IN THIS POST
– Laminate Finish
– Acrylic Finish
– Lacquer Finish
– Mirror Panel
– Veneer Finish
Wardrobes may primarily be used for storage purposes, but they are a significant part of your bedroom décor. Though mostly ignored, this utilitarian piece of furniture can help set the tone for your overall theme. Therefore, if you want to enhance the design scheme of your room in terms of texture and colour, you should consider sprucing up your wardrobe just a little – and no, that doesn’t mean you should buy a new one. Instead, you should consider updating its material finish. To help you make the best choice for your home, we have put together a list of the best material finishes for wardrobes that all homeowners must know about.
Let’s get started.
Laminate Finish
When it comes to modern wardrobe finishes, laminate surely takes the cake as one of the most popular and budget-friendly options available in the market.
Laminate is made by pressing layers of heavy-duty paper with melamine that hardens into resin to create a solid veneer. A thin decorative layer is then added to the composite material followed by a transparent protective coating to increase its durability. Laminate is available in a wide variety of colours, designs and textures. It is usually used on MDF and particleboard wardrobes.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Finish
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of laminate, one of the best finishing materials for your wardrobe.
Pro: This finishing material is extremely durable and resistant to scratches.
Con: While durable and sturdy, laminate is not as strong as hardwoods.
Pro: Laminate finishing is flame retardant, making it a safe choice for both residential and commercial settings.
Con: It cannot be stained or sanded down.
Pro: It is fairly easy to clean and highly resistant to stains.
Con: When it comes to appearance, laminate is not as attractive as the real wood.
Pro: Laminate is one of the most stylish yet affordable finishing materials for cupboards.
Acrylic Finish
Looking for the most creative wardrobe finishes? Well, you should consider giving your wardrobe a premium acrylic finish.
Acrylic is made of polymer fibre and adds a high-end modern look to your home décor with its smooth and flawless finish. It is a non-toxic material with a glossy and highly-reflective surface. As a result, it can make your room seem brighter and more spacious than it actually is. Whether you opt for acrylic paint of acrylic sheets, you will have the liberty to choose from a wide range of vibrant colours and patterns.
Moreover, acrylic is among the best material for sliding wardrobe doors because it does not fade away or lose its sheen. Whether you have a wardrobe made of plywood or solid hardwood, acrylic can add to its durability by protecting its surface.
Pros and Cons of Acrylic Finish
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of acrylic wardrobe door finishes.
Pro: It has a smooth and seamless surface that makes your room décor look sophisticated yet contemporary.
Con: Compared to the laminate finish, the acrylic finish is relatively expensive.
Pro: Acrylic has a long shelf life and does not lose its colour or sheen for years.
Con: Fingerprints and smudges are easily visible on its surface.
Pro: It has a high resistance to both UV light and moisture.
Con: This type of material finish for wardrobe is not suitable for rough use.
Pro: Wardrobes with acrylic finish are easy to maintain and clean.
You can also take a look at this comparison between laminate and acrylic finishing for more information.
Lacquer Finish
If you want your wooden wardrobes to have a high-sheen finish, opting for lacquer might be your best bet.
Considered one of the best material finishes for wardrobes, lacquer is a solvent-based product that gives a clear glossy finish to your wooden furniture without obscuring its natural grain and pattern. Lacquer is being used as a finishing material for wooden floors, furniture and musical instruments for ages. Compared to shellac, varnish, polyurethane and other popular finishes, lacquer is relatively affordable and available rather easily at hardware stores.
You also don’t need to hire an expert for lacquer finishing. All you need is a paintbrush and a bottle of lacquer to make your wardrobe look brand new.
Pros and Cons of Lacquer Finish
What are the benefits and drawbacks of this stylish wardrobe finish? Let’s find out.
Pro: Compared to paint and varnish, lacquer dries rather quickly. In fact, it only takes about 15 minutes to dry completely at room temperature.
Con: Once dry, lacquer is extremely hard to remove without damaging the material underneath.
Pro: Lacquer is durable, long-lasting and tough. You also don’t have to worry about your wardrobe finishing chipping or flaking.
Con: Lacquer fumes can be rather hazardous. Therefore, proper ventilation is required when applying the lacquer on wardrobe wood.
Pro: This finishing material does not yellow over time and can be sanded down for a fresh coat.
Mirror Panels
Mirror panels are among the modern cupboard finishes that are quickly gaining popularity among homeowners in Pakistan.
As we already know, you can use mirrors to make your home look brighter and bigger by amplifying light and creating an illusion of space. This is one of the main reasons why mirror panels have become one of the most creative wardrobe finishes. They cover the entire door of the wardrobe, making even the most compact and cramped spaces look large.
Other than the aesthetic appeal, using mirror panels as a stylish wardrobe finish also negate the need for another mirror in the room. This makes your closet functional in more than one way. Also, as far as cleaning as concerned, all you need is a store-bought glass cleaner and a soft cloth to get rid of all the smudges and fingerprints.
Pros and Cons of Mirror Panels
Here are some of the most noteworthy advantages and disadvantages of installing mirror panels as wardrobe finishes.
Pro: Wardrobe with mirror panels visually open up the room and make it look well-lit by reflecting the light, making it a great option for those living in compact space.
Con: Mirror finishing is usually very fragile and can break under pressure.
Pro: Considered one of the best material finishes for wardrobes, mirror panels are available in a wide range of shapes and styles to fit any theme and décor style.
Con: These panels can get dirty really quickly and need to be wiped regularly.
Pro: You can spruce up your cupboard by installing decorative mirrors, lacquered glass, shaded glass, coloured glass, and partly frosted mirrors, to name a few.
Pro: Mirrored wardrobes are very functional as they eliminate the need for a dressing mirror.
Veneer Finish
The veneer is the final contender in our list of best material finishes for wardrobes. This type of finish is made of thin slices of wood that are glued together to form a sturdy panel that looks and feels exactly like solid hardwood. This stylish wardrobe finish does not only add a hint of extravagance to your décor but is also very eco-friendly and easy to maintain.
If you have a wardrobe made of plywood, applying veneer finish will strengthen its base and make the facade less likely to crack or warp with time. The veneer finish is also rather easy to work with, especially when it comes to rounded edges and curves. This is why most homeowners choose it for their home.
Moreover, this material has the durability and resilience of real wood. It can also be sanded down and refinished to get rid of nicks and scratches on the surface.
Pros and Cons of Veneer Finish
These are the main upsides and drawbacks of veneer wardrobe door finishes.
Pros: Compared to real hardwood, veneer finishing is rather pocket-friendly and very less likely to warp.
Con: While beautiful and affordable, veneer products are not on par with real wooden furniture.
Pro: You can easily buff out the scratches and stains on the surface of veneer finishing.
Con: Veneer is highly susceptible to water damage, rot and decay.
Pro: A truly versatile finishing material, the veneer has the same texture as the real wood. It is also very sturdy and lasts for a long time.
Pro: This material can be stained and polished to complement the rest of your bedroom furniture.
So, which of these flawless finishes for wardrobe will you be opting for? Let us know your thoughts and comments by dropping a message at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you have wooden furniture in your home, don’t forget to check out our tips on how to get rid of ugly scratches on wood, ways to polish raw wood and top signs of termite infestation to watch out.
To learn more about impressive wardrobe materials and finishes, stay connected to Zameen Blog – the best home décor and property blog in Pakistan. Moreover, make sure to subscribe to the Zameen Newsletter and Facebook page if you are interested in receiving the latest updates about the construction and real estate industries.
