Among the abundance of materials, colors, textures, choosing an apron for the kitchen is to make an important and sometimes difficult thing. It should not only protect the wall from moisture, grease, but also become a highlight of the interior, attract attention, complement the design - in general, perform a decorative function.
In this article we will offer you interesting ideas for decorating an apron, as well as tell you how to choose the right finish and choose the right color for the wallpaper.
4 rules for choosing an apron
The first thing to determine is the size of the apron itself. The standard height will be about 60 cm. But the location will depend on the headset and the size of the room. If you are lucky and you have high ceilings in the kitchen, you can place the upper cabinets at a distance of 70 cm from the countertop. If the suite is angular and the kitchen unit requires careful calculation, a minimum height of 40-45 centimeters will do. In this case, the colors of the apron should be as light as possible. What else do you need to know when choosing wall protection?
- Your kitchen apron should have several features: ease in leaving, immunity to differences of humidity and temperature, and also durability. Choose material that will be easy for you to wash and which will last for a dozen years. You should not choose wallpaper for this zone. Although they are distinguished by decorative attractiveness, they cannot be cleaned, and they tolerate humidity very poorly.
- If your choice is ceramic tile, remember that you should definitely use waterproof grout. It will allow you to wash the apron, quickly get rid of stains of fat and prevent mold and mildew from forming. An ideal option would be a double firing tile, which will last more than 30 years.
- Want to stay on the mosaic? Choose products where colors are already selected and a set of small tiles is correctly glued to the grid. So you reduce the number of grout joints - the apron will be easier to wash, and you will simplify the process of laying decorative panels. If in the kitchen you have wallpaper or wenge panels on the walls, then choose a mosaic that will become a contrasting element of the decor. Look at the next photo how bold ideas are realized in the form of a panel of motley color or lime color against the background of light walls.
- Natural stone should be chosen if the apron for the kitchen and countertop will be a single ensemble. It is better to choose basalt and lithoceramics. These materials have good performance characteristics - you can wash the grease stains even with a brush, and the dense structure gives the products moisture resistance. Design ideas can be non-standard - to this apron you can pick up wallpapers, stylized as natural stone.
Another interesting product - metal aprons are suitable for owners who always keep clean. You will have to wash the apron after each cooking - there will be traces of hands, water and steam on the panel. We can say that all glossy products have such a drawback - traces and stains remain on their surface. Of course, it’s easy to clean them, but you will have to constantly monitor the spots of fat so that they do not spoil the appearance of the kitchen.
Still not decided what a kitchen apron should look like? Then check out our inspirational selection!
An apron is one of the most striking details of any kitchen, which is able to transform the look of the entire interior. But how not to get lost in a huge variety of materials, colors, textures and choose exactly what is needed? Especially for this, we have prepared an inspiring selection of 75 different kitchen aprons, among which you will definitely find something of your own.
For the most hypnotic effect from viewing this article, we recommend that you click on the first photo and switch to full-screen mode. And then - flip through large pictures and enjoy our selection of interesting and spectacular tricks used to design a kitchen apron. On some photos you will see green labels that contain additional information about objects used in this interior. Under the photographs you can find information about the project and the techniques and materials used.
Kitchen apron made of stone
Such material can be both natural and artificial. The first option is not common, as it is not durable enough and is expensive at the same time. The most environmentally friendly and at the same time durable is granite. Marble will look noble on the wall, however, due to excessive humidity in the room, it can quickly lose its attractive appearance.
Cheaper and more practical to use artificial counterparts in the kitchen. Products made of quartz or acrylic do not lend themselves to deformation, moisture absorption and will aesthetically look on the kitchen wall. A plaster apron can last no less than a long time if it is additionally treated with a special varnish.
Experts do not recommend using several varieties of stone in one room at once. This is especially true of modern interior design.
Glass kitchen apron
Any glass product is associated with fragility and fragility. However, to design a kitchen apron, they do not use simple, but tempered glass. Such material is not afraid of temperature changes, the sun, scratches and other damages, therefore it can last at least 10 years. In most cases, glass is used to protect other coatings, and sets on top of them.
The design of such a coating can be plain or imitate the texture of other materials. To give brightness to the working area, photo printing is used. The disadvantage of this finishing material is its high price and the need to place an order based on the size of the apron, which is associated with the complexity of the process of trimming glass.
Steel surfaces
To design a kitchen in the style of minimalism, hi-tech or loft, steel is ideal. Such an apron refers to exclusive options. It makes the room stylish, expensive and even somewhat official. Therefore, to give it "warmth" and a homely atmosphere, steel is combined with wood.
The most popular and affordable are aprons made of stainless steel. There are also copper options, but they cost a lot more. Their texture can be matte, glossy or mirror. In this case, the entire free surface of the working area is covered with a metal sheet, which allows to achieve the effect of monolithicity without the formation of seams. Special lighting allows you to effectively highlight the apron.
Porcelain apron
The constituent substances of porcelain stoneware are quartz sand, clay, silicate and pigments. By using this material, other materials, such as marble or wood, can be imitated.
The color scheme of the kitchen apron
If you choose a bright coating, you should be ready for continuous cleaning of the apron, since even a little pollution against such a background will attract attention. The most suitable for kitchen aprons are neutral shades. A highlight in this case may be the texture of the coating.
If you intend to use several colors, it is better to choose contrasting shades (black and white or black and red, etc.)
Ceramic tile for lining the kitchen apron
It can be safely stated that ceramic tiles (tiles, ceramics) are the market leader in materials for facing not only kitchen surfaces, but also any other utilitarian premises of our homes. Every homeowner who at least once faced with the need to repair the kitchen and bathroom knows very well that to obtain a beautiful, practical and inexpensive cladding of any planes, you can safely purchase ceramic tiles.
The advantages of using ceramics for decorating kitchen walls:
- high level of practicality and durability. Ceramic tile is not afraid of moisture and temperature extremes, practically does not fade for many years and retains the look that was upon purchase,
- simplicity in operation. Fresh stains are easily washed with a wet sponge, obsolete dirt will be cleaned with detergents,
- universality from the point of view of harmonious integration into any style of the kitchen interior. All thanks to the variety of colors and textures, sizes and shapes of the currently available assortment of this finishing material. The tile can be monophonic and color, with a pattern, ornament and prints. The material can be produced in a matte or glossy form, with a smooth or textured surface. Tiles can effectively imitate stone or wood texture and fit perfectly into the interior of any style, from country style to modern manifestations of hi-tech or loft,
- affordable cost. The range of modern stores provides a selection of ceramic tiles designed for different income levels of homeowners, and everyone can find a suitable option. In addition, in many kitchens, the height and length of the kitchen apron are small and a small amount of tile is needed to finish it. In this case, you can not save money and choose the suitable option not only for cost, but also for appearance and quality of performance.
Thanks to all these qualities, most of our compatriots, without hesitation, choose ceramic tiles for facing the kitchen apron, without even considering alternative options. Minor flaws are not at all confused by most homeowners who decide to transform the kitchen with a minor renovation or start a full renovation.
And the disadvantages of the tile as the finishing material are as follows:
- complexity of installation. Agree that for a correct, beautiful and durable ceramic tile apron, you need a lot of experience in this area. As a result, the need to turn to specialists whose services are very expensive,
- high pollution of a sufficiently large area of the kitchen space during installation.
Porcelain has long ceased to be a finishing material only for flooring and switched to facing vertical planes. In addition to its enhanced qualities of durability and strength, granite is faster to install due to the large size of the casts (although there will be more waste when designing complex surfaces with sockets and other openings).
Tile "metro" - one of the most popular types of ceramic tiles used to decorate the vertical surfaces of the kitchen. Snow-white tiles with a matte or glossy surface, combined with grout of the same shade or contrasting, dark color, have long become an invariable participant in kitchen designs and are not going to give up their positions. The fact is that this type of tile lining is perfectly integrated into almost any interior of a kitchen room.
Clinker tiles are usually available in unglazed form. Due to the special technological method of tile production (extrusion), it acquires high technical characteristics, as its firing occurs at very high temperatures. Outwardly, the tile looks matte, its surface is smooth. Clinker calmly tolerates moisture and high temperatures, chemical cleaners and is incredibly easy to clean. Looks great in classic interiors or country-style kitchens.
Apron color: for bright, classic and stylish kitchen
In this matter, the apron for the kitchen can be different - monochrome, shiny, lime, wenge and neutral. You can pick it up so that both the headset and the apron have the same color. You can play in contrast when the wallpaper and apron are made in different colors, or you can merge them together. In general, the ideas are endless.
Since modern kitchens are most often decorated with wallpaper, the question arises - can the apron repeat their color? Both the apron and the wallpaper can be selected in one tone in the following cases:
- You need to expand the space and create the effect of "light cuisine". In this case, both the wallpaper and the color of the apron should be selected the same. For hi-tech and modern style, you can choose white or shade of wenge tile for the walls and the same snow-white and wood apron. In this case, the color of the latter may differ in luster.
- Set and wall decoration have a radically different color. For a blue kitchen or kitchen, for the design of which a shade of lime is used, as well as sand walls, it is better to choose the same calm shade of the apron. A red apron and lime will look good when the headset has the same motley color, but the walls are classic white. In this case, the apron will play the role of a unifying element.
A practical solution is when the headset and apron are matched in the same color. Here design ideas can be any. You can pick it up to the color of wenge or one tone with a countertop. Contrast colors will also look good. For example, for a blue countertop, you can look for the same saturated apron. But the popular lime shade, in which the facade is made, is better to supplement with an apron of a calm shade.
What kind of apron should I look for if wall murals are used? There are two options:
- Use the primary color in which the wallpaper is made. The method is good if your kitchen has impressive dimensions. You can safely pick up bright colors for the apron. For example, original murals with a macro image of an orchid should be supplemented with an apron of saturated pink or lime color. That is, those shades that prevail in the picture.
- Use a neutral shade. A correctly selected apron will accentuate and make the kitchen more fresh. If the murals are pasted in a small kitchen and serve as the main emphasis, do not choose the same colorful protection. It’s better to look at pastel wall panels and wenge tones.
Mosaic for facing the kitchen apron
If you need a practical, but at the same time bright and dynamic design of the apron, then mosaic can be an ideal option for cladding. Especially if the surface of the apron is quite complex, provides for niches or rounding.
- mosaic tiles have in their arsenal weight pluses that are peculiar to tiles, except for low cost,
- in addition, the mosaic has the unique ability to finish the material for facing difficult in terms of geometry surfaces - niches, arches, roundings, recesses,
- great for decorating the edges of the apron or highlighting certain parts of it,
- visual expansion of the room. Mosaic tiles are recommended for facing surfaces in small kitchens, which is very important for our compatriots who got the "Stalin" and "Khrushchev".
Among the shortcomings of the mosaic apron lining can be identified:
- more than a simple ceramic tile cost,
- a large number of seams between the chips - individual elements of the mosaic, and as a result - special care for them, treatment with moisture-resistant grout, cleansing, refreshing the appearance of approximately every 2-3 years,
- as with ceramic tiles, for the installation of mosaics, you must resort to the services of professional tilers.
The combination of tiles in the design of the apron
An interesting effect can be achieved by combining ceramic and mosaic tiles when lining surfaces above the working area of the kitchen. Such an interior will be unforgettable and individual.In terms of cost, the design will not differ much from that in which only tile is used (after all, mosaics are needed a little), and the visual effect compensates for the time and effort.
MDF boards for surface decoration over the kitchen working area
The fastest and cheapest way to design an apron in the kitchen is to install MDF boards with PVC film.
In addition to the low cost of MDF boards, they have a number of advantages:
- fast production. As a rule, manufacturers of kitchen sets undertake the process of manufacturing an apron from MDF according to your size,
- quick installation. The same company that manufactured and assembled a set of kitchen cabinets is also engaged in the installation of MDF boards,
- the ability to replace MDF sheets even without removing kitchen cabinets and changing the stop of the kitchen at any time,
- the absence of connecting seams, which greatly facilitates the care of the surface of the apron,
- the ability to create a drawing, photo printing, any ornament without restrictions on the MDF panels.
Among the minuses of MDF panels with PVC film are the following:
- low strength. MDF is significantly inferior in strength to ceramics, glass, stone and metal,
- unproven environmental friendliness. For a long time, manufacturers of MDF panels have argued in favor of the environmental friendliness of this finishing material, while environmentalists, in contrast, have put forward their evidence of the harm to humans and the environment of certain substances involved in the manufacturing process of modern facing material.
Glass after tempering is an excellent option for decorating an apron
A beautiful and durable way of decorating surfaces above the working area of the kitchen space is glass lining. Typically, tempered glass is used in two possible ways - a painted surface or with photo printing. Modern technologies allow you to transfer any image to the glass plane - from a family portrait to the words of your favorite song that you sing while preparing a family dinner.
Glass also has the following advantages:
- all the advantages of popular finishing materials (practicality, ease of care, resistance to high temperature, quiet transfer of high humidity),
- ease of installation
- seamlessness
- high level of strength and durability (and still you should not throw a cast-iron cauldron into a kitchen apron made of glass).
Among the obvious disadvantages, it is worth noting, first of all, the high cost. But it can also be amortized over a couple of years of operation of the glass coating to decorate part of the kitchen wall.
Natural stone for a noble finish on a kitchen apron
Most often, natural stone is used for cladding an apron, which is called "complete with countertop." For surface cladding over work areas, strong stone types are most often used - marble, granite and basalt. Granite can be called the leader in popularity among natural materials. The fact is that it has high strength at low porosity, which means that moisture, and with it dirt, penetrate the stone structure much less. For marble, for example, this cannot be said. But with a fairly frequent polishing, a similar effect can be achieved. But the appearance of a marble countertop in the company of the same apron will please you for many years and will be able to serve more than one generation of the family.
Recently, such material as lithoceramics has become popular - it is a composite of marble and tile. Outwardly, only specialists are able to distinguish natural stone from synthetic “alloy”, but the tiles obtained as a result of fusion are much easier than marble, they are easier to assemble, and they are certainly cheaper than natural stone.
Marble “subway” tiles of the same breed with tabletop material create an elegant and noble alliance that can decorate both the kitchen in a classic style with a traditional decor, as well as the modern style of the kitchen interior.
Metal apron for a modern kitchen
Just want to note that an apron made of stainless steel or iron does not harmoniously fit into any interior style. For example, for baroque, rococo and even classics, it is better to choose traditionally ceramic finishes. But the modern style, high-tech and loft are in perfect harmony with the brilliance of stainless steel.
When creating an interior in which there will be a metal apron, it is important to remember the environment necessary for it - use mirrored surfaces or the shine of glass and crystal. In any case, most models of household appliances for the kitchen are either made of stainless steel or have chrome fittings.
Using metal to decorate a kitchen apron, you should be prepared for the fact that any drops, even from clean water, will be visible on your surface of their steel or iron. This type of cladding is not desirable for housewives who elevate the cleanliness of their kitchen to absolute.
If you think that using a single piece of metal can add excessive coldness to the interior of the kitchen, then you can consider the option of a metal tile or mosaic.
Natural wood for wall decoration over work surfaces
To begin with, uncoated wood for decorating an apron is an extremely undesirable option. The tree absorbs moisture well, and with it dirt, it has a very porous, fibrous structure, we absorb all the smells. Therefore, if the interior of your kitchen requires a wood apron, take care of the necessary protection of the wooden surface. Obviously, such a finish from natural material will cost a lot. But when installing the dirt will be a little, and you can be sure of the environmental friendliness of the chosen method of facing the planes of your kitchen. But you also need to be prepared for the fact that approximately once a year it will be necessary to treat the wooden surface with special oils that prevent drying of the material (after all, humidity and subsequent swelling of the wood in the kitchen are inevitable).
Brick wall as a way to design a kitchen apron
If your kitchen is made in the loft style and you would like to emphasize the belonging of the room to this style with the help of finishing an apron, then the best option would be to use brickwork or its imitation. Of course, the surface of the bricks and the joints between them must be opened with special moisture-resistant varnishes to protect the apron from constant exposure to moisture, dirt and drops of fat.
Which apron to choose for the kitchen?
Having even a minimal budget, any housewife can get lost in the variety of options offered by designers. All kinds of photos of the apron for the kitchen reflect the most unthinkable combinations of color, material combinations.
You can see even more interior design photos on the site of our friends and partners!
Types of Aprons
In the execution of the apron, the following material is used:
- plastic panels
- MDF
- tile,
- fake diamond,
- mosaic
- mirror material
- glass.
Color palette
To add brightness to the kitchen, it is better to use small elements in the decor of the room. It can be pens, vases, flower pots, watches, etc. A bright panel will require exceptional care, as any pollution unwittingly catches the eye.
The choice of neutral color is the most suitable. It should be in tone with the furniture and almost imperceptible. The highlight may be the texture of the material, which does not require constant rubbing, but will pleasantly surprise guests.
The choice of contrasting solutions is relevant when using several colors in the design of a room. So, an apron for a white kitchen can be made black if the curtains are white with black, the chairs are black and the table is white. There may be many options.
Important! Before choosing the material for the apron, you need to consider what materials, colors, design solutions will be present in your kitchen for an appropriate combination of all elements.
Panels for the kitchen on the apron should fulfill its main function: to protect the walls. They should wash themselves well, without fear of aggressive means. Even with occasional use of the pan, you cannot guarantee the cleanliness of the wall.
Characteristics of aprons
MDF is produced from sawdust and laminated. Reasonable cost, pleasant aesthetic appearance and ease of care allows you to use them for the kitchen. Different color, imitation of texture and the ability to hide joints like many housewives.
Mosaic
The mosaic is beautiful, interesting, stylish. It is made not only of ceramics, but also of glass, marble, wood and metal. An apron for a kitchen made of glass in a mosaic design will be more suitable. The room will create a unique original effect, combined with taps, handles. You have to pay for beauty: pollution, fogging must be constantly wiped.
Plastic kitchen apron
Plastic is used everywhere, but there is no need to talk about its practicality in an apron. Joints become easily contaminated, dents form dents, which are removed only when replacing the apron.
Choose the option that suits you. An apron for the kitchen can be an element that does not create a hassle. Only on your right choice depends on the daily practicality and atmosphere in the house.
Custom aprons for the kitchen
Yes, we know that an apron for a kitchen should be, first of all, practical and durable. It should not remain stains of fat, even after a long cooking, it can be quickly cleaned and used chemicals. But I want to not only choose a practical option, but also beautiful panels that will surprise with an unusual design. Let's look at unusual aprons that will fit into the interior of the kitchen.
- Metal mosaic. The mosaic from pieces of metal will add extraordinaryness to the room. You can choose a mosaic lined with small bricks, or you can look at a combination of gilded and metal with a silver tint. This option is good if your headset is made in gray and the kitchen is full of metallic luster.
- Frosted glass. Glass lovers will love the connoisseurs of colorful beauty. Glass can have a fashionable shade of lime, saturated blue, scarlet or lemon color. If you choose the right shade, glass will become a motley accent of the kitchen. By the way, if you have retro-pasted murals, you can pick up a panel with the same stylized pattern. Wall murals in black and white will harmonize with the retro-style drawings in the panel.
- Mirror. Such material will allow to expand the space and will certainly become a non-standard solution. Performance ideas may vary. For example, a mirror is cut and laid with bricks or geometric shapes. If the headset has a monochrome color, it is better to choose one large panel. If you use photo wallpaper, the mirror will reflect the picture and give volume to the kitchen. Another tip - stains of fat and stains will not be visible on the mirror with the effect of antiquity.
- An apron with a touch of wenge and wood styling will look noble. Wenge is suitable for classic, modern style, and wood - to create a warm atmosphere.
