Ceilings in the kitchen: varieties, choices and examples

Unlike many animals, humans tend to look not only under their feet and forward, but also upwards, which means that aesthetics should be inherent in the decoration of not only the floor and walls, but also the ceiling. If in most rooms the main requirement for the ceiling material is often just visual appeal, then in the kitchen other factors, such as durability, resistance to steam, ease of cleaning from dirt, and so on, also become of great importance. Since all this does not negate the fact that the surface must remain beautiful, the improvement of the ceiling must be approached with special care.

Most people will not be able to give an extensive answer to the question of how to decorate a kitchen ceiling - It just so happened that many of the materials convenient for this place are rarely used in other rooms... Nevertheless, it would also be a big mistake to think that your choice is very limited - in fact, you have a lot of options, and now you will see for yourself.

The simplest, yet "old-fashioned" way of finishing the ceiling in any room is to whitewash it. In terms of financial costs, such repairs will cost mere pennies, because the finishing materials in this case are just chalk or lime diluted in water. A liquid composition of dry material is usually made by the owner himself, he also applies the mass to the surface, and then all that remains is to wait until everything dries up and takes on its final form.

In the kitchen, such a ceiling is appropriate if only because it is 100 percent environmentally friendly, and at any time you can make a decision regarding the restoration procedures. Contrary to popular belief, modern whitewash doesn't have to be white. - no one bothers to add color to the composition, as is done with some types of modern paints. The whitewash in combination with the beams ensures that the rustic style is as realistic as possible.

Of course, this approach also has disadvantages - for example, the complete inability of whitewashing to hide surface defects. Therefore, before performing the procedure, you will have to spend time and effort on preparatory work, which includes removing the old coating, and with it dirt and dust, as well as filling irregularities. Besides, lime does not even allow the thought of washing, since, in principle, it is afraid of moisture, and regular surface contamination, which is inevitable in a kitchen, will force you to renew the ceiling covering over and over again.

In some ways, painting resembles whitewash, but at the same time it is better at least in terms of durability and readiness to wash. As with lime, direct application to the surface is most often done by the owner himself, but the mixture is sold ready-made, and the maximum that you need is to buy a color scheme of a certain color, having decided on its proportion.

But still, let's not over-praise this material either - although it can be washed, constant moisture and intense rubbing with detergents will quickly "kill" such a finish, even if it will withstand a little longer. Besides, you will not be able to avoid the mandatory operations for preliminary surface preparation - in any case, you need to level the ceiling with sandpaper, cover up the cracks, remove all dust and dirt. The old paint coat is usually impossible to remove and this is not a problem as long as the hiding power of the new paint is high enough.

Not so long ago, such a decision was a squeak of fashion (not for the kitchen, but, in principle, for premises), but in recent years such material has lost its relevance. Figuratively speaking, this is a stucco molding for the poor - it is such a decoration that usually imitates expanded polystyrene, but speaking objectively, we have to admit that the fact of forgery and its indicative cheapness negatively affect the perception of the interior.

Expanded polystyrene is able to mask minor gaps, but in general, this finishing option is completely unproductive for hiding large irregularities and protrusions - those will only be emphasized even more. The admissibility of washing does not save much, because the tile absorbs dirt and grease inside, and its relief structure is not very convenient for effective cleaning. Finally, this type of plastic is heavily criticized for the fact that it burns, and at the same time, during the combustion process, it also emits very toxic substances.

For all its shortcomings, good quality polystyrene foam tiles, on which they have not been too economical, can be a good addition to the country style. In any case it is relatively inexpensive, which means that it is considered by everyone who is looking for a way to make repairs on a budget... Ease of installation on special glue allows the owners to refuse to pay for the services of the master, when gluing can be done on their own. At the same time, thick slabs hide old bright spots better than the same whitewash or paint.

And this is the squeak of fashion today.Stretch fabric can be either glossy or matte - the latter has universal compatibility with all styles, while the former goes well with shiny art deco and hi-tech. Contrary to expectations, such a solution is permissible even in kitchens with low main ceilings, because the tension level can differ by only five centimeters.

Variation of design is considered to be a big advantage of stretch ceilings, since the customer can choose any color or even pattern, order a photo print of any image and mount lighting under the covering.

Most often, PVC film is used as a material, which is inexpensive and can be washed. Those who are chasing an exclusive interior and are ready to spare no money often opt for a more expensive fabric-based stretch ceiling.

And here is another unambiguous top of recent years, highly appreciated by most designers who are trying to unleash their full potential. In fact, it is an aluminum frame on which drywall is attached, but instead of gypsum panels, plastic panels and wooden lining can be used, and if desired, all this in the future can also be pasted over with wallpaper or sheathed with laminate.

A peculiar feature of suspended ceilings is that they are well combined with other types of finishes, and also allow the creation of multi-level structures, which is convenient for zoning. Both communications and lighting can be hidden under the outer cladding, and some owners order a full-fledged glass ceiling in the form of a stained-glass window. With other advantages, installation is quite simple, and traditional plasterboard cladding is both quite cheap and environmentally friendly.

This solution has only one drawback, but it is decisive for the residents of most apartment buildings: the suspended structure turns out to be too bulky for a small kitchenette, which also has a low ceiling. For this reason, this option is more appropriate either in spacious private cottages or in a studio apartment.

In essence, this type of ceiling decoration resembles the above-described suspended ceiling, only for sheathing the supporting frame, not sheets of arbitrary shape are used, but slats - fragments of considerable length and minimum width. As cladding, wooden slats are used, less often - aluminum or plastic, from siding. The advantages and disadvantages resemble the same suspended ceiling, but it should be remembered that for the kitchen, the seams of the slatted ceiling should be closed in order to prevent the penetration of dirt and steam.

This finishing option is also often called a type-setting ceiling. In fact, this is also an analogy of the two types of ceiling described above, only it consists of so-called cassettes - square plates of the same size, made of aluminum or galvanized metal, glass or chipboard... The size of such cassettes is usually quite large - the standards start from 30 to 30 cm.

Such a ceiling rightly belongs to the number of expensive, elite ones. First of all, Venetian plaster (this is the other name for this composition) can form fancy patterns, but to create this it is worth attracting a proven professional. Besides, in terms of resistance to typical kitchen challenges, the Venetian is also very good - it is not afraid of moisture, while effectively protecting the surface underneath from the development of fungal colonies.

The peculiarity of decorative plaster is that today it is possible to imitate many other materials with its help, which could not so effectively stand in the right place and fill in all the irregularities of the substrate. Nevertheless the high cost of this material and the services of the master scares off many potential consumers.

When deciding on the choice of color for the ceiling covering, it is necessary to focus not only on your own aesthetic preferences, but also on the stylistic features of the design of the entire kitchen, and on the specifics of its lighting. The ceiling should not violate the selected scale, correctly fitting into it and echoing with something else, unless you have focused on photo printing.

For monochromatic solutions, you should pay attention to the following popular options.

• Black. The solution stands out for its boldness - people have long lost the habit of the fact that the ceiling may not be white, but here is the complete opposite of whiteness. Such a bold move allows you to emphasize the lines of the interior and make it graphically attractive, but it is better not to experiment like this in rooms with low ceilings.

• White. On the one hand, nothing out of the ordinary, but on the other hand, since when has it become normal to abandon proven and successful ideas for the sake of pretentiousness. Achromatic white can be combined with any other colors, and the whiteness of the ceiling, especially the glossy one, greatly gives the kitchen space and lightness.

• Red. Another daring trick, which is rarely used so far, and therefore asks for a real original in the kitchen. Psychologists say that bright warm tones in the kitchen are good for appetite and uplifting mood - great, no one said that you can't finish the ceiling in this way.

• Brown. Wooden interior, even in the age of plastic, remains one of the most popular, since it is environmentally friendly and is subconsciously associated by many people with home comfort. At the same time, the tree does not have to be natural - figuratively speaking, any imitation that conveys at least color is suitable. By bringing it up to the ceiling, you make it not as gloomy as if it were black, but still effectively set off other, lighter tones.

• Green. This ceiling color cannot be called the most popular, but in vain - the tone is unique, because it simultaneously calms, improves mood and improves appetite.

• Yellow and orange. These colors are traditionally associated with the sun and natural light, so their presence in the room, and even on the ceiling, looks quite reasonable. Such a choice is not for everyone, and that is why it is good.

The design of the kitchen ceiling is not limited to just one choice of color - modern industrial possibilities allow you to freely experiment with the design of the ceiling covering. Even if you have chosen a plain surface, it is up to you to decide whether it will be glossy or matte. Gloss gives shine, and in some cases it can provide a near mirror image of everything that happens in the room. This finishing option is good because it visually expands the room, adds brightness and lighting to it, but it is important not to overdo it, because the abundance of blinding glare is unlikely to be a plus. In this regard, a matte plain ceiling is more restrained, it brightens the room, but not excessively, and even has wider possibilities for combining with one or another style of interior.

Many types of finishes allow not only uniformity, but also the presence of patterns - they can be typical for stretch ceilings, and for surfaces covered with wallpaper or finished with Venetian plaster. Texture is sometimes appropriate in order to diversify the interior, and if you have not preferred minimalism or related trends, it will be quite appropriate.

Painting is an even more complex type of decoration of the ceiling surface, it is often performed on fabric for a stretch ceiling, but in some cases it is possible to involve an artist for improvement and other coatings. Unlike factory patterns, painting is always individual and unique, and even minor mistakes in it can only emphasize the exclusivity and high cost of the interior.

Photo print design is appropriate for the same wallpaper, fabric and some other surfaces. When properly incorporated into the overall profile of the interior, the result is breathtaking if, sitting in a cozy and warm kitchen, you see a pleasant summer sky overhead with light clouds all year round, even when it is winter and frost outside. This, of course, is only a single example, but with the help of modern technologies you have the opportunity to transfer yourself to any place where you would like to dine.

Choosing a ceiling for the kitchen is actually not such a difficult task, and yet inexperienced owners regularly manage to spoil the impression of a room in pursuit of something that they saw from neighbors or on the Internet, but which is completely inappropriate for their apartment. ... To avoid doing this at home, take a look at the simple and logical advice from experts to help you understand what your dream ceiling looks like.

• Practicality is at the forefront. When making repairs, most people are guided by beauty, but in a kitchen this factor is not at all playing the first violin. Of course, taking care of the attractiveness of the interior is also worth it, and it does not hurt to take care of the wallet, but first of all it is necessary to set aside those options that do not meet the demands for durability, ease of cleaning, and so on. Of course, you can consciously choose the same whitewash, being morally ready to change it at least once a year, but in practice there are not so many such owners.

• A low ceiling needs to be finished without frills and in bright colors. This is a smart idea, since you are directly interested in saving space - fortunately, many modern styles are oriented towards minimalism in one way or another. A combined multi-level ceiling can look beautiful, but not in a small kitchenette, where this bulky structure will take up too much space, constraining (at least psychologically) its owners.

• The potential abundance of preparatory work prompts the choice of finishes that effectively hide any irregularities. In many cases, the old surface turns out to be too damaged by defects, especially if you decide to first remove the old one before installing the new coating. You can hide all these cracks, pits and protrusions with the help of diligent work with a trowel and a large amount of plaster, but in most cases it is much easier to spend a little more once installing stretch, suspended, rack or cassette ceilings. A one-time overpayment in this case is fully justified, since the effect will be long-lasting.

• Stylistic requirements must be met. In everyday life, not so many people pay attention to this, however, when overhauling a kitchen with a replacement ceiling, it makes sense to take care of the integrity of perception. From a moral point of view, you can understand that if you spent the majority of the money on the most modern technology, then there is really nothing left on the ceiling.But you are unlikely to argue that you will spoil the maturing high-tech with a banal whitewash or paint. A reasonable approach involves the preliminary preparation of a project with an estimate that takes into account all potential costs - so you will understand how to properly allocate finances.

A white ceiling is an eternally relevant idea that will always have a right to exist. In the first example, we see how this design option brightens the room - although there is no abundance of bright light sources, it still does not look dark at all, especially since the gloss additionally reflects light. Due to the low main ceiling, the chandelier is inappropriate in this kitchen, so the designer has “sewn in” spotlights under the tension surface.

The black ceiling, and even glossy, is something completely original. On the one hand, due to the specificity of the shade, it absorbs light, while the gloss reflects it back without restricting the space too rigidly. Against the background of such a bold decision, the kitchen, which is quite simple in terms of design, suddenly acquires futuristic features and turns into a dream that cannot be forgotten.

You don't come across a kitchen in white and green tones so often, but in vain - just take a look at this lovely design creation. The narrow and elongated shape of the room literally requires the walls to be light and expand the space, so the designer decided to put the main greenery on the ceiling, the walls of the headset, the apron and the picture, and it turned out with dignity.

You can find out about the secrets of decorating the ceiling in the kitchen with plastic by watching the video below.