Kitchen - one of the most functional places in the house, in the arrangement of which much attention is paid to convenience and comfort. In addition to buying modern equipment and furniture, it is important to think over other “little things” that ultimately make up our life: wall decoration and space above work surfaces. What is the best way to make an apron in the kitchen, what materials can be used, how to combine colors and textures correctly - we will tell in the material.
Content:
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The essence and characteristics of the ideal apron
The protective screen can cover the entire wall or part of it.
Apron - this is a covering of all or part of the working wall between the countertop of the kitchen set (sink, stove) and the upper cabinets. Serves to protect walls from water, dirt, oil splashes, hot steam and acts as a decorative finishing element.
Apron Standard Height - from 45 to 65 cm, but at the request of the customer, it can even completely cover the wall. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe stove, the panels are made higher, because the minimum distance from the hood to the hob should be 75 cm.
Lining length, as a rule, is equal to the length of the entire headset, but in order to save money, only sections of the wall above the sink and hob can be closed.
An ideal apron that will last a long time and be comfortable to use has the following characteristics:
- has a smooth surface
- waterproof and non-porous
- easy to clean
- heat resistant
- has high strength
- aesthetically pleasing
- creates a color accent in the interior
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The most common materials are tiles, plastic, MDF and mosaics.
Modern functional solutions allow you to use almost any materials and textures for arranging a working wall.
Most popular today:
- ceramic tile
- mosaic
- fibreboard (MDF)
- glass
- mirror panels
- PVC panels
- natural and decorative stone
- metal sheets
- plastic
- laminate
- wallpaper, plaster, paint
Ceramics
The most practical choice and the most common - ceramic tiles or a small porcelain stoneware slab.
- easy to clean
- heat-resistant, not afraid of water and temperature changes (ideal for gas stoves)
- pollution is not too noticeable
- a large selection of colors, decorative elements and design solutions
- durable
- environmentally friendly - does not emit toxic fumes when heated
- hygienic (bacteria do not accumulate on its surface)
- this material can be embossed or flat, matte or shiny, contain 3D effects.Tiles can imitate natural surfaces (stone, glass or wood) or be a separate decorative element.
- the complexity and duration of installation - without certain skills, it will not work to make a beautiful apron from tiles with your own hands. Attention should be paid to grouting between tiles, it must be moisture resistant and not be contaminated.
When choosing a tile measuring 10 by 10 cm, you can veneer the apron in the form of geometric or abstract shapes. More massive ceramic elements (15 by 15, 20 by 30, 20 by 40 and a "boar" of equal size) allow you to pay more attention to the pattern, rather than texture.
Ceramic finish happens:
- plain (combines well with other interior elements, but dirt is visible, especially if the tiles are rough)
- colorful (shades should be harmoniously combined with each other, forming a composition)
- with inserts of decorative panels (makes a semantic emphasis and takes the main attention)
Mosaic
Mosaic is expensive, but durable and gives an elegant look to the room.
One of the most beautiful and elegant options due to the unusual design is mosaic.
- long service life
- perfect color matching options
- heat resistance
- resistance to moisture and steam
- it is most convenient to use a mosaic based on fiberglass or fiberglass mesh: it is more flexible, allows you to hide all the irregularities of the walls and is easily glued to the wall
- a rather expensive service that is difficult to do on your own
- in addition, contaminants can accumulate in the seams between the elements of the material, a fungus can appear. For prevention, the seams are rubbed with epoxy grout
MDF
MDF is an inexpensive but impractical way to protect a work wall from dirt and moisture.
- wood panels - the most budgetary
- and easy to install. They are either installed free of charge by the masters when installing the kitchen set, or the owner fastens them on his own with staples, glue or liquid nails. This is perhaps the only advantage of the material
- wood melts from temperature, can catch fire
- deformed from moisture and exposure to chemicals. Thus, the panel will not last long and at the end of its life it will look unpresentable.
- formaldehyde is used in the production of MDF, so the material cannot be called environmentally friendly. When heating the panels near the hob, toxic substances will be released into the air
Glass
The glass protective screen allows you to show imagination and creativity in the design
- A relatively new and original way to protect a working kitchen wall is to cover it with a glass panel. She is easy to clean
- unaffected by temperature, moisture or cleaning agents
- this material goes well with any color and texture of the kitchen, it can be decorated with acrylic paint patterns. Under the transparent glass, you can place different wallpapers, photo printing or even photos from the family album, making the design of the room truly unique.
- glass can be plain, heat-resistant or impact-resistant, but in any case will be impractical. It shows all the splashes, prints of palms and fingers, it must be constantly wiped
- such aprons are quite expensive and require special knowledge in installation
- glass is also a rather massive material when mounted on a vertical surface, so special attention should be paid to the reliability of fastening to the wall
Can be used:
- clear glass (Ideal for the stove and sink area)
- frosted glass or satin (allows you to create original design solutions)
- colored glass panel (the desired shade is obtained by staining or gluing the film)
- apron with photo printing
Plastic
Plastic panels quickly become unusable
- easy to install and dismantle
- it does not show joints and unaesthetic seams
- uneven walls and electrical cables are easily hidden behind plastic panels
- the material is successfully combined with glass panels, which increase the service life and environmental friendliness of plastic
- suitable for those owners who have a limited budget for the arrangement cuisine or want to frequently update the design of the room by changing panels
- economical, but completely impractical option
- easily scratched
- cannot withstand high temperatures
- quickly gets dirty and loses its presentation
There are panels from:
- hot pressing plastic
- polycarbonate
- polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Chipboard or fiberboard as the basis
Mirror
Mirror panels in the kitchen visually expand the space, but are impractical to maintain
- a beautiful way to close the work wall in the kitchen
- visually expands the space
- inconvenient to use
- fogs up from steam, makes all stains and splashes more noticeable. You will have to wash such an apron daily to maintain a neat appearance of the room.
- at the corners of such panels, chips and cracks easily appear from careless handling, so this material is used less often than others. They are used as solid panels on the entire side surface or small tiles, which are laid out in a mosaic way.
A rock
Stone finishing is one of the most environmentally friendly
- looks elegant and restrained, especially if the apron is made of the same stone as the countertop
- natural or artificial, the material tolerates wet cleaning well
- temperature fluctuations
- exposure to abrasive or harsh chemicals
- the stone protective screen will last a long time and is absolutely environmentally friendly
- this method of cladding is financially costly
- to close the work wall with stone, you will need the services of professionals. It is possible to independently install an apron beautifully and correctly, only with special skills
This type of cladding includes:
- blocks of natural rocks, industrially polished
- concrete tiles
- pebbles
- clinker tiles
- porcelain stoneware with imitation of natural materials
Metal
Kitchen finishing of the side wall with metal requires constant cleaning and is not suitable for every interior
- material easy to care for, easy to clean
- not afraid of moisture or heat from the hob
- such aprons are made of copper, brass or steel. Metal is environmentally friendly
- and has a long service life
- it's hard to accidentally scratch it
- however, such a solution looks stylish only in a suitable interior (above a steel hob or near a gray refrigerator, microwave oven)
Laminate
Laminate as a protective and decorative panel in the kitchen is easy to install and maintain
- can serve as a good alternative to expensive finishes. Laminate is durable
- easy to clean
- looks like a single canvas without seams and joints
- it is also easy to install: it is attached to the wall with staples, glue or liquid nails
- it will look bad only if the edges look out
- as well as in the area of \u200b\u200bthe tile, where it can melt and deform under the influence of high temperatures
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Comparison of different materials
Choosing a protective screen for the kitchen is a responsible, but pleasant task.
The material of the kitchen apron is selected depending on what parameters the customer considers key for himself:
- practicality and ease of maintenance
- resistance to moisture
- high temperature resistance
- possibility of independent installation and dismantling
- durability
- appearance
- cost of materials and installation work
Comparison for all parameters of different materials is presented in the table.
| Material | Practicality | Heat resistance | moisture resistance | Easy to install | Service time | decorative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics | ||||||
| Mosaic | ||||||
| MDF | ||||||
| Glass | ||||||
| Plastic | ||||||
| Mirror | ||||||
| A rock | ||||||
| Metal | ||||||
| Laminate |
In this way, the cheapest option - veneer the working kitchen wall with plastic, MDF or laminate. Will cost the most mosaic, stone and Italian ceramics.
The original choice would be the use of glass, metal or mirrors, but you need to be prepared for constant cleaning of them from contamination.
In order to make the protective screen in the kitchen both practical and beautiful, finishing materials are often combined.
Interesting solution - close the apron made of natural stone or pebbles in the area of \u200b\u200bthe stove and sink with glass panels. Another option is a combination of ceramics in the active cooking areas and MDF above the dining area.
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A protective screen in the kitchen can also be made from improvised materials: it will last a long time and be unique.
If for some reason the working wall in the kitchen cannot be protected with an apron, then you can choose alternatives:
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Color matching
Light shades of the protective panel will suit the kitchen set of any color
When the choice of material for facing the working wall has already been made, next step - decide what color apron is better to choose. Here you can be guided by simple rules for combining shades and color matching.
Universal cladding colors - white, cream, beige. Least practical - dark shades, any pollution is visible on them.
So, looks good in a white kitchen dark apron or color. When choosing, you need to take into account that even minor dirt will be clearly visible on glossy surfaces. Therefore, it is better to consider matte options.Cream, gray and beige shades of an apron in a white kitchen will look restrained, but a little boring.
Perfect for a gray kitchen bright colors, mosaic, rich shades. The white finish of the working wall will also look good, but only if easily washable materials (tiles, glass) are used.
Very dark kitchen cabinets, for example, it is better to shade wenge with a light apron, so the kitchen will look more airy. The nobility and restraint of the natural color will shade all shades of green, red, orange, but in warm colors and without interspersing another color scheme.
The easiest way to pick up aprons for kitchens from IKEA - they are usually made of natural materials and have a color close to natural shades. In this case, the winning option is to play in contrast or pick up an apron of the same color, but a tone lighter / darker.
Also need take into account the degree of illumination of the room. If there is not enough light in the kitchen, then it is better to make the walls and the apron as light as possible. Sunlit spaces can be decorated with any color finish.
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Finishing the work wall either maintains a single style of the kitchen, or itself sets the tone for the overall design
Modern interiors are made in the same stylewhen each design element is designed to complement and set off others. In the kitchen, it is the apron that can either set the tone for the whole setting, or, conversely, spoil even the most thoughtful design.
The best combinations of kitchen design style and apron collected for convenience in a table.
| Style | Material |
|---|---|
| Loft | Italian ceramic tiles, decorative brick or stone finish |
| Eclecticism | Mosaic, glass, metal panels |
| Kitsch | Mirror panels, mosaic in abstract style |
| mediterranean style | Photo printing on MDF, ceramic tile panels |
| Victorian style, "antique" | Tiles with imitation of natural materials or applied artistic scenes |
| High tech | Tempered glass, metal, vinyl printed panels |
In addition to the space above the sink, stove and worktop, some prefer to protect the wall above the dining area. At the same time, materials and options for color combinations are used similar.
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Illumination of the working wall is not only a functional, but also a decorative solution
Choosing a beautiful apron between kitchen cabinets, you can also provide backlight, which will make the performance of routine duties more pleasant and convenient.
It may look like:
- low-power light bulbs built into the bottom of kitchen cabinets
- LED strip along the entire length of the cladding
- small halogen lamp above the work area
- fluorescent light
The most interesting thing is the backlight in combination with glass panels. Depending on whether warm light or cold light is used, the kitchen apron will look different. Colored lighting will help bring originality to even the most modest finish.
During the installation of the apron, it is necessary to provide places for socketsessential in the kitchen.
- Separate output for powering the electric stove, hood and dishwasher
- Double or triple socket in the work area (for connecting kitchen appliances)
- Socket outlet provided with a protective cover near the sink (if installation elsewhere is not possible)
Apron corner, where its two parts converge on adjacent walls, necessarily process sealant, usually epoxy. Some materials (plastic panels, laminate) allow you to round the corner, creating a smoother effect.
What materials are better to use to protect the walls in the kitchen is described in the training video
VIDEO: Kitchen design. Choosing the material for the kitchen apron
What to make an apron in the kitchen: choose a durable and beautiful option (150+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Advantages and disadvantages of various options, objective reviews of each of them are presented in the video
VIDEO: Apron for the kitchen choose material Do-it-yourself repair
What to make an apron in the kitchen: choose a durable and beautiful option (150+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Today you can choose a protective apron for the kitchen wall for every taste and different financial possibilities. The main thing is that the material is practical, original and of high quality. Finishing the kitchen is not just a routine stage of renovating the premises, it is the choice of space in which a significant part of the life of the owner of the house will take place.
