Kitchen is a room with a rather specific climate. That is why materials for finishing its surfaces must have special characteristics. High humidity, sudden changes in air temperature and splashes of hot fat quickly disable most types of cladding.
But what to do if you want to decorate the kitchen fashionably and beautifully? The answer to this question is simple: use only suitable materials. We invite you to consider the main wall decoration options in the kitchen and the features of each of them.
Requirements for materials for finishing the kitchen space
Damp and at the same time hot air prevails in places where food is prepared. This is the main problem in choosing the right wall cladding. There are dozens of materials on the market today, but not all can be used in the kitchen.
In order for the lining to serve you for many years, it must meet the following requirements:
- have lowhygroscopicity;
- do not absorb odors;
- wash off dirt well;
- do not be afraid of contact with water;
- withstand hot steam;
- be mold resistant.
The most optimal materials for use in conditions of frequent temperature changes are:
- ceramic tiles;
- decorative stone;
- washable type wallpaper;
- plaster;
- paint.
Other types can also be used, but their operation has some peculiarities. We will talk about all these options below.
Ceramic tiles
Let's start with the most common way to finish walls in wet rooms - with ceramic tiles. It can be used on all surfaces in the kitchen, as the material withstands the harsh microclimate.
In addition, tiling walls in the kitchen is not a difficult process. You can do it yourself.
The cost of the material varies depending on the pattern, product parameters and type of raw material. Ceramics is considered the most affordable option, but such lining can be easily damaged. Porcelain stoneware finish will last much longer, but its cost is much higher.
The positive features of tile finishes include:
- moisture resistant;
- possibility of using chemicals during cleaning;
- wear resistant;
- possibility of installation in the area of hobs;
- hygiene.
Tile cladding is well washed from dirt and does not form mold. A rich selection of colors and textures allows you to use the material in any style of interior design. The tile goes well with all types of finishes, which is especially true in adjacent rooms.
Tile laying technology implies careful preparation of the surface to be tiled. It is desirable that the walls are fairly even, otherwise the finish will lie unevenly and the seams will not converge.
Smoothed surfaces are primed several times. After the walls have dried, tiles are laid on them. For this purpose, a special glue is used. To maintain the distance between the trim elements, plastic crosses are used. At the end of the masonry, they are removed, and the seams are filled with compounds in the color of the coating itself.
This is how the interior wall decoration in the kitchen is done with tiles. The service life of such a coating is more than 30 years. A vivid confirmation of this is the ceramic decoration in the old-style apartments.
Wallpaper
Roll materials are the second most popular use in kitchen spaces. It should be noted right away that only washable varieties are used in the kitchen. They are more resistant to steam and do not turn yellow like paper types.
Painting the walls in the kitchen with wallpaper is considered an economical repair option. Nevertheless, with the help of rolled canvases, you can create a very interesting and unusual interior.
Today we have several types of wallpapers available that you canuse in the kitchen. Vinyl-coated varieties are considered the most acceptable option. They have a two-layer structure: paper and polyvinyl chloride. The protective layer of the canvas allows you to wash grease splashes and other dirt from the walls.
The second variety is non-woven wallpaper. Modern wall decoration in the kitchen is often done using similar materials. A thick outer layer of non-woven fabric allows you to diversify the patterns and texture of the coating. Today you can find wallpapers with imitation of expensive stone, decorative plaster and natural wood.
The paper base in such wallpapers is well protected, so they tolerate moisture well, slight heat and can be cleaned with liquid detergents.
Mounting wallpaper does not require special skills. The canvases are fixed on pre-prepared walls with ordinary glue.
Features of finishing with paint
One of the budget options for wall decoration in the kitchen is the use of moisture-resistant antimicrobial paint. In addition to the aesthetic component, such coatings perform a disinfecting function.
On the surface of the wall, they form a durable film that reliably protects the base from moisture penetration. Thanks to this property, the likelihood of mold on the wall is minimized.
Modern kitchen paints do not have a strong odor and dry very quickly. Anyone can use them. For this, you do not need to invite specialists.
A rich color palette of coatings allows you to finish the walls in the kitchen both in a discreet minimalist style and in bright avant-garde notes.
The main disadvantage of such coatings is the exactingness of the base. If the walls are uneven and have a large number of flaws, the paint will only emphasize this. For this reason, before applying it, the walls are pre-aligned.
Wall decoration with decorative plaster
Decorative plaster has many varieties, but only silicate compounds and options with stone chips can be used in the kitchen.
Such coatings reliably protect walls from the harmful effects of steam and moisture, while endowing the space with special luxury and warmth. Modern materials have many shades, include mica and mother-of-pearl threads. This allows you to decorate the kitchen in accordance with any interior style.
Finishing the walls in the kitchen with plaster has several advantages:
- composition perfectly masks uneven walls;
- coating does not absorb odors and is easy to clean;
- plaster is resistant to fungus;
- there are no seams on the walls;
- cladding perfectly tolerates sudden changes in temperature.
With the help of decorative plaster, you can decorate the entire kitchen. It tolerates heat up to 50 degrees, so even a work surface can be tiled with it.
The process of applying plasteron the wall can be both quite simple and complex. It depends on the type of mixture and the pattern you choose. In some cases, the help of specialists is indispensable.
Do-it-yourself wall decoration in the kitchen in this case is done with a spatula or a patterned trowel. Smooth coatings are simply applied to the wall and smoothed over the surface.
To form a pattern, you need to purchase a special tool. With its help, the liquid mixture is applied to the base and smeared with circular or wavy movements. At the end of the application, the surface can be covered with a layer of protective varnish.
Wooden paneling or laminate
Modern options for wall decoration in the kitchen involve the use of wooden materials. On the one hand, such cladding in a kitchen can quickly fail, on the other hand, if you design a kitchen in a wooden house, then you cannot do without the participation of natural materials. This also applies to lovers of country style, which involves the use of a large amount of natural finishes.
Wooden paneling can be used to decorate most surfaces in the kitchen, except for those located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe stove and sink. Constant heat and excessive moisture will quickly disable even the most expensive types.
The cladding elements can be placed both vertically and horizontally. They will successfully harmonize with natural stone coatings and decorative plaster.
The advantages of finishing walls with laminate in the kitchen include:
- creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth;
- easy care;
- longevity (when used under optimal conditions);
- large selection of colors and material textures;
- an opportunity to create an extraordinary interior.
Wall decoration in the kitchen with laminate is done in such a way as to exclude (or minimize) the possibility of moisture penetrating the side of the element. Seams may bulge and pull apart when wet.
When choosing such a cladding, you need to remember that the laminate has an impressive weight, so it is not recommended to use it as a finish for plasterboard structures.
On vertical surfaces, the laminate is fixed with water-repellent glue. It prevents moisture from penetrating into the seam.
The technology of its installation is as follows:
- The wall is leveled, cracks and recesses are puttied.
- Facing starts from the ceiling. The panel is covered with an even layer of glue and pressed against the wall.
- The next element is also processed with glue, joined to the previous panel and pressed against the base. This is how the whole finish is assembled.
If during the installation process excess glue appeared through the seams, they must be wiped immediately. The dried composition will be very difficult to remove.
Using decorative stone
Of all the available materials for wall decoration in the kitchen, decorative stone is especially beautiful. It has many varieties that differ in composition and appearance. Today we have access to stone from gypsum, clay, sand, expanded clay granules and concrete.
When choosing a material for the kitchen, it is better to give preference to moisture-resistant varieties. If you are more attracted to plaster products, in addition to them, get a water-repellent varnish. Its use will significantly extend the life of the stone.
Finishing the walls in the kitchen with decorative stone has its advantages:
- sustainable;
- fire safety;
- long service life;
- spectacular appearance;
- moisture resistance (not for all stone options!);
- easy installation;
- no fungus and mold;
- easy cleansing of dirt.
Attractive decorative stone and the fact that it is successfully combined with many types of finishes. The cladding is in perfect harmony with wallpaper, wood and paintwork.
Stone can be used to cover walls both near the working area and surfaces far from heat and moisture. Cladding can cover walls completely or partially.
Installation of stone is identical to the technology of laying tiles. First, the surface is cleaned of debris and primed. On the dried base, they begin to glue the stone. If there is a seam between the elements, then you can use crosses or thin wooden planks. The empty space between the stones is filled with grout. Tile adhesive is used as an adhesive.
Finish with plastic panels
Quickly and cost-effectivelyfinish the walls in the kitchen with plastic panels. To mount them on the wall, you need to assemble a crate of thin wooden slats. With the help of a furniture stapler or a screwdriver, all elements are fixed on the frame.
This option will be a real salvation for owners of premises with uneven walls. The base does not need to be leveled, as the finish will cover all the flaws.
The use of plastic panels allows you to update the room very quickly. The finish is absolutely not afraid of moisture and is perfectly cleaned of dirt. Thanks to a large selection of colors and patterns, the room can be transformed beyond recognition. At the same time, the finish will be in harmony with the surrounding interior.
If we talk about the disadvantages of PVC panels, then they include:
- use of synthetic raw materials for the production of material;
- fragility;
- poor heat resistance.
Do not use panels near ovens and hob. Under the influence of warm air, they can be deformed. It is also important that when heated, the material can emit an unpleasant odor and harmful substances. For this reason, it must be used carefully.
A good alternative to plastic panels can be wooden lining. It is attached in a similar way and is an absolutely safe material. This cladding requires the use of a protective varnish.
Glass
Glass surfaces are increasingly found in residential interiors. The material is environmentally friendly and easy to maintain. For this reasonit began to be used in the kitchen.
When you need to decorate the walls near the work surface, glass panels are a great solution. Their advantages are that they are not afraid of moisture, fire, hot steam and drops of fat.
Some people may be confused by too noticeable dirt and handprints on glass, but they are no more visible than on ceramic tiles.
Today on sale you can see glass panels with photo printing, complex patterns (applied on a transparent or color film) and simply painted products. Transparent varieties can be installed directly on top of the wallpaper. They will reliably protect the canvas from dirt and damage, without changing the appearance of the room.
Such decorative elements are installed in the work surface area. Fixation of the glass sheet is carried out using self-tapping screws with a wide cap.
Summing up
There are a lot of options for decorating the walls in the kitchen, but only a few of them fully meet the stated requirements. This must be taken into account when creating a design project.
When choosing a material, you should pay attention to the size of the room. For example, dark stone finish visually narrows the boundaries of the room. Decorative plaster in dark tones has the same effect.
Plastic and wood panels installed on the crate "eat" 3-6 cm of free space from each wall.
Wall decoration in a small kitchen is often done in light colors. In such cases, it is recommended to abandon solid wood and stone and give preference to pastel-colored wallpaper and paint.
