The kitchen is where, according to various researchers, we spend up to 40% of our time. And, of course, we want this room to be not only functional, beautiful, but also practical. One of the elements of the kitchen interior is the wall cladding in the working area (apron). For this, a variety of materials are used: laminate, plastic, metal, glass, wood or ceramics. In today's HouseChief review, we will tell you what a tile backsplash for the kitchen is, and a photo of the cladding design and installation examples will help you when decorating the interior.
Read in the article
- 1 Facing the working area in the kitchen
- 2 What is a tile kitchen apron for?
- 3 Sizes of an apron from tiles for the kitchen: height, length and other nuances
- 4 Pros and cons of a tiled apron in the kitchen
- 5 What are the criteria for choosing a kitchen apron from a tile
- 5.1 Varieties of tiles for an apron in the kitchen
- 5.2 The shape and sizes of tiles for a kitchen apron
- 5.3 Color palette
- 5.4 Tiled apron decor
- 6 Design of kitchen aprons from tiles with photos of interiors in different styles
- 6.1 Classics and country
- 6.2 Minimalism and loft
- 6.3 Provence
- 6.4 Panel from tiles for an apron in the kitchen in a Mediterranean style
- 6.5 Other style options for finishing a tile backsplash in the kitchen: photo examples
- 7 How to lay out a tile apron in the kitchen with your own hands
- 7.1 Surface preparation and wall marking
- 7.2 Laying methods
- 7.2.1 Classic in one row and diagonal
- 7.2.2 Offset and herringbone styling
- 7.2.3 Vertical and horizontal
- 8 Lay out a tile apron in the kitchen: the price of the issue
Facing the working area in the kitchen
The kitchen can hardly be called the most sterile room in the apartment, although it should be so. Washing dishes, pots, vegetables, preparing food and cooking will cause steam, splashing water and grease. The tabletop and walls in the area of ​​the working area are dirty. If you do not take certain measures, then you will have to scrub the surfaces with strong detergents almost every three months or renew them with putty and paint. In order to avoid constant renovation of the kitchen, the designers came up with a good idea: wall cladding in the cooking and washing area with various materials.
What is a tile kitchen apron for?
The kitchen apron is designed to protect the surface of the walls in the area of ​​work areas from water, grease and steam. Protective cladding can be made from glass, plastic, metal, laminate or ceramic tiles. By the way, the latter option was the most common until recently. Modern materials used to create an apron are easy to maintain and can be easily mounted on the wall surface.
In addition, the protective cladding also serves as a decorative function. A beautiful apron can become a highlight of your kitchen, its bright accent, giving the atmosphere a unique look. Manufacturers offer tiles in a wide variety of sizes, colors and designs, which allows them to fit into almost any interior style.
Sizes of an apron from tiles for the kitchen: height, length and other nuances
A kitchen apron is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. There are a lot to consider: material, design, color, installation method, height and length of the cladding. It is also necessary to determine at what distance from the floor to start installing the apron. This parameter depends on the dimensions of the lower modules of the kitchen unit and the traditional gas or electric stove. The standard height of the pedestals together with the legs and the table top is 830-850 mm. This means that at this distance on the wall it is necessary to "beat off" the lower horizontal of the apron. Most experts believe that the cladding should go behind the floor and wall cabinets by at least 20-30 mm.
As for the direct dimensions of a kitchen backsplash made of tiles, its height is equal to the distance from the top edge of the countertop to the bottom shelf of the wall cabinet. Usually this value is 600 mm, but in general it can fluctuate between 450-1150 mm. This largely depends on the height of the person who most often uses kitchen furniture, the features of the headset and its configuration. If the kitchen model does not provide for the upper tier of cabinets, then the tile backsplash can be laid out to the ceiling. In length, the cladding stretches along the wall along the entire tabletop.
Pros and cons of a tiled apron in the kitchen
A tile kitchen apron has long gained popularity among housewives and has proven its benefits and the need for installation. This is due to the advantages of protective and decorative cladding, namely:
- tile is an excellent finishing material that can withstand high humidity and household chemicals;
- easily tolerates temperature extremes;
- protection of the wall surface from moisture and grease;
- easy cleaning;
- durability;
- ease of installation;
- good combination with other finishing materials;
- rich color palette;
- the ability to select for any style of interior.
Also, a tile kitchen apron has some, albeit a few, disadvantages:
- Tiling requires certain skills.
- There must be free access to the installation site of the apron, which will require cleaning of all furniture.
- Preliminary preparation of the wall surface is required. It should be flat, free from dust and previous finishing materials.
- The need for careful maintenance of tile joints.
- If necessary, dismantling requires some effort.
What are the criteria for choosing a kitchen apron from a tile
As we already mentioned: a tile backsplash is not such a simple design. The finishing material can have different shapes, sizes, colors, compositions and patterns. Considering and combining these parameters, you can create a beautiful and original protective cladding for the wall in the area of ​​the working area.
Varieties of tiles for an apron in the kitchen
First, imagine what the apron will look like and make a sketch. This will help determine the shape of the tile: square, rectangular, multifaceted. You also need to choose the cladding according to the material. It can be glass, mirror, plastic, natural and artificial stone, or ceramic tiles for a kitchen apron. Ceramics is the most popular and practical option.
The shape and sizes of tiles for a kitchen apron
The shape and size of the ceramic tiles play an important role in the cladding of the work area in the kitchen. The method of laying and drawing of the apron depends on these parameters.
The most popular is ceramic tiles with a size of 100 × 100 mm². It is a good choice for small kitchens as it visually enlarges the space, commensurate with the headset, practically does not require cutting of the material and is convenient to lay in hard-to-reach places. However, it takes more time and experience to install small tiles.
Recently, the "hog" tile has become very popular. In shape, it resembles a small brick with beveled edges (chamfer). This type of tile is usually monochromatic with a glossy surface. It is perfect for decorating a kitchen apron in both classic and modern styles. The standard size of one fragment is 75 Ă— 150 mm, but you can find 65 Ă— 120, 85 Ă— 285, 100 Ă— 200, 100 Ă— 250, 150 Ă— 450 mm. See how the "hog" tile on the apron in the kitchen looks in the photo.
A mosaic apron will help protect the walls and make the interior of the kitchen original, which looks great, but requires regular maintenance and is difficult to install. Beginners can use imitation - ceramic tiles with slots or raised mosaic fragments. It is a convenient, practical and inexpensive finishing material for creating a kitchen backsplash. To facilitate masonry, manufacturers offer mosaic matrices - blocks of small tiles glued to a mesh base.
Ceramic tiles of medium size are much less often used to create an apron than "hog" or square tiles, with a size of 100 × 100 mm². It is more suitable for spacious kitchens than small spaces. In order for the tile to look beautiful on the wall, the material will have to be cut more often. It is advisable to choose monochromatic ceramics or products with a subtle, unobtrusive pattern. The most popular sizes of medium format backsplash tiles are 200 × 200, 200 × 300, 250 × 330 mm. In the photo there is a medium-format ceramic tile for an apron in the kitchen.
Color palette
One of the parameters by which you need to choose a tile for a kitchen apron is a color scheme. The choice of color largely depends on the design of the cladding, the size of the room and the interior style. The table shows the most popular color solutions for a kitchen apron.
| Color solution | Peculiarities |
| White | A classic color, ideal for any interior design. Visually increases the space, which is especially good when arranging a small kitchen. White kitchen apron always looks stylish, and still remains in demand |
| Beige | The best solution for creating a classic kitchen apron. Beige is neutral and goes well with other colors. Such an apron looks unobtrusive against the background of the rest of the kitchen and gives it elegance. |
| Violet | A work area cladding in this color is a great option for a modern kitchen. However, such a color scheme is acceptable only for spacious rooms, since dark tones bring all the elements of the environment closer, thereby creating the effect of crampedness. |
| Red | Red in the interior is used in doses. An apron of this color will be a bright, defiant accent that dilutes the monochrome situation. |
| Green | Green cladding can freshen up any environment and help create a positive atmosphere in the kitchen. Tiles of any shape will do. A bright green apron is an excellent solution for kitchen interiors in any modern style. |
| Black | This color is a good option for modern interiors. One condition for using black is a spacious room and good lighting. It is advisable to make additional illumination |
Check out the photo of aprons in the kitchen made of tiles in white, black, red and other colors.
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PHOTO: stroy-tehno.com
PHOTO: dekoriko.ru
PHOTO: dekoriko.ru
PHOTO: vplate.ru
Tiled apron decor
To be honest, a plain kitchen apron looks boring and boring. To make it more attractive, manufacturers offer special decorative elements that cost a little more than ordinary tiles, but they are worth it. Let's consider how you can decorate a ceramic kitchen apron and make the interior more interesting and original.
The most popular decor option for an apron is a tile with an embossed or flat pattern or pattern. Decorative inserts can be square, rectangular and the same size as the main cladding elements. They can be laid pointwise, evenly distributed over the entire apron. The background tiles from one collection look original, and the decor from another.
The kitchen apron looks original, which includes a small panel. This technique is often used in classic, Provencal or country style kitchens. The panel can consist of several small, medium-sized fragments or one large tile with dimensions of 500 Ă— 300, 600 Ă— 400, 600 Ă— 600, 800 Ă— 600 mm. An apron with this decor looks good in a spacious room and becomes a kind of accent, bringing originality to the interior. Manufacturers offer collections with landscapes, still lifes and everything that is associated with home warmth and cuisine. Panels depicting Italian countryside views, especially Venetian streets and canals, are very popular.
Almost all collections of ceramic tiles are complemented by manufacturers with a frieze or border. Elements of this type of decor have a rectangular shape and are available in different sizes. The curb can go along the perimeter of the apron or break it horizontally or vertically. It is suitable for classic, Mediterranean, Provencal or country style.
Design of kitchen aprons from tiles with photos of interiors in different styles
Before making an apron in the kitchen, you need to carefully work out its design and, of course, adhere to the chosen stylistic solution. Agree, facing the working area in the form of a panel with a still life will be inappropriate in a room decorated in high-tech style. A large number of different collections of tiles allows you to make an apron for any interior style.
Classics and country
To lay the apron in the kitchen in a classic style, they traditionally use tiles made of natural stone or its high-quality imitation. In terms of color, white or beige ceramics are great for cladding the work area. But it is better to refuse a bright, complex decor.
Country, as a representative of the rustic style, loves a rough simplicity in forms and materials. Light ceramic tiles, panels with natural subjects, floral patterns or birds look great. The best solution for a country style apron would be a small-format cladding of 100 × 100 mm² in white, dark beige, cream, terracotta and light brown, as well as made in majolica or in the form of tiles in white and blue scale.
Minimalism and loft
Minimalism, as the name suggests, does not tolerate a lot of decor. Solid color tiles with photo prints or geometric patterns or mosaics work best for a minimalist kitchen. The color scheme is selected in accordance with the interior design and the size of the room. The smaller the kitchen, the lighter the backsplash tile should be. An excellent option is a white "hog".
Loft - deliberate rudeness, simplicity and display of communications. Some kitchens in this industrial style lack top cabinets. This means that the cladding can be installed from the countertop to the ceiling. Tiles for a brick backsplash will look harmonious in the kitchen. It will be like a loft.
Provence
An apron for Provencal cuisine practically does not differ from country. All the same naivety, warm light shades. You can use small ceramic tiles in a square or rectangular shape. An apron with a border with floral patterns will look good.
Panel from tiles for an apron in the kitchen in a Mediterranean style
An apron made of ceramic tiles with a panel looks original in a Mediterranean-style kitchen. The plot can be very different, but mainly landscapes, images of Italian villages and still lifes are chosen. This solution will make the kitchen more comfortable and beautiful.
Other style options for finishing a tile backsplash in the kitchen: photo examples
It is rather difficult to describe all interior styles and their features in one article. Therefore, we decided to present some style solutions for kitchen aprons in a small photo gallery.
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PHOTO: homesfeed.com
PHOTO: avatars.mds.yandex.net
PHOTO: xyzshop.ru
PHOTO: vplate.ru
PHOTO: dizayndoma.com
PHOTO: mendezdevigo.org
PHOTO: stilnayaplitka.ru
PHOTO: stilnayaplitka.ru
How to lay out a tile apron in the kitchen with your own hands
It is, in principle, not difficult to lay out a ceramic tile apron in the kitchen on your own. To do this, you need a sketch, the facing material itself, glue-cement, a bubble construction level, a tile cutter or "grinder" and a spatula with a comb. When everything is ready, you can proceed to the second stage.
Surface preparation and wall marking
Before laying ceramic tiles, you need to check the wall for defects (pits, bulges). The smoother the surface, the less will be the consumption of glue-cement, the better and easier the laying of the cladding. To check the wall, use a long rail - a rule (wood or aluminum). Having identified defects, depending on their type, we knock down the humps or fill the pits. In general, align the wall. Next, we mark the borders of the apron. First of all, with the help of a bubble level, draw the lower horizontal, from which the laying of the tiles will begin.
Laying methods
After the wall is leveled and marked out, you can start creating a kitchen apron. We dilute glue-cement in a container, apply it with a spatula to the surface and lay the tiles in one of the ways that we will consider below. Always check with a level and maintain the same distance between the ceramic or glass cladding elements.
Classic in one row and diagonal
Laying tiles in one row is the simplest and most classic installation option that a beginner can easily master. The elements of the apron are joined together seam to seam both on the sides and above each other. This method is good for installing plain or patterned tiles. With this option, it is much easier to calculate the required amount of facing material.
Diagonal styling is more difficult because it requires trimming the material, careful marking and fitting. This option is good when working with patterned tiles or combining ceramics with mirror fragments. If you do not have sufficient experience in handling this finishing material, then it is better to entrust the wall cladding in the area of ​​the working area to a specialist. This will save you time, hassle, tiles and money.
Offset and herringbone styling
Offset installation means that the tile is shifted relative to the bottom element. Like the diagonal installation method, it requires adjustment, trimming and accurate calculations, so it is better to entrust this work to a specialist if you do not have sufficient experience. Most often, offset styling is done from a "hog", but you can also use traditional square pieces of ceramic or glass.
Another way of laying tiles, difficult for a beginner, is "herringbone". The problem lies in the precise markup. For laying in this way, a "hog" or "brick" is used. Rectangular tiles are glued at an angle of 90Âş to each other, forming a beautiful herringbone pattern.
Vertical and horizontal
Vertical and horizontal laying can be done in different ways. Mainly used is a single-color "hog" tile. In this case, the cladding elements are laid out either with a narrow or long side up. You can combine tiles of different colors and make interesting patterns.
Lay out a tile apron in the kitchen: the price of the issue
Having decided to make an apron from ceramic tiles in the kitchen, many are wondering: what is the price of this cladding. Let's look at it in general terms. If the invited specialist works, the cost of the service will be 1200-5000 rubles for the whole apron or 300-1000 rubles for 1 m². It should be noted that this is only the price of the work, which depends on the quality of the tiles, the volume and complexity of the installation. The materials will have to be counted separately.
If you are going to lay the tiles yourself, you will need, in addition to the material (tiles, glue-cement, grout), to buy the appropriate tool. As a result, with a medium-sized apron, you will have to pay about 6-8 thousand rubles. In addition, one must not forget the cost of time and nerves. So it's up to you: do it yourself or invite an experienced tiler.
