For the most part, plastic products have always been relegated as decoration material, because of its infinite number of designs. However, in terms of furniture, plastic had been continually cast as the last resort, at least for those who concern themselves with their home's aesthetic properties.
There are many things to be said about plastic furniture, most of which having negative biases. Some might say plastic presents poor quality; some say that using plastic is tacky and kitsch. However, given the decline of luxury patronage due to the recession, home owners are reconsidering the benefits of using plastic products to spice up their home. Plastic manufacturers have risen magnificently to the occasion, providing an almost endless expanse of products in all colors and sizes and shapes.
These days, plastic furniture is most commonly used for bedrooms, kitchens and play areas. Translucent plastic is also commonplace, since it resembles glass very well, and goes well with other stronger materials such as aluminum or steel. This combination is favored by many homeowners who wish to keep things subdued yet still tasteful, and keep the cost at a reasonable level.
Bright colorful pieces are popular for children's bedrooms. Chunky chairs and tables, solid shelves and cabinets, and compact, easy set-up dividers are all the rage for bedrooms, playrooms, and other areas which require low-maintenance items for maximum functionality. While plastic may not be the stars of living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms, plastic will always be the seasoned players of many bedrooms and game rooms.
Plastic is also the only material that can be made into one solid piece- usually chairs. This allows for quick and easy organization, as they can be packed easily without much fuss. It is also very resilient to external elements, so they are perfect for outdoor furniture, especially since most plastic chairs are built to be stackable. What's more, they're very easy to clean and sterilize, and would not protest to being wiped with alcohol (do that on wood, and you'll find it protesting heartily by creating an ugly white mark where your varnish used to be).
To summarize, plastic is one of the most versatile and most flexible materials for home decoration and construction. It can be manipulated and transformed into virtually any design- classic, retro, avant-garde, modern, zen, anything. It is also considerably cheaper and easier to reproduce than any other material. Lastly, it is comparatively easier to clean than most other surfaces. As such, it doesn't take a genius to realize that despite its drawbacks, plastic decorations can work just as well as wood, marble and ceramic without the hefty price tag.
