The Allure of Metallic Surfaces — And Why Most People Get It Wrong

For a reason, metallic finishes never go out of style. The sheer visual impact of metallic surfaces can instantly add a touch of glamour to any room, whether it’s the warm glow of gold on a kitchen splashback or the cool sheen of silver on a feature wall in the bedroom. However, the truth most design guides don’t mention is that metallics are one of the most easily overdone finishes out there.

A metallic acrylic sheet is a great material to use when you want to create a focal point in an ordinary wall or cabinet front, and make it look curated and expensive. When used inappropriately, the same material can create an echoing, fragmented, or noisy environment. It explains the rules professional interior designers follow, and guides you to the right materials to use.

What Makes Metallic Acrylic Different from Actual Metal Sheets for Interior Use

Let’s first get to know what we are designing.

Metal sheets for interior applications such as raw aluminium cladding, brushed steel panels or copper clad surfaces have been used in commercial design for decades. They have genuine feel and heft but have real drawbacks:

• They are heavy
• Dent easily
• Corrode in wet conditions
• Can be costly to produce and fit

The visual language of metal, without the structural disadvantages, is provided by a metallic acrylic sheet.

• It is light
• Waterproof
• Easy to cut and join
• Comes in many more finishes than raw metal

From soft champagne gold to gunmetal, from satin bronze to mirror-bright silver, metallic acrylic offers a more sensible choice for most residential interiors.

The main difference is in the depth of finish. A metallic acrylic sheet is a sheet of acrylic that is coated or has metallic pigment embedded in the surface, and has a uniform metallic appearance throughout the sheet. Natural variation and grain are present in actual metal sheets for interior use and some designers like this for an industrial look, but it can be hard to control in a domestic environment.

The 40-20-10 Rule for Using Metallics in a Room

Metallics are not a common choice for the main surface of an interior design by experienced interior designers. The best rule of thumb is the 40/20/10 proportion rule (modified for reflective materials):

• 40% of the surfaces in the room should be neutral or matte, such as walls, floors, large upholstered items.
• Texture or mid-toned finishes (wood, stone, textured panels) can be used in 20%.
• The amount of metal should not exceed 10%.

It is here that a metallic acrylic sheet comes into its own with that 10%.

• A splash back in the kitchen behind the hob
• One cabinet front in a series of matte doors
• A feature strip in the bathroom
• One accent wall, not four, in a living room

Once the metallic surfaces exceed that 10% mark, it begins to feel like lighting from the inside, and a not-so-flattering inside. When it comes to metallics, what looks beautiful in small amounts can quickly become overwhelming in excess.

Where Metallic Finishes Work Best — Room by Room

Kitchens

Metallic acrylic sheet is best suited for kitchens. Splashbacks, cabinet door fronts and drawer faces in metallic finishes are functional and attractive — they bounce light back into the room that is most likely used more than any other in the home.

• White or off-white cabinets and warm wood worktops look great with gold and champagne colours.
• Concrete-effect counters and handleless grey cabinetry are enhanced by silver and graphite metallics.

Bathrooms

Metal sheets used in bathrooms have been in demand for quite some time now for their cleanliness and modernity. Acrylic metallic sheets go one step further and are completely waterproof, steam proof, humidity proof and not corrosive.

• Apply them to one feature wall behind a vanity or bath.
• Leave the other walls matte or tile-finished to avoid making the room look like a mirror box.

Living Rooms and Bedrooms

A metallic acrylic feature wall is appropriate here, but size is important.

• A full metallic wall behind a sofa or bed looks architectural and deliberate in a big room.
• Even a single metallic wall can be too much in a small room.
• For smaller areas, metallic acrylic can be used as a panel insert in a larger matte or textured wall panel.

Commercial and Office Spaces

In this case metal sheets used for interior cladding are much more prevalent, such as reception desks, lift lobbies, retail display walls.

• Reflective surfaces are absorbed better by higher ceilings and open volumes.
• The same rules apply, except that the tolerances are larger.

Choosing the Right Metallic Finish: Gloss, Satin, or Sparkle

There are different metallic finishes and they do not all reflect light in the same manner.

• High gloss metallic — most reflective, closest to a mirror. Ideal for splashbacks, cabinet insets, and narrow feature strips.
• Satin metallic — the most versatile. Has depth and lustre without being overly reflective. Effective on larger areas.
• Sparkle metallic — contains micro-particles that reflect light differently at various angles and add dimension.

Sparkle metallic works especially well in rooms with natural side-light or under pendant lighting.

If you’re not sure, opt for satin over gloss.

• It hides imperfections better
• Looks better in artificial light
• Ages visually better over time

Dexarte Products Worth Considering for Metallic Interiors

When you’re considering metallic finishes for a kitchen, bathroom or feature wall, Dexarte’s surface range is spot on with the most common use cases.

Essenczza

Essenczza is a 1.5mm decorative acrylic sheet available in:

• Metallic
• Sparkle
• Mirror finishes

The Metallic variant is ideal for kitchen cabinet fronts and bathroom wall accents, and is available in an 8×4 ft sheet format. It is light and simple to handle, and comes in a variety of colors that fall somewhere between neutral and bold.

Dexiglas Crystal

Dexiglas Crystal is a 2.0mm high gloss acrylic sheet available in:

• Metallic
• Solid
• Sparkle finishes

It’s thicker, providing a more premium feel, and has a high gloss surface, resulting in a deeper and more saturated metallic effect. Perfect for feature walls in living rooms or bedrooms where the wall will be viewed from afar and used for visual emphasis.

Innova APT Metallic

Innova APT Metallic is a 1mm engineered polymer sheet for wall cladding in Glossy and Matt Metallic finishes.

• Specifically designed for wall-mounted applications over extensive areas
• Good for bathroom wall cladding
• Suitable for commercial applications requiring durable metallic wall surfaces

Conclusion: Metallics Reward Restraint

The rooms that work best with metallic finishes are those where the metallic finishes are earned; that is, it is a conscious design choice rather than a default.

If you’re using a metallic acrylic sheet on a splashback or for interior wall cladding, the same rules apply:

• Use less than you think you need
• Position it so that light falls on it at the right angle
• Let it contrast with matte or textured surfaces

You will not only have a room that looks expensive, but you will also have a room that feels thoughtfully designed — that is, a good interior design.

Whether it’s a delicate champagne shade or a more dramatic metallic look, discover collections of decorative surfaces from Dexarte that will make a statement and add a modern touch to your interior design.

Visit dexarte.com to explore the complete range — from Essenczza and Dexiglas Crystal to Luxeline and Imparo.

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