Aprons for the kitchen from MDF: features, varieties and tips for choosing

Kitchen aprons made of MDF are a practical solution that allows you to create an attractive design of the work area without significant effort and cost. The washable material can have a glossy or matte structure, it is easy to clean, and forms a one-piece, complete look of the headset. A protective screen made of MDF between the table top and the upper row of drawers is easily attached, it is not afraid of heating, changes in humidity and temperatures. Decorative solutions are also very diverse: you can find wall kitchen panels with patterns and photo prints, tile and wood finishes. Choosing such an apron, you can be sure that it will harmoniously complement the interior of a modern, classic or designer-style kitchen space.

Since an apron for a kitchen made of MDF primarily performs a purely functional role, it is worth paying attention to its practical purpose from the very beginning. This design covers the wall surface in the working area, absorbs splashes of water and grease, heat generated by heating devices. Using MDF - medium density fiberboards - you don't have to worry about the practicality of the apron. This material is characterized by increased strength, including resistance to mechanical abrasion, and can withstand significant operational loads.

Unlike other types of wood-based panels, MDF is produced by hot pressing using a lignin binder. It is environmentally friendly and does not contain formaldehydes hazardous to human health.Such a kitchen apron is completely harmless to health, even when heated, it does not emit toxic fumes.

Modern kitchen sets often have facades made of MDF - this finish leaves a lot of room for the original design of the structure. By adding this plate as a backsplash, you can also get optimal results with minimal design costs. The material has many obvious advantages.

• Affordable cost. The budget price of MDF allows you to aesthetically decorate the interior of the kitchen and at the same time exclude the purchase of too expensive finishes. Fiberboard is cheaper than tiles, solid wood or natural stone.
• High mechanical strength. A high-quality apron made of MDF is not afraid of blows, while cracks and other damage that reduce the decorative effect of the coating are not formed.
• Increased moisture resistance. The base of the slab is impregnated with lignin, which prevents the hob from picking up water and steam. This resistance is lower at the edges. But in general, nothing prevents the use of MDF material for wall decoration near the sink, slab.
• Ease of installation. The slab cut to the required size can be fixed on self-tapping screws, fixed with “liquid nails” without any help.
• Minimal care. The surface of the plate material can be easily cleaned from any contamination, it allows the use of the most common cleaning agents.
• Unlimited variety of design solutions. MDF can have a coating with photo printing, a surface that imitates the texture of wood or stone. It is possible to apply original prints, paint in various colors, and give a glossy shine.
• Additional thermal insulation, sound insulation. Like any wood board, an MDF apron when mounted on a wall makes it possible to reduce heat loss, reduces the penetration of noise from neighboring rooms.
• Possibility of hidden laying of communications. When mounted on a crate, an MDF apron can be used as a disguise for electrical wiring or other communication elements.
• No risk of mold and mildew. The material is resistant to them, does not require additional processing.

Not without its drawbacks. Close contact with a source of open fire - a gas stove - may distort the finish. The edges of the MDF apron are the most vulnerable - they must be protected from moisture, dirt using aluminum or plastic profiles. In the absence of such protection, deformation of the panels is possible over time.

Another obvious drawback is the instability of the coating to contact with sharp objects. The panels have high mechanical strength, but this does not save the surface from scratches. In addition, even a very high-quality decorative coating that imitates wood, tiles, stone, still does not fully recreate it. MDF will look at its price, it will not be possible to pass it off as a natural material.

MDF panels for the manufacture of aprons for the kitchen must fully comply with all requirements and standards. Their sizes depend:

• from the form - there are large-sized, narrow rack, tiled;
• processing method - a profile can be selected on the surface and edges;
• overall indicators.

Usually, MDF of small thickness is used for wall panels - 3 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm. The standard sheet width is 200 or 325 mm. The length usually reaches 2800 mm, but you can also find options for 2.44, 2.62 or 3 meters. Much depends on the equipment used in the production.

Thanks to the unlimited choice of design options for aprons made of MDF, almost any setting can be created in a modern kitchen: from a focused business to a dreamy and light one. Patterned options look especially impressive and expressive. Among prints, the following motives are especially popular.

• Images of animals and birds. Elegant swans, cooing pigeons, a soaring eagle look quite appropriate in the design of a kitchen apron.

• Pictures of wildlife. A tree on a rock, orchids on stones, an apple tree branch look original and do not overstrain your eyes. You can create a picture with a blooming field or transfer an enlarged image of your favorite variety of roses to the wall.

• Stylized images. The family monogram or coat of arms, the initials or names of those living in the house will look quite appropriate in the kitchen if you place them on a kitchen apron.

• Abstraction. Unusual interweaving of lines, chaotic strokes of color. They are harmoniously combined with different design styles, allowing you to show your imagination.

• Sea. Waves, oceans, paradise islands or clam shells in foam well refresh the atmosphere of the kitchen, bring a little romance into it.

• Imitation of materials. Brickwork, natural stone blocks, delicate marble - all this can be created using photo printing and other image transfer methods.

• Ethnic motives. Gzhel, Khokhloma are no less appropriate in the kitchen than African ornaments or ancient Maya letters. You just need to choose what the owner of the house likes.

• Gastronomic images. Juicy raspberries, green apples, red-orange salmon fillets, black olives - this apron design will whet your appetite.

• Transport vehicles. Cars, motorcycles, trains look brutal, look good on a kitchen apron in a bachelor dwelling.

MDF panels, used for the production of aprons, support painting, laminating, lamination of the surface in almost any color and shade. When choosing a panel for the kitchen, the general color scheme and style must be taken into account. For example, a glossy black or white apron is in harmony with a domino or hi-tech headset, suitable for Japanese minimalism. Of the neutral shades, we can recommend green, gray, beige, organically combined with almost any finish.

In a small kitchen, an apron is usually made in the same tone as the countertop. This allows you to visually increase the area of ​​the working area. Light panels create a similar effect.

The optimal color scheme for a plain kitchen apron is gentle pastel shades: blue, pink, peach. With a bright set of acidic shades - apple green, lime, electrician - the background should be neutral. If you want to add a little color to the interior decoration with a white, beige, gray set, you can use turquoise, grassy green, juicy yellow or orange colors.

MDF aprons have a lot of design options, and this makes it possible to implement almost any ideas and solutions in the interior. The simplest option is to paint the panels in one color in production with the creation of a glossy or matte surface texture. In total, there are more than 200 color options in the manufacturers' palette - from classic to original shades.

If you want a unique finish, you can opt for a printed apron. Here, the created design allows you to imitate natural materials - wood, stone. This solution looks quite attractive, and it costs much less than the original.This decor can be easily integrated into any interior design option. An option with a tile finish can be built into an Art Nouveau kitchen.

The higher the quality of the print, the more expensive it is to manufacture the product. An apron made of MDF with a photo print can depict nature views or reliably recreate still lifes on a culinary theme. You can transfer an abstract drawing or your own shot to the surface. Stereo printing with 3D effect looks even more interesting. It looks very attractive in ultra-modern interiors, high-tech style, but requires a large wall area.

The sizes of print details should also be chosen taking into account the area - the larger it is, the larger these elements can be.

Landscape scenes on the surface of the apron fit well with the aesthetics of the Mediterranean style or Provence, in the design in the ethnic, country style. Here sea and mountain landscapes will be appropriate. And if you use culinary motives, you can add "fire" to a neutral, minimalist kitchen.

In order for an MDF apron to successfully cope with the tasks assigned to it, the panels themselves must be of high quality and safe. When choosing a base material, be sure to be guided by the following points.

• Thickness of the slab. The apron in the kitchen should not be thinner than 4 mm.
• Brand credibility. It must be a full-cycle enterprise responsible for all the important characteristics of its products. Such brands as KRONOSPAN, HDM, Latat, KASTAMONU, P&M Kaindl were highly appreciated in the domestic market. It is very important that the company has a production facility in the Russian Federation that meets all applicable standards.
• The presence of a safety certificate. Only he guarantees the absence of formaldehyde and other hazardous ingredients in the composition.
• Correct storage. Plates that have been stored in violation of the rules will certainly change their geometric parameters during operation.
• Design features. It should be in harmony with the overall design of the kitchen space, the chosen set.
• Color scheme. With the help of an apron, you can visually change the external perception of the headset. A light panel will help make the cabinets look taller, at least. The dark one will narrow the distance from the table top to the lower edge of the headset hanging block.

Caring for MDF aprons is as simple as possible. The material does not accumulate static electricity. Accordingly, dust is formed on it little by little and rather slowly. The dirt also does not settle too much. Any marks you notice can be quickly removed with soapy water and a sponge or soft microfiber cloth.

In order to preserve the decorative effect of the material for a long time, the use of metal sponges should be avoided., hard brushes, detergents with abrasive particles. You need to take special care of surfaces with prints applied to their surface. The service life of the coating can be extended by using special polishes that increase the gloss and form a protective film.

Installing the apron in the next video.