This Pune home's décor is centred around the owners' favourite art pieces
A range of products by Asian Paints builds this perfect Indian home in Bengaluru
In this Delhi home, clever design allows a joint family both private and shared spaces
Create your own beautiful home
Indian bungalow design: Blending tradition & modernity for exquisite homes
Enhance your living space with beautiful veranda designs
All the tips on prepping your home for the monsoon from a Goa resident
Create your own beautiful home
Leave your information and we will call you to book your preferred consultation slot
In this guide, we explore the different laminate wardrobe option available with tips and design ideas to help you choose what is right for you
Other than your bed, your wardrobe is the most essential and one of the biggest elements in your bedroom. The wardrobe design should be first and foremost, functional. It needs to be able to store your clothes, accessories and sometimes even shoes in the most convenient way. Since it takes up so much space, the aesthetics play a big role in the final look of your bedroom as well. In our comprehensive guide to buying and designing custom wardrobes, we explore the finer details of what you need to consider for this element, be it a walk-in, niche or stand-alone wardrobe with hinge or sliding shutters. A big part of buying or making wardrobes is choosing the right material like a laminate wardrobe.
A popular option and a great alternative to solid hardwood is laminate for furniture like wardrobes. Laminates are machine-made sheets created using multiple layers of paper and plastic resins glued or bonded together under high pressure. Laminates are used as a decorative top covering for a sub material that the furniture is made from like plywood or MDF. They come in a variety of colours, designs, textures and finishes and can replicate the look of a multitude of materials. You can replicate the look of different materials like real wood or marble laminate wardrobe at a fraction of the cost but also solid wardrobe laminate colours, patterns and prints or even different finishes ranging from matte to high gloss laminate wardrobes. Or consider trying multiple laminate combination for wardrobe. Since the options are diverse and plentiful, we have covered a few helpful tips to help you choose the best laminates for wardrobes for your homes.
Image courtesy, House of AC
Image courtesy, Shutterstock
Laminates are strong, durable and very easy to clean. Depending on the finish, they can also be scratch-resistant. They are water-resistant but need to be applied properly and sealed well with good quality and expertly-installed edge banding. Sometimes the base material (like MDF or plywood) can swell in high humidity climates or moisture-prone areas. Your laminates and the installation is what helps protect the base material from this damage. To limit exposure, use good quality laminates (on the front and back) and edge-banding (used on the sides and corners) on the internal structure as well. This protects the material form environmental factors like humidity and even termites.
Further, even if the material somehow gets exposed to moisture, these materials will hold the plywood together, reducing the chances of swelling and warping. They don’t need regular polishing and can be cleaned with a mild cleaner or simple soap and water. They are also not prone to staining. On the whole, laminate wardrobes are hassle-free and a convenient option.
To choose the right laminate wardrobe for your homes, you need to know what is available in the market. Each brings its own benefits to consider.
Amongst the different types of wardrobe designs that there are, the matte finish laminates are gaining the maximum popularity. They impart an elegant look and work well with solid colours and even designs like a wood replica. They impart a low to medium reflective surface and are relatively low on maintenance as compared to other kinds.
Image courtesy, Pramod Group
Image courtesy, Beautiful Homes Services
The high reflective surface of a glossy laminate adds to the aesthetic of a bedroom and can accentuate natural light in the room, especially with lighter colours. Just remember that any smudges, fingerprints and patches will be very evident and appears fairly easily. While they are easy to clean, they require consistent wiping down of the surface to keep it looking pristine.
You can distinguish textured laminates by their surface finish which isn’t smooth like matte or glossy laminates. While the textured surface adds a lot of visual appeal, remember it is prone to collecting dust and dirt and will require constant upkeep. However, textured laminates can impart a natural look to surfaces simulating materials like nappa leather, suede, stone, etc. or even add to the visual of the wood grain. Because of the surface texture, smudges and fingerprints aren’t easily visible on them.
Image courtesy, Ottimo
If you want to up the drama in your bedroom designs, consider metallic laminates which come in colours like brushed gold, copper, bronze, silver, etc. They impart a luxurious look and feel to your wardrobes and reflect light more than matte or textured laminates. Because the visual is so dramatic, you need to be careful that it doesn’t overpower the décor. Metallic finish laminates are slightly more expensive than other kinds.
Image courtesy, Ottimo
PVC laminates sheets made by compressing PVC, thin layers pf paper and resin under high pressure and temperature. The thin sheets range from 0.05 to 2 millimetres. They are very flexible and can be used around edges for a seamless look without the need for edge banding. They can also be used for more complex designs which includes ridges. They are durable and very easy to clean. They come in a variety of colours, patterns, finishes and textures. Ranging from matte to glossy, they can also come in textures mimicking wood, stone and metal. They are resistant to moisture, heat, corrosion and termites.
The difference between high pressure laminates (HPL) and low-pressure laminates (LPL) is in the manufacturing process. HPLs is made using multiple layers (six to eight) of resin-infused kraft paper, decorative papers and a clear protective layer which are bonded under intense pressure and temperature. Its plastic backing makes it more durable as well as scratch and water resistant. LPLs (also known as melamine) is made using one or two layers of decorative paper that is pressed on to a substrate at lower pressure and temperature. As it does not have the plastic backing of HPLs which makes it more susceptible to water damage and scratches.
Digital laminates are perfect for those who like a lot of colour and patterns and like to get creative with their designs. You can even get images of your own printed on them which makes them ideal for kids’ bedrooms.
When it comes to the aesthetic of laminate wardrobe, the sky is the limit. You can choose something that blends into your décor or turn your laminate wardrobes into the highlight of the room.
If you are looking to go in for a solid colour, try a high gloss laminate wardrobe which will add to the visual. The reflective surface will also enhance the natural light in the room. Lighter colours look better in a glossy finish while darker or vibrant colours might show more fingerprints and smudges in a glossy finish.
For an understated and elegant look, try marble finish laminate wardrobes. They will make your wardrobe turn into the highlight of the room without overpowering the décor.
Image courtesy, Sanjyt Syngh
White or off-white for your wardrobes against a white wall can blend it in, making your room look bigger. This is good for small or dull spaces. White laminates look better in a medium to high-gloss finish. If you want to add visual interest, mix wood-finish laminate with white laminates for a modern look on your wardrobe.
Image courtesy, Pramod Group
You can replicate the look of solid hardwood including the visual texture or knots and grains with laminate wardrobes. While there are no hard and fast rules, you could go in for lighter wood for a minimal décor, honey-toned wood for contemporary spaces and dark wood for maximal or traditional décor.
From an accent stripe to a bold pattern in the corner, you can accentuate a solid colour laminate wardrobe with a highlighting feature.
From curlicue designs to repeating geometric ones, laminate wardrobes can give the effect of designs ‘carved’ into the surface. These patterns add visual appeal to a solid colour. Just remember, with all designs, including wood finish ones, to line up the designs perfectly on the doors and drawers so the whole visual isn’t disjointed.
Image courtesy, Pramod Group
Image courtesy, Aparna Kaushik
With an understanding of different kinds of laminate wardrobes and a few design ideas, choosing laminates becomes a easier task. The design experts at Beautiful Homes Service by Asian Paints can walk you through the whole process from various kinds and budgets to designing to executing your ideas into a final product. They will work out every detail to make the process of home interior design easy, enjoyable and hassle-free. You will get the benefit of a panel of designers, seasoned contractors as well as a dedicated project manager to work out each step of the way. You can also peruse the Beautiful Homes online shop or retail stores in various cities for an exceptional range of furniture, lighting, home décor, accessories and wallpapers for home.
Sign up for our newsletter now
Don’t worry, we don’t spam
Did you know we also offer interior design services? Schedule a call with our design experts