.
Take extra time to remove scratches
As previously mentioned, you should use a special polishing kit to remove scratches from your acrylic.
Different Types of Acrylic Furniture
Tables
One of the most popular types of acrylic furniture is tables. Whether you want a dining room table or a small side table, acrylic furniture offers some very unique options. As a general rule, the bigger the table is, the more it will cost. However, that’s not always true since there are different grades of acrylic.
For a high-quality acrylic end table or side table, you can pay anywhere from $200 to $1,500. For a larger dining room table, you could pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. $1,000 will get you a lower-quality dining table, whereas a higher budget will get you a higher-quality table.
Chairs
Acrylic is quickly becoming a favorite material for sleek, modern chairs. Acrylic produces smooth, sturdy, and translucent chairs that are the envy of any dining room. They also come at a steep price. For a single dining chair, the minimum you should expect to pay is $100, and that will usually get you a lower-end chair from stores like IKEA and Target.
If you’re willing to spend a little more for a higher-quality acrylic chair, you can spend from $200 up to $500. There are also armchairs available in acrylic form. An acrylic armchair will cost you anywhere from $400 to $1,000.
Desks
Desks are another popular piece of furniture that acrylic-lovers utilize. Once again, acrylic desks give your home office or place of work a sleek and modern feel that few other types of furniture can. The typical cost of an acrylic desk is anywhere from $200 to $1,000.
Coffee Tables
Acrylic coffee tables are quickly becoming one of the most popular coffee tables around the world. People love the idea of having a clear, almost translucent coffee table in the middle of their living or dining rooms. Coffee tables also have a wide price range, costing between $200 and $2,000. That’s right. I said $2,000 for a small, acrylic coffee table.
Trunks and benches
Trunks and benches made of acrylic aren’t as common as other types of furniture and are more of a specialty item. As a result, they’re also some of the most expensive types of trunks and benches. Their cost can be anywhere from $500 to $2,500 for a quality trunk or bench.
How Does the Price of Acrylic Furniture Compare to Other Furniture?
We’ve deducted that acrylic furniture is expensive, but for a number of good reasons. It’s durable, fashionable, trendy, and beautiful to the eye. But how does it stack up against other types of furniture?
Acrylic Versus Wood Furniture
For years, wood furniture was the creme de la creme of furniture. It was the longest-lasting, most durable, and most expensive. However, acrylic furniture is giving it a run for its money in both cost and durability. Wood and acrylic furniture is actually similar in several ways. While they’re sturdy and not liable to breaking or cracking, both materials scratch easily and require special polishing and buffing skills to repair.
Overall, wood and acrylic furniture is very similar in price. There are higher qualities and lower qualities of both materials, and you often get what you pay for. The more expensive furniture is less likely to scratch and looks better overall. Lower quality furniture is an option in both acrylic and wood, but it often won’t look as good and will experience more problems.
Acrylic Versus Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is another specialty item but usually only gets used for outdoor purposes. Patios, decks, and pool decks are some of the most popular places for wicker furniture, whereas acrylic furniture is only for indoor use. In price, acrylic furniture is more expensive on average than wicker furniture is. However, you can easily pay several thousand dollars for a quality outdoor wicker furniture table and chair set.
Acrylic Versus Cloth Furniture
In general, acrylic furniture is more expensive than cloth or upholstered furniture.
Related Questions
Will acrylic furniture melt in the sun?
Acrylic melts at a temperature of 320 degrees, so unless you’re hanging out on the sun instead of in the sun, you’ll be fine.
Is it safe to have acrylic furniture around kids?Because acrylic furniture is a type of plastic, there are some who fear that it gives off-gasses in an enclosed space. However, acrylic furniture doesn’t do this, and it’s safe anywhere in your home.
Is acrylic furniture available in different colors or just in clear?While crystal clear is the most popular color for acrylic furniture, it’s available in any color that you want.
Final Thoughts
Acrylic furniture started gaining popularity in the early 2000s, and it’s now taking the world by storm. People love it for its ability to give rooms an open, clean, and modern feel that no other type of furniture can. Glass used to be the only option for clear furniture, but those days are gone. Acrylic is stronger, more durable, and easier to maintain than glass. Whether you want a modern, chiq look or prefer a vintage one, acrylic furniture is just what you need as long as you can afford it.
Before I started writing, I worked for 6 plus years in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC business. I was primarily an HVAC installer but also worked as a plumber and electrician. Now I'm a copywriter, focusing on home improvement content and guides.
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