Designers successfully use laminate as a material for wall decoration in the interior. We will talk about the features of use in this article.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before deciding on such an unusual room decoration, take into account the possible pros and cons.
Advantages of installing laminate on the wall:
- perfectly smooth surface with a uniform texture, protected by a polymer layer that reliably protects from moisture;
- possibility of wet cleaning of the wall;
- a wide range of textures and shades;
- easy installation;
- environmental safety.
Disadvantages of laminate on the wall:
- high cost (when compared with the usual wood paneling);
- complex pre-installation preparation, requiring perfect alignment of the walls;
- reduction of the useful space of the room;
- installation in wet rooms is possible only if there is a good hood.
Which laminate to choose by texture and color
When using a laminate floor in one room, it is worth sticking to the same color scheme. So, if it is decided to mount this material on the wall and floor, then the shade in both cases should be only warm or only cold. As a guideline, you can take the tone of the furniture. Laminate can be matched to match the color or on the principle of contrast.
Use integrated solutions: create separate blocks when the same type of laminate is mounted on the floor and part of the wall. Such constructions allow you to expand the boundaries of space, make it more voluminous and give modernity.
The preferred shades are:
- gray without admixture of tones;
- white or a shade close to it;
- brown;
- black.
Laminate of these colors with separate contrasting inserts looks good in the interior. Modern designers rely on environmental friendliness and naturalness, so the texture of the material should imitate wood or stone.
Don’t be afraid to experiment – use a laminate of 2-3 shades. Bright colors will get rid of the mundane, give the interior an unusual look. Combinations of black and white are popular, but you need to use them correctly in practice so that they don’t look boring.
How to combine different textures and materials
When using laminate for finishing, the main thing is not to get carried away. Laying this material on the walls will make the room official and clumsy, will lose comfort. A great solution would be to combine the various options:
- On three walls in the room, glue light wallpaper, and on the fourth, make a laminate finish of contrasting dark shades.
- According to a similar scheme, you can plaster the walls, creating a textured deep surface, and mount laminated shiny panels on one.
- Highlight the area in the room, separate the section of the wall and ceiling with the same laminate. For example, in this way you can effectively highlight the space by the fireplace, an office or a greenhouse.
To make expressive accents, use laminated panels of 2-3 shades. Create a surface with their alternation by cutting into pieces of different widths and lengths.
The use of laminate in the interior of different rooms
The imagination of designers is irrepressible, so today laminate can be used not only in the bedroom and living room, but also in any room of an apartment or house. The main thing is not to forget about the correct fastening and aesthetic component.
Living room
In the living room, laminate flooring is often used to finish the wall on which the TV will be installed. Neutral brown shades should be chosen, and various accessories are added to the composition as an addition: sconces, shelves, paintings, photographs, lighting.
Another way to use laminate flooring in the living room is to highlight the area around the fireplace by finishing the floor, wall and part of the ceiling.
Kitchen
A popular place for laying laminate flooring in the kitchen is an apron or an accent wall. The color of the laminate and the texture can be matched to the tone of the kitchen set or, conversely, according to the principle of contrast.
In studio apartments or large kitchens-dining rooms, it would be logical to allocate a dining area with a laminate floor. It would be logical to choose the finishing material in accordance with the dining table top.
Bedroom
In the bedroom, laminate is used for laying in the headboard area as an accent area. If desired, you can finish the entire wall, not just part of it. In rooms with windows facing north, preference is given to laminate of warm shades in combination with lighter furniture and walls. Bedside tables, shelves and racks are located near the accent wall.
Hallway
The main principle of choosing laminate for the wall in the hallway is the selection of color. If, for example, there are a lot of brown shades in the interior, then the panels should be in tone. This solution will allow you to visually expand the space, especially when placed horizontally. In some cases, it is better to laminate only the lower part of the wall.
Try not to use dark shades in small rooms, as they visually make them smaller. Give preference to bright or light tones, laminated textures.
Bathroom
Laminated bathroom wall decoration is used only in places where there is no direct contact with water. Usually these are areas above the washbasin, toilet bowl, opposite the sinks. It is not recommended to use this material in the shower cabin, as it will quickly lose its original appearance. It is also important to check the correct ventilation in the bathroom.
Balconies and loggias
Wall decoration with laminate with imitation of the texture of wood can be an alternative to lining or plastic panels. The finished wall will not only be attractive and smooth, but will also become more insulated. Laminate flooring can be installed on the loggia not only on the floor, wall and ceiling, but even cabinets, chairs and benches can be made from it.
Laminate flooring on the loggia must be moisture-resistant!
Interior design style
Consider the options for using laminate flooring in rooms decorated in different styles:
Country style interior design. You can use dark shades, laminate with imitation of natural wood, timber, where the natural pattern is clearly visible on the cut.
High-tech interior design. Glossy and laminated panels can be used in the work, which look quite minimalistic.
Neoclassical interior design. The finish can be made using laminate in light tones.
Eclecticism. The ability to experiment with different textures and shades.
Functionalism. You can combine coatings of different textures and colors, complementing them with an abundance of accessories and decorative elements.
Provence style. You can use light tones. For example, bleached oak.
Swiss chalet. In the interior design in the style of a Swiss chalet, you can use laminate with imitation ash, walnut. The Swiss chalet is not complete without the use of wood.
Japanese interior design. Japanese style – restraint, modesty and minimalism. Gray color prevails, no more than 3 shades in the interior.
Pop art. A style that claims to be maximalism and a combination of different elements in one room. You can safely use laminate with an unusual pattern and texture.
The avant-garde. When decorating the interior, it is good to take materials of opposite colors and play on the contrast.
Modern. The basis is made up of neutral tones, going into mustard and beige. A good addition is green vegetation.
Art Deco. A little clutter in the form of broken lines and shapes will not hurt here.
Mediterranean interior design. The Mediterranean decor assumes the predominance of blue and purple shades, a drawing for pebbles and sand is possible.
Thus, laminate can be used for wall decoration in almost any room and in various style solutions. The main thing is to properly fix it on the wall, while ensuring good ventilation of the room so that the finish retains its original appearance for a long time.