A stretch ceiling is a great way to create a beautiful, smart and unique design in the kitchen: with its help you can achieve completely different results, which we will demonstrate today in a selection of photos.
The ceiling in the kitchen is used the least, so it is from it that you can make a real highlight of the interior. Unusual designs of suspended ceilings will perfectly cope with this task - just look at the photo examples! In addition, the canvas can also serve as a tool for dividing space into functional zones and providing the necessary lighting.
Advantages and disadvantages
Why is a suspended ceiling called the best option for the kitchen? At a minimum, due to the fact that there are several types of materials with their own characteristics, you can choose the ideal canvas purely for yourself.
Let us list the positive aspects of all types of suspended ceilings:
- Quick installation with virtually no dirt - you can install suspended ceilings throughout your entire apartment within 24 hours.
- Quick interior update.
- Easy to clean, even if the kitchen has a gas stove.
- Fire safety.
- Moisture resistance and absence of condensation, and therefore mold.
- It will save you from a flood from above - the water is collected in the canvas, from where it is then pumped out by specialists, and the ceiling itself is dried.
- Masking an ugly ceiling, communications, unevenness, and so on.
- There is no need to level the ceiling.
- Wide selection of textures and colors.
- No load on load-bearing elements.
- Long service life that does not require repairs - about 15–20 years.
- Durability - if you don’t throw knives at the ceiling, it’s difficult to damage it.
The most important thing is that thanks to the large selection of designs, the stretched fabric can be selected to suit any kitchen interior.
Minuses
All the negativity from suspended ceilings is most often associated with low-quality material or poor installation, that is, the choice of a company or craftsman must be approached very responsibly. But even professionals cannot get rid of all the shortcomings:
- if both sides of the ceiling are more than 3 meters, then seams will have to be made on the canvas - if there is a pattern, then the seam may be noticeable;
- ceilings will drop by 5–10 centimeters;
- do not tolerate the effects of piercing and cutting objects;
- may smell after installation;
- Plastering the ceiling will be cheaper;
- limiting the power of light bulbs for recessing into the ceiling - this limitation can be easily circumvented by using the most modern LED lamps.
Kitchen lighting
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Levels
Designs of 2-3 tiers look advantageous in a spacious kitchen. They visually separate the work area from the dining area and add interesting accents to the design. The disadvantages include the high price and difficulty of care. Microparticles of fat leave a residue on kitchen surfaces, which is difficult to remove from the corners formed by different tiers. In a small room, a covering located on one level looks laconic and beautiful.
When choosing types of suspended ceilings for the kitchen , they often give preference to PVC films. Polyvinyl sheets are distinguished by functionality, affordable prices, a wide selection of shades and images printed using photo printing.
Types of suspended ceilings
The first step is to figure out what suspended ceilings can be. There are two types of canvases.
The first is PVC film .
She may be:
- glossy. This fabric creates a perfectly smooth, shiny surface with a reflective effect. The last factor has a very positive effect on the design of a small kitchen - for example, in the so-called “Khrushchev”. The reflective effect visually increases the space, so the room seems more spacious - you won’t even notice these 5-10 centimeters that the installers will “steal”;
- matte. This fabric does not shine and has a slightly rough surface. It looks very aesthetically pleasing and looks great in almost any design style. The only negative is that due to its roughness, it is a little more difficult to wash than glossy. This option is optimal because it does not reflect the kitchen set and furniture - if there are too many items, then the glossy canvas can create a feeling of clutter.
As for color, PVC fabric manufacturers offer a very wide variety of shades, so you can choose an option to suit every taste. Canvases with art prints are also popular - they have patterns and various images printed on them. You can even create your own individual material by ordering a photo print of a picture you personally choose.
The second type of suspended ceilings is fabric . There is the same variety of colors here, including art prints. Externally, fabric ceilings are divided into:
- matte - the situation is similar to the previous option;
- satin - matte, but smoother fabric - because of this, it has elegant shimmers characteristic of natural fabrics. They look very expensive in color versions and are also very expensive.
Fabric stretch ceilings are not the best solution for the kitchen for several reasons:
- absorb odor, grease, dirt, moisture;
- do not prevent the appearance of mold;
- will not save you from the flood;
- hard to wash.
Usually these characteristics are enough to lean towards PVC film. Moreover, fabric ceilings are more expensive. However, this is a great option for a bedroom, living room or children's room.
Another disadvantage is that photo printing cannot be applied to the fabric. On the other hand, installation of the fabric sheet does not require the use of a heat gun.
Advantages
Perhaps the most common plaster and plasterboard ceilings, like tiled ones, tolerate high humidity quite well, especially if they are made of moisture-resistant plasterboard or plastered, primed and puttied with special materials. But if your neighbor is flooding you, then you cannot avoid trouble, that is, repairs, because, when wet, any of the listed ceilings will lose their appearance and allow water to continue to pass through. And then you will have to change the wallpaper and maybe even the furniture and flooring (unless you have tiles).
A stretch ceiling will protect your entire renovation and the entire room from flooding, because it can withstand about a hundred liters per square meter. And after the flood and the water drains, it will return to its original form and will be on guard again.
Insufficient exhaust hood in the kitchen causes mold and mildew to appear on the above ceilings.
Polyvinyl chloride, the material from which suspended ceilings are made, does not condense, which means that mold and mildew will not take root on it.
Moisture-resistant slatted ceilings with good flooding (especially with hot water) swell and become deformed.
Those made of plastic ceiling panels or mirrored ceilings are not afraid of water, but they will not hold it back. In addition, mirrors condense moisture, which, when dried, leaves traces of droplets. This ceiling needs to be washed frequently and thoroughly.
Number of levels
The peculiarity of suspended structures is that they can be used to create a ceiling of either one or several levels.
- Single-level option simplest. The film or fabric is stretched over the entire kitchen area, thereby forming a perfectly flat surface. The result is very neat and aesthetic, and the installation procedure is quite simple.
- As for two-level structures , everything is somewhat more complicated. The first level is installed first, and below it the second. Moreover, the latter can be made in the form of some complex figure. Very often, for example, there are elements with a wavy edge - such a ceiling turns out to be very beautiful and interesting.
It’s worth mentioning the pros and cons of this approach right away. The advantage is undoubtedly the originality of the design. Don't forget about the possibility of zoning. For example, if your apartment has a kitchen combined with a living room, then you need to visually separate the living part of the room from the working part.
This can be done with the help of several levels and properly placed lighting. For example, spotlights are usually installed above the work area, and a chandelier is mounted in the living area.
Unusual ready-made design solutions
Despite the fact that the technology of suspended ceilings itself has not been used by the masses for long, designers have already come up with several interesting options that can help you stand out among typical interiors.
One of the latest solutions is a chameleon canvas. This canvas takes on the tones from the furniture and decoration that surround it - such a ceiling will definitely fit into your kitchen.
Imitation
We are already accustomed to stone that imitates wood and wood that imitates stone. Now is the time to surprise with stretch ceilings that are made under:
- marble;
- gold/silver/copper/brass;
- nacre;
- tree;
- suede;
- crumpled paper, etc.
Various combinations of these options open up incredible scope for imagination:
- The “crumpled” ceiling will fit perfectly into the avant-garde and add volume to it;
- gilding will become an integral attribute of art deco or baroque;
- wood will be the finishing touch for a kitchen in Provence or country style.
Such a variety of designs will allow you to create a unique interior in your home.
Perforated ceilings
First you need to evaluate this unusual version of the canvas in the photo.
The principle of creating such beauty is quite simple:
- two canvases - one whole, and the other with slits;
- special baseboard;
- backlight
The most common design is an abstraction created using circular cutouts. But the holes themselves can be anything - even openwork. The unusual appearance is not the only thing that distinguishes this type of suspended ceiling from others:
- additional ventilation;
- and therefore increased resistance to moisture;
- creating a 3D effect.
Of course, there are also disadvantages to this type of decor:
- “eats” about 25 centimeters from the height of the ceilings;
- dust accumulates between the canvases;
- installation is more complicated.
Starry sky
Of course, the starry sky format is not used as often in the kitchen as, for example, in the bedroom. Still, when sitting at the table, you rarely look at the ceiling - you might choke. But if you really want to, then you can implement this option.
There are many ways to create a starry sky in the kitchen:
- LED lights;
- luminescent paint;
- optical fiber;
- graphic image;
- Starpins pins;
- rhinestones from Swarovski;
- a combination of the above options.
You can find various starry sky generators on sale. With their help, you can even “observe” the fall of comets and the movement of stars. The advantage of such a generator is that after dinner you can move it to the living room and watch the Big Dipper from the sofa.
floating ceiling
If the issue of ceiling height is simply critical, then you can use a trick and create a floating canvas. The idea is very simple: the canvas is placed on a special profile, next to which LED lighting is installed.
This creates the feeling that the ceiling has risen and is about to fly away - that’s why it was called floating.
But there are also negative aspects: this solution is not suitable for everyone. For example, if there are tall cabinets or a kitchen set that goes up to the ceiling, then the furniture will simply hide the lighting and the floating effect will disappear.
It’s great if you can use a special ceiling cornice for curtains. This will create the impression that the curtains are coming down from the ceiling, as in the example below. This is a very stylish move, but more likely for a living room or bedroom than for a kitchen.
Photo printing
If you want to create a truly unique interior, you can place your own photo on the ceiling. Not the best solution from a design point of view, but unique. You can choose from more classic options, including those with a 3D effect - this will also visually raise the ceilings.
And this was not without difficulties: the choice of designs is so large that it will be very difficult to settle on just one.
Which suspended ceiling to choose for the kitchen: design
It is important not to overload the design with flowers. The main tone and 1-2 additional shades are used in the decoration. The suspended ceiling must fit into the overall concept of the kitchen. In an interior designed in neutral colors, a canvas with photo printing will become an interesting accent. The print will visually adjust the proportions of the room, add light or, on the contrary, soften the brightness of the sun on the south side. Popular motifs for ceilings include images:
- clouds on a blue background;
- flowers, leaves;
- sea waves;
- birds, animals, butterflies, dragonflies;
- buildings, bridges, towers;
- landscapes, still lifes.
Prints emphasize the style and theme of the kitchen design and echo the decorative items. Photographs of the sky visually expand the space and create a feeling of lightness and airiness.
When installing a ceiling in a large kitchen, it is advisable to choose matte and satin fabrics: welding seams are not so noticeable on them. When using glossy films, the installation of a multi-level structure will allow you to mask the joints.
Article: Stretch ceiling for the kitchen - which one is better to choose
In spacious rooms it is permissible to use dark colors. The contrasting design of the ceiling and floor looks interesting. Large prints are also appropriate in large kitchens. Light shades visually enlarge the room. A cool palette gives freshness and adds height to the ceiling, but it is best used on the sunny side. If the kitchen faces north, warm shades will make it cozier and brighter.
A glossy ceiling covering with a metallic sheen will organically fit into a high-tech or modern style. In a kitchen in the spirit of Provence, a matte canvas in soft pastel colors looks beautiful. The romance of the style can be emphasized with a delicate floral pattern. Calm neutral shades combine with both classic and modern interiors.
Lighting
Stretch ceilings also have an impact on lighting, as many new options for light appear. And there should be as much of it in the kitchen as possible.
There are several light scenarios for suspended ceilings:
- Central lighting. Chandelier in the center of the room or above the dining table. An economical and stylish classic that provides the kitchen with light. There is still not enough lighting in the corners and work area.
- Spotlights distributed evenly across the entire ceiling or just above functional areas. A budget solution that will provide the necessary lighting. Gradually, the fashion for such spotlights is fading, since it turned out to be not so convenient - the bulbs often burn out individually, over time it becomes boring to change them, and the presentable appearance deteriorates. Not as practical a solution as it seems at first glance.
- LED strip around the perimeter of the kitchen. LEDs consume very little energy, but have a very bright light, which makes such lighting economical. In addition to the perimeter of the kitchen, the LED strip can find its place under the furniture, in the floor, around the mirror and in any other place.
In any case, it is advisable to use wall lamps, for example, sconces, as an addition.
- When selecting lighting for suspended ceilings, we must not forget the features of the latter:
- heating of the canvas is not allowed;
- warm light will look better in warm colors;
- glossy ceilings can increase the amount of light several times; it is not customary to direct chandelier shades in their direction;
- The smaller the kitchen, the more important lighting is.
General disadvantages
However, tension structures also have their disadvantages:
- The materials used in the manufacture of suspended ceilings are quite durable, but you should be wary of the impact of sharp objects, which can easily make a hole in the film, after which the entire structure will need to be replaced. However, if no one is going to juggle knives or swing billiard cues in the kitchen, then nothing will happen to the coating.
- When installed, the structure will subtract at least a few centimeters from the overall height of the kitchen. With modest apartment dimensions, this can become a problem, which can be solved with the help of a stretch ceiling design. The visual impression of the interior of the kitchen will depend on what type and color is chosen. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to consult an experienced designer.
- Not everyone will decide to install a stretch ceiling with their own hands. The cost of the heat gun used to stretch the film is several times higher than the cost of the materials - the canvas and fasteners - so you will have to hire professionals.
- Another inconvenience associated with a tensile structure is that it is necessary to decide in advance what lighting fixtures will be placed in the room. According to this scheme, it is better to place special embedded parts during the installation of the ceiling.
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With the covering stretched and fully installed, it is unlikely that it will be possible to place an additional chandelier on the ceiling.
- The floor slab covered with PVC film is poorly ventilated. Because of this, fungus or mold may subsequently develop on it. To avoid this negative point, even before installation begins, it is necessary to treat the surface against microorganisms. The kitchen area must be regularly ventilated, and it is better to use ventilation grilles in the design. The formation of fungus and mold is impossible on the PVC film itself, and all dirt can be easily removed during maintenance.
- In large kitchens it is difficult to make the ceiling covering a single mass. The PVC film has a maximum width of 5 meters, and the joining seams on a well-lit ceiling surface will be clearly visible. To avoid this, it is better to make a two-level design or use different colors of film.
Small kitchen
In principle, the size of the room cannot in any way affect the possibility of installing suspended ceilings. Moreover, in a small kitchen they will definitely turn out without seams, so this is a great solution.
But we must not forget that the main task when arranging a small space is to visually enlarge it. This will help:
- Light and slightly cool colors. White has always been an excellent “expander” of space.
- A large amount of lighting on several levels - a chandelier, sconce, lighting in the set.
- Glossy surface of the canvas.
- Ceiling lighting along the contour.
Another interesting solution is to make the ceiling match the floor if it is light. If the floors are dark, then a stretch fabric of the same tone will turn the kitchen into a small cave. For the same reason, it is better to abandon heavy multi-level systems.
Photos of suspended ceilings in the kitchen interior:
Next, look at the options for implementing suspended ceilings in ordinary apartments. We bring to your attention glossy and matte ceilings of various colors.
Having chosen a suspended ceiling, look at the modern ideas in kitchen design in the photo.
Big kitchen
We are talking about premises with an area of 9-10 square meters. m or more, as well as a kitchen-living room. You need to understand that in such a space you will probably need to glue the fabric together, which means there will be seams. If they are very undesirable, then you should look for companies with the most advanced technologies: they promise fabric up to 6 meters without seams.
If this is not possible, the seams will be least noticeable on a regular white matte canvas. They are most noticeable on gloss, since the seam itself has a matte surface.
If you ignore these minor troubles, you can realize that a large space opens up simply unimaginable scope for imagination and interior arrangement, for example, with two-color multi-level black and white ceilings.
Caring for suspended ceilings in the kitchen
Neither the film nor the fabric require any special care during their operation. The only thing you have to pay attention to is the accumulation of plaque and grease from the stove.
Any soapy product (shampoo, soap, dish soap, etc.) and even ammonia are suitable for cleaning.
Do not use aggressive substances for cleaning:
- solvents;
- petrol;
- turpentine, etc.
Poor quality material can actually turn yellow over time - for example, if there is smoking in the room. The problem may also be the formation of a grease deposit above the stove.
First, you need to try to bleach the yellowed areas with ordinary soapy water, and then move on to more serious means.
What does the price depend on?
Companies usually quote attractive figures of 100–500 rubles per meter. In this case, only the cost of the canvas is taken into account, and only a specialist can give the final figure. The following factors are important:
- room area;
- presence and number of pipes;
- the presence and number of niches or projections;
- shape of the room - number of corners;
- number of lamps;
- number of levels and their complexity.
Reviews
If you are still in doubt about whether to install a suspended ceiling in the kitchen, then read the reviews of those who have already done it.
Svetlana, Voronezh: I definitely knew that there would be suspended ceilings in my kitchen - I was terribly tired of tinting and whitening the ceiling every year. The only thing that bothered me was that I didn’t want to move the furniture. But the craftsmen said that this was not necessary, they covered everything with film, but there was practically no dirt during installation. The kitchen was completely done in 4 hours. There is no grease or soot, although there is a gas stove. I've been happy with everything for two years now.
Alexey, Moscow: One incident happened to me. My wife and I went on vacation at the seaside after working for three years without a vacation (first we saved, then we did renovations). We come back, and the ceiling is up to my wife’s shoulders in the lowest place—a big, dense drop. It turned out that our neighbors' riser had burst and everything was flowing towards us. But all the appliances (hood, refrigerator, expensive coffee maker), furniture, even the wallpaper are in place. The only thing was that I had to pay for draining the liquid, but it was only 4 thousand. But they could fly in for repairs again! After that, tensioners were installed in all rooms!
Yulia, Saransk: And I decided to have fun, so I have 6 colors of stretch ceiling at home - and even black (in the toilet). I also collected all the options for surfaces: matte, satin, glossy. The only thing that upsets me is the glossy ceiling in the bedroom - everything is reflected there and is simply annoying. Everything else has been perfect for 9 years now - even survived two floods.
Fabric ceilings
- they sparkle very well;
- require the correct organization of light to reveal their decorative potential;
- form a seamless structure, but are limited in the width of the canvas;
- They are difficult to clean, so they are recommended for use in kitchens with good ventilation.
Some design options for fabric stretch fabrics are in the photo.
