A 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 make the kitchen fashionable and beautiful? The answer to this question is simple: use only suitable materials. We suggest you consider the main options for wall decoration in the kitchen and the features of each of them.
Kitchen Space Material Requirements
In places where food is prepared, humid and at the same time hot air prevails. This is the main problem in choosing a suitable wall cladding. Today, dozens of materials are on sale, but not all can be used in the kitchen.
In order for the cladding to serve you for many years, it must meet the following requirements:
- have low hygroscopicity;
- do not absorb odors;
- wash off dirt well;
- Do not be afraid of contact with water;
- withstand exposure to hot steam;
- be resistant to mold.
The most optimal materials for use in conditions of frequent temperature changes are:
- ceramic tile;
- decorative rock;
- washable type wallpaper;
- plaster;
- paint.
Other species may also be used, but their operation has some features. We will talk about all these options below.
Ceramic tile
Let's start with the most common way of decorating walls in wet rooms - with ceramic tiles. It can be used on all surfaces in the kitchen, as the material perfectly tolerates the harsh microclimate.
In addition, wall decoration in the kitchen with tiles is not a complicated 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, however, such a cladding can be easily damaged. Porcelain stoneware will last much longer, but its cost is much higher.
The positive features of the tiles include:
- resistance to moisture;
- the possibility of using chemicals during cleaning;
- wear resistance;
- the possibility of installation in the area of cooking surfaces;
- hygiene.
Tile cladding is well washed from dirt and does not form mold. A wide selection of colors and textures allows you to use the material in any style of interior design. Tile goes well with all types of finishes, which is especially true in adjacent rooms.
The technology of laying tiles implies careful preparation of the surface to be coated. It is desirable that the walls are smooth enough, otherwise the finish will lie unevenly and the seams will not converge.
Smooth surfaces are primed several times. After the walls have dried, tiles are laid on them. For this purpose, 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 walls are finished in the kitchen with tiles. The service life of such a coating is more than 30 years. A vivid confirmation of this is the ceramic finish in the old-style apartments.
Wallpaper
Roll materials are the second most popular use in kitchen spaces. It is immediately worth noting that only washable varieties are used in the kitchen. They are more resistant to steam and do not turn yellow like paper species.
Wallcovering in the kitchen with wallpaper is considered an economical repair option. Nevertheless, using rolled canvases, you can create a very interesting and unusual interior.
Today we have several types of wallpapers that can be used 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 cloth allows you to wash splashes of grease and other contaminants from the walls.
The second variety is non-woven wallpaper. Modern wall decoration in the kitchen is often done using similar materials. The thick outer layer of non-woven 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 reliably protected, therefore they tolerate moisture, slight heat and can be cleaned with liquid detergents.
Installation of wallpaper does not require special skills. Cloths are fixed on pre-prepared walls using conventional glue.
Features of the finish 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 strong film, which reliably protects the base from moisture. Due to this property, the likelihood of mold on the wall is minimized.
Modern kitchen paints do not have a pungent odor and dry very quickly. Anyone can use them. You do not need to invite specialists for this.
A rich color palette of coatings allows you to perform wall decoration in the kitchen both in a restrained style of minimalism and in bright notes of the avant-garde.
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 it is applied, the walls are pre-leveled.
Wall decoration with decorative plaster
Decorative plaster has many varieties, but in the kitchen you can use only silicate compositions and options with the presence of stone chips.
Such coatings reliably protect the walls from the harmful effects of steam and moisture, while giving the space a special luxury and warmth. Modern materials have many shades, including mica and pearlescent threads. This allows you to design a kitchen in accordance with any style of interior.
Stucco wall decoration in the kitchen has several advantages:
- the composition perfectly masks the unevenness of the walls;
- the coating does not absorb odors and is easy to clean;
- plaster is resistant to the formation of fungus;
- there are no seams on the walls;
- facing perfectly tolerates sudden changes in temperature.
Using decorative plaster, you can decorate the entire kitchen. It tolerates heating up to 50 degrees, so it can even be tiled with a work surface.
The process of applying plaster to the wall can be either quite simple or 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 is done with a spatula or 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 in a circular or wavy motion. At the end of the application, the surface can be covered with a layer of protective varnish.
Wood panels or laminate
Modern options for wall decoration in the kitchen involve the use of wooden materials. On the one hand, such a lining in a kitchen can quickly fail, on the other hand, if you design a kitchen in a wooden house, you can’t do without the participation of natural materials. This also applies to lovers of country style, which involves the use of a large number of natural finishes.
Wooden panels can be used to decorate most surfaces in the kitchen, except those located in the area of the stove and sink. Constant heating and excess moisture will quickly disable even the most expensive species.
Facing elements can be located both vertically and horizontally. They will successfully harmonize with natural stone coatings and decorative plaster.
The advantages of laminate wall decoration in the kitchen include:
- creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth;
- simplicity in leaving;
- duration of operation (when used in optimal conditions);
- a large selection of colors and textures of the material;
- the ability to create an extraordinary interior.
The walls in the kitchen are laminated in such a way as to exclude (or minimize) the possibility of moisture penetrating the side of the element. When wet, the seams can swell and spread.
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 drywall constructions.
On vertical surfaces, the laminate is fixed with glue with water-repellent properties. It prevents moisture from entering the seam.
The technology of its installation is as follows:
- The wall is leveled, cracks and grooves are puttied.
- Facing starts from the ceiling. The panel is coated with a uniform layer of glue and pressed against the wall.
- The next element is also treated with glue, docked with the previous panel and pressed to the base. Thus, the entire finish is assembled.
If during the installation process excess glue has appeared through the seams, they must be immediately wiped off. It will be very difficult to remove the dried composition.
Use of decorative stone
Of all the materials available for wall decoration in the kitchen, decorative stone is of particular beauty. It has many varieties that differ in composition and appearance. Today we have access to stone made of gypsum, clay, sand, expanded clay granules and concrete.
When choosing material for the kitchen, it is better to give preference to moisture-resistant varieties. If you are more attracted to gypsum products, buy water-repellent varnish in addition to them. Its use will significantly extend the life of the stone.
Wall decoration in the kitchen with decorative stone has its advantages:
- environmental friendliness;
- fire safety;
- long service life;
- spectacular appearance;
- moisture resistance (not for all types of stone!);
- ease of installation;
- lack of fungus and mold;
- easy cleaning from pollution.
Decorative stone is also attractive in that it successfully combines with many types of finishes. The cladding is in perfect harmony with the wallpaper, wood and paintwork.
A stone can be used to wall walls both near the working area and surfaces remote from heat and moisture. Cladding can cover the walls in whole or in part.
Installation of stone is identical to the technology of laying tiles. First, the surface is cleaned of debris and primed. On a 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 pebbles is filled with grout mixture. As an adhesive composition, tile glue is used.
Plastic trim
Quickly and at minimal cost, you can finish the walls in the kitchen with plastic panels. To mount them on the wall, you need to assemble a crate of thin wooden battens. Using a furniture stapler or screwdriver, all elements are fixed on the frame.
This option will be a real salvation for owners of rooms 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 quickly update the room. The finish is completely 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 shortcomings of PVC panels, then these include:
- the use of synthetic raw materials for the production of material;
- fragility;
- poor resistance to heat.
Do not use panels near ovens or 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 wooden panel may be a good alternative to plastic panels. It is attached by a similar method and is absolutely safe material. Such cladding requires the use of protective varnish.
Glass
Glass surfaces are increasingly found in residential interiors. The material is environmentally friendly and easy to care for. For this reason, it began to be used in the kitchen.
When you need to decorate the walls near the working surface, glass panels will be an excellent solution. Their advantages are that they are not afraid of moisture, fire, hot steam and drops of fat.
Too much soiling and handprints on the glass may confuse someone, but they are no more visible than on ceramic tiles.
Today on sale you can see glass panels with photo printing, complex patterns (applied to a transparent or color film) and simply painted with products. Transparent varieties can be set directly on top of the wallpaper. They reliably protect the canvas from pollution and damage, without changing the appearance of the room.
Such decorative elements are installed in the area of the working surface. The fixing of the glass web is carried out using self-tapping screws with a wide hat.
To summarize
There are a lot of options for decorating the walls in the kitchen, but only a few of them fully comply with the stated requirements. This must be taken into account when creating a design project.
When choosing a material should pay attention to the size of the room. For example, dark stone trim visually narrows the boundaries of the room. Dark stucco has the same effect.
Plastic and wooden 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 bright colors. In such cases, it is recommended to abandon massive wood and stone and give preference to wallpaper and pastel shades.