Plastic Furniture: Characteristics, Classification, Applications & Selection Notes

Plastic furniture is a product line made from synthetic plastic materials such as PVC, ABS, PP, acrylic, ... through industrial processes such as injection molding, extrusion or casting. Thanks to modern manufacturing technology, these products can be shaped in a variety of ways, meeting the needs of use in many spaces.

With the advantages of being light, waterproof, diverse in design and easy to clean, plastic furniture is increasingly popular. However, compared to some other materials, plastic is less durable, easily scratched, deformed under high temperatures and can affect health if using poor quality products.

According to Grand View Research: “The global plastic furniture market is valued at USD 13,33 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4,7% from 2024-2030, reaching USD 18,35 billion by 2030.”

Common types of plastic used in furniture manufacturing include PVC, PP, PE, ABS, composite and wood-like plastic – each with its own unique properties and advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing plastic furniture, users need to consider durability, aesthetics and safety to make the right decision.

Plastic furniture is widely used in life with products such as tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves, floors, walls, ceilings, and many other convenient items such as TV shelves, partitions and plastic doors. Thanks to their flexibility and variety of designs, they have become the choice for many spaces, from families to restaurants and offices.

To choose the right product, you need to clearly define your needs, check the quality and consider the design and color to harmonize with the space. In addition, buying at a reputable address will help ensure quality, reasonable prices and a clear warranty policy.

Let's explore more details about plastic furniture in the article below!

Overview of Plastic Furniture

Plastic furniture is furniture products made from plastic or synthetic plastic, used to replace wood, metal or glass in interior design. 

Plastic furniture is popular because of its light weight, water resistance, variety of designs and ease of cleaning. However, it also has limitations such as being less durable than wood, easily scratched or deformed under high temperatures, and can affect health if using poor quality plastic.

1. Why is plastic furniture popular?

Compared with other materials, plastic furniture has many outstanding advantages, suitable for daily use.

• Light, easy to move: Plastic furniture is much lighter than wood or metal, making it easier to arrange and move.
• Waterproof, termite proof: Unlike wood that is susceptible to mold, plastic furniture is water resistant and termite resistant, helping to maintain durability over time.
• Various colors and designs: Modern production technology helps plastic furniture simulate many types of patterns and colors, suitable for all design styles.
• Easy to clean: Simply wipe with a damp cloth or mild cleaning solutions, plastic interiors always stay shiny and clean.

2. Limitations to consider

Despite its many advantages, plastic furniture still has some disadvantages that users should consider before choosing.

• Less durable than natural wood and metal: Compared with wood or metal, plastic furniture has lower durability and is easily degraded after a long time of use.
• Easily scratched or deformed under high temperatures: Some plastics may become brittle, deformed or discolored when exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time.
• Some types of plastic can affect health: If using poor quality plastic or unknown origin, the product may contain toxic substances that affect the user's health.

Popular Plastic Types in Furniture Manufacturing

PVC, PP, PE, ABS, composite or wood-like plastic are plastic materials widely used in furniture production. Each type has its own characteristics, meeting diverse needs from durability, aesthetics to water resistance and strength.

1. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic

PVC plastic is a synthetic plastic with high durability, easy to process and is often used in the production of cabinets, shelves, and plastic doors.

PVC plastic furniture is popular with many people thanks to the following characteristics:

• Waterproof, anti-mold, suitable for high humidity environments such as kitchens and bathrooms.
• Low cost, easy to find on the market.
• Can be machined into many different shapes and designs.

However, this type of plastic also has some disadvantages that need to be noted:

• Brittle and cracked when exposed to high temperatures.
• Some types of PVC can contain toxic substances if not manufactured to safety standards.

2. Polypropylene (PP) plastic

PP plastic is one of the safe and environmentally friendly plastics, often used to produce tables, chairs, and plastic shelves.

PP plastic has outstanding features that help it be widely used:

• Good mechanical strength, withstand strong impact force.
• Waterproof, not corroded by common chemicals.
• Light, easy to move and install.

Despite its many advantages, PP plastic still has some disadvantages to consider:

• Easily scratched, losing its aesthetic after a period of use.
• Colors are often not as varied as other plastics.

3. Polyethylene (PE) plastic

PE plastic is a highly flexible plastic, often used in the production of outdoor furniture products such as benches and picnic tables.

PE plastic is highly appreciated for the following properties:

• Good resistance to force and heat, difficult to crack.
• UV resistant, suitable for outdoor use.
• Easy to process and recycle, environmentally friendly.

However, when using PE plastic, you also need to note some limitations:

• Low hardness, easily dented when subjected to strong force.
• Difficult to paint or apply decorative decals.

4. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic

ABS plastic is durable, impact resistant and is often used to manufacture chairs, cabinets and desks.

ABS plastic stands out with many outstanding advantages:

• Good impact resistance, does not break when impacted strongly.
• Smooth surface, easy to clean and maintain.
• Fire resistance and heat resistance are better than PVC.

Besides the advantages, ABS plastic also has some limitations such as:

• Higher cost than other plastics.
• Not environmentally friendly because it is difficult to recycle.

5. Composite plastic

Composite plastic is a combination of plastic and fiberglass or wood powder, which helps increase durability and aesthetics.

Composite plastic furniture brings many outstanding benefits, especially in furniture production:

• Water resistant, heat resistant, less warping.
• The surface simulates natural wood, giving a luxurious feel.
• High durability, termite-free, suitable for kitchen cabinets and imitation wood plastic doors.

However, this type of plastic also has some disadvantages to consider:

• The weight is quite heavy compared to regular plastics.
• Cost is higher than PVC or PP.

6. Wood plastic

Wood-like plastic is a popular material thanks to its ability to simulate natural wood grain, bringing luxurious beauty to interior spaces.

Wood-plastic furniture has many outstanding features that make it a popular choice:

• Almost like real wood but not susceptible to termites or warping.
• Good moisture resistance, can be used in spaces with high humidity.
• Easy to clean and hygienic without worrying about water seepage.

However, when choosing wood-like plastic, you should also note the following points:

• Not as hard and durable as natural wood.
• Some poor quality faux wood plastics can fade over time.

Applications of Plastic Furniture in Life

Plastic is widely used in furniture production, from tables, chairs, cabinets to floors, walls, ceilings and many other items. With its durable, lightweight, moisture-proof and easy-to-clean properties, plastic furniture brings convenience and flexibility to many living and working spaces.

1. Tables and chairs

Plastic tables and chairs have diverse designs, suitable for many different uses:

• Dining tables and chairs: With a variety of designs and colors, plastic tables and chairs easily blend with many interior styles, from modern to traditional.

• Cafe and restaurant tables and chairs: Plastic material makes the product durable, easy to clean, especially suitable for outdoor spaces.

• Student desks and chairs: Lightweight, easy to move, helps create a flexible and comfortable learning environment.

• Garden furniture: Waterproof, not susceptible to termites or warping due to weather, ensuring durable outdoor use.

2. Cabinets and shelves

Plastic interior cabinets are a convenient storage solution, meeting many different usage needs:

• Wardrobe: Designed with many compartments and floors, helping to optimize storage space.

• Kitchen Cabinets: Anti-mold, easy to clean, suitable for modern kitchen space.

• Bathroom cabinet: Good water resistance, suitable for humid environments.

• Shoes Cabinet: Many convenient compartments help to arrange shoes neatly and tidily.

• Office filing cabinet: Helps store documents scientifically, creating a neat working space.

3. Floor, wall, ceiling cladding

Plastic is also widely used in decoration and protection of interior spaces:

• PVC wall cladding: Brings diversity in color and pattern, helping to create highlights for the space.

• Wood plastic flooring: High durability, waterproof, helps the space become luxurious without using natural wood.

• Plastic ceiling panels: Has the ability to resist heat and noise, making the space more airy and comfortable.

4. Other applications

In addition to tables, chairs, cabinets and decorative materials, high-quality interior plastic also has many other diverse applications:

• Plastic TV shelf: Convenient multi-compartment design helps to neatly arrange electronic devices.

• Kitchen shelves: Helps organize kitchen utensils scientifically, easy to take and use.

• Plastic partition: Create private space, flexible in dividing rooms without building walls.

• Plastic door: Has the ability to resist noise and dust, suitable for many different types of spaces.

• Plastic plant pots: Various sizes and designs, easy to grow, suitable for many types of ornamental plants.

Criteria for Choosing Suitable Plastic Furniture

To choose the right plastic furniture, you need to clearly define your needs, check the product quality, choose a harmonious design and color, and buy at a reputable address. These criteria help ensure durable, convenient, and suitable furniture for your living space.

1. Determine needs and usage space

Before buying plastic furniture, you need to clearly define the purpose of use and the space where the product will be placed to ensure choosing the right type:

• Choose the right plastic: Each type of plastic has its own characteristics, so you need to choose the type that suits your intended use. For example:
  • PVC: Suitable for kitchen cabinets and wardrobes thanks to its water and moisture resistance.
  • PP: Often used for plastic tables and chairs because of its high durability and good load-bearing capacity.
  • ABS: Used in shelves and cabinets thanks to its hardness and good impact resistance.

• Measuring space dimensions: Before buying, you need to accurately measure the area where the furniture will be placed to choose the right product size, avoiding the situation of being too large or too small for the space.

2. Product quality control

Quality is an important factor affecting the durability and safety of plastic furniture. When choosing to buy, you should check the following factors:

• Thickness, hardness and color fastness of plastic: Thick plastic will have better load-bearing capacity and will be less likely to crack or break during use.
• Product surface: Check the surface to ensure it is not scratched, warped or showing signs of deterioration.
• Assembly details: The product must have a solid structure, not be loose, and the joints must be tight to ensure long-term durability.

3. Choose the right design and color

In addition to quality, the design and color of plastic furniture also need to be in harmony with the overall space to create balance and beauty:

• Suitable for interior style: If the space is in a modern style, you can choose minimalist, sophisticated plastic furniture models. If you love the classic style, you should choose products with characteristic patterns and motifs.
• Color harmony: The choice of interior color should be consistent or easy to coordinate with other items in the space, avoid choosing colors that are too contrasting and confusing.

4. Choose to buy at a reputable address

Choosing to buy plastic furniture at a reputable unit not only ensures quality but also helps you feel more secure about the warranty and price:

• Learn about suppliers and brands: Prioritize reputable brands, trusted by many people, with positive reviews from customers.
• Request clear warranty policy: Plastic furniture also needs a warranty and return policy in case of manufacturing defects, helping to protect the rights of the buyer.
• Compare prices: Before buying, you should consult many places to choose a product with a reasonable price but still ensure quality.

Frequently Asked Questions When Choosing Plastic Furniture

1. Is plastic furniture suitable for outdoor spaces?

Plastic furniture can be used outdoors, but you need to choose the type that is resistant to UV rays, high temperature resistance and not brittle. PP plastic and composite plastic are 2 types. interior materials commonly used for garden furniture, pool chairs, outdoor cabinets and shelves due to their good weather resistance.

For ideas for garden design, see more articles: Top 8 Beautiful, Attractive Garden Design Models & Full Construction Quote.

2. Which plastic has the best load-bearing capacity for interiors?

ABS and Composite plastics are two types with high mechanical strength and good impact resistance. ABS plastic has a tensile strength of 40 - 50 MPa, while Composite plastic can withstand up to 100 MPa, suitable for making Wardrobe, heavy duty storage shelves.

Refer: Top 8 Beautiful Decorative Cabinet Models & Design, Construction for more ideas for space.

3. Is plastic furniture flammable?

Plastics such as PVC, ABS, Composite are resistant to fire spread, but PP, PE are more flammable. To ensure safety, check the LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) – PVC has LOI > 27%, less flammable than PE (LOI ~ 18%).

4. Is plastic furniture good sound insulation?

Plastics generally do not have the same soundproofing properties as wood or plaster. However, thick PVC foam or composite plastic (10 – 15mm) can help reduce noise by 20 – 30%.

5. Is plastic furniture good?

The answer is yes, but the quality of plastic furniture depends on the type of plastic used. If you choose the right high-quality materials, plastic furniture can be durable, beautiful, waterproof, termite-free and safe for health.

6. Which type of plastic is best suited for bathroom furniture due to the humid environment?

PVC plastic is the best choice for bathroom due to its absolute water resistance and high durability in humid environments.

7. Which unit designs and constructs beautiful, durable, and affordable plastic interiors in Ho Chi Minh City?

SmartDecor is one of the leading units in Ho Chi Minh City specializing in providing smart, modern and sustainable interior solutions with a variety of materials. We are proud to bring customers high quality products, unique designs and competitive prices.

• Diversified products: SmartDecor provides a full range of furniture from cabinets, shelves, tables and chairs to interior solutions for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, wall panels, ceiling panels, etc. using a variety of materials from wood, plastic, metal, etc.
• Modern design: SmartDecor always updates the latest design trends, bringing customers beautiful and convenient products.
• Professional service: SmartDecor's staff is always ready to advise and support customers in the process of choosing and using products.

SmartDecor is committed to providing plastic furniture products that meet high quality standards, are safe for health and are environmentally friendly. We always strive to bring customers the best shopping experience.

If you are looking for a reputable address for plastic interior design and construction in Ho Chi Minh City, come to SmartDecor for advice and experience professional service.