Which laminate is better for the kitchen and how to decorate the walls

Each apartment owner wants to equip it so that it looks attractive and comfortable. At the same time, no one wants to spend large sums of money on expensive building materials. This opens up a lot of room for experimentation. So, for example, wall decoration with laminate is becoming popular, which for many is a shocking revelation. Let's see what is the advantage of using laminate flooring for decorating the kitchen, and which option is better to choose.

Advantages of laminate kitchen wall decor

Apartment owners who want to renovate their kitchen often do not understand the advantages of laminate wall cladding. In the meantime, there are quite a few more, and a large number of families have already managed to enjoy them:

• Excellent value for money and quality. Laminate is cheaper than other traditional materials for finishing kitchens, although it is not much inferior to them in quality;
• modern laminate in its structure and appearance imitates wood panels of a rather high quality;
• the latest technologies used in the production of finishing materials allow us to produce a large number of textures and colors.This opens up a wide field of imagination and experimentation;
• laminate is easy to install on the countertop, making repairs quick and easy;
• it is easy to care for the laminate, and the owners do not have to spend a lot of time cleaning the room;
• no harmful materials are used in the production process, which increases the environmental friendliness of the laminate to a high level;
• if the laminate is handled carefully and carefully, without exposing it to mechanical damage, the finish will last a long time, pleasing the eyes of the hosts and their guests.

Like any other material, laminate flooring has a number of disadvantages that should be considered during the buying process:

• most models are afraid of excessive moisture, but there are expensive options with increased protection;
• sudden temperature changes in the room also adversely affect the condition of the finish, reducing its margin of safety.

To note! All inconveniences can be eliminated by purchasing expensive laminate models. Such repairs will cost a little more, but the result is worth it.

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Main selection criteria

When choosing a laminate for wall decoration in the kitchen, it is recommended to pay attention to the following properties:

• moisture resistance;
• the price;
• the quality of the material;

For decoration, 4 main types of laminates are used:

1. Chipboard. High-quality, well-protected construction material that won't mind high humidity in your kitchen. The structure of laminated chipboard is dense, therefore the structure has additional weight. Such panels cannot simply be attached to the wall - you will have to build an additional crate.
2. Laminate flooring. A great option for lining a kitchen apron, as the material is extremely durable and moisture resistant.
3. High density fibreboard. A cheap and easy-to-process material that is used as a cladding material for walls and ceilings. It has a nice look, but the protection is worse than other types of laminate.
4. MDF.Bad material for kitchen use, as it quickly absorbs moisture. They buy it only in extreme cases, when it is necessary to quickly carry out a cheap repair.

Styling Options

If you decide to carry out repairs in the kitchen with your own hands, check the options for laying laminate panels before proceeding with the coating. There are 3:

• vertical stacking;
• horizontal laying;
• diagonal style.

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are worth discussing separately.

Horizontal

Not the best choice for inexperienced builders, as it is difficult to master. The catch is that laminate flooring can bend like an accordion if attached in the wrong order. To avoid this situation, you need to alternate the rows of boards, alternately securing short and long pieces. The joints are covered with a plinth.

Vertical

Citizens who have no experience in the field of home renovation are advised to use this method. It is easy to learn and suitable for styling:

• square-shaped laminate slabs;
• laminate with an ornament applied to it;
• models whose front side imitates the texture of various types of wood.

A wall clad in this way increases the volume of the kitchen, making its ceilings visually higher. To fasten the facing material in the same way, use:

• liquid Nails;
• special fund.

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To note! The method is convenient for the treatment of uneven walls. Owners do not have to compensate for altitude differences.

The disadvantages of the method include a decrease in the volume of the room, since the crate consumes part of the free space. Not recommended for use in apartments with small kitchens. Keep in mind that builders strongly advise against attaching the siding to a bare wall, without an additional frame from the lathing. Such repairs will not last even a few days, and the panels will fall under the pressure of their own weight.

Diagonal

A rare type of styling, with the implementation of which problems may arise due to:

• the complexity of the style;
• increased material costs;
• the need for additional planning.

This method is used only by experienced room designers who have a team of professional builders. You can try to do it yourself, but the consequences will be extremely serious.

The main advantage of such styling is considered to be an unusually extravagant look, which radically transforms the room.

Also, keep in mind that the diagonal style will be more expensive than other options in terms of budget. If beauty and extravagance come first for you, go for it, it's worth it.

How to mount on the wall

In addition to differences in the installation of laminate panels, there are differences in fastening methods. Two are considered verified:

• fastening with dowels;
• fixing with glue.

Which method to choose depends on the capabilities of each family, as well as preferences.

Language

A tongue is a longitudinal projection on a plate or board, matching in shape with a groove on another structural element. Dowels are used when joining wooden parts when it is necessary to evenly distribute the load. This connection has the following advantages:

• cheaper than other fastening methods;
• easier to implement;
• greater margin of safety when boards are moved in shear than similar fixings to nails or screws;
• the junction itself is hidden from prying eyes, which is much more aesthetic.

Fastening the laminate with the tongue-and-groove method is possible if there are even walls in the room. If this condition is met, the lamination process itself proceeds quickly, without a serious investment of time and effort.

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Glue

A universal method used for coating surfaces of any degree of complexity. Fixing is carried out on the lathing or not directly on the wall, if the sheets of laminate are thin, and a small part of the wall must be covered. Before starting finishing work, the work surface is cleaned of excess debris. It will not be superfluous to even out sharp drops and apply a primer.

The glue should be applied to the joint part of the laminate, as well as to the surface to which the coating is attached. The working algorithm is as follows:

• the first plate is installed using a level, with a groove up;
• the following tiles are installed close to the previous one, while the laminate should be slightly moved from side to side.

To note! Excess glue that appears on the surface of the front part after fixing should be wiped off immediately.If you let them dry, removal will be much more difficult.

How to choose the right color for the interior

Correct color selection is the key to a successful kitchen renovation. Expensive repairs can be done, but a bad color palette will make you feel uncomfortable. To avoid this situation, consider the following nuances:

• white is well suited for small kitchens, as it creates a feeling of spaciousness and freshness;
• black is used in the interior, which is decorated in high-tech style;
• gray is good in spacious kitchens with large mirrors;
• the panels in yellow or green contrast well with the white ceilings and floors.

Examples of out-of-the-box design solutions

As an example of ready-made design solutions that look great in most restored premises, they note:

• finishing the ceiling and walls with a laminate of the same type, but with a different placement of the plates. On the wall they will be stacked vertically, and on the ceiling they will take a horizontal position;
• the use of identical plates to decorate the entire volume of the room. Such a trick is risky, but if you decorate the kitchen working area with material of a contrasting color, the result will exceed all expectations;
• the color of the walls differs from the color of the floor only by a few tones, and the kitchen apron is made of white material.

In addition to these design solutions, there are many other options that differ in a more conservative or, conversely, aggressive style. It all depends on the preferences of apartment owners and their financial capabilities.