A modern kitchen backsplash can be completely unique! You have a choice between dozens of popular materials, hundreds of prints and millions of shades. Designers advise first of all to select a specific option for the kitchen set, its style and facades.
But it is also worth considering the lighting of the room, floor finish, type of interior doors and even the color of household appliances. In our article you will learn exactly how professional interior designers select different apron options for the kitchen. We will reveal all their secrets.
Fashionable cladding is often composed of several colors and has an ornament
TOP 10 trendy patterns and prints in kitchen tile design
Various options for a kitchen apron are based not only on the list of materials, but also on prints and patterns, surface treatment methods, trendy shades and even cladding formats.
Moroccan encaustic
Encaustic style in tile design in an unusual Scandinavian apartment project
A beautiful kitchen backsplash with imitation encaustic Moroccan tiles will be a bright spot in any interior.
Scandinavian geometric
Scandinavian geometric style in tile design in a spacious apartment in a new building
Scandinavian geometric patterns fit perfectly into the modern line of styles and look futuristic.
Oriental
Oriental style in the design of green ceramic mosaic in an American cottage
Covering the surface above the worktop in an oriental style will be the highlight of any interior.
Marble
Porcelain tiles imitating white Italian marble in an apartment in Paris, France
Marble finishing can be ideal for pro-French styles such as neoclassical, classic, rococo, eclectic and others.
Self-adhesive film
Self-adhesive is an excellent alternative to traditional ceramic finishing of the space above the work surface.
The films are based on polyvinyl chloride or thermoplastic polyester and foil. The material does not allow moisture to pass through, does not deform during washing, and copes well with heating up to almost 200 degrees. Anti-vandal film is easy to use; no special skills are required for gluing. The back surface of the sheet usually has a grid line along which it is convenient to measure the desired size.
The main advantage of PVC film is the unlimited choice of prints. It can imitate wood, ceramics, natural stone, be plain or multi-colored, with shiny embossing or with discreet floral patterns.
Kitchen apron design: newbie mistakes
You have already learned what kind of kitchen aprons there are, and that you can choose any design. But this is only half the success. Now it's a matter of implementation and avoiding mistakes. To find out which size to choose, you need to contact a designer-measurer or a specialist from the salon. Otherwise, you risk getting a less-than-accurate repair.
Interior design for a country house in the USA
| Error | How to prevent it |
| Too cheap apron | Set aside a larger budget in advance, look at professional projects |
| Insufficient color accuracy | Before purchasing, take photographs in the same lighting in which you will compare it with the color of the headset and other finishing materials |
| Color too bright | Choose muted shades, and if you want a bright color, let it be the only noticeable spot in the interior |
| Insufficient backlight | Add lighting with neon strips if it is not included in the renovation project |
| Print too large | Small prints look better than large ones or panels |
| Wrong sizes (short or short) | Call a professional to take measurements, don’t do them yourself |
| Lack of involvement in the theme of the kitchen | Look at foreign projects and copy international ideas |
| Uneven tile layout | Contact only trusted specialists and do not chase low prices for repair work. |
Sheet PVC panels
If the stove is placed on a kitchen island or a hob without a flame is built into the work surface, you can decorate the apron with sheet panels made of polyvinyl chloride. There are many texture and color options:
- Brick;
- A natural stone;
- Ceramic tile;
- Patchwork;
- Mosaic, etc.
With gentle washing and no contact with hot steam, the color and pattern of the panels will be preserved for many years.
TOP fashionable types of wall decoration in the kitchen
Next, we will look at interesting design ideas with photos of kitchen aprons that can inspire you to make the most fashionable renovation possible.
Standard apron between the upper and lower cabinets
Standard wall decoration in a small room with a corner set
So, you are already familiar with the first option; it does not have any unique features. Standard cladding starts at the countertop and ends at the upper cabinets. Enter in both directions - 2 cm behind the furniture, for reliability.
Standard splashback and wall trim with window
Fashionable wall to ceiling finishing in a design project
Next, we are talking about the finishing, which also becomes a continuous accent area for the wall with a window. By using brick, stone-look porcelain tiles or artificial stone, you will create the impression of structural architectural elements rather than decoration.
Finishing the entire wall behind the set
A chic option for an accent wall along a linear set
The next option concerns the design of the entire wall behind the set, its main linear part. Most often it is not located along the wall with a window, but along the long wall of the room.
Side format
A small, low-format side in a loft-style interior
Finishing of the side format, for example, from terrazzo, natural marble, gold metal and other unique materials, is now incredibly popular in conceptual interiors.
Covered in the same material as the countertop
Complex production of finishing and countertops in a project from Brazil
In the photo of the interior above with a kitchen apron made of Corian, you can see a unique option - lining the entire niche of the countertop in Corian. Looks extremely stylish!
Sleeve that does not reach the end of the headset
Asymmetrical wall design in the interior in a Scandinavian project
If you want to have asymmetry in your interior, consider not completely decorating the wall with the set.
Washable wallpaper
Not the most practical, at first glance, but a budget-friendly and easy-to-implement way to decorate an apron is to use wallpaper. The work will only take a couple of hours, and the fresh look will last for a long time. The wallpaper used is the same as on the walls, or in harmony with them. In the first case, the kitchen space becomes visually larger, in the second, the apron can become a bright accent.
Non-woven or vinyl wallpaper that can be washed is suitable for the kitchen. It is better to avoid paper ones due to high humidity.
Installing a glass or acrylic screen on top of such wallpaper will significantly increase its service life, but will increase the cost of repairs several times. Another popular way to protect wallpaper from excess moisture is to run a row of tiles along the bottom of the apron.
Beautiful apron for the kitchen in fashionable colors for 2022
Let's look at the most interesting shades in decoration, design and decor that will appeal to all lovers of aesthetic interiors!
Gray monochrome
Gray color in the design of a room with white furniture
A kitchen apron like the one in the photo above is perfect for kitchen design in a modern style. Gray monochrome can consist of 3, 5 or even 10 shades!
White gloss
White gloss and corner compact set in the photo of the kitchen interior
One of the most commonly used colors in room decoration in 2022 is white. And in gloss it looks simply incredibly beautiful!
Pink tints
Interior design in pink tones and with a tropical theme will be very romantic
A beautiful solution with pink tints can cheer you up in the morning and add romance during dinner!
Turquoise chic
Bright design in turquoise tones is suitable for an active family with children
A design in a turquoise tone can initially scare off due to its brightness. But its special character will organically fit into an ethnic or maritime interior.
Peach summer
The pastel version of the peach wall looks very elegant
Among the shades in the interior, peach is quite rare, but at the same time a very sophisticated feminine solution.
Sea breeze
Blue wall decoration will look great with white furniture
Shades of the sea can make your interior truly summer all year round.
Blue Lagoon
Gray Scandinavian style set with black shelves and household appliances
A kitchen sleeve in a blue lagoon shade looks great in a white interior.
White marble
Marble finishing is the trend of the season for white sets
White marble cladding can just as often be found in the design of a neoclassical or American apartment.
Wine Marsala
Red color harmoniously combines with black in interior design
An amazing wine shade of red - Sicilian Marsala - has been a favorite among designers and architects for several seasons.
Black and white ornament
Black and white patterns can be very stylish, especially in extravagant projects
Current black and white prints and ornaments will look most impressive in an interior with a white, gray or black set.
Black tinted mirror
The mirror for wall decoration can have black, gold, copper, vintage tinting
Tinted mirrors can often be found in the art deco style, where glamor, chic and luxury rule the roost.
Ombre effect
The ombre effect with tints of color looks very original and fresh.
Delicate play of tones in the ombre style will elegantly highlight the uniqueness of your renovation.
Shades of coffee and chocolate
Various shades of brown - from coffee and chocolate to caramel and ocher - are suitable for a traditional interior
Any brown tones look better in interiors where there are natural notes, such as art nouveau, country or chalet. Shades of chocolate, cappuccino and latte are now in fashion.
Mirror without tinting
The mirror as it is, without tinting, looks very glamorous and even futuristic
The option of mirror cladding without any tinting is suitable for a bright, noticeable, extravagant design idea.
Geometric mix
Interior from Brazil with a geometric apron and purple chairs
Kitchen backsplashes like the ones pictured above use 3 to 6 shades of different colors, configured in a complex mix of shapes of different sizes.
Bright blue
Interior design from Poland with very bright wall decoration in Scandinavian style
Any bright blue design options are perfect for modern and minimalistic headsets. Photos of such kitchen aprons are always inspiring!
Canary yellow
English project with two-color facades and an unusual accent
A bright yellow tone lightly powdered with white shadow, this is a canary yellow shade that can be found in country, Provence and Memphis styles.
Violet and magenta
UK Kitchen Interior Design with Grape Wall
All varieties of violet and purple, from plum and grape to fuchsia and bright lilac, will look 100% exclusive in any room.
Emerald
Fashionable emerald shade in the shimmer of zelige tiles
The emerald tone is ideal for a white kitchen set, adding an ethnic feel to it.
Malachite
Malachite fairy tale in tile design in the style of Moroccan zellige
Malachite is a new trend in decor that allows you to create a feeling of glamorous and luxurious interior with one solution.
Milky white
Super-light milky white shade visually expands the interior, makes the worktop more neat in appearance and at the same time is a universal solution
A super-light milky white shade visually expands the interior, makes the worktop more neat in appearance and at the same time is a universal solution.
Olive green
Modern interior with green design in shade of spring grass
Olive green is now very popular in France, Holland and Belgium, where it is associated with a sophisticated, aristocratic love of nature.
Natural wood walnut
Blue interior in Provence style with an island in the center of the room
An ideal solution for those who want to have a French ambiance with a touch of rustic chic in their apartment.
Brick red
Bright loft-style interior with island and attached living room
Methods
The edges of the decorative coating are usually the factory edges of the tiles. However, this does not always happen, especially if the fragment has a geometrically irregular shape. In addition, between the tile and the base there is a space filled with adhesive solution. This option cannot be called aesthetically pleasing.
To complete the composition, the same mortar or plaster was previously used. The ends were aligned at a slight angle and painted in the color of the rest of the wall. Today this option also occurs, but somewhat less frequently. And instead of paint, they began to use grout, which fills the seams between the same tiles.
Modern technologies make it possible to use special decorative strips, called finishing profiles or trims, to decorate the ends.
Plastic lamination
For the kitchen, laminated wall planks with a decorative plastic layer are often chosen. Instead of paper film, there is a polymer PVC coating on top of the surface. You can create plain glossy surfaces, leather texture, imitation of mosaic masonry or the structure of any wood and natural stone. Coatings that imitate metal are popular: nickel, textured aluminum, chrome.
A wide selection of sizes allows installation in horizontal and vertical directions. They even install the tabletop from this material so that it matches the apron.
Kitchens where all the walls are decorated with panels look beautiful. But here you need to create a metal frame, since this is a large load on the walls. The sheets can be easily removed if necessary.
Cappuccino color
Do you like cappuccino-colored kitchens? For her, it is better to choose discreet, elegant shades. Try the tone-on-tone technique.
It looks very beautiful, especially with the right lighting. But be careful: it is better to avoid using it in small rooms.
Maybe you will like a backsplash made of “hog” tiles in several adjacent shades. But it’s better not to experiment with bright colors: coffee tones are quite delicate and any dominant color will simply “overwhelm” them.
Features of economical repairs
You can install not only kitchen panels on the wall. Lightweight plastic material is suitable for decorating unattractive ceilings. In this case, the loss of height will be insignificant. This option is relevant for apartments with slab concrete floors, when these slabs move relative to each other.
Using this material you can solve many repair problems:
- level the walls without dismantling the old coating and without applying plaster;
- hide external electrical wiring inside;
- protect walls from splashes of water and grease;
- create a neat structure where the pipes pass.
Kitchen panels instead of tiles are a good option for an economical renovation. The advantages include the absence of a large amount of construction waste. You can choose any time of the year for repairs, since there will be no fumes from varnish or paint, and you won’t have to wait for days for the plaster and primer layers to dry.
How to choose?
The first thing you should pay attention to is the surface texture. Matte and semi-matte tiles are easier to clean; plaque stains and greasy drops are less visible on them.
Glossy tiles are well suited for a small kitchen - they create an additional effect of a mirror surface, visually expanding the space.
It is better to avoid embossed tiles for the kitchen on the apron - such tiles are difficult to clean from limescale.
Secondly, this is what the manufacturer himself writes on the box. The product must indicate how resistant the tile is to high temperatures, shocks, and treatment with household chemicals. You should not take material that is not suitable for the kitchen according to its characteristics.
We recommend reading:
Features of choosing and purchasing a designer kitchenWallpaper design for the kitchen-living room in a modern style 2022
- Materials for kitchen countertops
The third parameter is checked directly at the time of purchase. The kitchen backsplash has a small area, so each tile will be visible: it is worth checking the tiles for chips and cracks, as well as for color matching (products from different batches may differ).
Another detail that is indirectly related to tiles, but on which you should not skimp, is grout. It should not only match the color of the tiles, but also be resistant to mold.
What comes first, a kitchen set or an apron?
“Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?” - a burning question, but even this is not associated with as much controversy and discussion as with what to do first - laying the backsplash or installing the kitchen?
Most likely, the designer will advise you to install the kitchen first, and the tiler to lay the apron, and then hang the set. Who is right? Let's figure it out.
In fact, both options have a place to be. An acceptable option is selected by the customer based on several factors. Let's analyze both cases, their features, pros and cons.
Tools and materials
If you choose the method of our ancestors, you will need a spatula and mortar to level the end edge. After complete drying, the coating is sanded, dust-free and impregnated with a primer to improve adhesion.
Next comes paint with a brush or sealed grout, which can be spread manually without any tools. If the edges are not even enough, it is better to use a medium-hard rubber spatula. After the grout has dried, the coating should be sanded a little with fine sandpaper.
As for the finishing profile, it is installed simultaneously with laying the tiles. Fixation occurs due to the same adhesive solution.
Decorative strips are distinguished according to different parameters:
Material
Design features
- roundings can be internal or external;
- flat and curly;
- straight, flexible and curved.
Functional significance
- decorative and protective, for example, for corners and end elements;
- connecting is relevant for designing the transition of dissimilar coatings, including for the end of interest to us;
- compensatory.
Among other things, trims can have a decorative coating. For example, imitation of the structure and shades of natural materials or just any color.
And plastic is painted with special pigments at the manufacturing stage. To give an unusual effect, special insoluble fillers can be used.
For example, crushed quartz or granite.
It is important not to forget that the edges of the tile must be completely secured with adhesive mortar.
You can decorate the end beautifully using any of the methods listed above. An individual approach is also not excluded. The main thing is that there are no voids and water and dirt do not accumulate at the ends.
