The kitchen walls can be decorated in any style and direction. Materials such as MDF panels for kitchens are in demand and popular due to their practicality and aesthetic appearance. Walls above the sink level and surfaces are always subject to contamination and splashes of grease. To successfully resolve this issue, you need to select the optimal design option for the kitchen apron.
Decorative panels based on MDF are budget finishing materials
Kitchen design with MDF panels (photo selection)
Modern material is made in different styles and with different textures. Some of the most popular ones are laminated or veneered models, which are made to look like natural wood: pine, alder, mahogany, maple. The surface can be any - glossy or matte, optionally decorated with an image (photo printing or 3D effect).
In the interior of the kitchen, MDF panels can be used for full or partial cladding of walls, ceilings and other surfaces
Panels made “to look like stone” are not inferior. The material comes in different interpretations; there are even models made to look like metal or glass. The “openwork” sheets look beautiful and neat. If desired, they can be combined with any finish. Using MDF panels for the kitchen is beneficial, as it is not only practical, but also very beautiful. Natural wood can crack from moisture and steam; this cannot happen on artificially created smooth panels.
How to properly care for glossy surfaces
When caring for a glossy kitchen set, you should consider what material it is made of and follow some fairly simple rules:
- It is recommended to maintain a low level of humidity and not to pour water on the facades.
- It is better to use a microfiber cloth to clean surfaces. It is soft, so it will not damage the furniture. In addition, with the help of fiber you can easily get rid of stains on a shiny surface.
- Do not use hard brushes or abrasive cleaners.
- Detergents should be mild, without solvents, alcohol, turpentine and acetone.
- Shampoo, liquid soap, and dishwashing detergent are suitable for removing dirt. For washing in this situation, it is better to use a soft sponge or rag.
- You should avoid using glossy wax as it does not provide any benefit.
- Before using detergent on the entire surface of a white glossy facade, it is worth testing it on a small, inconspicuous area.
Clean glossy facades are not difficult.
Fashionable kitchen interior design changes as quickly as clothing, but kitchen sets with light glossy facades are always “on the wave.”
MDF material - what is it?
What does MDF mean? The abbreviation is translated as “fine fraction”. The manufacturing process uses wood fibers with average densities. They are pressed together under high pressure and temperatures. To make the panels stronger, the composition contains a binding component - resin. The production produces standard models, but you can get the required sizes for an individual order.
Wall panels are sold ready-to-install and can be painted, laminated or veneered
There are certain GOSTs, according to which MDF passes as an environmentally friendly raw material, ahead of many types of wood.
Advantages and disadvantages of MDF as a finishing material
MDF panels for the kitchen have the following advantages:
- no need to pre-prepare the surface for installation;
- the finish is perfectly polished and does not crumble;
- environmentally friendly material, does not harm human health;
- it is quickly and easily cleaned from dirt and dust, and there is no debris or waste during installation;
- good price-quality ratio, accessibility for everyone who wants to make repairs;
- finishing can be done on your own, without the involvement of craftsmen.
MDF panels are available in a huge range of design solutions - you can choose an imitation of stone or wood, or choose a material to match the tabletop
There are also disadvantages:
- the panels are not friendly with moisture in large quantities and negatively perceive temperature changes;
- if you do not cover the material on top with a special fire-prevention device, there is a risk of fire;
- MDF sheets of small thickness can be easily damaged as a result of transportation or mechanical stress.
Such panels are equally suitable for finishing walls and ceilings, and their installation does not require careful leveling of surfaces
What can kitchen facades in white gloss be made of?
There are 4 main materials for making shiny surfaces of furniture facades: chipboard, MDF, wood and plastic.
Plastic
Kitchen facades made of plastic are considered the cheapest. However, this does not prevent them from being strong and durable. They tolerate high levels of humidity and sudden temperature changes well. But small scratches can quickly appear on the surface of the plastic.
Tree
A wooden facade is a classic that will delight you with its high quality, environmental friendliness and durability. Wood is an excellent material with high strength and practicality. Such a façade will definitely last for decades. To obtain the desired surface of white wood, it is important to use only expensive paints from leading manufacturers.
Wooden facades require care and special care. If you do not neglect simple tips, you can maintain the white gloss of your kitchen set for a long time.
MDF
This material imitates wood well, looks aesthetically pleasing and dignified. MDF is much cheaper than natural wood facades. Eco-friendly material is subject to mechanical damage and therefore requires appropriate care. The MDF surface can be covered with film or paint.
Chipboard
One of the most affordable materials for the production of white glossy surfaces for kitchen units. This facade looks very decent and at the same time its cost is not high. However, the quality of the material is much lower than wood, and its service life is much shorter. This should be taken into account when arranging the kitchen.
The choice of façade material should depend on your budget and personal preferences.
Choosing a design
Kitchen panels made from high-quality MDF are distinguished by a large assortment and different designs. You can buy something for every taste: ash, wood shavings, imitation stone, brick. Focus on a well-known manufacturer: this will always help you choose good material.
Wall panels must be selected taking into account the design of the kitchen in general and the furniture in particular - you can focus on the color and texture of facades, countertops, flooring or curtains
Before choosing a separate option, let’s consider the type of coatings with which the slabs are produced:
- laminate;
- paper;
- veneering;
- surfaces that repel water.
It’s worth choosing according to your design and type of room. A water-repellent, fire-resistant coating is ideal for the kitchen.
Features of lighting in a matte kitchen
The surface of opaque furniture does not reflect light, but scatters it. Therefore, with a lack of natural light in small kitchens, the interior of dark colors looks gloomy.
Artificial light improves the situation a little, but you shouldn’t count on a warm and cozy atmosphere - for this it is better to choose light matte facades.
If the kitchen window faces the sunny side, then the matte facades will be well lit and the room will not look gloomy. In addition, there will be no sun glare in the kitchen.
In a kitchen with matte facades, good lighting should be provided in the main areas.
- Above the dining table is a chandelier for one or more light bulbs.
- The cooking area has powerful lampshades plus LED backlighting. Another option is a backlit glass apron.
If necessary, cabinet lighting is supplemented with LED strip or additional lamps on the ceiling. The kitchen will be visually more spacious if it has enough light sources.
Interesting solutions in the interior design of a private house and apartment (photo selection)
Thanks to the large assortment, you can beautifully decorate any room, and the variety of textures helps to create truly stylish compositions. Textures like wood or natural stone look impressive. When selecting MDF sheets, consider the functionality of the space and zoning. If the kitchen is made in a classic style, you can focus on brightness and add creativity. A combination of light and dark shades looks good.
A successful combination of a solid wood tabletop and a section of wall in the dining area with wood paneling
In a kitchen combined with a dining room, you can combine the paneling - decorate the lower part in a dark color, add pastel on top or... You can use a wooden plank to emphasize the contrast. Striped trim visually expands the space. A good option is laminated panels imitating natural wood or stone. Veneer boards are similar in structure to wood - they look impressive and beautiful.
Classic solution for kitchen interior - dark bottom and light top
Using MDF panels you can create a unique and extraordinary interior
MDF boards have good qualities compared to ceramic tiles - they are easy to clean and look much more impressive and more expensive. If you choose several shade options, you can zone the space in an interesting way, highlighting the dining and cooking area. Partitions with wall panels look good. Here you should prefer veneered or varnished surfaces. Kitchens made from MDF panels with photo printing, photos of which can be viewed on the Internet for inspiration, look very original.
Decor with wood panels on the walls in the kitchen dining area
Other finishing options
MDF boards can also be produced with a surface treated with paint or decorative film. The second option is certainly much more interesting.
By studying a photo of an MDF kitchen apron, it is easy to verify this: the wall between the surface of the tables and the wall cabinets can act as the brightest visual accent, creating a powerful positive mood. Large images of exotic fruits, fish, birds, city and natural landscapes will help with this.
How to choose a good MDF panel
The material is relatively inexpensive, but it is important to pay attention to quality. How to understand what material is considered good:
- There must be quality certification - you have every right to ask to see the document during the selection process. If it is present, it means that the material does not contain harmful components (resins and formaldehyde).
- There cannot be many defective elements in a batch - this indicates low quality.
- The colors of the products must be the same, and the coating must be uniform.
Well-known manufacturers, as a rule, value their reputations and produce high-quality products. It’s better to overpay for a brand than to run into a material that will wear out after a while and begin to smell of formaldehyde
MDF boards are distinguished by good characteristics, naturalness and safety. This is a good option for finishing a kitchen surface, which is not only of high quality, but also very attractive in appearance.
Installation methods
Among the main methods of installing a kitchen apron, we highlight the placement of slabs on a specially prepared frame and fastening with construction adhesive.
When using a frame, it is much more convenient to place the necessary sockets and switches on the wall . But this method is also more time-consuming. Working with glue is very simple and quick, but in the future dismantling such a panel will require much more time and effort. And this method is considered less environmentally friendly, since the glue can release harmful substances when heated. Consider these features when choosing an installation method. Let's look at them in more detail next.
Glue mounting
It is used, as a rule, for light panels when decorating ceilings and walls; it is suitable only for flat surfaces, with defects protruding no more than 3 mm.
Important! When working with glue, use a respirator and rubber gloves. Ventilate the room regularly.
At the initial stage, the surface is cleaned of old tiles, wallpaper and other finishing materials and primed. Next, to begin work, a metal profile is nailed to the lower level of the future structure. It takes on the weight load and serves as a level to maintain horizontal lines.
The glue is applied around the perimeter of the material in any convenient way. When using small panels, only cover the tiles, but when working with large forms, you can apply glue to the working wall.
Installation begins from a corner, observing all vertical and horizontal levels , and then moves along the entire working surface. At the same time, for the tightest fit, the panels are tapped with a special rubber mallet.
Note. The smaller the size of the panels, the more often it is necessary to check the level of compliance with horizontal and vertical lines during installation and, if necessary, correct them as soon as possible.
Which glue to choose is up to everyone to decide for themselves . Liquid nails are suitable for a beginner; experienced ones use universal adhesives or polyurethane foam.
Installation of panels on the frame
This option is great for hidden wiring and if the walls have significant unevenness. Sequence of work :
- a primer is applied to the working surface to protect against fungus, and the wooden parts of the frame are also treated with it;
- prepare markings for placing slats (approximate guidelines: 5 cm from the floor and ceiling and 50 cm between slats);
- using self-tapping screws, place slats on the wall according to pre-prepared markings;
- begin fixing the panels from the corner and regularly check the accuracy using a level;
- the panels are fixed to the sheathing using small nails, which are then hidden behind decorative elements;
- After installing all the panels, decorate the corners and baseboards, and place decorative fittings.
Note. For additional protection of the kitchen apron, you can use a glass screen or choose special MDF skins with a heat-resistant plastic coating.
