Using a laminate for wall decoration in a hallway

The great popularity of the laminate is explained very simply - it is a practical material, which is sold in a wide range at affordable prices. Manufacturers produce collections that mimic the texture of ceramic tiles, natural wood, stone and even reptile skin. Due to this diversity Laminate is widely used both for flooring and for decorating walls in the hallway.

Everyone knows that laminate is universally used for flooring in an apartment. However, you can buy material for vertical surfaces, and this is not surprising:

• due to a wide variety of textures and colors, you can realize the most original ideas in the interior;
• the laminate is considered one of the cheapest materials, so it is ideal if the homeowner plans to carry out repairs at minimal cost;
• high thermal insulation properties allow the use of lamellas not only as a decorative coating, but also as an additional insulation;
• laying panels of the correct geometric shape allows you to save on installation - you can do the cladding yourself without the involvement of third-party specialists.

Like any other finishing material, the laminate in the decoration of the hallway has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of the coating include a number of factors.

• Decorative - The laminate has an original texture that imitates natural materials. This gives the finish a unique charm and aesthetic appeal.
• Environmental friendliness - the coating does not contain harmful and toxic substances, therefore, it is suitable for decoration of residential premises.
• Durability - the wall covered with laminate keeps its appearance unchanged for many years. It is characterized by resistance to wear, abrasion, scratches and light mechanical damage that occur in hallways, especially when transporting new furniture and building materials.
• Soundproofing - A special technology for the production of laminate flooring allows it to reduce the noise coming from the corridor to the room and muffle the vast majority of the outgoing.

This is especially important when it comes to the entrance area in an apartment or house. It is no secret that this particular room is subject to maximum pollution. Entering the hallway, we put dirty shoes on the walls, drops of water fall from clothes and umbrellas, and they are far from always clean, here bags of groceries are leaning against the walls. And if four-legged pets live in the house, then after a walk in wet weather the problem of cleanliness in the corridor is doubly acute.

It should be noted that laminate is one of the rare finishing materials, which are coated with special compounds that increase its fire resistance. It almost does not burn, and under the influence of high temperatures does not emit toxic substances - in this coating significantly outperforms wood and plastic panels.

However, there were some minuses.

• Despite the fact that the laminate is protected from moisture, nevertheless, you should not use it for facing corridors in private houses, where residents enter the hallway directly from the street - under the influence of temperature changes, the material begins to deform. However, a good way out of this situation can be the installation of a thermal curtain, which will prevent the cold from entering the house and will help maintain a healthy microclimate. Thanks to this solution, you can protect the coating and keep its attractive appearance for a long time.
• In order to fix the laminate to the mounting adhesive, only a flat surface is required, there should be no bumps, inclinations or other deformations on the walls.
• Unfortunately, the laminate can not be called thin material, therefore, after installation, the dimensions of the corridor are slightly reduced, this decoration material is not suitable for very cramped rooms.

To determine the color palette of wall decoration with a laminate, you need to know the main specials of one or another direction in the decor.

For classic interiors, light lamellas with a smooth surface should be preferred., however, in this case it is very important to supplement the design half columns, mirrors and paintings.

For the design of modern high-tech trends and minimalism laminate is used infrequently, since they are more in demand paint or plaster. However, some options involve the installation of slats, but only if the coating is made in bright colors without a pronounced texture.

For country style rooms you should choose a laminate that imitates the color of natural wood, while the shades of the panels used can be either light or dark - the main thing is that they harmoniously combine with the overall color scheme of the room.

In dark hallways, the panels should be light, dark colors are allowed only in spacious rooms, and only partially. In this color, you can decorate one wall, or combine a light top in the decor with a dark bottom.

The selection of material for wall decoration should be based on the characteristics of the decor of the room, as well as on what facing materials were taken for the floor and ceiling. With the help of laminated plates, it is possible to effectively design the entrance area, where households take off their shoes and outerwear - this is a moisture resistant and easy to clean material, therefore it will be appropriate where the walls are especially susceptible to pollution.

Laminate is in harmony with rooms decorated in the style of Provence and country, if you prefer eco style, then all the vertical surfaces in the corridor can be trimmed with lamellas.

If you choose laminated panels for interiors in classic stylebest used single wall decorationIn this case, if the hallway is decorated in a classic style, a laminate that imitates natural wood will look great.

If you are a supporter hi-tech style - preference is best given to panels with a glossy surface, and for industrial decors better to opt for tiles, imitating beam.

When choosing a laminate, it is necessary to determine in advance the load to which the panels will be subjected. In the case of wall decoration, this parameter is minimal, so the budget option will be quite enough - low-grade panels are allowed, since there is no need for high wear resistance of the coating. Usually, the walls are made with panels of class 21-23 - in this case, the savings will be very significant.

According to the installation method, the laminate is divided into several types.

• Glue - in this design, lock clutches are not provided. Laying is done on a leveled and carefully prepared surface using strong adhesives.

• Sheet pile - the strips are fixed in the groove of the tongue with small studs or brackets, and the boards themselves are installed on the crate.

• Clicky - This method of fastening is considered the most reliable. When lining the surface of the board, they are inserted into a special groove and latched, after which they are fixed to the crate with glue.

There are several methods for placing the laminate on the walls of the corridor. Let us dwell on each of them.

When fixing the plates parallel to the floor, it is possible to achieve visual stretching of the room and the expansion of its boundaries. Corridors designed in this way become more spacious, light and airy, Such a solution looks especially impressive if strengthened with small inserts from darkened mirrors.

Lamels can be placed exactly one above the other, or they can be laid out in an intricate mosaic - here everything depends only on your personal preferences and the stylistic decision of the decor as a whole. The panels can be the same or have different lengths, but in any case their thickness must be uniform, otherwise the pattern will be biased, and the design will lose its decorative effect.

Vertical fixation of the slats visually raises the ceiling, especially when the shade of the boards is combined with the finish of the floor. Moreover, the finer the ornament on the plate - the more conceptual the whole room looks. It is advisable for vertical design to choose only one wall opposite the window - sunlight will create stylish accents on it, make it much more catchy.

Vertically located lamellas are most often used for cladding hallways - this room in typical high-rise buildings is small, and thanks to a simple reception, this defect is visually compensated.

If you like unconventional solutions in the interior, then try installing the laminate diagonally - this design harmoniously looks in both large and small spaces, the main thing is that the lamellas have the same width.

If you wish, you can always use the Christmas tree decor, however, with such a design, you should be as careful as possible, since it is able to give your room an old-fashioned look.

A separate section of the wall can be distinguished with a laminate, or you can fill the entire room with it. A single composition looks spectacular, in which the floor and ceiling are finished with one material - such a solution visually erases the sharp boundaries in the room, fills the space with a sense of warmth and family comfort.

Laminate can be used for wall decor not only in the hallway.

For example, for an apartment of a young man, you can draw an asymmetric composition of lamellas, complementing it with stylish posters or car signs. Young people will surely enjoy the bright decor, so you can paint the panels with the paint of juicy colors.

In romantic interiors pleasant smooth tones will be appropriate, which will relax and help relieve nervous tension - nude, sandy, vanilla.

Various shades of gray are recommended for loft or industrial room design., such decor unobtrusively emphasizes the style and at the same time softens it due to the pronounced texture.