Advantages and disadvantages
Photo wallpapers have been gaining popularity since the last century. At the same time, they still remain in demand when decorating residential premises. Not only are they able to look original in any room, including the kitchen, but also, due to the high quality of the image, they can significantly increase the kitchen space, while hiding possible shortcomings in the layout of the home.
The main advantages of photo wallpaper in the kitchen include:
- ease of care, especially if the choice falls on the washable option;
- absence of deformation not only of the material, but also of the color (cannot fade in the sun and lose color brightness over time);
- a correctly selected image can influence the visual perception of the space of the room and, if necessary, visually enlarge the space, especially if the kitchen is relatively small in size.
As for the disadvantages, according to consumers, the cost of photo wallpaper should be less. The price indicator of the material does not allow you to change the design as the desire arises. However, to solve this problem, many experts recommend giving preference to neutral patterns.
Classification of kitchen photo wallpapers
Modern manufacturers offer a wide variety of types of surfaces:
Texture - a distinctive feature of this type is relief. The type of texture can imitate animal skin, ancient papyrus, waves and even an ancient canvas with painting. The diversity of solutions allows you not to limit your imagination in implementing ideas. The surface does not form glare and is excellent for creating classic scenes with ancient frescoes, paintings and oil paintings.
A mirror or glossy surface has a number of advantages, such as being resistant to wet processing and easy to clean.
The surface is in the form of a self-adhesive film. Such photo wallpapers do not require the presence of a master, as they are presented as a film with glue already applied. The main advantage is that it is possible to re-glue the surface in case of possible errors in the initial application.
Types of photo wallpapers
When choosing photo wallpaper for the kitchen, you should pay attention to the size of the kitchen and the lighting of the room. The interior is also an equally important factor when purchasing. They should be combined with each other as much as possible. Depending on the quality of the material, the following varieties are distinguished:
- paper-based - the most inexpensive type, however, the reliability is not high enough, but at the same time they are highly environmentally friendly;
- vinyl - distinguished by a variety of decor, practicality and durability; the cost of this option is slightly higher than the previous one;
- non-woven ones - have the highest cost, but gluing does not require much effort and time, moreover, this type can easily hide surface defects, for example, uneven walls.
Self-adhesive photo wallpapers for kitchen walls are in less demand, but they will require a perfectly flat surface, which is not so often found in residential premises these days.
When choosing the most suitable option, you should take into account the fact that the wallpaper should not be subject to deformation when exposed to greasy or wet splashes.
Types of photo wallpaper
It is necessary to consider only those materials that are suitable for the kitchen space. And it is considered a working area in which frequent temperature changes occur and humidity changes regularly. In addition, grease and soot inevitably gets onto the walls from the hob.
Therefore, it is better to even pay attention to purely paper options. Kitchen conditions will very quickly ruin their attractive appearance. And wet cleaning is problematic. Water will cause the surface to become hopelessly unusable. For the same reason, you should abandon photo wallpapers on canvas and velor.
Therefore, non-woven wallpaper made from pressed fibers is considered the best for this room. This material has increased wear resistance. Allows for wet cleaning when dirty. Such photo wallpapers do not fade in direct sunlight. Not subject to deformation. And they are very easy to care for and keep in order.
Unusual photo wallpaper for the kitchen Source dekormyhome.ru
You can also choose photo wallpaper made from fiberglass. They are included in the natural category and are not afraid of either high humidity or temperature changes. In addition, mold cannot take root on them. And the biggest advantage is that their surface has an antistatic effect and dust does not settle on it.
Separately, it is necessary to say about anti-vandal photo wallpaper. This material was specially developed for public places. Such as cafes and restaurants. The base can be any material. Even plain paper. But on top the surface is covered with a special vinyl film or laminated.
Also pay attention to the texture, and it happens:
- smooth;
- for decorative plaster;
- matte with sand texture;
- imitating linen;
- mosaic;
- in the form of a canvas.
Each type is selected individually to suit the design style. But also important are both the personal preferences of homeowners and the properties that allow them to keep photo wallpaper in order for a long time.
Beautiful photo wallpaper for a small room Source dizainexpert.ru
Rules of care
To ensure that the repair work is not delayed and the result is preserved for a long time, you must follow the established care rules. This largely depends on the material of manufacture.
- It is recommended to wipe the surface of photo wallpaper exclusively with a dry or slightly damp cloth so as not to damage the patterned coating;
- The practicality of vinyl wallpaper has been proven over time; to preserve its appearance, you can use a vacuum cleaner and a sponge with soapy water;
- Wallpaper made of textile material is more capricious; you can also use a vacuum cleaner to care for it, but it will require a special attachment or brush with soft bristles; to combat more serious stains, it is recommended to use a gentle stain remover;
- self-adhesive options are the most practical in terms of care, since the top layer has a protective film that is not susceptible to any contamination.
If photo wallpaper becomes deformed during cleaning, it should be corrected immediately. When choosing wallpaper, it is better to give preference to washable photo wallpaper for the kitchen.
Suitable wallpaper
The presence of a wide range of wallpapers of various types and designs makes it possible to choose the right material for finishing the walls in the kitchen, taking into account the issue of money and quality.
Washable wallpaper
This type of wallpaper can be applied to walls without any problems. However, their cost is high.
There are several types of washable wallpaper. Those that can be washed using special cleaning products. Also those that can be cleaned with chemicals and cleaning brushes.
Vapor permeability is an advantage of this type of wallpaper; thanks to this, they dry quickly without forming excess moisture in the room.
Dense material lasts much longer. This way dirt will accumulate less than with other types.
Vinyl wallpapers
The material can imitate wall decoration with brick, decorative plaster, and plant fibers.
A good option for covering walls in the kitchen. They are quite dense and can hide minor unevenness in the walls.
They have a good moisture-resistant effect. They are not afraid of temperature changes and constant exposure to sunlight.
Vinyl wallpaper also has a scratch-resistant structure and is easy to clean. There are types on the market that can be repainted many times.
High-quality types have micropores that can allow air to pass through and moisture to evaporate. Helps prevent mold from occurring. The cost of wallpaper makes it affordable for many who want to make renovations.
Non-woven wallpaper
One of the best options for decorating walls in the kitchen. Wallpaper breathes and does not form mold.
The material is easy to use, does not wrinkle, and there are no bubbles during operation. Hides minor wall defects.
They have a water-emulsion effect. This allows you to wash and repaint them up to 7 times.
The cost of this material is the only drawback. Even domestic producers set high prices.
Acrylic wallpaper
The finishing material consists of paper and an acrylic layer.
This allows it to withstand high humidity and minor physical impacts.
Before choosing this material, you need to take into account that wallpaper is repainted only a few times and cannot be thoroughly cleaned.
Silkscreen printing
The material is represented by a variety of vinyl wallpaper with silk threads on the top layer.
Wallpaper has a water-repellent effect, so it is easy to maintain and does not lose color when exposed to sunlight.
Fiberglass
An excellent option for the kitchen. Wallpaper is durable and can withstand fire, water and steam.
They are usually made in white, as they require painting up to 15 times.
They hide unevenness and cracks in the walls and do not allow new ones to appear. The main advantage of the material is its reusable repainting. It does not harm the appearance and allows you to update the design of the room every few years.
They also allow air to pass through and prevent mold from growing. Due to all the advantages of wallpaper, their cost is too high, but they are worth it.
Liquid wallpaper
The finishing material has a simple composition. He is easy to work with.
Liquid wallpaper can mask surface unevenness and minor defects.
Before choosing this type, you need to take into account that the coating will be suitable if it is coated with a special varnish on top. Then a water-emulsion effect is formed and the wallpaper can be easily cleaned using wet cleaning.
Photo wallpaper
The latest new photo wallpapers make it possible to cover walls with them even in the kitchen.
They have a special protective coating that prevents moisture from penetrating deep into the wallpaper and destroying the structure itself.
This material performs an important function - it increases the space of the room. It is also possible to choose wallpaper to suit every taste, with any image. You can even make a drawing to order.
Self-adhesive wallpaper
Practical, beautiful coating, easy to apply. Convenient option for the kitchen.
They can be wet cleaned and do not absorb moisture.
They are durable because they can withstand long-term adverse impacts. Do not lose their appearance when using acidic and alkaline agents.
The disadvantage of wallpaper is its high cost. However, this is inevitable if the material is truly easy to work with and practical to use for many years.
Print Format
Creating photo wallpaper for the kitchen is carried out in various ways. Common technologies include:
- Latex - wallpaper is created using special water-based inks. After drying, the paint is not absorbed but remains on the surface. The result is a bright and rich picture that lasts for a long period of time.
- Eco-solvent - technology involves the use of color inks made from environmental solvents. This method is considered less expensive. Among the negative qualities is the presence of an unpleasant odor for several days after production.
- Ultraviolet is an excellent option, characterized by rapid drying of paints under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The drawing is bright and of high quality. This variety is perfect for decorating a wall with photo wallpaper for the kitchen near the table.
As for the texture, the photo wallpaper canvas can have a glossy or matte surface. There are so-called non-standard options, which look like an imitation of a plaster surface, flax or large sand granules.
Photo wallpaper - self-adhesive
They are also called film. This decorative item should only be glued onto a flat, prepared surface.
It is important to know the features of the technology for installing such photo wallpapers. Washable film is made on a self-adhesive basis
The main advantages of the material:
- Strong adhesion to the wall.
- Resistance to damage due to exposure to unfavorable factors (temperature changes, steam, humidity).
- The brightness of the picture for several years.
- The ability to clean a wall with photo wallpaper even with daily care of kitchen surfaces.
Self-adhesive is not afraid of greasy stains and splashes. The material is resistant to fungi and sun. Therefore, it is not subject to fading, absorption of dirt and grease.
3D photo wallpaper
The most popular version of photo wallpaper for the kitchen is considered to be the 3D variety. This option will become a real exclusive, and it doesn’t matter what the layout of the room is. Three-dimensional wallpapers have their own varieties:
- Singles. Availability of one image option. Used for decoration and glued to a small wall.
- Panoramic. Large size wallpaper with great effect. The image is realistic.
- Standard. They are large in size and provide the opportunity to decorate all wall surfaces.
- Fluorescent. They differ from other varieties in that they have a special composition in a certain area. This area has the ability to be invisible during the day and appear at night.
The newest option is LED 3D photo wallpaper. They have a built-in chip with a huge number of small light bulbs. Control is carried out using a remote control (these can even be separate areas).
Photo wallpaper with a relief pattern
Photo wallpapers with a relief pattern deserve special attention. Thanks to their texture, they allow you to hide unevenness on the wall surface. The peculiarity of the wallpaper is the presence of several layers in the composition. The upper part may include wood shavings or sawdust.
With the help of such wallpaper you can create a real optical illusion. Designers recommend giving preference to ornaments or a combination of stripes of different colors. They can be located in several planes.
Black and white options
Many people try to give preference to the black and white version of the kitchen, however, this variety also has its place. Photo wallpaper of this shade can easily fit into any interior.
But despite this fact, you should approach the choice of image or plot with special attention. Wallpaper with images of streets or a simple landscape can be a great option. The main thing is that the image on the wallpaper is as realistic as possible.
What photo wallpaper is suitable for a small kitchen: designer tips
In a small-sized kitchen, surface finishing will be most susceptible to various contaminants in the form of fat, soot, and water that appear during the cooking process. That is why the material for future photo wallpaper in a small kitchen should be subject to strict and increased requirements. They must be moisture resistant, easy to clean repeatedly, not afraid of steam and temperature changes, and also serve the owner for as long as possible.
Thick photo wallpapers on a vinyl or non-woven base can best cope with these tasks. The top layer of material must be treated with a protective coating to prevent damage during cleaning.
The color of the interior design is chosen from a light range, which, as is known, contributes to the visual expansion of the interior space, adds light and airiness. These can be shades such as coffee, peach, light yellow, white, beige, pink. Cool colors that promote space and expansion include lavender, steel, light blue, and mint.
The motives for a small room can be different; it is desirable that the image contributes to the effect of moving the walls and erases clear boundaries. A landscape or urban theme, with a perspective receding into the distance, pasted on one of the walls over the entire area will cope well with this
This way you can focus on the desired area, for example, the dining room
Combination with regular wallpaper
Photo wallpapers can go well with regular wallpaper. However, in this case, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules and recommendations.
If the choice falls on the image of cities, then it is better to combine them with plain wallpaper without any complex or colorful patterns. Photo wallpaper with images of vegetation can be perfect for a bright kitchen.
In this case, beige, white or light gray shades are suitable as the main background. When choosing, you should take into account the effectiveness of contrast, while the main wallpaper option should be bright and saturated. Choosing the right combination of wallpaper will result in a noble kitchen with a magnificent interior.
Where can you stick photo wallpaper: decorating the kitchen interior
The image can dominate the wall, or it can serve as a bright, missing accent. A wall with photo wallpaper over the entire area is usually made to highlight a certain area. To do this, you can not only choose colorful drawings, but also images with imitation materials: stone, wood, brick, etc.
As a decoration, photo wallpaper can be glued in the form of a beautiful panel in the center of the wall. The size of such a decorative painting will determine the emphasis on the zoning area, or simply the effect of decorating the space.
An inexpensive and original way to update an old kitchen set is to decorate it with photo wallpaper. Both self-adhesive film and the most common paper options are suitable for this. The top of the material can be varnished so that it retains its newness and freshness longer. A good option would be washable wallpaper, with increased practicality.
To prevent such wallpaper from moving away from the edges of the facade, you can install corners, thus carefully sealing the edges. It is best to replace the handles with brighter and more interesting ones so that they do not merge with the image.
Style solutions
The design of a kitchen with photo wallpaper should be combined with the overall design style of the room. Here are several options for kitchen style using photo wallpaper:
- modern design - the use of bright sketches, accompanied by rich transitions and highlighting of light and shadow;
- urban - a more restrained option, which is recommended to be complemented with paintings in lilac or olive tones;
- Provence - characterized by the presence of warm colors, with images of fields with straw, lavender or an image of a sunny street.
When decorating a kitchen in a certain style, photo wallpaper can be used both on a full wall and on parts of it.
Small kitchen - big possibilities
A small kitchen area (less than 10 sq.m.) requires expanding the space. Visually, you can increase the walls or change the height of the ceilings. Light colors with a gentle, calm pattern are suitable here, or paintings that can lead the eye into the distance, as if divided into several accents. The foreground is slightly blurry and faded, while the background is bright and eye-catching.
Photo wallpaper with geometric pattern
Photo wallpaper with a reproduction of a painting in a high-tech style kitchen
For a small kitchen, themes of roads leading to the city, bridges connecting the banks, paths leading into the depths of the forest are suitable. Like guides, they move a person from home to the big world of adventure. A common technique is to expand the space with 3D wallpaper, which depicts columns, arches, and vaults.
Photo wallpaper depicting a forest in the kitchen-dining room
Floral photo wallpaper in the interior of a loft kitchen
Three-dimensional drawings with flower buds, leaves shot with macro photography, as well as photographs with animals have no place in a small kitchen space. They will steal it, visually shrink it. Small wall pieces will create a cluttered feeling.
Photo wallpaper with poppies in a white dining room
Macro photo wallpaper in the decor of the dining area
Geometric lines require photo wallpaper for kitchens with low ceiling vaults. These lines should point upward. It is worth removing horizons and parallel stripes. The Eiffel Tower, the skyscrapers of New York, and the coniferous forests of Russia are needed here. They take your thoughts to the sky and allow you to flutter upward like a butterfly.
Geometric shapes will look original. The color scheme is varied, but if you choose classic black and white stripes, then it is advisable to leave the central space of the room in light colors (for example, a table or tablecloth is white, and napkins and dishes are black).
Photo wallpaper in the interior of a kitchen with a narrow space should be stretched with pictures with horizontal stripes. An excellent solution would be a marine style with gentle waves and a romantic sunset. A gradient of dark stripes, which gradually changes towards the ceiling with light and white tones, will not distract attention from the kitchen furniture, but will visually expand the room.
Photo wallpaper with a view of New York in the design of a small kitchen Photo wallpaper with views of the city at night in the kitchen-dining room
Advice from professionals
When decorating a kitchen space, it is better to trust the professionals. Of course, you will have to spend money on this, but it is worth it. If this is not possible, then you can use some tips.
According to designers, photo wallpapers are used as a separate decorative element, so they should be glued on a free wall. If the kitchen is spacious, then you can use canvases that will be placed in a symmetrical order. By the way, this option is perfect for a small kitchen.
To create the kitchen of your dreams, you don’t need a lot of effort and expense, the main thing is that the materials can be organically combined with each other. If it is not possible to stick photo wallpaper yourself, you can resort to the help of specialists.
What materials are they made from?
Wallpaper, which significantly expands the space in the kitchen interior, is made from various materials. This can be paper and various types of textiles, non-woven fabric and vinyl.
Vinyl
Vinyl film is not afraid of even the highest level of humidity - this is an ideal option for the kitchen. Such wallpapers vary in texture - they realistically imitate wood, stone, rough textiles, etc. They can be washed using household chemicals without fear that the material will deteriorate. This wallpaper also does not fade when exposed to sunlight.
Vinyl photo wallpaper on the kitchen wall.
Non-woven
Non-woven decor is “breathable”, it is not at all afraid of water, and the picture is printed using a special machine. The most durable coating options have an additional protective layer applied. The service life of such wallpaper is 6-8 years without loss of appearance. Dirt can be easily removed from them with a damp sponge.
Non-woven photo wallpapers are highly moisture resistant.
Fabric
Textile wallpaper looks beautiful in the interior of any room, but caring for them is complicated and time-consuming. They are made from linen, jute, felt, silk, etc. The service life with proper use is more than nine years. It is not recommended to glue them in places subject to increased contamination and abrasion. Without a special coating, the material accumulates dust greatly.
Fabric photo wallpapers are not resistant to external factors.
Paper
Wallpaper made of paper is not the best option for the kitchen, as it quickly loses its appearance due to moisture, grease, pieces of food, and drinks. This material can only be used in a recreation area, far from the cooking area. It is recommended to glue paper photo wallpapers with an overlap.
It is not recommended to purchase paper wallpaper for the kitchen.
