Ceramic panels: what are they and how to choose?

Decorating a home or office space is possible in various ways. One of the underrated options is ceramic panels. You just need to know what these panels are and how to choose the right option.

A story about a ceramic panel should start with the fact that it is a kind of monumental art. Yes, it is art, not building design, as it is often interpreted! Such panels constantly fill certain sections of walls and ceilings. The selection of the final solution is carried out taking into account how the viewer perceives the coating. The interiors of the room are also taken into account.

With the help of panels, they focus on the walls and their sections. It turns out in this way even to dilute especially boring rooms. Ornaments and special frames are sometimes used for framing. The images in the panel can be very different.

In this version the whole picture is located entirely on one tile. It is easy to work with such a finish. Repetition of the layout with a certain period helps to eliminate the loss of the pattern. Most often, images of fish, silhouettes of animals and plants are applied in one tile. Geometric plots are also common.

A wall image in this design can be formed by several dissimilar or similar subjects. There are both options for taking up part of the space, and large-sized paintings located immediately on the entire wall. The sequence of elements is determined by the designers individually. It is this solution that is most often used in residential buildings and apartments.

And this is already a picture of the whole composition. It is assembled from small parts. The full impression can be felt only at a certain distance from the surface. It is believed that the earliest use of mosaic plots was in ancient Greece.

To create it, use:

• matrix;

• art;

• combined method.

A three-dimensional image can no longer be obtained by hand. You will need a special photo printer for it. This allows you to achieve increased realism of the picture. Firing with deep penetration of paint into the material helps to enhance it. The absolute security of the tiles used for the three-dimensional panel makes it possible to use such a solution even in the bathroom.

The bottom line is that the drawings on each tile are worked out individually. Such a panel can be enlarged or reduced. Adding or removing elements does not degrade the quality of the picture. The plot is divided into middle, upper and lower segments. The enlargement of the paintings is done at the expense of the middle area.

It is simply lengthened to the desired size. If, for example, they want to show a tree, then the "trunk" falls precisely on the central section. It is worth considering that sometimes the term freesize refers to slightly different products. This is just a tile with a plot that has no logical boundaries. These are:

• starry sky;

• sea ​​surface;

• Forest;

• grassy meadow or steppe;

• blue sky;

• abstract composition.

Such a drawing can only be created by people who are not deprived of imagination and creativity. Much attention will have to be paid to the selection of the correct fragments.... Otherwise, if they poorly fit each other or do not fill the entire allotted space, the decorative properties are sharply reduced. But such a solution is suitable when there is a "hole" on the wall (near the door, window, in the corner), which cannot be closed and decorated in any other way. For work, use epoxy resins, concrete contact primers, "liquid nails".

In some cases, panels are used in the kitchen - primarily as an apron. But such aprons are also created in bathrooms. Along with simple decoration, this solution allows you to achieve an absolute redesign of the entire space. The volumetric texture creates a special relief effect.

Another common type of decor is ceramic floor panels. For the most part, geometric images are placed on the floor. They perfectly replace traditional carpets and other decorative materials. But sometimes preference is given not to carpet execution, but to "roses" or mosaic layout. The latter option is considered the most difficult for installers.

Panels are also sometimes placed in the dining area in the kitchen. But placing it too high is not recommended. The best option, according to experts, is at the level of an adult's head. The only exceptions are paintings that showcase characters from cartoons and children's films. And another possible option is decorative subjects for decorating the stove.

The main recommendation is to go beyond personal tastes. There are some universal tips that will apply to anyone. Professional designers believe that medium-sized paintings are appropriate in small spaces. You should not use bright and catchy drawings there. Plots with neutral colors, or ornaments (if rich colors are so important) will do.

Trying to use a thematic picture is hardly worth it. In addition to absorbing useful space, it will be a visual shock to people. The best type is a monochrome picture with minor highlights. If the room is quite large, you should not add a small panel or highly detailed drawing to it. But you can select the entire wall and even provide for a smooth transition to adjacent surfaces.

The imagination and enthusiasm in the design is helpful. But you must always remember that a very catchy, colorful or pretentious design usually gets boring after a few months. In the bathroom or inside the shower stall, a nautical theme is a win-win solution. It will look especially good in a Mediterranean style. Important: no matter what room the panels are selected, no matter what personal preferences - overly gloomy subjects should be avoided (both in color and in "spirit").

In classic interiors, traditional design elements are most appropriate. The use of landscapes will not cause any problems. But when serving a room in a romantic way, it would be more correct to use butterflies or flowers for a panel, a kind of lawns. If the room is decorated in an oriental spirit, it is worth taking a closer look at various ornaments and bright patterns.

Even so, they should not be abused. Other expressive means can also be used to create a suitable mood. Country-style rooms should be dominated by discreet pastel shades. Light brown paint is also appropriate there. As for the forms, the most common:

• rectangular;

• round;

• modular execution of the panel.

Among the subjects, natural motives are widely in demand, which make it possible to make the design brighter and more unusual, and become a source of positive emotions. To create comfort, however, very often use "food" pictures.To create an expressive effect, you can also decorate the room with images of megacities, high-rise buildings or architectural monuments. Modern and trendy interiors are easy to work out with the help of abstract plots.

Classical ceramics, that is, simple ceramic tiles, are often used in kitchens and bathrooms. This material is resistant to moisture and grease. Even when heavily soiled, it is easy to clean. On the basis of ceramics, you can create mosaics or patchwork decor. But for the floor, tiles based on porcelain stoneware are most often used.

The composition of this material includes quartz sand and kaolin clays. Porcelain stoneware is mechanically strong and resistant to cold. It is completely safe in ecological and sanitary terms. Porcelain stoneware wears out little over time and is almost impervious to water. It can be used over the underfloor heating system.

Plots with fish will create a feeling of naturalness, set a romantic mood. However, many people prefer plate-shaped elements with flowers. This solution allows you to achieve optimal expressiveness and external appeal of the finish. The choice of color options is very large, as is the choice of specific tones. The composition of the sun and the moon is also quite popular.

It is used not only in astronomical and romantic subjects, as one might think. It's also a great solution for old-fashioned interiors. It will also come in handy as a reference to pagan times. In addition to flower panels, pictures with olives can also be used. They definitely create a pleasant emotional mood. You can also show using a panel:

• an angel for a month;

• ship;

• stylized images of birds;

• scenes from films;

• popular photos;

• dishes;

• stylized animals and plants;

• copies of frescoes;

• landscapes;

• fruits, berries and other fruits.

It is categorically impossible to cut the panel. Only whole blocks are allowed. Even in the case of broken tiles, such blocks are distinguished - they are carefully selected in advance. Embossed parts cannot be placed in a corner. Otherwise, unpleasant gaps will appear. The drawing is placed strictly in the middle of the main wall.

It is necessary to trim parts from the sides evenly. It is highly recommended to calculate in advance whether the intended painting will fit the wall. Overloading the interior is undesirable - 1 bright accent per room is enough. Before work, the wall or floor is cleaned of decorative materials and the patterns are primed, the drawings are collected in advance on an even horizontal in order to better observe the order of work.

For fastening large parts of the panel, a special glue is used, which the manufacturer chooses. Relatively small fragments are attached to liquid nails. The image is applied from bottom to top. It is advisable to check the accuracy of the level after each horizontal and vertical level.

The photo shows an attractive ceramic panel with plant motifs. Leaves and stems in different tones are applied to a pure white tone. It is possible, however, to apply the "Venetian" picture. She will look no worse surrounded by elegant white walls. And in the bathroom the picture of the raging sea through which the sailboat is sailing will look quite appropriate and even "atmospheric".

For information on how to make ceramic panels with your own hands, see the next video.