How to use brick in the interior of the kitchen
Kitchen decoration is not only about tiles, whitewash and waterproof wallpaper. Brick in the interior of the kitchen will perfectly fit into modern design, regardless of the size of the space. But in order for such material to be in harmony with the general decoration, it is important to know how and where to use it correctly..
A brick wall is a great idea for a kitchen interior renovation
Advantages
Brick is a durable and reliable material for both exterior and interior cladding. The advantages of this design include:
- long service life;
- resistance to temperature extremes, which is especially important in a kitchen;
- heat resistance;
- water resistance;
- good insulating qualities;
- strength and shock resistance;
- resistance to household chemicals;
- environmental friendliness;
- hypoallergenic.
Brick walls are not only good for practicality. This decor creates a warm and cozy atmosphere..
Brick finish makes any kitchen unique and cozy
In order not to overload the space, combine brick with other materials.
disadvantages
Despite the many advantages of brick, it has disadvantages:
- heterogeneous texture, which makes such a surface difficult to wash;
- dirt gradually accumulates in the seams and mold may develop;
- oily stains are more difficult to remove from a porous surface.
You will have to regularly wipe the masonry, otherwise the appearance of the wall will quickly deteriorate
Red brick practically does not reflect light, which means more lamps will be needed for comfortable lighting of the kitchen
Brick walls require careful maintenance and regular cleaning. There are disadvantages not only in terms of the practical use of such a design:
- Natural brick tends to absorb light, making the room darker. To make such a kitchen cozy, you will have to add more light..
- If the brickwork takes up too much area, it visually makes the kitchen smaller. Taking into account light absorption, such an interior will become even darker..
To avoid negative effects, the brick must be used in a metered amount and only to decorate one of the walls or individual sections..
Brick must be used in a metered fashion, even if you are a fan of urban styles
Types of material
Brick is not only dark red or white in color and a rough surface. Different materials allow you to choose the desired shades and textures up to gloss or mirror shine.
Chipped brick – a fashionable solution for interiors in industrial or rustic styles
Natural brick
If the owners of the apartment are lucky, and it is located in an old house, natural brick is the easiest option for finishing a kitchen. It is enough to remove the old covering to get to the brick. To give the surface a presentable look, it is coated with varnish or paint. An additional layer will protect the brick from dirt and dust, it is easier to care for such a finish in a kitchen.
If you live in a house with brick walls, it is enough to remove the plaster to get a beautiful finish.
A brick wall can be artificially aged with craquelure, or covered with plaster, preserving the texture of the masonry. Another decor option is a transparent glass panel. It will protect the brick from any impact and at the same time visually expand the space by adding more light..
Facing
Due to its small size and thickness, such a brick can be used even in a very small kitchen. Small masonry will not make the space even narrower and smaller, and due to its size, it is convenient to use it on any surfaces. Cladding brick works well for window and door openings or a kitchen backsplash.
Cladding brick itself has a fairly smooth surface
Ceramics
Ceramic tiles with a brick effect will suit any interior style. A variety of textures, colors and sizes allows you to use this material in a variety of combinations. Natural stone design is suitable for Provence, country or Scandinavian style, and glossy surfaces are a godsend for minimalism or hi-tech.
Ceramic tiles imitating brick or stone are one of the most popular finishes
Glossy tiles will be easier to clean
Other materials
Real brick is heavy and bulky, making it an unsuitable cladding option for thin walls. Glass panels with a brick pattern or thick vinyl wallpaper with a suitable texture will be a good substitute.
The fastest way to decorate the interior is to finish with brick-like panels, which are of sufficient quality and practically do not differ from natural material
comparison table | ||
Finishing | pros | Minuses |
Natural brick | Strength, resistance to fire and temperature drops, durability. | Rough surface, difficulty in care, risk of developing mold in the seams, poor choice of shades. |
Facing | Lightness, compactness, many cladding options, rich palette. | The high cost of work, the appearance of white bloom over time. |
Ceramics | Strength, wear resistance, easy care, not afraid of water and fire. | Price, complexity of work. |
Glass panel | Environmentally friendly, easy to install and maintain, durable. | Price, relative fragility, dust and greasy spots are immediately visible. |
Wallpaper | The choice of textures and shades, low cost, ease of care. | Some types of wallpaper cannot be washed, fire hazard, fragility. |
How to apply in the interior
A brick wall in the interior of the kitchen most often evokes associations with a loft. However, the use of brick is more versatile, which allows it to be combined with the most unexpected interior options..
Natural brick is more suitable for a loft
Where brick cladding is appropriate:
- High tech. Glass and chrome surfaces are characteristic of this style. Brick allows you to make them stand out by shifting the focus to the desired elements. Both classic red and white look equally stylish.
Spacious high-tech kitchen
- Gothic. The Gothic style is strict and laconic, the brick walls fit perfectly into the interior. Classic combination – light background and dark furniture.
Brick apron in the kitchen in the Gothic style
- Art Deco. For this direction, it is better to choose discreet shades of coffee or dark chocolate. This color looks both strict and luxurious, emphasizing the elegance of the interior..
Stylish kitchen apron under the “torn” brick
- Minimalism. This direction is distinguished by the utmost rigor and conciseness, and brickwork can bring a little extravagance into the design. Black or steel gray are great colors.
Brutal minimalist cuisine
- Mediterranean style. Brick white or rich terracotta shades are suitable for facing arches or vaults. Matches well with wood beams on walls and ceilings.
Brick arch in a Mediterranean style kitchen
- Classic. Despite the conservatism of classic interiors, brick is appropriate here in the form of small inserts. An apron or a bar counter can be distinguished by brickwork..
Classic set combined with a brick wall
As you can see, brick walls easily fit into even the most strict interior styles. And so that such a cladding does not cause dissonance, you need to correctly select the color and texture of other surfaces. It is worth considering the color scheme of furniture and textile elements..
Room zoning
Brick walls can be a great way to zone a space. In adjoining rooms or in a studio, the kitchen area can be separately distinguished using bricks. In this case, it is used to decorate an apron, highlight an accent wall or for a partition between the kitchen and living room..
An example of a successful selection of a dining area with brickwork
A solid or partial partition can become a separate interior decoration if you decorate it with paintings, panels, hang lamps or put fresh flowers in niches. The decor will dilute the roughness of the cladding, but at the same time retain the industrial touch. If desired, you can paint the brickwork to match the rest of the finish or choose contrasting color combinations.
How to paint a brick surface
Painting a brick wall in your desired color is one of the most popular finishing options. Moreover, in new homes, this process should be postponed for at least a year, otherwise the effect will be the most unexpected. Painting itself does not take much time, finishing work is carried out in several stages:
- The surface is thoroughly cleaned with water and a stiff brush. Do not use alkaline and acidic agents..
The wall must be cleaned of old coating and dust
- The brick wall should dry completely, so it is best to paint it in the summer..
- Before painting, the surface is primed.
The primer will provide high-quality painting and reduce the consumption of the topcoat
- Layers of paint are applied.
The choice of a matte or glossy finish depends only on the wishes of the apartment owners and the interior features. If you want to surprise your guests, you can choose shades with a metallic or mother of pearl effect. The paint will provide additional protection for a brick wall and simplify its maintenance..
To speed up the process, you can use a roller, but the seams will have to be painted with a brush
Important! It is possible to paint brickwork in an old house only after restoration and leveling of the surface..
Useful Tips
What you need to consider when choosing a brick wall for the kitchen:
- Natural brick looks great in the dining area or on a non-working wall, but it is not suitable for an apron. For the cooking area, it is better to choose ceramic tiles with an appropriate design..
- If you want to completely decorate one of the walls with bricks, you should choose the one that is best lit by the sun..
- It is not necessary to cover all the walls of the kitchen with brickwork, otherwise the room will not differ in any way from the basement. It is best to use this material as a link between zones or decor of openings..
- A brick kitchen should be as lit as possible. For this, not only lamps and spots are used, additional lighting of furniture and countertops will also not be superfluous. In order to have more light in the room, do not close the windows with too thick curtains..
Lamps should organically fit into the interior of the kitchen
- Facing tiles can be used to decorate not only the surfaces of walls or floors, but also furniture. Brick is suitable for imitating a fireplace or creating a real hearth when it comes to a private house.
- The brick ceiling is an original solution, but only suitable for private houses. In modern apartments, such decor not only looks too bulky, but can also be dangerous..
- If the walls of a house or apartment are made of bricks, it is not necessary to subject them to additional processing. But if you wish, you can paint part of the surfaces or highlight niches and protrusions in a different color..
The general rule of design is that for a small kitchen it is better to use light colors, and dark ones are appropriate in spacious rooms with large windows
All of the above are not the only ways to use bricks in the kitchen interior. With the proper imagination and taste, you can create a unique design.
Video: imitation of brickwork with your own hands
Photo: 50 ideas for using bricks in the interior of the kitchen