In in the kitchen design in which we normally pay more attention when furnishing a new home. Choosing the right layout and materials is essential for a new kitchen to be practical for us. And if there are two elements that we should pay more attention to, those are the countertops and the kitchen fronts.
The wall surface between the kitchen worktop and the upper cabinets is highly exposed to kitchen splash or the sink. Hence, we usually cover it with materials that make it easier for us to clean it and that at the same time make our kitchen more attractive. Which are? You may be wondering.
The most popular alternative has always been to tile the wall from floor to ceiling to avoid dampness, stains, odors ... However, it is increasingly common to find other alternatives that provide a refreshing air to the new kitchens. Glass panels, steel mosaics, marble tiles, and hydraulic mosaics are just a few of the current trends.
Ceramic kitchen fronts
Tile is the most popular material for tiling the kitchen. Cheap, resistant and easy to clean, meets all practical requirements as well as aesthetic ones. Infinite designs both smooth and printed, both glossy and matt with different sizes and shapes allow us to personalize our kitchen.
La hydraulic tile It has become fashionable again and today occupies a privileged place in decoration magazines. Along with these, hexagonal tiles are today the most popular to cover the kitchen front. And we do not forget the classic white rectangular tiles, which fit into any environment and never go out of style.
A but? As they are generally small-format pieces the meetings are numerous. And these can blacken if not paid attention to, impoverishing our kitchen.
Glass kitchen fronts
Glass is one of the materials that has gained the most prominence in the last decade. There are both aesthetic and practical reasons for this. Aesthetically speaking, glass is a material that provides a modern touch to our kitchen. Its ability to reflect light also makes the space appear larger, which is very suitable in small kitchens.
Functionally speaking, glass is a easy cleaning material. Especially when the kitchen front is clad in a single piece, without any kind of joints. Placing large format plates, however, is just one of the many ways to apply this material; We could also do it through tesserae made up of small tiles.
Steel kitchen fronts
If you are looking to emulate the great Industrial kitchens, stainless steel becomes your best ally. In addition to distinguishing it and giving it an unmistakable industrial touch, a stainless steel kitchen front will bring light to your kitchen, visually enlarging the space.
Use as a kitchen front a smooth steel plate on the countertop is possibly the most minimalist alternative. While porcelain or glass tiles covered with stainless steel, they become the best option to give shine to kitchens both with a classic character and a modern concept.
Stainless steel is easy to clean using a clean cloth, soap and water. You can also find specific products on the market; a good tool for general cleaning and preventing tiles from losing their shine. Moisture resistant, You will only have to worry about scratches and fingerprints.
Concrete and microcement
You can also give your kitchen an industrial air by opting for exposed concrete or microcement kitchen fronts. The absence of joints is one of the advantages of this material that, however, can be cumbersome when cleaning if the material is very rough; Stains can embed more easily than on a smooth surface, and rags can catch on the surface.
Marble kitchen fronts
Marble is synonymous with quality and sophistication, but is it the best material for a kitchen front? Just as on the countertop it may not be the best option, on the front it can work. When sealed, it offers great durability despite having small vulnerabilities: its reaction with acids and its low resistance to strong shocks.
Despite these little "buts" it is still one of the favorite materials to dress the kitchen front. The variety of finishes, smooth, mottled and veined that we have in the market and its versatility to fit in environments of different styles play in its favor.
Timber It is another of the materials that aesthetically most like to decorate the kitchen. However, it is not one of the best materials to cover the kitchen front; it deteriorates with humidity and tends to absorb stains if it is not treated with special varnishes. Laminates and other materials that imitate wood are in these a better option than the original.
Are you more clear about the most interesting materials for dressing the kitchen front?