25 Step Guide to Designing and Buying a Kitchen
A Professional Furniture Designers Guide
Step 20. Wall Coverings and Ceilings
I have provided below a selection of popular wall covering options for your kitchen with help about their practical use. there are also links to good supply companies.
Please click on company headings for links to their sites
Ceramic tile finishes
A good solid practical option in many sizes and finishes. Is less popular in bespoke kitchens where a more informal look is wanted ie a kitchen that does not look too kitchen like ( a difficult one that !). I like both looks when a good tile option is chosen. I have been horrified when bad choices have been made, in my absence, on some of my best kitchen schemes. I would say get independent advise from a good designer or specialist tile retailer (in that order) before tiling your bespoke kitchen, and do not buy cheap copies of anything.
Villeroy-Boch Ceramic wall tiles . Porcelanosa Ceramic wall tiles . Fired Earth Ceramic wall tiles
Handmade tiles are a nice rewarding voyage of discovery and well worth the effort. It is very difficult to stamp your mark on your project without hard work on your part or your designer to finish off the final details with decor and tiles so it is important to consider the individuality of this option and how that matters in the bigger picture. handmade tiles cost more but are worth it for decors especially.
Glass tile finishes
Glass tiles have been been very popular recently as borders, decors and mosaics. I have been impressed by a few, which I have listed here, and I will extend this list by providing links to more when they interest me.
Metallic tile finishes
Metallic finish tiles are an interesting look when handmade. The use of metallic glazes and designs has improved recently and I have various tiles in mind for future projects from the listed companies here.
Marble tile finishes
An interesting variety of shapes, colours and finishes. Can look very striking as large tiles, but probably a little too popular for the more individual cutting edge scheme in tumbled form. For the less adventurous offers a safe natural choice with lots of options for more tradiitional schemes.
Stonehouse Marble wall tiles
Mosaic finishes
A popular designers option, but not very easy to fit, or look after unless cheating with the imitation mosaic tile options. Sizes start from 20mm upwards in various materials from self coloured ceramic through to glass
Mosaic wall tiles . Mosaic wall tiles
Glass Splashback finishes
One of the more popular choices at the moment and very practical with lots of colour and metallic options. I still would avoid too much use and keep it to feature areas only. Heavy use under wall units can be overpowering and does not look good with too many joints.
Opticolour coloured glass . Aurora coloured glass
. Pimp Your Kitchen - coloured glass
Stainless steel finishesl
this was the most popular choice for splashbacks until recently and has receeded with the increased popularity of glass. Even so it is still an active choice in cutting edge design schemes. It is is less practical than glass if you are put off by scratches or blemishes because stainless steel is easy to damage .
Acorn tiles stainless steel splashbacks . Stainless steel splashbacks
Laminate panel finishes
A cheaper budget based option which has never excited me or seemed a better option than a good tile. Normally available in colours to match worktops. Also it is available as an upstand detail which looks less heavy .
Axiom laminate panel
Wood panelling finishes
A bespoke or traditional option, but a nice touch sometimes for features or dresser details in wood or painted finishes. It can be practical at dado level for easy cleaning around table areas etc
Wood panelling link
Wallpaper finishes
In vinyl form is acceptable for domestic use, but can be effected by excessive steam or water, so avoid using it where units are. Vinyl paper is fine and durable elsewhere with hundreds of options and textures.
Plasterwork finishing
Wall preparation and quality of finish is often overlooked. At the most basic level if a wall is patched and badly finished this can detract from a well finished kitchen. It is often at the end of the job, when spotlights are turned on, that the imperfections stand out and frustrate. It is messy and disruptive to put right, so get a decorator to have a look early in your preparations, and if more serious, then consider using a plasterer to skim with a new layer of plaster.
Ceiling finishing
Kitchen ceilings also require the same amount of consideration, and if heavily rendered, require refinishing for recessed spotlights. Rendered plaster can be re-skimmed but requires preparation and sealing, and can sometimes dry badly. I normally will re-board and skim if recessed lights are required, due to the necessiity to get access for cable runs without having to roll up carpets and clear rooms above etc
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