Laying apron in the kitchen: step-by-step instruction

Kitchen apron is not only a beautiful design element, but also a functional part. During the preparation of food on the walls, spots inevitably appear, drops from sauces, pieces of food, etc. come into play. To protect the wall surface and to facilitate cleaning, it is recommended to lay an apron of easily washable materials - tiles, stone or glass. In this article we will tell you how to make an apron in the kitchen with your own hands.

Preparation moments

The apron in the kitchen improves the performance,properly selected color and design - decorates and completes the interior of the room. With its help, you can visually increase the space, emphasize the advantages of the kitchen set, hide the shortcomings of the layout. The variety of finishing materials makes it possible to realize the most original ideas. But the construction of anything should begin with planning.

Design of apron

The first step is to determine the design of the apron - to choose the shape and color solution. Coverage should be combined not only with the kitchen set, but also with the rest of the elements - accessories, fittings, floor, wall, ceiling finish. During the renovation in the kitchen, many people focus on the selection of wallpaper or floor covering, completely forgetting about the apron, and in fact it gives the interior integrity.

How to choose the color of the apron:

1. If the kitchen is dominated by neutral pastel shades, but the walls and the set contrast with each other, they should be harmoniously linked into a single image. To do this, select the apron of the most approximate color to the headset, making it in the tone of cabinets or countertops.
   
2. If you plan to make the kitchen completely white, the white apron will be "lost" in such a monotonous interior, so it should be made contrast and bright. Use "juicy" colors that cause appetite. It is proved that not only "acid" shades( salad, yellow, orange) are capable of this, but also blue tones, starting from deep blue, ending with azure or indigo. Such a bright apron is recommended to "support" various accessories - shelves, painted in tone, cupboard handles, colorful vases or statuettes. It is very important not to overdo it so that the exquisite interior does not turn into a lurid bad taste.
   
3. If the situation is exactly the opposite, and the kitchen is equipped with a color set, then the apron should support it not only with color, but also with texture. So, under beige furniture, a contrasting dark apron made of granite or artificial stone will look good. Very harmoniously looks apron, identical in texture and color with the top.
   
4. The blue set looks good with an asphalt-gray apron. You can also use warmer shades( light coffee, beige or creme brulee), then a warm tone "softens" the cool blue notes of the headset and makes the atmosphere more cozy. For a green headset, you can pick up a green apron, but with a lighter or darker hue, so that the kitchen does not merge into one spot.
   
5. Very aptly look aprons of discreet tones fringed at the table top with a bright ornament or composed of tiles of different tones of the same color range.
   
6. Light tones of aprons are also good in that when they are bored, you can apply a painting or paste an interior vinyl sticker on top.
   

In most cases, aprons are made from tile, as this is the most affordable and suitable finishing material on the market, but if you are not constrained in the means, you can make the interior more stylish and original by building a stone or glass apron for the kitchen.

Materials for apron

Let's consider in more detail each of the materials used to create kitchen aprons. The choice is determined not only by the color category, but also by the complexity of the installation and performance characteristics. So, if even an inexperienced person can cope with the laying of tiles or artificial stone, then the situation with glass panels is much more complicated.

How to make an apron for the kitchen with your own hands:

1. Tile - among all the finishing materials for the kitchen, the tile remains the favorite and does not intend to take the position. It is inexpensive, fairly simple to install, does not require special care, and the choice of colors allows you to realize any designer whim. Ceramic apron for the kitchen is resistant to household chemicals, minor mechanical influences, temperature changes and, most importantly, humidity. Such coverage will perfectly serve more than 10 years.
   
   And if in the Soviet times the choice of tiles was, to put it mildly, not very rich, today you can "go for a walk" and create real masterpieces of interior art. So, you can combine large elements with a small mosaic, a monotonous tile with bright painted insets, make up patterns and ornaments. One of the most notable examples is the Metlakh tile. This is a very durable finishing material, differing not only in durability, but also in absolutely stunning textures and colors.
   
2. Stone - if you always wanted a truly luxurious kitchen, your path lies in the department of finishing materials made of natural and artificial stone. Make a table-top and apron of such material, and the kitchen will instantly change. In general, marble, granite or basalt is used to lay the apron. When selecting linings from natural rocks, the physical characteristics of the stone should be taken into account. So, granite differs very dense structure, practically does not pass a moisture and will serve some tens years. Marble is a more whimsical breed and requires constant care. It has a fairly porous structure, so if you shed a red wine or a sharp tomato sauce on a white marble, there may be an unexploited stain. Therefore, after laying the marble apron should be covered with a moisture repellent protective agent.
   
   Aprons made of artificial stone are much cheaper and in many cases much more practical. Such materials are made on the basis of mineral filler( rock dust), acrylic resin and various pigments, giving them the appearance of natural stones. The advantages of this cladding are that it is very dense and has no pores, therefore it is not capable of absorbing moisture and leaving memories of spattered borscht in the form of scarlet stains. Lithoceramics are just as easy to assemble, just like ordinary tiles, even glued with the same glue.
3. MDF - this apron will look perfect only if the adjacent table top is made of MDF board. This material allows not only to create an original interior, but also to level the surface of the wall. In this case, it is mounted on ordinary liquid nails and Kleimers, and the surface does not need any preliminary preparation.
   
4. Stainless steel is a very original and stylish solution that will appeal to hi-tech lovers. This material is used quite rarely, and completely in vain - it is absolutely fireproof, not susceptible to corrosion, environmentally friendly and extremely durable. If you decide to install an apron from stainless steel, support it with elements made of wood, glass or glossy plastic.
   

Tools for laying

As in this article we will tell you how to lay out the apron in the kitchen with tiles, then tools and materials will be selected in accordance with the installation technique. Before going to the store, take measurements and calculate the required number of tiles. Buy with a margin to leave a few tiles in case of repairs.

Required materials and equipment:

• tiles;
• tile adhesive( recommended Ceresit CM11;
• primer for deep penetration;
• grout for tiles( in tint to tile);
• construction level, plumb;
• tile cutter;
• rubber spatula;
• notched trowel;
• foam sponge;
• plastic tiles for tiles

You will need skills to work with tile cutters. For wall tiles, you can use the most common manual mechanism.

Laying an apron from tiles

Before you start, give a rational assessment of your capabilities - if you are not sure that you can do it, it's better to hire a specialist and not risk to spoil the materials. For those who want to get a new interesting and useful experience, we have prepared detailed instructions for installing an apron in the kitchen.

Marking the apron

The first stage - the marking of the walls. This is an extremely important point, on which the final result and the aesthetics of your masonry will depend. To make a correct and precise markup, you need to be able to use the building level. Ideally, it is better to get laser guides - they will significantly accelerate and facilitate the process.

Another important point - the walls before marking should be as flat as possible. If this is the problem, you will have to apply leveling plaster. Otherwise, you will have to compensate for the discrepancies due to the thickness of the adhesive when installing the tiles.

There are different standards for laying aprons in the kitchen, and this option should be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the kitchen set. On average, the floor is laid at 80 cm with an apron height of 75 cm. Thus, it will be possible to lay 7 tiles of standard size 10x10 cm in height, and 5 cm will remain on the seams.

Draw a horizontal line at the place where the first row of tiles is laid. He will rely on a special rail. To do this, you can use an ordinary wooden bar or metal profile. Screw the support to the wall with dowels and check the building level.

Draw several vertical lines perpendicular to the bar to create additional landmarks.

Adhesive for laying

Another important point before starting work. Tiles for the kitchen on the apron are recommended to sit on the most popular professional builder Ceresit CM11.A small expense will allow you to save, if, of course, the walls in the kitchen are level, and they do not need to be leveled by glue. So, for 5 square meters.m consumes about 12 kg of the composition. When laying tiles on rough walls, the consumption may increase.

Stir the dry mixture with water according to the instructions, using a construction mixer or a drill with a nozzle.

For laying the first row of tiles, which will be based on the bar, you should glue the wall with glue for a length of 3-4 tiles and quickly apply them until the composition is dry. To spread the glue, use a notched trowel to keep shallow grooves on the surface - this will improve grip and reduce the consumption of the mortar. Also, for better adhesion of the adhesive to the wall, it is recommended to make small scratches with the help of a knife-jamb or the edge of a sharp screwdriver.

Laying tiles

Before laying prepare materials that you may need in the process and arrange them at arm's length: spatula, crosses, container with mortar, a stack of tiles.

Procedure:

1. Make a screwdriver or a hammer on the wall.
2. Treat the wall with a deep penetration primer.
3. Screw the horizontal bar according to the marking for laying the first row of tiles.
4. Begin to spread the tile from the corner.
5. Between the tiles, install plastic crosses, constantly monitoring the position of the elements using the building level. For tiles with a size of 10x10 cm fits with a thickness of 2.5 mm are suitable. Laying crosses can be different, but professionals recommend not to install one cross on 4 tiles, investing it in the opening, because then extract it is very difficult. It is better not to save and put the crosses sideways, then to easily pull out after the glue dries.
   
6. When you have glued 10-15 tiles, remove the glue from the seams until it has solidified completely. If this is delayed, the time for sweeping will go far more.
7. Special attention should be given to outlets. It will be very handy if they turn out to be just where simple rectangular slices can be made in the tile, but sometimes they are difficult to make. To do this you will need a tile cutter, a couple of test tiles and 5-10 minutes of practice.
   
8. When the last row is laid, leave the tile for a day so that the glue is properly seized. After that, you can begin to grout the seams. Dilute the composition to the consistency of very thick sour cream and with a rubber spatula with light pressure fill the space between the tiles. Before that, do not forget to pull the crosses.
9. When the grout solidifies, smooth the uneven seams with fine sandpaper, and wipe off excess with a wet foam rubber sponge( a sponge for washing cars).

Useful advices:

1. To create an original design, order an apron for the kitchen with photoprint from MDF.These can be ornaments, images of fruits, vegetables, landscapes, etc. Also you can put photos under the glass cover, make a collage or even paint the surface by hand.
2. Use LED backlight to give originality and organize additional lighting.
3. The dimensions of the apron for the kitchen should match the work area, grasping the sink, the cutting table, the plate space.
4. When choosing a tile, consider that it is much easier to look after a smooth glazed surface than for a relief surface.
5. Kitchen apron made of plastic can be an excellent alternative to tile or MDF.Today in the market you can find high-strength plastic finishing materials, which will last for more than one year, without losing its original appearance.
6. Any suitable materials for performance characteristics can be used to create aprons - they must be strong, waterproof and durable. The river pebbles are ideal for these parameters - just imagine what kind of surface can be laid out from simple pebbles brought from vacation! Also for this you can use old coins or broken tiles.
7. Original mirror and glass tiles look like a cover of an apron. Use a transparent silicone to trowel this lining.

Video about the installation of an apron in the kitchen from a large tile:

Kitchen apron, photo

We hope this article helped you figure out how to put an apron in the kitchen. Finally - several stylish design solutions.