For the design of the floor, many practical materials are used. Laminate is one of the reliable. Suitable color can make the atmosphere cozy. Gray laminate flooring is a great choice for many styles. Its features are described in the article.
What is laminate flooring?
This is a long laminated board, including 4 connected layers. Each of them has its own function:
- The bottom layer is called balancing. With it, the lamella has some strength and rigidity, as well as resistance to moisture.
- Then comes the carrier layer, which is usually made of fiberboard. He is able to cope with the mechanical stress of the coating.
- The decorative layer is responsible for the appearance of the coating. It is presented in the form of plain paper with a printed pattern. Therefore, the material is able to imitate different materials, as well as be of any color.
- The top layer is presented in the form of a protective film created from melamine or acrylate resin. It does not allow moisture to penetrate and other external factors. The layer has a wear-resistant property.
Advantages and disadvantages
The material is very in demand. It has many advantages over other types of coatings:
- Many colors. Laminate flooring can be selected for a different type of interior.
- Easy installation and quick production. Covering can be laid even by 1 person.
- The material is able to cope with external factors.
- The coating is easy to clean and does not need additional treatment after installation.
White-gray laminate, dark and light gray are on sale now. Such material is able to emphasize other elements of the interior. But the laminate has its drawbacks:
- The coating does not like water, so it is not chosen for rooms where high humidity.
- Laminate is not dangerous to human health, but everything is not considered environmentally friendly.
- In comparison with linoleum, carpet, the laminate has a low level of sound insulation.
Impact on the interior
Dark gray material can visually reduce space, while light material has the opposite effect. The floor is not very dark tones makes the atmosphere airy and soothing. The air in this room will feel cooler and fresher. The owners of such a building strengthen their composure, people find peace of mind.
Some shades of gray and a combination with beige lead to great relaxation, so it will be difficult for a person to concentrate on important work. Therefore, gray laminate in the interior is not suitable for all rooms. It should not be chosen for rooms where labor is carried out. But then it is perfect for dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms.
Monochrome gray color is cold, so the room may look lifeless. Not everyone will like this setting, but then you can choose the perfect combination of tone with other shades, for example, harmonization with beige wallpaper. Warm colors of wood or accents of yellow, orange, terracotta shades allow you to make your interior more comfortable.
Features of the gray floor
A coating such as a gray oak laminate in an interior is suitable for rooms where there is a lot of heat. For example, if the room is located in the sunny part or warm colors prevail in its design. Then the interior will be harmonious.
It is undesirable to use a dark gray coating in rooms where there is insufficient lighting. Then the room will be even darker, moreover, it appears dull. Not everyone will like being there.
Excess of this color can make a room depressive, so it should not be much. If there is a gray laminate in the interior, then the wallpaper should be a different shade. To do this, fit accessories in warm bright colors.
Gray laminate is not considered an accent due to its neutrality. With it, it will be possible to emphasize other design elements: walls, windows, furniture. A skillful combination of all the details can make the room cozy.
The choice
When choosing a laminate, one must pay attention to mechanical and chemical resistance. The coating must be resistant to temperature changes. Also, the material should not slip, burn out. It is important that it is easy to install.
For a bedroom or a children's room, you can choose a low-class coating - 21 or 22. For the corridor, you should not purchase material below the 23rd class. To ensure a long service life, you should choose a material of at least 31 classes. For the kitchen, choose a material that has protection against moisture. This also applies to the bathroom - 33 class will be the most suitable.
It is important to consider the manufacturer. You should not purchase material from little-known and unreliable companies. It is better to buy a laminate more expensive, but there will be confidence in its quality.
When choosing, you need to look at the size of the slats. If the floor is subjected to heavy load, then you need to choose thick lamellas. This affects the reliability of the flooring, durability. If the floor is under heavy load, then lamellas 9-12 mm thick are needed, and if it is small, then 6-9 mm thick is suitable.
The width and length of the lamellas matter, this affects the installation speed. A width of 17-20 cm is perfect, which will allow you to simulate a plank floor, as well as a width of 9 cm, which creates the appearance of parquet. The highest figure is 33 cm. You can choose 128-136 cm boards in length.
You need to select the type of lock connection. For beginners, click locks are suitable. The assembly of such a floor is easier, and with an error it is not difficult to disassemble. An important factor is moisture resistance, especially if repairs will be carried out in the bathroom or in the kitchen.
It is important that the laminate is environmentally friendly. To do this, check the availability of the certificate and labeling. Need material marked E1 or E0. The density of the coating is important.
Use in different styles
The gray laminate in the interior of any room can look beautiful. But most of all the coating is suitable for:
- Minimalism. Gray color cannot attract attention. That is why the floor is perfect for minimalism, which is characterized by free space, airiness and a minimum of accents. It is better to choose a light gray coating. In this style, you will be able to decorate the bedroom, living room, kitchen. Conservatively look dark gray tones, with them the interior will be strict and restrained.
- Urban style and loft. The first type of design is characterized by the presence of cold tones. A loft usually has bare concrete surfaces or brickwork. Therefore, the gray-brown color in this interior looks natural. Gray coating goes well with glass, white gloss, metal.
- Kitsch. In this area, which rejects interior styles, the gray floor will be an excellent base to apply various colors.
- Hi-tech. A gray flooring will be the best choice, as there are many shiny metallic or metal-coated parts with which gray tones blend in perfectly.
- Neoclassical style. Such a laminate is in perfect harmony with furniture hardware made of shiny metal.
- Rustic and vintage style. There is a floor covering, the gray color of which is similar to a shabby and darkened old tree. Such materials are considered an excellent choice for inclusion in rustic or vintage interiors - Provence, country, retro classics. The flooring in this case will emphasize the originality of the stone, stucco molding, the texture of the brickwork.
The gray laminate in the interior of the apartment makes the atmosphere cozy. The main thing is to choose the remaining details for him correctly so that the design looks harmonious.
What to combine with?
Only the right combination of gray laminate in the interior with other shades makes the atmosphere luxurious. This is an intermediate monochrome color between white and black. Therefore, gray is in harmony with them. It is great for monochrome interiors, reduces contrast. For gray laminate, not only white and gray wallpapers are suitable. Allowed to use:
- cream;
- beige;
- yellow;
- blue;
- purple.
Thanks to purple, yellow, blue, it will turn out to put bright accents for a variety of gray background of the floor or wallpaper. In a room where there is a gray laminate, you can install furniture of the same color, but it can be white or black.
Walls
All the details should be in harmony in the room. For walls, it is not necessary to choose gray wallpapers. It is desirable that they have a gray color, while its shade may be different. The walls can be blue or blue, as the colors harmonize perfectly.
It will be somewhat easier to choose a wallpaper for the laminate not pure gray, but with the addition of other tones: beige or brown. In this case, you can also stick similar wallpapers, creating a smooth transition between the walls and the floor.
Gray laminate and wallpaper in the interior of a suitable color can create a neat design. Often, on one of the walls, the laminate transitions to the wall. In the bedroom, it will turn out to decorate the wall at the head of the bed, and in the living room to allocate a site near the TV. If the floor is dark gray, a cool tone is ideal for walls. Shades are diluted with bright furniture, as well as flowers, paintings and other accessories.
Doors
It is important to choose the right combination of gray laminate and doors. It is advisable to choose white doors. But dark gray constructions and a light gray floor will do. Do not select the exact match of the shades, on the contrary, the discrepancy will look beautiful.
If the color of the door does not harmonize with the color of the floor, then it can be combined with furniture or window frames. For example, if wenge-colored furniture is installed, then the input structure is better to choose a similar shade, and the floor should be made neutral gray. Another color of the doors is linked to the color of the walls. For example, with beige walls and a gray laminate, the doors should be beige.
Furniture
Bright and rich furniture goes well with the gray floor, especially if the walls are muted and calm. Fits perfectly into the interior of red, yellow, purple, blue and orange. To refresh the room, it is worth choosing white furniture. And for a discreet design, black interior items are needed.
Lighting
Lighting is important. It should be sufficient, especially if you choose a dark gray floor. But light shades need replenishment with light, and then the room will be light. Diffuse lighting should be chosen, not central. To expand the space, you can make a multi-level composition - combine devices not only on the ceiling, but also on the walls, floor, furniture.
Accessories are needed so that the laminate does not look boring. It is necessary to place them on the floor. Carpets help to refresh the coating. On the walls, contrasting vinyl stickers, panels, paintings harmoniously look. It is important to use textiles, it makes the atmosphere comfortable. As a decor, fixtures are suitable. On the floor and furniture you can install figurines, flowers.
Details
There are parts that should not be combined with a gray floor:
- Do not make the interior homogeneous in shades and texture, on the contrary, you need a game of textures.
- The wooden floor looks great with stucco walls, glossy or lacquered furniture, fabric trim for upholstered furniture.
- You can choose smooth transitions from light to dark shades.
The correct use of gray allows you to make the interior original. Many resort to the help of professionals. The completed work looks beautiful and modern.