Finishing the working wall in the kitchen (80 photos)

Finishing the wall above the work surface requires a special approach, because it is most susceptible to pollution, the negative effects of elevated temperature and humidity. In addition, this zone is constantly in sight, often acts as an accent element, therefore, decorative qualities should correspond to the overall interior design. In our article, we will consider what materials should be preferred for decorating the wall in the cooking zone and what should be considered before buying.

When choosing this or that type of facing material for an apron, first of all, you need to familiarize yourself with its quality characteristics, because the repair is not done for one year and the coating should be resistant to moisture, warm vapors and high temperatures. It is also important to take into account the tolerance of the material to constant cleaning, including with the use of cleaning chemicals.

The working wall or, as it is popularly called - an apron, is a plane located above the lower tiers of the headset, where the sink, countertop, hob are located, so it is important to accurately determine its dimensions. If there is an upper tier, then the acceptable height of the apron will fluctuate within half a meter. The width depends on the personal wishes of the owners: you can cover the wall with the finishing material throughout the furniture or just separate, the most “dangerous” territories, for example, above a sink or hob. If there are no upper cabinets, it is advisable to arrange an apron to the ceiling surface.

When choosing, you should consider the color of the coating, the presence of patterns or photo printing. An apron can be designed to match the color of a monophonic headset or vary dramatically, becoming an accent. The ideal option is the white finish of the working wall, which will suit any color scheme. However, it has a significant drawback - soiled. On the white tiles and PVC panels, the slightest pollution will be clearly visible, therefore, they often prefer beige, gray, creamy tones.

The style scenario chosen for the kitchen is also of considerable importance. For example, for a hi-tech style room, a mirror or metal apron is suitable, skins with photo images of nature will look great in an eco-kitchen, and for a classic interior, you can dwell on the design of the working wall with a decorative stone.

Another important point is the cost of finishing material, as well as the cost of its installation. During the design of repairs, it’s worth immediately deciding how much you are willing to spend on decorating the apron and whether it is possible to carry out finishing work yourself. There are materials, the installation of which does not require special skills, and work can be done independently, significantly saving at the same time.

Ceramic tiles or mosaics can be an excellent option for decorating the working wall in the kitchen. Often these materials are combined, emphasizing individual zones. In addition to high aesthetic qualities, both coatings have a long service life (more than 15 years), but this also has a downside - if you want to change the design, dismantling the finish will not be easy.

Someone will consider a ceramic tile a "relic" of the past. Indeed, this type of finish has a long history, but still does not lose its relevance due to its excellent qualities.The wall tile is quite durable, not afraid of the negative effects of a humid microclimate, high temperatures, and is well washed. In addition, today there is an “impressive” number of interpretations of its design, allowing you to use the coating for any style.

Tiles can imitate natural materials, be plain, patterned, smooth, embossed, etc. Many collections contain tiled panels with various drawings - still lifes, colors, which are successfully used in the styles of Provence, retro, country.

The “metro” tile, laid out in a snow-white canvas with light or black seams, is quite relevant. Lined with a diagonal pattern, it will create dynamics and visually expand the work plane.

The brick tile, popularly referred to as the "wild boar", gained particular popularity. Each element has a rectangular shape with beveled edges, resembling in appearance a natural brick of different colors and sizes. This finish is perfect for both classic and modern interiors.

An interesting solution may be an apron, laid out with patchwork tiles, which will bring a touch of warmth and comfort, will be a wonderful decoration for any interior.

Mosaic is a small copy of ceramic tiles. It has all the same advantages as tile, but has a higher cost. With its help, it is possible to revet complex architectural forms, corners, bulges, bends, to frame the perimeter of the apron or its individual elements. For small kitchens, this is the most suitable option, since the mosaic canvas looks quite elegant, visually expanding the space.

The mosaic can be laid out individually, creating various patterns or using matrix panels, measuring 30x30 cm, which greatly simplifies the work and allows you to lay it yourself. Chips (individual mosaic elements) are made of various materials: ceramics, glass, artificial stone, mirrors, metal can become the basis.

The color palette is also multifaceted - the apron can be monophonic or have a colorful color, the gradient design looks beautiful when one main color dissolves in different shades. For classic, retro and rustic styles, preference is given to matte ceramic or stone mosaics. In more modern interiors (loft, hi-tech, modern), you can find glass, mirror and metal paintings.

A rather interesting modern version of the design of the working area is an apron made of tempered glass, called skinali. The surface fully meets all the necessary requirements for strength and durability and has a wide variety of design solutions.

The simplest option is frosted glass, which can be smooth or textured, as well as have sandblasted designs. This design is perfect for interiors made in the style of minimalism, where catchy patterns are not welcome. A good option for a relaxed interior is plain colored skins. The glass cloth is painted with a special composition (the color can be any) and undergoes heat treatment, as a result of the paint retain their saturation for a long time.

If you want the work area to become a luxurious decoration of the kitchen, you can prefer photo printing on glass. Today's technology allows you to apply any image according to the customer, which makes it possible to create a unique design in the kitchen. Skins with 3D images look especially impressive.

Plastic coating can be called the most affordable. Firstly, its cost is much lower than other finishing materials, and secondly, you can install the panels yourself, without involving paid specialists.

The panels come in different types, differing in size and color.There are narrow long sheets, lining panels, the width of which does not exceed 14 cm, as well as massive platforms, the maximum width and length of which are 2 and 4 meters, respectively.

The main advantage of PVC panels is the variety of decorative design: the material can have a monochromatic color, various patterns, drawings, photo images, as well as plausibly imitate wood, stone texture, which is often used in classic, provincial areas, as well as modern styles of loft, eco .

Another advantage of the panels is that they can be installed on unprepared walls, which greatly simplifies the process. You can decorate a plastic apron yourself, for example, paste over with a self-adhesive film, paint with paints (acrylic or oil), and also use vinyl stickers as decoration.

Artificial stone is a presentable and high-quality material that can easily withstand all the hardships of kitchen processes and serves as a worthy decoration not only of the work area, but also of the kitchen as a whole. It is able to imitate the texture and color of any natural stone, be it marble, granite or other quartz, volcanic rocks.

Decorating an apron in the kitchen with decorative stone is highly durable, but even in the case of damage to any element, it can easily be restored without losing its overall attractiveness.

In recent years, a material imitating brickwork has been in great demand. With its help, work areas of kitchens are designed in the style of minimalism, loft, high-tech, and Provence.

In order to create a rich atmosphere of Alpine cuisine, “chalets” should take as a basis a stone imitating rough blocks. But it is worth considering that large fragments are good for spacious rooms, so this design may be an acceptable option for the kitchen-living room of a private house.

Steel sheets in the design of the kitchen apron give the decor some rigor and elegance. The material is made of stainless steel or copper, therefore, has a rather long operational period.

The stainless steel is the perfect choice for an urban interior or cutting-edge high-tech cuisine. Copper (brass) can often be found in the interiors of retro, Provence or country. The steel apron can have a glossy or matte surface; their combinations look original on one wall.

To some, the metal may seem like quite “cold” material - in this case, you can pick up good “neighbors” for it, which will mitigate this drawback. A small steel section of the wall above the hob will look great surrounded by bricks, ceramic tiles or wood panels.

Another interesting option for finishing the working wall in the kitchen is a mirror surface. It can be represented by a solid canvas, tile or mosaic. Mirrors have unique properties to visually expand the space and create beautiful lighting effects in high-quality lighting, so an apron designed in this way will become a real highlight of the interior.

One of the negative characteristics of a mirror surface is called its fragility, but it is worth noting that today's material has increased resistance to mechanical stress, and the placement of mirrors on a distant wall does not pose a particular threat.

The choice of modern materials for finishing the working wall in the kitchen is large enough and allows you to create the most unique interiors. You can verify this again and draw interesting ideas in our photo gallery, where the best examples are presented. Enjoy watching!