Laminate in the interior can safely be called a traditional floor covering. With its excellent quality characteristics, it has a beautiful appearance, a huge number of colors and textures, which allows you to choose the best option for any design.
Such a popular flooring was invented not so long ago, namely in 1977 by the Swedish company Perstorp. The first laminate was produced under the Pergo brand. It was a laminated board that stuck to a prepared base. The glueless assembly system (the brainchild of another Swedish company, Valinge) first hit the market in 1996, sold under the brands Fiboloc and Alloc.
In total, three main methods of laying laminate can be distinguished:
Direct - the simplest and most common arrangement of boards parallel to one of the walls. When choosing this method, it is important to consider that the laminate can spread along the line of light or across. In the first case, it will be possible to achieve a visual effect of a continuous plane. An excellent option for elongated narrow rooms, because it allows you to visually expand the walls with minimal trimming. If the panels are laid perpendicular to the light flux, a small room can be visually enlarged, but the joints will be very noticeable.
Diagonal styling is more complex and time-consuming, it will take a little more material (about 10-15%) due to more trim, but the effect will be appropriate. Diagonal lines visually increase the space, look brighter and more interesting. This method should be considered as the main one if the room has the wrong geometry.
Custom styling (herringbone, square and other options) - in this case we are talking about materials of certain grades that are suitable for styling in the chosen way, for example, quick step. As a rule, such a laminate looks like small parquet boards and is equipped with special locks. Externally, the coating is very similar to the parquet floor, and laying methods can be about 50.
Construction markets also offer consumers a special series of beveled laminate. There are recesses on the boards, when two adjacent panels are connected, an almost imperceptible groove is formed. The accumulation of dust and moisture inside the recess will be hindered by a special wax coating. Externally, the laminate with a chamfer resembles an elite parquet made of solid wood, in addition, as experts say, with proper installation, such a floor is more durable.
What will be the floor: dark or light
Between contemporary designers, controversy erupts constantly on this topic.Some are sure that light remains the trend of this and future seasons. Others, emphasizing the shortcomings of pastel shades, argue that the dark is an undying classic that will never go out of style. In a sense, both parties are right, because each option has its advantages and disadvantages.
When a light floor is better than a dark one:
Light laminate can complement many popular styles: contemporary, ethnic, country, Provence and of course shabby chic, which is impossible to imagine without white shabby floors.
A light floor increases the degree of illumination of the room, so it will be an excellent option for small rooms, with windows to the north.
In rooms with a light floor, a lighter and more airy atmosphere is created, especially if the environment is correctly supplemented with the same furniture and translucent textiles.
The palette plays a significant role in the visual perception of space. So, for example, when the floor is lighter than the walls, the ceilings appear higher. When it is necessary to achieve expansion, surfaces make approximately the same tone.
Bright floors and walls do not cause problems in the selection of furniture and accent details, a more universal combination is difficult to come up with. Equally important, the surfaces do not attract attention, forcing them to admire the decorator's work on the decor.
When to lay a dark laminate on the floor:
Solidity is associated exclusively with a dark tree. The light floor can be different: fashionable, stylish, clean, but definitely not respectable. If you want to create a luxurious interior with an emphasis on high cost, a dark floor will be the only suitable option.
Visually, a light coating always looks cheaper and simpler than a dark one, even if it actually costs significantly more.
Dark floors bring an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. By focusing on lightness, you can lose such qualities as comfort and prestige. You should think in advance what is more preferable: home comfort or fashionable weightlessness.
Dark laminate in small rooms is usually contraindicated, but not always. He will make the room smaller in all directions. Visually, the room will seem narrower, shorter and lower, unless it is possible to return to its previous dimensions: to push the walls apart with a light atmosphere and raise the ceiling with vertical stripes on the walls.
Not the last is the issue of cleanliness. A light coating will have to be washed more often. Therefore, it is recommended to lay it only in rooms with low traffic. Although here it’s worth recalling the American proverb about dark floors, which says: first buy a housekeeper, and then lay a dark parquet. The darker the coating, the better visible are the villi, dust, debris, pet hair, and on some coatings there are also footprints.
The conclusion suggests itself: when choosing a color, it is important to focus on style issues, but do not forget about practicality. Perhaps somewhere it will be more appropriate to play in contrast, and somewhere to sacrifice comfort for the sake of the latest fashion trend.
Popular color combinations for walls, floors and ceilings
There are many receptions and various subtleties, therefore we will consider the most vivid and popular options for decorating an apartment.
Always up to date gradient
The main principle of this design is a smooth transition from a dark laminate on the floor to a white ceiling. At the same time, the walls can be painted full height with one selected tone or separated by wooden panels, while the doors can be the same tone with the walls or contrasted.
Stylish and catchy contrast
The contrasting color scheme is invariably interesting and saturated. In addition, it allows you to level out minor flaws in the geometry of the room. For rooms with a low ceiling, it is advisable to select saturated shades with an ornament for the walls, the ceiling is made as light as possible, and the floor, on the contrary, is very dark. If the rooms are narrow and low, the same techniques are used, but one of the walls is made as light as possible in an acceptable tone.
A lot of light and freedom
Under this motto, interiors are created with a predominance of light shades against the background of a light floor. Best suited for rooms with a small quadrature and low natural light.
Opposites
Here you can consider two interesting options:
Dark floor, light walls, dark ceiling;
Light floor, dark walls, light ceiling.
And the first second option is better to use in fairly spacious rooms.
Wall decoration
Laminate in interior design is no longer a purely floor material. It has become more versatile in application, successfully used on other surfaces, in particular on walls.
One of the most popular options is the decoration of the hallway, where the material has become a worthy replacement for plastic lining. Most often, panels are raised to a height equal to their length, or one or two walls that are most susceptible to mechanical damage are completely sutured.
Finishing the walls of rooms with a laminate alone is an excess, while competent partial application can be called a successful design decision. In the kitchen, the work wall is usually sewn up. It looks very interesting when the apron is in harmony with the color of the facade. In terms of performance, a good laminate is only slightly inferior to tiles, at a price it is much cheaper, and also easier to install. Any wall or part of it can be upholstered in the living room, depending on the layout and design.
In the bedroom, as a rule, panels fill the wall at the head of the bed. The surface imitating a tree will be an excellent complement to the headset, emphasizing the unity of the interior. Balconies and loggias are perhaps the only place where the laminate as a topcoat can be used on all surfaces at once and there will not be much of it. If style allows, panels can be used in the bathroom, but not in the shower area. Even a moisture-resistant, high-quality laminate is not suitable for it, and the walls in the washbasin area behind the mirrors are quite.
Laminate can be laid on the walls in various ways, but the rules of visual perception remain the same: horizontal lines move the walls apart, vertical lines raise the ceiling.
On the ceiling
For a long time already the ideas of "European-quality repair" with its multi-tiered ceilings are not nice to the spoiled consumer. New materials replaced, in particular, the laminate. One of the reasons for its non-standard use was the desire to decorate the ceiling in any way possible. The ceiling is more expressive, providing additional soundproofing properties. It is unlikely that you will have to walk on it, so you can choose a laminate of the lowest class.
When decorating the ceiling with laminate, designers use different methods: full or partial lining. Sometimes it is appropriate to finish the part of the wall that goes to the ceiling, highlighting the functional area. This technique is usually used over the bed or in the kitchens, when you need to highlight the dining room or bar area. Often, a laminate, as an alternative to wooden lining, is used for lining attics.
Of course, this approach will not be widely demanded in the realities of high-rise buildings, where ceilings 2 meters high with a tail seem to be low already.
Laminate in the interior is the best option for creating a beautiful and tidy floor without unnecessary costs, as well as the original interior of the apartment with non-standard use of material on the walls or ceiling. The main thing is that there is a harmony of color and a sense of proportion in everything.
Laminate in the interior can safely be called a traditional floor covering. With its excellent quality characteristics, it has a beautiful appearance, a huge number of colors and textures, which allows you to choose the best option for any design.
Such a popular flooring was invented not so long ago, namely in 1977 by the Swedish company Perstorp. The first laminate was produced under the Pergo brand. It was a laminated board that stuck to a prepared base. The glueless assembly system (the brainchild of another Swedish company, Valinge) first hit the market in 1996, sold under the brands Fiboloc and Alloc.
Content
Basic flooring methods
In total, three main methods of laying laminate can be distinguished:
Construction markets also offer consumers a special series of beveled laminate. There are recesses on the boards, when two adjacent panels are connected, an almost imperceptible groove is formed. The accumulation of dust and moisture inside the recess will be hindered by a special wax coating. Externally, the laminate with a chamfer resembles an elite parquet made of solid wood, in addition, as experts say, with proper installation, such a floor is more durable.
What will be the floor: dark or light
Between contemporary designers, controversy erupts constantly on this topic.Some are sure that light remains the trend of this and future seasons. Others, emphasizing the shortcomings of pastel shades, argue that the dark is an undying classic that will never go out of style. In a sense, both parties are right, because each option has its advantages and disadvantages.
When a light floor is better than a dark one:
When to lay a dark laminate on the floor:
The conclusion suggests itself: when choosing a color, it is important to focus on style issues, but do not forget about practicality. Perhaps somewhere it will be more appropriate to play in contrast, and somewhere to sacrifice comfort for the sake of the latest fashion trend.
Popular color combinations for walls, floors and ceilings
There are many receptions and various subtleties, therefore we will consider the most vivid and popular options for decorating an apartment.
Always up to date gradient
The main principle of this design is a smooth transition from a dark laminate on the floor to a white ceiling. At the same time, the walls can be painted full height with one selected tone or separated by wooden panels, while the doors can be the same tone with the walls or contrasted.
Stylish and catchy contrast
The contrasting color scheme is invariably interesting and saturated. In addition, it allows you to level out minor flaws in the geometry of the room. For rooms with a low ceiling, it is advisable to select saturated shades with an ornament for the walls, the ceiling is made as light as possible, and the floor, on the contrary, is very dark. If the rooms are narrow and low, the same techniques are used, but one of the walls is made as light as possible in an acceptable tone.
A lot of light and freedom
Under this motto, interiors are created with a predominance of light shades against the background of a light floor. Best suited for rooms with a small quadrature and low natural light.
Opposites
Here you can consider two interesting options:
And the first second option is better to use in fairly spacious rooms.
Wall decoration
Laminate in interior design is no longer a purely floor material. It has become more versatile in application, successfully used on other surfaces, in particular on walls.
One of the most popular options is the decoration of the hallway, where the material has become a worthy replacement for plastic lining. Most often, panels are raised to a height equal to their length, or one or two walls that are most susceptible to mechanical damage are completely sutured.
Finishing the walls of rooms with a laminate alone is an excess, while competent partial application can be called a successful design decision. In the kitchen, the work wall is usually sewn up. It looks very interesting when the apron is in harmony with the color of the facade. In terms of performance, a good laminate is only slightly inferior to tiles, at a price it is much cheaper, and also easier to install. Any wall or part of it can be upholstered in the living room, depending on the layout and design.
In the bedroom, as a rule, panels fill the wall at the head of the bed. The surface imitating a tree will be an excellent complement to the headset, emphasizing the unity of the interior. Balconies and loggias are perhaps the only place where the laminate as a topcoat can be used on all surfaces at once and there will not be much of it. If style allows, panels can be used in the bathroom, but not in the shower area. Even a moisture-resistant, high-quality laminate is not suitable for it, and the walls in the washbasin area behind the mirrors are quite.
On the ceiling
For a long time already the ideas of "European-quality repair" with its multi-tiered ceilings are not nice to the spoiled consumer. New materials replaced, in particular, the laminate. One of the reasons for its non-standard use was the desire to decorate the ceiling in any way possible. The ceiling is more expressive, providing additional soundproofing properties. It is unlikely that you will have to walk on it, so you can choose a laminate of the lowest class.
When decorating the ceiling with laminate, designers use different methods: full or partial lining. Sometimes it is appropriate to finish the part of the wall that goes to the ceiling, highlighting the functional area. This technique is usually used over the bed or in the kitchens, when you need to highlight the dining room or bar area. Often, a laminate, as an alternative to wooden lining, is used for lining attics.
Of course, this approach will not be widely demanded in the realities of high-rise buildings, where ceilings 2 meters high with a tail seem to be low already.
Laminate in the interior is the best option for creating a beautiful and tidy floor without unnecessary costs, as well as the original interior of the apartment with non-standard use of material on the walls or ceiling. The main thing is that there is a harmony of color and a sense of proportion in everything.