Lucite and acrylic have long been popular materials for making accessories like bracelets and purse handles. Now they are becoming chic home accents as well.

There was a period during which we tried to deny plastics their place in our homes. We’ve all had that first apartment with someone’s old Wal-Mart lawn furniture in the dining room. But it’s time to put those bad memories aside. New shapes are making synthetic oh so sophisticated.

In my mind, this trend started when Stark took the classic Louis arm chair and turned it into a design icon. Since early last year, I’ve seen a Louis Ghost Armchair in almost every decorating magazine I’ve picked up.

Now the trend is expanding. As we move away from the trend towards larger and larger homes and increasing numbers of citizens move from suburbs back into the city, clear plastic furniture offers some distinct advantages. For one, it’s clear. In a small room, it allows light to pass through, giving the illusion of space (and maybe bruising a few shins). Many of the chairs, like the Stark, are stackable. The furniture is light and easily moved.This stuff can even do double duty on the patio.

What I’m most impressed with is how versatile these pieces can be. I see them in modern rooms and  paired with traditional pieces. I’ve seen them in all white rooms and all black rooms. They can really call attention to decorative accents, making them seem to float in the room. Or, as with this stool / magazine rack from Karim Rashid, they draw your eye to the things they store.

My personal favorite: this swank dog bed and bowl stand from WowBow.

Via the Stylehive Blog, Tag Lucite.