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Not only tiles: 5 budget and beautiful kitchen aprons
Without this detail, the kitchen interior looks unfinished. As if something is missing. But you don’t have to go down the beaten path and choose the classic tiled option. There are others – inexpensive and cute.
Tile is a material that requires professionalism in handling. Moreover, it is not cheap. With the operation and aesthetics, too, not everything is clear: as a rule, after laying the tiles, thick and ugly joints remain, into which dirt and grease are absorbed over time. However, there are alternative solutions and materials that can replace boring and expensive tiles.
Leroy Merlin Kitchen Designer
Solid color tempered glass
Most coverings are sold as wall panels: they are more practical and easier to install. One of the most popular wall panel materials today is tempered glass. Its advantage is that it visually unites the space between the work surface and wall cabinets – such an apron does not focus on itself, while organically fits into the design solution.
A glass apron does not have to be combined with other materials; many texture and color options are available in hardware stores. However, those who are not satisfied with plain glass can combine such panels, for example, with wallpaper: wallpaper itself, of course, is impractical for the kitchen, but laid under glass, they will become a stylish and functional solution. Glass is not more expensive than other types of coatings, besides, you can save a lot on installation, because wall panels require much less labor and materials.
Tree
Today, when decorating kitchens, wall panels made of wood-based materials are increasingly used: fiberboard, chipboard and other types. This solution has several advantages. Firstly, the material is laminated, which ensures ease of cleaning, resistance to abrasion, to changes in humidity and temperature. Secondly, like all others, these wall panels are easy to install, and due to their high bearing capacity, you can install roof rails and other attachments on them without fear of damaging your new kitchen. In addition, wall panels made of chipboard and similar materials, unlike tiles, are easy to cut, so they can be installed independently without involving specialists.
Designer prints and drawings on wall panels are available in full variety: there are many options for geometry in the Scandinavian style, imitation of the popular “hog” tile or concrete in the loft style. Moreover, wall panels look very realistic, and it is not always possible to determine the first time whether you are looking at wall tiles or wall decoration.
There are also options from pure wood, here the scope for imagination is even wider: wood panels can be covered with tempered glass and get a stylish minimalistic combination of colors and textures. Usually, wooden panels are mounted to the wall with glue (or the so-called liquid nails), and tempered glass is fixed on top using special screws. There is no need to worry about the aesthetics: the caps of the self-tapping screws are hidden by a round massive metal nozzle that does not attract attention. However, this option can no longer be called a budget option.
It is difficult to find even one interior decoration element for which there is no plastic alternative. And kitchen wall panels are no exception: there are many textures, textures and color combinations of plastic. Like wood panels, plastic is also easy to cut and fit without the need for professionals and saving money. However, this type of panel has other advantages as well. First, plastic is cheaper. Secondly, visually the panels are very similar to the more expensive materials they imitate (stone, wood, etc.). Plus, the plastic cover attracts less dust, eliminating the need for regular maintenance. Maintenance also does not take much time – you just need to wipe the panel with a damp cloth.
Concrete
This type of coating is not suitable for everyone, mainly because of the dullness and brutality. However, everyone has their own tastes, and the popularity of concrete coating speaks for itself: many people like its industrialism and simplicity. Concrete has many advantages: first of all, it is a low price – it cannot be compared with tiles or glass. Secondly, a concrete apron is ready to become the basis for the flight of your design imagination: it can be primed and painted, creating your own unique color, pattern or pattern, or you can close it with tempered glass, giving the interior a stylish minimalism.
Accessories such as roof rails for kitchen utensils are perfectly combined with concrete and glass coverings, you just have to choose the option that suits the design. It is important that the roof rails have the same inconspicuous metallic gray or black color – then the combination will be organic and stylish.
Slate
This material is available both as panels and as regular paint – the choice depends on your needs and preferences. Like concrete, the lead looks strict and at the same time simple, so it is perfect for a loft-style interior. But its main value lies elsewhere: it creates a truly endless space for design innovations and discoveries.
Thanks to the properties of the blackboard, the lead allows you to write and draw on the wall, and then easily erase and create new drawings and inscriptions. If you want, write an inspiring phrase or an important recipe. If you leave for work and the kids stay at home, a blackboard can be an alternative to scraps on the fridge, so your child will always know that the soup is on the stove and the salad is on the top shelf of the fridge.