Mirror aprons for the kitchen: types, design and use in the interior

When designing a kitchen, much attention is paid to the choice of an apron. This design can not only profitably present the decor of the room, but also add coziness. And these are not all of its functions. The apron perfectly protects the walls from moisture and grease. All these tasks are perfectly handled by the mirror-like appearance of the structure. In addition, this option helps to visually expand the room.

Some time ago, tiles were mainly used to protect walls near the work surface. Due to the variety of modern materials, other types of cladding have become available to most of the inhabitants:

• stone;
• plastic;
• metal;
• mirror glass.

When creating a modern design kitchen, a mirrored apron occupies a special place. Its popularity is due to a number of advantages that this material provides. Thus, the mirror surface shows excellent heat resistance and moisture resistance. In addition, it perfectly tolerates sudden changes in temperature. This design has another significant advantage - it is easy to clean. In the process of cooking, drops of fat and streaks from water vapor appear on an apron from any material. And it is from the mirror surface that they are easy to remove. All you need to do is use a microfiber cloth or a simple sponge and a mirror cleaner.

In addition, mirrors help to visually expand the kitchen space. This factor is especially important when decorating small spaces. Modern mirror aprons are sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage. Such material is difficult to break, but if it does, then the fragments are safe. This feature of the material is relevant in cases where there are small children in the house.

Another advantage of this type of apron is the density of the material. The absence of pores on its surface excludes the formation of mold and mildew. This is important for the kitchen area, since high humidity often occurs in it, which is a desirable habitat for such formations. Here I would also like to note the hypoallergenic properties of mirrors, as well as their environmental safety.

For all its advantages, this coating does not differ in high cost. Even an untrained worker will be able to install the structure. The mirror apron can be fixed not only by installing special fasteners, but also using glue. This design also has several disadvantages. To maintain its good appearance, the garment must be washed frequently. In addition, for the best decorative effect, this surface should be completely open. Therefore, it is worth refusing to hang additional shelves and hangers in this area.

Depending on the modification of the mirror apron, the appearance of the kitchen also changes. These constructions can be made in the form:

• monolithic panel;
• tiles;
• mosaics.

Panel type products are made of tempered glass. Such a structure is not only distinguished by its strength, but also by a rather long blade length - up to 3 meters. This allows the panel to be installed as a whole, which in turn makes the decor more expensive. Mirror tiles are an effective decorative element. On sale you can also find modifications for a brick. The types of surfaces are also different. They can be either glossy or matte. However, with such a modification, the cleaning process is significantly complicated.Various contaminants, including grease stains, settle on tile joints that are difficult to clean.

Mirrored surfaces for aprons are distinguished by a variety of additional decor, which makes the appearance of the surface uniqueness and originality. Currently, designers offer several basic solutions for the design of mirrors in the form of a kitchen apron:

• colored canvas;
• satin effect;
• aged texture;
• the presence of a drawing.

A colored mirror offers a wide variety of decor options. The colors can be selected in accordance with the color of the kitchen set or its fittings. A contrasting mirror can also be a good idea. The satin effect is created by matting the surface. In this case, the mirror surface can be processed to look like satin, either completely or partially. Designers offer a large number of geometric options, as well as the creation of unique matte patterns and designs.

Mirror structures can be installed in rooms of various sizes. Most often, the element is used to expand and deepen the space. The maximum effect in this case is obtained by combining a white kitchen and a mirror apron. This color, when reflected, adds light to the room and gives the impression of a lack of boundaries in the room. It should be noted that this combination does not require powerful lighting devices in the area of ​​the countertop, stove or sink. A small amount of backlighting will suffice, as most of the lighting will be added by a mirrored apron. This principle, in the presence of a white headset, works not only in daylight, but also in the dark.

Before installing a mirror backsplash or laying tiles, you need to level the surface of the wall. This is essential for the correct refraction of light. After completing the work, you can begin to calculate the dimensions of the structure. When installing any mirror model, an additional 10% must be added to the resulting area. Move the panels with extreme care to avoid damage. The installation itself is carried out in two stages. First, you need to apply special glue to the wall. And then, having evenly exposed the apron, press it firmly for at least 15 seconds. If the surface is heavy, the setting time may increase. Then you need to make sure that the structure is installed evenly and leave it until the glue is completely dry. The whole process is carried out strictly in accordance with the directions on the adhesive packaging.

Tiles are glued according to this principle. It is advisable to perform all actions quickly so that there is time to trim the apron cloth. Individual tiles may be displaced during installation. If adhesive gets on the mirror surface, it must be removed immediately. After the composition has dried, it will be much more difficult to do this, especially without clouding the glass. If necessary, moisten the sponge or cloth with a little solvent.

After a few days, when the glue is completely dry, you can start sealing the tile joints. This is done using transparent silicone. In the case of a one-piece construction, it is recommended to treat the side joints in a similar way.The mirror backsplash fits perfectly into any design and gives the kitchen a modern and stylish look. Therefore, when creating a new decor, you just need to take this option into consideration.

See the next video for more details.