Decorative stone for interior decoration: stylish design ideas

Decorative stone surfaces often become decorations in the decoration of any house or apartment. This material is very popular and is presented in a wide variety on the modern market of finishing materials.

Many people decide to use it as a primary or additional coating. But in any case, it is important to take into account all the nuances of the decorative stone before choosing and buying it.

Decorative stone is an artificial material that imitates natural stone. This coating is made in two ways: industrial and manual. These technologies differ little from each other. In production, the material selected for the stone is poured into a special mold made from the appropriate raw materials. It can be made of metal, silicone or plastic. The poured composition is dried, often it goes through a special heat treatment. At the final stage, the products are covered with various protective and glazed compounds.

And you can make products for cladding by hand... This technology does not require large financial investments and implies the use of concrete as the main next component. It is the standard material. And it is also necessary to choose the shape into which the composition will be cast, because the future relief of the stone and the thickness of the facing layer depend on the shape. Molds made of polyurethane are flexible, they are able to mimic the structure of natural stone as accurately as possible.

From the materials you will need the following:

• cement mixture of the M500 brand;
• vibrating table;
• inorganic dyes, the amount of which varies depending on individual wishes regarding the design of the cladding.

And also it should be remembered that to obtain a high-quality result, only fresh material must be usedwhich has not lost its astringent properties. It is worth paying attention that there are no clay particles in the composition of the material., and that the structure of the sand added during operation is as clean as possible.

A decorative stone coating, like any other type of finish, has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before buying or creating items.

The indisputable advantages of this type of cladding include the following:

• the material is quite resistant to various mechanical influences during operation;
• such a coating is easy to care for. Depending on the specific raw material, it can be purified in different ways. But compared to wallpaper or paint, removing dirt from decorative stone is an easier procedure;
• processing of artificial stone with special impregnations allows it to acquire the ability to repel grease and various kinds of pollution;
• mold and mildew do not appear on such a stone;
• compared to natural stone, this material is much cheaper. It is not that heavy;

• the uniformity of the structure of the facing coating gives it additional strength;
• decorative stone is quite simple to lay, because the side connecting to the base is perfectly smooth in most cases;
• such material is not affected by temperature extremes;
• almost any material can be used as a basis for such a coating - from brick to wood and even concrete;
• despite artificial production, such a stone is considered an environmentally friendly material. It does not emit any substances harmful to health and the environment;
• in case of damage, such a cladding can be easily restored by replacing the damaged element with another without destroying the entire structure;
• this material is a way to embody the original design. With the help of artificial stone, drawings or elements are created on the walls that successfully complement various interior concepts.

The material has a number of disadvantages that are not critical for most users, such as:

• connoisseurs of natural raw materials can feel the difference in tactile contact with an artificial surface;
• Compared to simpler finishes such as wallpaper or paint, faux stone will cost more. And also the material from which a particular type of decorative coating is made affects the price.
• there is a shorter service life of products in comparison with coatings from natural raw materials. But this indicator is more relevant for private houses.

A very important criterion when choosing a decorative stone covering is the raw material from which it is made. Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses, which must be considered when studying the characteristics of the most popular species. A decorative stone can have various materials as its main component.

Porcelain stoneware is a material that includes high-quality clay, mixtures based on ground rocks and dyes of natural origin (mineral). Facing with artificial stone made of porcelain stoneware can often be seen in the bathroom and in the kitchen, where there are frequent temperature changes and an increased level of humidity.

This raw material is characterized by a number of the following features:

• resistance to moisture;
• resistance to wear processes;
• ability to withstand high surface pressure;
• resistance to temperature extremes.

The disadvantages of raw materials include the following:

• the need for more thorough preparation of the base;
• the material is cold to the touch.

Gypsum finishing material is one of the most common.

Such a decorative stone has the following characteristics:

• the material passes air well;
• it is able to maintain a certain level of humidity;
• gypsum is environmentally friendly;
• stones of this type are lightweight;
• versatility - facing material is suitable for finishing any premises: living room, kitchen, hallway, bedroom. It is also worth noting that with the help of such a tile, cladding under the "brick" is often made.

Concrete decorative stone is mainly used for exterior decoration, but sometimes it harmoniously fits into the interior of a house or apartment.

The advantages of this material include the following:

• high strength;
• long service life;
• over time, the color of the coating does not fade;
• the ability to withstand significant temperature changes;
• low level of moisture absorption.

Quartz is one of the most durable artificial stones. In addition to pigments, it contains a natural mineral - quartz, as well as high quality polyester resin.

The material has the following qualities:

• resistance to temperature fluctuations;
• durability;
• strength;
• ease of care;
• resistance to mold and mildew.

Acrylic decorative stone has the following features:

• it is a hygienic material;
• such a stone has a long service life;
• bacteria are less likely to form on acrylic;
• you can easily grind this cladding;
• adhesive seams on acrylic artificial stone are usually invisible.

Liquid stones are a special kind. They are made on the basis of gelcoat... It is a special composition with a gel consistency. The main advantage of a material with such a flexible texture is the ability to create complex non-standard shapes from it.

But compared to other types of raw materials, it has less good physical properties. Another disadvantage is the high cost of the components that are used to create this type of cladding.

And also for the decoration of various rooms, ready-made decorative elements from slate are used. Such material is presented in the form of rectangular or elongated elements, most often located horizontally. Due to such cladding, you can visually expand the area of ​​the room.... But it should be borne in mind that it is very problematic to create a round pattern from such elements.

The color scheme in which the artificial stone is decorated is no less important than the material of its manufacture. The palette in which ready-made facing elements are presented mainly includes natural shades: beige, gray, brown, white. Naturally, tones can vary in intensity. But not everyone needs a decorative stone facing composition in such a color ensemble.

For lovers of exotic or who want to create a special accent in the interior with the help of artificial stone, some manufacturers produce more eye-catching solutions. Their colors are: terracotta, yellow and even black.

If you decide to make the facing elements yourself, you should calculate the amount of pigment required to give the material the desired color.

If you want to change the shade of an artificial stone after its installation, you should use special coloring compositions that are sold in hardware stores. In some cases, it is appropriate to combine several colors in one cladding. As a rule, they combine two shades.sometimes creating a slight gradient. These tones should be closeso that the appearance of the entire coating looks harmonious.

It is important that the selected type of artificial stone for decoration is combined with the interior of the room. It must be remembered that such an interior design is not suitable for all styles. Depending on the chosen concept, the appearance of the decorative coating can be different.

• You can find similar decor in japanese style... As a rule, details made of artificial stone can be seen not on the entire wall, but only in areas. Such an element frames shelves or niches in the walls. Discreet, light colors are used. You should not deviate from this concept, since the entire Japanese style in general is focused on a minimalist concept.
• Country style implies a combination of artificial stone masonry with wooden textures. The presence of an interesting relief on the stone surface is allowed. Fireplaces are mainly clad with similar material, which in the concept of this style are massive structures. Sometimes you can find this element even on furniture, for example, on a bar counter.

• Stone finish is very appropriate hunting chalet style... In this case, whole walls are made out with masonry. This solution looks very relevant in combination with wooden ceilings and hunting accessories. The floor may have laminate and carpets.
• Chinese style the contrast between the bright color of the walls and the stone finish in natural tones is common. This peculiar accent "dilutes" the overall richness of the interior and makes it truly original.
• African style is quite free in terms of finishes. A combination of incongruous colors and textures is often permissible. You can make stone cladding of the entire wall or just some of its sections, create an ensemble of rich colors or combine natural shades of cladding with African prints.
• Particularly relevant is the masonry made of artificial stone under the "brick" towards the loft... This design emphasizes the special, slightly rough features of this style. Brick trim can be used to decorate all walls or part of them. Red, white or gray shade of decorative stone is allowed. You can also deliberately highlight the seams between the elements.

• Classic style decoration with decorative stone fireplaces is welcome. In such pompous styles as Baroque and Rococo, it is permissible to use plaster elements from decorative stone, but in small quantities.
• Art Nouveau decorative masonry perfectly matches wildlife paintings and large windows.
• Ethno style the walls are decorated with decorative stone, which most often does not have a very catchy look. In this direction, texture is more important than color. And against the background of such walls, all kinds of ethnic accessories will look great.
• Since decorative stone goes well with vegetation, it can often be found as an element eco-style... Sometimes flower pots or climbing plants are placed in a niche decorated with stone cladding. In most cases, rectangular or elongated cladding is used, sustained in light shades.

In addition to the directions of the interior, it is worth paying special attention to the purpose of the room, where the decorative covering made of artificial stone will be located. In each room, you can beat this element of the interior in a special way.

• The first cladding option there may be a fireplace or a wall around it in the hall... Thus, it is possible to designate the central element of the room. If the hall is separated from the hallway by an arch, then decoration with decorative stone arches along the edges would be appropriate. You can combine stone elements with plants, giving a dynamic touch to the interior.
• In the hall the lower half of the wall is often trimmed with decorative stone masonry, while special paints are used for the upper one.Sometimes, with the help of a stone, a protruding corner of the wall is formed, an unusual abstraction from decorative facing elements is created on it. Saturated stones look especially interesting on light walls.

• On the kitchen with the help of such a facing, an apron is most often made out. This element helps to zone the cooking area and the dining area, if these two rooms are combined into one. And you also need to remember that for the kitchen, you should choose coatings with a special impregnation or a layer of glaze that repels dirt and grease.
• Matte decorative stone of discreet shades will be very appropriate in the interior of the bedroom. He will not only tune in to relaxation, but also give aesthetic pleasure. Often, areas of stone are located on the wall on the sides of the bed, accessories and paintings can be matched to them. Combined with the right lighting, brick walls in the sleeping room will help create a special atmosphere.

Many users have a question about whether it is possible to independently make a mold for casting a decorative stone. The answer to this question is yes. A self-made form will save money and create ideal parameters for the material from which it is planned to make facing stone in the future.

Before manufacturing, you need to decide on the desired type of shape. The product can be homogeneous or complex.

The first type implies the presence of homogeneous matrices with small dimensions. This design does not require large expenditures of materials. But the complex version of the form is more convenient, since it is capable of the simultaneous production of several facing products at once... This significantly affects the time for creating a decorative stone. For the base of the matrix, in most cases, a relief tile is selected. Natural materials, for example, stone, are often an alternative to it.

Materials such as wood or cardboard are useful as formwork. With the help of wooden boards, a box is hammered together, an alternative to it is a cardboard box. The size of the template should exceed the parameters of the original stone specimen by about 15 mm in width and 30 mm in height.

This technique is necessary to create a characteristic gap between decorative items. Polyurethane or a sealing compound can be used as the main form. A sealant designed specifically for this purpose is also sold ready-made. It contains two components.

Silicone molds are incredibly popular for making your own decorative stone. But there is a certain strategy and a number of nuances that you need to listen to when using this method of making decorative stone for interior decoration.

• It is recommended to purchase the silicone base ready-made. In hardware stores, you can buy buckets with the composition of the required volume.
• With the help of grease, it is necessary to process the walls of the formwork.
• The sample that will be used as a template should be placed at the bottom of the structure and also treated with grease. This procedure will further contribute to the preservation of the shape of the products, as well as less problematic separation of the matrix from the base. In the case of gypsum samples, the bottom of the formwork should be covered with two layers of varnish, and only after it has dried, continue working.

• To lubricate spatulas and brushes for even distribution of silicone raw materials, it is necessary to make a soapy solution.
• The silicone compound should be evenly distributed over the veneering specimen. Air pockets should not be allowed to form during matrix formation.
• When the entire formwork is filled with silicone, it will be necessary to level its surface. This procedure is performed with a spatula.
• For some time, the mold is not touched so that the sealant hardens and completely repeats the outlines of the samples. The drying time is calculated according to the thickness of the silicone layer. This substance solidifies on average at a rate of 0.2 cm per day. Based on this, you can calculate the amount of time required for the complete solidification of the composition. The longer the composition hardens, the better and better the shape will be.
• After, it is necessary to separate the product from the formwork. And you should also carefully remove the samples. The base sometimes needs to be slightly trimmed for easier separation of samples. If irregularities remain on the silicone mold, then they can be eliminated using the same composition.

Thus, you can create a form for the manufacture of decorative artificial stone with your own hands, without much effort.

When there is a ready-made form for creating an artificial stone cladding, it is necessary to choose the material for its manufacture. Based on this choice, the features of the procedure itself will vary.

If for concrete the technique of making stone is quite simple, then when using other types of raw materials, special nuances are taken into account.

First of all, in this case, it is important to make the gypsum itself using the correct technology, taking into account the fact that the speed of solidification of the material is quite high. It is important to take into account the total amount of raw materials required, as well as the number of forms into which it will be poured.... When all the calculations are done, ingredients such as water, gypsum, sand and pigment of the selected shade (if necessary) should be prepared.

Next, you need to follow the following algorithm:

• to mix the composition, pour water into a container prepared in advance;
• after starting to add gypsum powder. The ratio of water to the main component should be 6: 10;
• to give the material strength, it is necessary to add sand. Its amount should be 10% of the total mass of the composition;
• the amount of coloring pigment must be calculated in advance. It depends on the intensity of the shade that you want to get. On average, the amount of dye varies from 2 to 6%;

• make a mold release. It contains turpentine and wax, taken in a ratio of 7: 3;
• the composition fits into molds and leveled with a spatula;
• an additional procedure to increase the strength of finished products can be vibration treatment, which must be carried out immediately after pouring the mixture into the matrix;
• after a quarter of an hour, the frozen products should be removed from the mold and dried completely in the open air. Since the gypsum material is not resistant to high temperatures, it must not be fired.

This material is comparatively popular for making decorative facing stone, which is used for interior decoration.

To create acrylic products, you need to have the following ingredients on hand:

• resin;
• hardener;
• grease (both homemade and ready-made are suitable);
• electric drill;
• copolymer powder.

The manufacturing process is as follows:

• it is necessary to mix two components - hardener and resin in a ratio of 1: 5. This substance should make up 25% of the total mass;
• the remaining 75% are the coloring pigment and filler, which is a crumb of mineral origin. The features of the texture of the elements of the future coating will depend on the size of the fractions in the crumb, so you should pay attention to this detail;
• in order not to be mistaken with the color, you need to decide in advance with its intensity and calculate the appropriate proportions of the pigment;
• when the resulting mixture is poured into the molds, it is necessary to wait a day for it to finally harden. After this time, the tiles will be ready and can be removed.

Gelcoat liquid stone is easy to create with your own hands. This type of cladding is made according to the following technologies, which differ significantly from each other in the number and type of constituent elements:

• facial composition technology;
• creating a primer solution by mixing.

40% of the facial composition is gelcoat. And you also need 1% hardener and 7% accelerator. The remaining percentage falls on the coloring pigment and mineral filling. The composition is able to harden after a day. Half the amount of gelcoat (20%) is required for the priming mixing technology. Most of the mass of the solution is occupied by microcalcite - this is a special element, which accounts for 73% of the composition. The proportions of the hardener and accelerator are similar to those of the face composition.

For interior decoration, glue is used, made in the form of a powder mixture, which must be diluted in water. The proportions and recommendations are usually indicated on the packaging of the composition. Alternatively, you can use liquid nails.... Although cement is a bonding material that is used for exterior cladding with decorative stone, some craftsmen mix this component with PVA glue and use it for interior work.

In order for the stone to be laid at the highest level, it is necessary to prepare the surface in advance. It must be strong. And also an important factor is the evenness of the surface. The maximum permissible deviation for 1 m is 1 mm... This rule must be followed regardless of the type of decorative stone that will be applied.

An important stage is surface cleaning. It is necessary to remove old finishing materials from it. These most commonly include wallpaper, plaster and paint.

After, the surface should be plastered. Depending on the weight of the future facing material, you can provide the plaster layer with a special reinforcing mesh, which helps to withstand heavy loads and strengthen the base.

There are formulations specifically designed for plastering. You need to make sure that you have all the materials necessary for further work.

These include the following:

• glue;
• a tool for applying a hydrophobic mixture;
• hydrophobic mixture;
• container for adhesive composition;
• mixture for grouting;
• a spatula with which the glue will be applied;
• building level;
• crosses for seams.

With all this arsenal at hand, you can start preparing the adhesive composition and marking the position of the finishing elements. In addition to preparing the materials, you also need to make a sketch. It should indicate the number of decorative elements, the features of their location and the area of ​​the site on which they will be located.

It is worth approaching this process especially carefully if you plan to create a certain pattern or ornament from a decorative stone on the surface. When all the preparatory work is completed, you can start the process of laying the material.

In order for the room to acquire an interesting look, you must follow the following rules even when choosing a material:

• you need to carefully examine the material for the cladding when choosing. The presence of small inclusions and light stains on the stones will be an additional plus, since such an appearance creates the maximum similarity of products with natural stone;
• if light blotches are a positive side, then spots on decorative stones are not at all desirable. They can ruin the entire appearance of the surface and even violate the design concept;
• it is worth paying attention so that there are no build-ups on the finishing material. They make it difficult to easily and reliably glue the material to the surface;
• an additional plus will be the presence of a water-repellent layer on the material. If it is not there, then it is advisable to apply it to the finished products yourself;
• it is also necessary to correctly calculate the weight of the structure. Heavy cladding layers are not acceptable for all walls. This factor must be taken into account in order to avoid unexpected repair costs in the future.

When the choice in favor of this or that material is made, you can start finishing the selected space inside the room.

At the first stage of the process, an adhesive base is applied to the walls. It is spread using a spatula. The strip of adhesive should not exceed the thickness of the first row of decorative elements. Each stone then needs to be alternately applied to the surface and lightly pressed down. Excess adhesive should be removed immediately. If you want to place the parts end-to-end, then you need to glue them close to each other.

If you plan to leave a distance between the tiles, then this can be done in the following ways:

• to create a wide seam, you must use drywall strips;
• drywall strips of different sizes look no less interesting. They allow you to create thinner seams;
• sometimes special crosses are used for this kind of cladding, made of plastic.

Prepare a grout solution in advance.... It is created by mixing a substance with a coloring pigment and a cementitious adhesive mastic. To apply this composition, you must use a sponge or a special gun.

If you do not have the necessary tools at hand, you can use such an available tool as a tight bag. On one side, the bag is completely cut, while on the other, only a small incision is made. The bag is filled with a grout mixture and this component is squeezed into the seams with a thin layer. When all the seams are filled, rub the seams with a foam sponge.

After the paint has dried, a special protective varnish is applied to the stone parts. It is recommended to apply several layers of this coating on walls that are often touched during operation.

A separate option is the combination of decorative artificial stone with wallpaper. Many people decide to stick such a cladding on the surface of the wallpaper and thereby create a certain pattern or accent. But in this case it must be remembered that the success of such a solution largely depends on the material of the wallpaper... Paper coatings get very wet on contact with the glue and lose almost all of their properties.Vinyl and non-woven coatings do not deteriorate so much when in contact with glue, but nevertheless there is no exact guarantee that the stone will stay on such a base for a long time.

You can also start finishing with stone, and only then glue the wallpaper. But in this case, those cladding elements that will border on the wallpaper will need to be glued after the wallpaper itself. It should be remembered that for all types of coverage, not a concrete wall should be taken as a basis, but a cleaned, leveled and prepared surface.

The corner of a room is a great reference point for each row of decorative elements. It is better to glue the material, starting from the top row. This technique will help not to stain adjacent parts.

It should be borne in mind that such elements have a higher cost than conventional ones. Another option is to cut parts yourself using a hacksaw or grinder. You can overlap the elements, and then grind off the edges at an angle of 45 degrees. This option is great for decorative stone made from plaster.

A very popular and interesting option is finishing window slopes with decorative stone. In this case, the window opening is emphasized in the interior, which makes its appearance non-trivial and favorably plays out many concepts.

Special finishing stone is sold for windows, which is small in size and light in weight, since the window opening cannot be overloaded with an element such as cladding. The surface of the slopes before laying the stone must also be leveled and primed inside and out, and the surface should not be reinforced with a reinforcing mesh. The laying itself must be started from the lower section of the slope., and the subsequent elements continue to be fastened only when the lower parts are securely fixed. To fit the cladding at the corners, the tiles must be cut from the ends at an angle of 45 degrees. The general name for this installation method is monolithic.

A separate process of decorating a decorative stone finishing layer is painting it. In addition to adding coloring pigments to the composition of raw materials, a method of painting the finished stone is used. You can paint the coating even after it is attached to the surface. To carry out this procedure, you must use special iron oxide compounds.... They have a rather big cost, but it is justified by the quality of this type of product.

The most acceptable method of applying this substance involves the use of a spray gun. But in the absence of it, you can apply the composition with a brush, in this case the work will be more laborious, and it will take more time. The result of staining will be successful if the color of the decorative coating elements is lighter than the seams between them. It is not recommended to use more than three tones of iron oxide coating in wall decoration.... In order for the decorative facing coating to look the most natural, it is necessary to shift the rows during the laying process. It should be remembered that tiles of the same thickness are preferred in the same row.

If you want to remove the tiles, then you must first remove furniture and textile accessories from the room that are next to the decorative coating. It is worth starting the process from the top layer, since decorative elements may collapse. If there is a desire to preserve the products, then for dismantling you need to use a chisel and a hammer.

Designers offer many interesting options for decorating indoor surfaces using decorative artificial stone.

If you want to focus on the fireplace in the living room, then the entire wall near which this attribute is located can be decorated with stone cladding in the same style. It should be combined with the facing material for the fireplace itself.

To give the interior of the room a certain brutality, you can create a contrast between the seams and the stone. This technique involves the use of non-flashy colors to cover the walls and ceiling.

Masonry looks great in a niche. If the apartment or house has an original layout, then the appearance of curved walls can be significantly diversified and emphasized by laying decorative stone.

Artificial stone cladding is an excellent assistant in zoning a room. For example, if the loggia is connected to the room, then it is interesting to arrange the transition from one part of the room to another using stone tiles.

Decorative tiles can be used to decorate the walls of a bedroom located on the second floor of a wooden house. This solution looks very interesting, because the textures of wood and stone are in perfect harmony with each other. And in combination with pastel-colored textiles, they form a rather unusual ensemble.

Choosing an artificial stone as a material for interior decoration, you can significantly diversify the look of your home, emphasize its individuality. In addition, taking into account the above recommendations, you can design any room in the house so that it will delight residents every day and give aesthetic pleasure.

For information on how to lay a decanter stone, see the video below.