Design ideas for a kitchen apron and how to arrange it yourself
In terms of importance, the apron ranks second after the furniture in the kitchen. The convenience of work, the cleanliness of the walls near the sink, the stove depend on this. It is worth carefully considering the design options of the kitchen apron so that it not only performs specific functions, but also stylistically fits into the interior. With the right choice of material, color and other characteristics, the element becomes a stylish accent, making the kitchen even more attractive.
The importance of apron decoration
Thanks to its striking design, the apron becomes a real eye-catcher in the kitchen. Choosing the right material keeps your walls and furniture free of grease, steam, water drips and keeps your kitchen clean. In such conditions, it is pleasant and convenient to cook, to create culinary masterpieces with your own hands.
Often the apron becomes the center of the composition, around it all interior items look harmonious.When installing an apron yourself, you should take into account the advice of designers and focus on the texture of materials that look unusual and interesting.
Basic rules and recommendations
Before arranging a kitchen apron, it is worth considering the recommendations:
- even very strong material is not used if it does not fit into the overall style of the room;
- grease and other contaminants should be removed easily and without excessive effort from the deck surface;
- choose a water-repellent material without cracks and shells;
- select a material with the following characteristics: heat resistance, resistance to chemical and abrasive cleaning agents;
- installing an apron will not be difficult if you study the step-by-step instructions in advance.
Finish options
Tile has long been considered the only and irreplaceable material for an apron. Today there are other alternatives - practical, comfortable, stylish.
ceramic tile
The material has high characteristics that facilitate the cleaning of the tile, since it is not afraid of moisture, temperature changes and exposure to chemicals. The choice of tiles is vast. Finding the color and texture you want for your kitchen backsplash is easy. It is durable, does not fade over time and is resistant to mechanical shock. If the joints between the ceramic tiles are filled with a porous material, then it is varnished after full grouting. The treatment improves the hygienic properties of the material.
Mosaic
A more sophisticated version of the apron is created using mosaics. It is no less practical than tiles, looks more sophisticated, but costs more.The mosaic catches the eye with its variety of shades. Ceramics, glass, metal, plastic, mirror are used as raw materials. The canvas is created using elements in the form of ovals, squares, rectangles.
The mosaic does not react to temperature changes, is impact resistant and easy to maintain. The difficulty in maintenance is created by the seams between the parts, which are numerous, moreover, they have a porous texture. The combination of mosaics on the wall and the worktop looks good.
A rock
A stone kitchen apron is practical, decorative, but expensive if a natural material is used. The most popular types of stone include:
- marble is a material with a structure familiar to all;
- travertine - has many different shades, elegant look;
- quartzite is a solid and durable stone of white, pink or gray color;
- artificial acrylic stone - solid or interspersed with various shades, durable, not prickly, inexpensive.
Glass
The kitchen glass backsplash occupies one of the leading positions in interior decoration and can easily replace tiles. Glass is produced in glossy and matte versions, in a variety of colors. It is combined with other materials.
The optimal thickness of the glass is 6-8 mm. For safety and long-term use, it is necessary to purchase tempered glass. It's 5 times stronger than usual, and even if you manage to break it, the small fragments aren't sharp. Designers recommend several types of glass:
- colorless - not striking, has an original texture;
- photo printing or skinning - the design is applied to the seam side, a 3D effect is possible;
- painted glass - with a durable pattern applied with a special paint;
- with a picture on a vinyl film - the most economical, but effective option;
- triplex - laminated glass.
Steel surfaces
A bold kitchen solution is a metal apron. With the right choice of model, it will make the kitchen modern, unusual and stylish. It is particularly suitable for loft, modern or high-tech styles. It is good to combine metal with common materials - wood, glass, plaster, artificial stone.
The metal apron is made in a shiny or matt version, in stainless steel. Copper or brass are more efficient, but their price is quite high compared to stainless steel. So that no drops are noticeable on the surface, it is worth choosing models with a pattern.
MDF
MDF aprons are popular and often used for decoration. The material is moisture and heat resistant, durable, easy to clean, but should not be placed near an open fire. Several types of panels are used for the walls:
- with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating;
- with veneer;
- painted.
Mirrors
If the kitchen area is small, it makes sense to choose mirror tiles as an apron. This technique will visually expand the room. But mirrors have one significant drawback - they get dirty very easily, and a drop of water or grease will be perfectly visible on the surface. You will have to constantly wash the surface.
Stoneware
The process of creating porcelain stoneware is similar to the technology of making tiles, but it includes two types of clay, silicate and sand. The paint is added already at the stage of mixing the components, due to which the porcelain stoneware is completely painted, and not only on the upper side. Among its main varieties:
- mat - a convenient budget option;
- polished - porcelain stoneware with a glossy surface;
- semi-polished - with a relief surface;
- technical - maximum abrasion resistance;
- glazed - with a layer of smalt glaze;
- satin - with mineral salts in the composition.
Decorative plaster
At the base of decorative plaster are both mineral and synthetic materials, for relief they add cellulose, stone chips or polymer granules. There are several types of plaster, depending on the mode of application:
- Venetian - marbled finish with matte and shiny veins;
- textured - with a relief pattern;
- structural - with a grainy texture.
Brick
A bold design solution for the kitchen apron is masonry or its imitation. So that maintaining cleanliness does not become a problem, professionals advise combining the material with tempered glass.
Clinker tiles
This material in the form of tiles imitates masonry. It is made from refractory clay, to which are added sand, vitrified ashes, and fired at 1200°C.
The tile is dense, homogeneous, resistant to moisture, temperature extremes, mechanical stress, scratches.
Clinker is environmentally friendly, since natural materials, including dyes, are used in production. Toning is carried out using magnesium or iron oxides, allowing to obtain a wide palette of shades.
Wallpaper
The easiest way to create a kitchen apron is to apply waterproof wallpaper. If conventional is chosen, a glass or acrylic screen is needed to protect them from splashes. Drawings and photographs are placed behind the glass, giving the kitchen a unique look. To protect others and not accidentally break the screen, you should choose acrylic or plexiglass.
Slate paint
An inexpensive and profitable solution is a slate apron for the kitchen. The paint is applied to any surface, ensuring that it is not rough or porous. On the slate painting you can apply any inscriptions, write down recipes, reminders of purchases. The apron becomes a highlight of the kitchen, a place of communication. Maintenance is not difficult, just wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
Concrete
A concrete deck adds depth and interesting texture to the interior. This is one of the budget options, especially if you do everything yourself. The material is coated with a moisture-resistant primer.
Laminate
Designers recommend using flooring as a kitchen finish. The laminate protects the walls well from dirt and is waterproof. It does not lose its original appearance for a long time, it is easy to clean and inexpensive.
Of the minuses - instability to temperature changes - cannot be installed near the slabs due to the possibility of deformation. During installation, the seams are covered with a special glue to prevent moisture from entering them.
Colors used
Aprons in shades of yellow, ripe pear or peach create a positive mood. They stimulate the appetite and increase communication during lunch. Orange or red aprons go well with fronts of headsets in shades of white. Green - with straw and purple.
Don't hold back your imagination when choosing a kitchen decor. If you opt for bold experiments, you will definitely find a solution in which the interior will look original.
Examples of out-of-the-box design solutions
To start with the design, you should consider the advice of the designers:
- The kitchen is made stylish and unique by covering the walls with handmade tiles.
- Ready-made stencils, drawings or inscriptions made by children are used for self-painting of already finished tiles. Later they are varnished.
- Photo printing is done using the decal method.
- Lining is used for the apron, after covering the wooden surface with a means to improve moisture resistance.
- The apron is decorated with metal mosaic, which looks modern and beautiful.