Many will agree that the most popular place in any home is the kitchen. The whole family gathers here for dinner or just for tea. Of course, I want this room to be cozy and comfortable. The kitchen should be not only beautiful, but also functional. A very important part of the interior is the kitchen apron, it helps to create the mood of the whole room. From what to make an apron in the kitchen, so that it is practical, modern and stylish, we will consider further. We also learn what modern ideas exist and what materials are used for this.
What should be a kitchen apron
First, a few words about what a kitchen apron is.
A kitchen apron is the part of the wall between the countertop countertop and the hinged kitchen cabinets. Typically, this area captures the wall, which is located next to the stove, sink and work desk.
What requirements should a modern apron for a kitchen meet:
- Easy to wash. This means that the material of the apron should not be a “sponge” for dirt, but should be easily cleaned.
- Be resistant to moisture. Since this area is always exposed to water and steam, high humidity.
- Be resistant to temperature extremes. Since water can be not only cold, but also hot, like dishes. Remember that the hot plate also has an effect on the apron.
- The apron should be made of hygienic materials in order to avoid the growth of bacteria.
- Durable and resistant to mechanical damage.
- Beautiful and original. Should be in harmony with the overall interior of the kitchen.
From what to make an apron in the kitchen so that it meets these requirements, we will consider further.
What materials are used for a kitchen apron
Currently, a very large number of finishing materials, we will call those that are used to design a kitchen apron:
- Fake diamond.
- Tile.
- Mosaic.
- Plastic panels.
- Mirror surface.
- Glass.
Modern kitchen apron ideas
Let's list some of the original apron ideas for the kitchen:
- The tiles are used in marble or granite, large sizes, and laid seamlessly. The countertop is also marbled.
- Contrasting solutions. Select several types and contrasting colors of the tiles. Suitable for styles such as high-tech, country, eco-style.
- Pattern in the form of an ornament. Use individual elements of the apron, decorative border, vertical and horizontal stripes. The combination of white tiles with a tile pattern.
- The use of metal mosaic.
- Original combination: mosaic and white apron tile. The kitchen will attract attention with bright tiles or drawings, and such a solution will dilute the white monotony of this room.
- Combining smooth tiles with mirror tiles.
- Drawing volumetric images on a tile.
- Frosted glass combined with retrostyle.
- Mirror surface as a single canvas, and cut into rectangles, bricks or geometric shapes.
Next, we consider wall aprons for the kitchen using modern materials.
Ceramic kitchen apron
Very often they use this type of decoration as tile. In the kitchen, an apron made of such a material is considered very practical and hygienic. Currently, there is simply a huge selection of tiles, from a cheap and budget option to expensive Italian tiles from leading foreign manufacturers.
Note the positive aspects of such a finish:
- Easy to clean, practical material, allows you to use any cleaning products.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Lasting.
- Heat resistant.
- It does not absorb fat, resistant to any alkaline and acid solutions.
- A wide range of tiles allows you to make a choice in favor of any interior.
- Tiles can be of different shapes, sizes, different textures, with a pattern or not.
What are the disadvantages of using tiles:
- It is difficult to stack, if there is no skill, it is better to contact the master. Laborious and dirty work. Additional expenses for mortar or glue.
- When changing tiles, it will take a lot of effort and time to crack it. This is extra time and money.
If this method does not suit you, and you have not yet decided what to make an apron in the kitchen, consider the option of mosaic tiles.
Mosaic tile
If you want an original and unique design, the mosaic tile for the kitchen on the apron is perfect for you . The advantages of this finish are similar to the advantages of ceramic tiles, as it is made of one material, but there are still its own characteristics:
- You can upload not only a variety of drawings, but also photos.
- It is easy to achieve a harmonious combination with the interior, furniture.
- It is resistant to temperature extremes, moisture and mechanical damage.
- It practically does not show splashes from water, fat.
The disadvantages include the fact that laying an apron in the kitchen from mosaic tiles will take a lot of time. This is a very time-consuming and long process, requiring large investments, the availability of skills.
Mosaic, as a rule, implies the use of several colors, often more than three, but this is not acceptable for any room design.
You can use any detergents to wash such a surface, as a mosaic can be:
- Ceramic.
- Glass.
- Smalt.
- Mirror.
- Metal.
Only mosaics with a printed pattern and a mirror should not be washed with abrasive substances.
Smalt mosaic has amazing properties, emitting a mysterious light, while it tends to change its shade depending on the lighting, which gives the room an originality. Mosaic tiles for a kitchen on an apron made of smaller elements look more eccentric than larger ones. If you want to lay out a mosaic of pieces of different sizes, it is better to invite a specialist.
Consider another type of popular material for a kitchen apron - this is plastic.
PVC kitchen apron
A plastic apron for the kitchen is chosen by those for whom practicality and relatively low repair costs are important.
Plastic can be used not only for a kitchen apron, but also for walls, ceilings.
PVC panels are made of solid polyvinyl chloride by extrusion. Ethylene, chlorine and hydrogen are involved in the chemical process. The material is considered environmentally friendly and safe. The composition contains stabilizers that extend the life of the plastic.
There are such types of PVC panels:
- Wall sheets with a width of 15 cm and a length of 2.6 m.
- Lining PVC. Plastic strips with a width of 10 cm. Can be made for imitating natural materials or patterns.
- Glossy or matte panels from 80 cm wide and up to 405 cm long. It is convenient to apply a pattern to such areas; when joining, the seams are practically invisible.
Pros and Cons of Plastic
The PVC apron for the kitchen has the following positive aspects:
- Easy to install. Walls do not require special training.
- Available at a price.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Simple and easy to clean.
- Large selection of drawings.
- You can also apply the picture yourself or paste over with a self-adhesive film.
If you decide to make a plastic apron in the kitchen, you need to know its negative sides:
- The material should not be checked for strength; it is easily pierced with a fork or knife. Enough point impact to damage the wall.
- It cannot be installed in close proximity to a stove, oven, as at high temperatures the material is easily deformed, and during combustion it emits toxic substances.
- Easy to scratch or damage by chemical.
The PVC apron for the kitchen can be fixed in two ways:
- The panels are directly mounted on the wall.
- A special frame is prepared on the wall, to which the kitchen apron is attached.
Consider another option that is becoming increasingly popular. This is a mirror surface.
Mirror-coated kitchen apron
Mirror tiles significantly expand the space of the kitchen and contribute to uniform lighting. At the same time, it requires high-quality laying, and before that the wall must be carefully prepared, since its slightest bumps or cracks will cause damage to the mirror sheet.
What are the advantages of a mirror apron:
- Perfectly reflects light.
- Heat resistant and moisture resistant.
- When using detergents it is easily cleared. Resistant to all types of household chemicals.
- The material is environmentally friendly and safe. It does not allow fungi and mold to multiply.
- Durable and reliable.
- Sufficiently long life.
- Originality of the finish.
If you chose the mirror option, when deciding what to make an apron in the kitchen, you need to know the negative sides of this finish:
- High cost compared to other materials.
- Difficulty in laying requires laboriousness and skill.
- The complexity of cleaning the surface, daily care is required. Do not use abrasive substances.
- The material, if it is not red-hot, is very fragile and sensitive to shock and mechanical damage.
Choosing a mirror apron for the kitchen, you must consider its size, number of windows, interior layout.
Mirror apron may consist of:
- From mirror panels. It can be one big panel. It allows you to create the feeling of a large space, while there should not be extra things, objects that will create the appearance of a mess.
- From a mirror tile in the form of a brick or tile, but with this option, dirt accumulates at the joints. The finish can be matte with a geometric pattern or in the form of broken glass.
- From mirror mosaic. A mosaic from pieces of different sizes and shapes looks very original.
The mirror surface can be used for styles such as techno, loft and modern.
Glass apron for the kitchen
One of the innovations in modern design is a glass apron in the kitchen.
It should be noted that the glass should be heat-resistant or triplex, with a thickness of at least 6-8 mm.
Drawing on glass can be done in the following ways:
- Photo printing . The pattern is fixed with UV radiation. Such an image cannot be changed, it is quite durable.
- Paste the glass with vinyl film with the image you like. This option is short-lived, as the film may peel off. Easy to remove and stick another pattern.
- You can use the wallpaper. They are not glued directly to the glass. The disadvantage is that after fixing the glass between the wall and the apron, there is a space where moisture can penetrate, which will spoil the aesthetic appearance, but it is easy to change the wallpaper to new ones.
- Stained glass - stemalite. Glass after applying special paint undergoes a special heat treatment. The image is reliable and durable.
- Also, the glass may be transparent or frosted . On such a glass, you can apply any drawing in a sandblasting method or use silk-screen printing. The surface can be made satin, textured.
This design has its advantages:
- It is an environmentally friendly and safe material.
- With care, it will last a long time.
- Glass apron is the most hygienic.
- It is simple and easy to care for.
- It does not lose its qualities and does not deform under the influence of acids, salts, food colors, fats, oils.
- Resistant to high temperatures and moisture, which allows you to place it near a stove or sink.
- It is easily mounted and dismantled.
- A large number of diverse solutions.
Glass apron for the kitchen has its drawbacks:
- Although it is easy to clean, it will have to be washed much more often to maintain a neat appearance.
- With improper care and careless operation, the glass can be easily scratched.
- Not for every style an apron from such a material is suitable.
- High price.
It is very important to fix the apron correctly.
Fixing and maintaining a glass apron
If we talk about the apron made of glass, then the following options are used for fastening:
- Using fasteners.
- Using adhesive materials.
It is necessary to fix the glass on a prepared smooth wall, otherwise it may crack. Experts do not recommend fixing the canvas more than 2.5 meters, in this case the installation process is much more difficult. You can use several smaller canvases, the joints will be practically invisible.
You can also make a glass apron backlight, and the kitchen will noticeably change.
Caring for such an apron is not at all difficult:
- First, wipe it with a dry and soft rag from dust.
- Then we apply the glass cleaner and wipe first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- At the end, be sure to wipe the glass dry. First, wipe vertically, and then horizontally.
If you wipe the glass regularly and comply with all operating rules, such a kitchen apron will last a very long time and will always attract the attention of guests and delight the household.
We install sockets on the apron
Of course, the kitchen should have the required number of outlets. And on a kitchen apron you can not do without them. Here are some guidelines for installing them in the kitchen:
- Do not install an outlet on a stove or sink.
- Sockets on the kitchen apron are installed 1-1.5 meters from the floor.
- It is recommended to install outlets deep or with special plastic protective covers.
- Before installing the apron, holes are cut out in the wall under the outlet and wiring is done.
- If it is a glass apron, then the manufacturer must make an apron according to the proposed scheme with the indicated openings for the exits.
- When placing outlets on an apron, it is recommended to do this along the edges of the working area.
- Above the countertop, the installation of exits is allowed at a level of 10-30 cm.
When choosing which material to make a kitchen apron from, you need to consider that it must meet the following simple parameters:
- Resistant to moisture.
- Easy to care.
- Withstand high temperatures.
- Have an attractive and aesthetic appearance.
When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the color, texture, whether the material is suitable for the overall interior of the room. And, of course, all finishing materials should be purchased from trusted and reliable manufacturers. You can study customer reviews before doing this. If you consider these simple recommendations, then after the repair, the kitchen will shine with a new light.