The wall above the kitchen countertop is a place particularly prone to getting dirty. Therefore, it is worth protecting it against water or high temperatures. So how to finish the space between the kitchen cabinets so that, in addition to the aforementioned properties, it visually matches the kitchen furniture? A decade ago, the answer to this question was simple and unambiguous – shallow. Nowadays, there are many possibilities – you can choose from materials such as laminated board, glass, stone, steel, wallpaper, decorative paint or the aforementioned ceramic tiles, but in completely new shapes and textures. An important factor determining the choice of the way of finishing the space between the cabinets should be matching the style of our new furniture and the whole room.
The paint that is resistant to dirt
One of the most popular solutions today is simply painting the inter-cupboard space with a special paint dedicated to the kitchen. This paint is resistant to moisture and frequent wiping. It is easily available in many colors, you can easily buy it in any DIY store. Structural paints, which are able to visually mask small wall irregularities, are also increasingly used. Currently, with structural paint, you can get not only the familiar “lamb” effect, which has become the bane of many renovation teams, which had to remove it. Structural paint can now look like concrete, the surface of the moon, or even metal. To create a specific effect, you do not need to be a specialist, just get the right equipment for applying paint, watch the instructional video and … ready!
Glass panels
It is a solution that is constantly enjoying great popularity, mainly due to the possibility of personalizing the glass surface of the panels. In stores you can find glass panels in many colors, many manufacturers offer the possibility of making glass in the color chosen by the customer or based on the provided graphics. An interesting option is also the use of glass – a mirror that will perfectly complement the decor of a glamor-style kitchen or make the room seem larger than it really is. The perfectly smooth glass surface does not absorb dirt and odors from the kitchen, is easy to clean and – as in the case of tempered glass – is durable. Glass panels work well in places particularly exposed to high temperatures, as well as in securing the inter-cabinet space in which other materials that are difficult to clean are used – such as brick or wallpaper. In such situations, in order not to cover the effect with the color, transparent tempered glass is used.
Furniture board
This is an interesting and fashionable solution that definitely warms and gives the interior depth. Thanks to the possibility of using various types and colors of furniture boards, it will be a universal choice – suited to both classic, retro and minimalist styles. Very often, the laminate is used in the same pattern as the worktop, and its assembly is carried out by the team assembling the kitchen, so there is no need to outsource it to another company. When choosing a kitchen finish with a furniture board, you need to remember about the appropriate method of cleaning and caring for it – using rough brushes or scourers can damage the top layer of the board, and therefore may become more susceptible to moisture or mechanical damage.
Stone
Finishing the space between the kitchen cabinets with marble or travertine is an interesting way to finish the interior in a modern style. It is worth noting, however, that this is an expensive, extravagant and not entirely practical method – stones easily absorb water or grease, and thorough cleaning of the surface is practically impossible. If you care about the raw appearance of the kitchen, it is worth paying attention to granite, which is a durable material, resistant to damage and thanks to its smooth structure, it does not absorb water or other dirt so much. Another possibility is to use clinker brick tiles or real demolition bricks, which are cut to the appropriate thickness. However, you should remember that both of these materials are highly absorbent – it is worth to additionally protect them with tempered glass or – if you want a raw finish – with a special protective impregnation that penetrates the structure of the brick and protects it against moisture.
Concrete
For fans of loft-style interiors, the perfect proposal to fill the space above the kitchen countertop is the use of architectural concrete. We can achieve a stylish effect in two ways. The first is the use of ready-made concrete slabs, which are produced in various sizes and structures, and some companies specializing in the production of these slabs, can prepare slabs according to the specification sent by the customer. Of this type the tiles will look great in larger spaces and with appropriate loft lighting. The second way to obtain the concrete effect is to use ready-made decorative masses that look like real concrete when applied to the wall. This solution is definitely cheaper than buying ready-made boards. In addition, it does not require the employment of a specialist – thanks to the manufacturer’s instructions, everyone can handle the plaster application.
Wallpaper
The biggest advantage of this solution is the huge selection of available patterns and textures. It is also possible to design your own pattern based on the photo provided to the manufacturer or specific wallpaper guidelines. It is also a great way to combine an open plan kitchen with a living room by using the same finish in the room part as in the kitchen part. However, if we want to use the wallpaper (or photo wallpaper) only in the kitchen, we do not have to limit ourselves to motifs typically associated with the kitchen, such as coffee or fruit. There are wallpapers available for sale that perfectly imitate, for example, Moroccan tiles. When choosing wallpaper for the kitchen, it is worth looking at the material from which it is made – vinyl wallpaper will be the best because of its high resistance to moisture or high temperature. If you are concerned that your wallpaper may be damaged when using a stove or hob, you may consider using extra protection such as clear tempered glass.
Sheet metal
This is a fairly new proposal for finishing the kitchen, but more and more people choose such a solution: the sheet is extremely hygienic, easy to clean, resistant to high temperatures and water. In addition, it can act as a magnetic board to which you can attach magnets (from further and closer journeys), kitchen utensils or recipe cards.
Glaze
It is also worth mentioning the classic solution, i.e. wall tiles, which have managed to adapt to new times and interior trends over the years. For many, this is an almost perfect solution – glaze is relatively inexpensive, resistant to water and high temperatures. It does not require the use of special protective measures, and its maintenance is simple and intuitive. Additionally, the glaze is available in practically all colors, shapes and sizes. Choosing the right tiles from among so many options is not the only challenge – it is worth remembering about the right grout. The more joints, the more time it will take to clean and maintain. What’s more, the grooves can accumulate dirt, grease and moisture, which can lead to the formation of mold. It is not the tiles that we choose that will affect the final visual effect of our kitchen. It is worth remembering about the appropriate way of arranging the tiles (e.g. English or diamonds), which can optically enlarge or reduce our interior.
There are plenty of options for arranging the space between kitchen cabinets. What you choose depends on your imagination, idea for space arrangement and the budget you have at your disposal. However, it is worth remembering about a coherent image of all rooms – a properly arranged space between cabinets in the kitchen can become a real decoration of the room.