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Decorative kitchen panels made from painted MDF have long occupied their niche in the kitchen furniture segment, due to their high quality and attractive appearance that does not change over time. How are kitchens made from painted MDF and what nuances need to be taken into account when choosing?
Painted MDF is a very popular material for making kitchen sets
- Characteristics of painted MDF
- Choice of decorative and color designs
- Advantages of finishing a kitchen using MDF
The pros and cons of matte kitchens
We analyzed matte kitchen facades and compiled a list of pros and cons of this finish.
pros
- The ability to create a kitchen from MDF to suit any design style.
- Easy to care for.
- The marks on the facade are not so noticeable.
- Large selection of coatings and base materials.
- No sun glare.
- They last longer than shiny ones.
Minuses
- The color palette is not as wide as gloss.
- Dark-colored facades are not suitable for small kitchens.
- You need to carefully select accessories to match the design.
Matte kitchens: what are they made of?
The modern choice of materials for kitchen sets is extremely large. We encourage you to use our list to make the best choice.
The most affordable option is a matte chipboard kitchen. To give a matte effect, it is covered with a special film or plastic panels are installed.
Such furniture may look good, but the matte finish is fragile - very often scratches and chips appear in the first months of use. The exception is furniture made of chipboard with aluminum profiles.
A kitchen set made from MDF is much stronger. However, in addition to the options already listed, you can also find more durable coatings. An excellent choice is a set made of MDF coated with natural veneer. The elegant surface is ideal for classic interiors.
The most expensive option for a matte kitchen is solid wood. Durable, environmentally friendly and stylish facades will serve you for many years.
However, a lot depends not only on the basic set, but also on the finishing. In addition to plastic and plywood, other textures are also used.
The facades of the already mentioned materials are quite fragile and very quickly lose their appearance. Now there are facades with acrylic film on sale - they will last up to 7 years, subject to operating conditions.
An alternative would be a kitchen with facades finished with matte acrylic panels. Such furniture is resistant to damage and has high heat-resistant properties. However, it should be taken into account that it will be difficult to care for - the matte finish is achieved thanks to a special relief coating on the surface.
Kitchens with matte enamel look great. In addition, they are very durable and easy to clean. But they will also be expensive.
Choice of decorative and color designs
Purchasing a kitchen with MDF facades is an opportunity not only to choose the appropriate shade from several hundred possible options, but also to receive a coating with the already mentioned special effect in the following options:
- Chameleon. The facades are distinguished by shades that change depending on the viewing angle and the incidence of light.
- Patination or crackle. Surfaces with an aged effect are created, appropriate in a classic interior or Provence style.
- Mother-of-pearl or pearls. After painting, the facades are additionally coated with a composition that provides a color shift or a hazy shimmer.
- Metallic. The enamel is immediately mixed with special substances that give a metallic shine.
Metallic is beautiful not only on a car.
You can also use facades with a pattern that is applied to the surface over the enamel using a stencil manually. You can select the color of the image individually (monochrome or special effects are possible). After applying several layers of varnish on top, the facade is polished. The layout of the drawing can be drawn up by the customer.
Matte facades: what are they made of?
Matte kitchen is the result of the use of modern materials and processing technologies. The basis of the facades is chipboard and MDF.
Chipboards are used in the manufacture of inexpensive furniture - they emit harmful substances and do not last long.
MDF is a compressed wood fiber that does not use glue.
After production, various coatings are applied to the slabs. The choice of materials for a matte facade is wide: from plastic to natural wood.
Plastic
In this case, MDF panels are covered with a layer of polyvinyl chloride. This material is resistant to deformation, sunlight and moderate temperatures.
It has disadvantages: the plastic deteriorates due to mechanical damage and peels off in places where it is heated. If the plastic covering is broken, it will need to be completely replaced. The useful life is short.
Acrylic option
Matte acrylic fronts protect the compressed chips. The acrylic panel is glued to MDF and protects it from fire (can flare up at temperatures from 160 degrees) and from swelling (does not deform from liquids). In addition, acrylic does not absorb grease and dirt and does not fade in the sun.
It is versatile: it can be reflective, but also opaque. Gluing the panel requires a very flat surface, which prevents gluing to any door.
Do not use abrasives (cause scratches).
Enamel
It is easier to paint kitchen facades with enamel, and a variety of matte and mirror shades using additional pearlescent shine, metal, and glitter tints can make the design unique.
Many users report that the enamel becomes damaged quickly. It is not difficult to repair such a coating - a chip or scratch can be rubbed down and painted.
Film
A foil facade is the most affordable solution. In this case, a special film with an imitation of a matte texture is glued to the MDF facades. PVC film has no edges and is suitable for application to facades of any configuration: flat and milled.
The disadvantage of such a facade is that it quickly loses its appearance and is not durable. The adhesive layer dries due to frequent heating and the film begins to peel off. The shelf life of the coating is 7-8 years with proper care.
Natural wood
Natural wood is used in two versions. The MDF panel is covered with natural wood veneer or the facade is made entirely of this material.
MDF with natural veneer is a compromise between modernity and naturalness. The surface of the MDF board is covered with veneer of various types of wood and impregnated with special protective compounds.
Solid wood facades are expensive. But such furniture does not emit harmful substances and will serve the owner for many years. Such a coating will require water-repellent impregnation. Otherwise, the wood may become deformed under conditions of high humidity and temperature changes.
There are façade enamel coatings. Enamel is durable, easy to repair - it easily covers any scratch, but it is more expensive than other facade coatings.
Matte enamel for facades
What to look for when choosing furniture
When choosing a kitchen, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Enameled furniture has a lasting glossy shine. On the one hand, this is attractive and unusual, but a long stay in such a kitchen can have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. It may be worth combining gloss with less flashy finishes.
- The average price of an enamel kitchen is close to that of an acrylic one. Film facades will be an order of magnitude cheaper than enameled ones, but kitchens made from solid wood will be somewhat more expensive.
- On light-colored facades, stains and fingerprints are less visible. Pay attention to this if you don’t want to devote too much time to cleaning.
- The combination of a light shade and glossy shine visually expands the space. Such kitchens are perfect for small spaces with limited lighting.
Keep in mind that enameled facades are quite difficult to maintain :
- For maintenance, do not use hard brushes or abrasive cleaning agents. This will lead to premature wear of the coating and loss of presentation of the headset.
- To maintain cleanliness, a soft cloth and soap solution will be enough. With proper care, an enamel kitchen will last for many years.
To protect enamel from damage, some housewives use special compounds . They cover the surface with a polymer film, making it easier to remove traces of grease and fingerprints. Some formulations also protect against ultraviolet rays.
What to choose: bright acrylic or durable plastic? If practicality is a priority, choose more durable options. And if the luxurious look of the enamel coating does not leave you indifferent, feel free to purchase this option and enjoy the beauty and originality of your own kitchen.
Matte kitchen in the interior
You can use matte surfaces in the kitchen interior in different ways. We have prepared for you a selection of photographs that will show the most successful design techniques.
For example, for a small kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building, a matte set is unlikely to be suitable - you still want to visually enlarge the space. In this case, we recommend choosing a glossy kitchen and adding a matte finish with an apron. Usually this element gets dirty almost more than the tabletop, and this technique will make caring for it much easier.
Matte kitchens look very impressive in rooms with glossy floors. This way you can visually make the ceiling higher, and the contrast will give the interior laconicism and unique style.
The use of combo facades is also justified. In this case, the bottom of the kitchen will be matte and the top will be glossy. We recommend this technique for small kitchens where you want to add volume. Glossy cabinets will make the room visually larger, and the countertop will be easy to clean.
Such kitchens look very stylish if the contrast is achieved not only through textures, but also through the correct selection of colors. You can use two close in tone or diametrically opposite shades.
Sometimes designers go further and combine different textures on one plane. The decision is quite bold, but certainly worthy of attention.
Sometimes a matte kitchen has a glossy countertop. In this case, we advise you to pay special attention to the materials: make sure that they are durable, environmentally friendly, resistant to heat and mechanical damage. Otherwise, there is a risk that the entire countertop will need to be replaced
If you have an island in your kitchen, go for a high-gloss countertop while leaving the rest of the countertops opaque.
Use backlighting. This will add comfort and coziness to your kitchen.
An elegant option is to complement the matte facades with a glass apron, which is illuminated from the inside with LED strips. Expensive, but worth it.
Small kitchens
Small, multifunctional and thoughtful kitchens often become the highlight of small apartments or cozy country houses. In no case should such kitchens be overloaded with unnecessary kitchen utensils and made completely dark or light.
The best solution would be to completely abandon contrasting colors, using only individual elements from another material, for example, marble or wood. Such surfaces will retain all the characteristics of a matte finish and will not deprive small kitchens of such valuable space.
Large spaces
The kitchen, which is often the heart of the home, needs the perfect layout. Many owners of large and spacious kitchens, having purchased the latest technical innovations and arranging kitchen furniture, are faced with the problem of excess space.
Matte surfaces will be a real salvation for people who face similar problems, because dark (not necessarily black) matte furniture visually reduces the space. After eliminating the feeling of emptiness, the kitchen will become much more comfortable and its inhabitants will not have to waste time, effort and money on redevelopment.
What is better than MDF plastic or enamel kitchen?
We hope we will help you make the right choice.
Enamel facade (paint)
It is made by applying a water-repellent varnish to the MDF panel (acts as a protection and primer, increasing the adhesion of the enamel to the MDF), and then an enamel coating in several layers. After drying, the surface is varnished, which gives it a beautiful shine and protects it from chemical and mechanical damage.
- Modern style.
- A wide selection of color palettes will make your kitchen special.
- Facades can have different effects: metallic, matte, glossy, chameleon.
- Opportunity to experiment with kitchen design. You can implement the most daring forms, which will give the facade individuality.
- The enamel coating procedure is quite difficult, which indicates its durability.
- Eco-friendly material.
- The coating must not come into contact with acids or abrasives.
- When touched, fingerprints remain on the surface
- Susceptibility to shock and mechanical damage
- Due to the labor-intensive work with this coating, the production price is too high
Stylistics
Stylistic solutions based on matte kitchen sets can be anything. Undoubtedly, classics are always in trend. In addition, matte finish fits perfectly into modern, loft, hi-tech, romantic, and Provençal styles.
Scandinavian style
Matte white kitchen facades and light-colored walls and floors can resemble a hospital ward. To maintain the restraint of the Scandinavian style and make the interior unique, you should play with the decor. In such a kitchen, you can make the floor dark and place figurines in a contrasting shade on the shelves.
Classic
Here it is worth using natural materials and giving preference to strict and clear lines of furniture and accessories. A beautiful marble countertop and an impeccable wooden dining table will add nobility to the interior.
No decorations that visually cheapen the overall impression. Designers do not accept adding classics with elaborate details and a lot of decorations.
Modern and contemporary
Matte kitchen fronts look very good in this style. The furniture should be simple, without geometric flourishes or unnecessary decorations. No stucco, no Gothic bells and whistles, no romantic scrolls. Everything is just to the point.
Bright curtains, a couple of elements that surprise with their perfection and simplicity will help to “dilute” such an interior. The shades of this kitchen can be any. Preference is given to black and white or a combination of related dark shades.
Loft
This style is a “lover” of metal structures. The furniture in such a kitchen must have the appropriate finish.
The interior in the loft style is no less simple than in the classic one. He does not tolerate an abundance of decor, pretentiousness, or bright colors. He is characterized by naturalness. For example, one of the walls can be lined with brick or covered with wallpaper that imitates brickwork.
Country
Country style is characterized by the use of wood and natural shades. The facades are made in the colors of different types of wood with a rough texture.
The shape of the facades is classic: with frames, glass windows and wooden handles. Colors: beige, light brown, light green. Countertops are made of natural or artificial stone.
Modern materials easily imitate the textures of Provencal style. The facades are classic wood, with glass panels and inserts.
Light soft colors: lavender, olive, vanilla yellow and wood tones. The lines are simple, the shapes are round.
Countertops - stone and wood, natural or imitation. It is recommended to choose a tabletop with a glossy texture, using it as an accent.
MDF enamel what is it?
When choosing a kitchen facade, plastic or enamel, buyers proceed from aesthetic preferences. It is the performance characteristics that influence the popularity of the choice of a particular material from which the kitchen is made. Here it is important to take into account the ease of maintenance and its durability, corresponding to a certain price range. Today there are a number of modern and popular kitchen facades. When choosing a kitchen, a potential client sooner or later asks the question: which kitchen to choose plastic or enamel? But in order to fully answer this question, it is necessary to consider the positive and negative aspects of MDF coatings. After all, a comfortable stay in the kitchen, its strength and durability in use depend on the right choice.
MDF is a coating that has varieties: enamel, plastic and film. Below we will try to answer:
Which color should I choose?
The color palette and variety of shades of matte facades is slightly narrower than that of their glossy counterparts. However, among the existing options you can find popular and common colors of kitchen lines. When choosing the color of furniture facades, you should take into account the size of the room, the presence of windows and their number. Do not forget about the stylistic decision of the kitchen and its combination with the overall design concept of the apartment.
You should be careful when choosing furniture in a small kitchen. It is better to give preference to a delicate pastel palette rather than variegated colors and dark tones. Black, dark brown and shades of gray will visually make the kitchen smaller and gloomier, while bright colors will visually overload a small room.
It is recommended to opt for elegant white tones. Choose from creamy, milky, linen or ivory. A combination of beige or ocher with a matte white top will look good. This will break up the monotony and make the kitchen modern and cozy.
For large and medium-sized rooms there are no color restrictions. Black or dark chocolate looks expensive and elegant when combined with a matte finish.
The color scheme depends entirely on the chosen kitchen style:It is better to combine warm tones with warm ones, and use a cool palette only with cool or neutral colors.
- country supports natural wood colors: beige, wenge, coffee or chocolate;
- Provence can be easily expressed in delicate shades of lavender, blue, lilac, green, pistachio, as well as pale yellow and pink;
- for modern high-tech, the best choice would be a combination of white top and black bottom, while all shades of gray will look good;
- classic design loves restrained colors - brown, beige, light gray or sand;
- a matte kitchen fits perfectly into a modern loft, while the style leaves complete freedom in choosing colors: from dark gray to pastel shades of white;
- elegant Art Deco can be combined with a matte finish, but the palette should be slightly muted, without bright accents;
- Scandinavian style is created for the use of matte facades - the best solution would be a white set in combination with a wooden tabletop.
The kitchen looks unusual with the addition of bright colors such as indigo, red, blue, lilac, emerald green or yellow.
It is not necessary to make the entire set in one color; these can be bright cabinets, shelves above the work surface, the countertop itself or other details. When choosing a matte kitchen, do not forget about the texture of the furniture surface. It can be smooth or rough, imitate wood, leather, marble or fabric. Facades with prints will look great. Modern technologies for applying images allow you to choose a design in any style.
This could be a landscape, geometric patterns, images of vegetables, fruits, animals or abstract patterns.
The set is an important part of the kitchen space. Matte furniture, with the right choice of color, should have an attractive and discreet appearance in order to decorate the interior for many years.
Dark kitchens
In addition to all of the above, the shades of matte surfaces play an important role. Dark matte finishes are suitable for people with a measured and calm rhythm of life. In such rooms, relaxation is much better. Meals become measured and truly refined, because no one is in a hurry.
Bright spaces
Matte kitchens, decorated in light colors (most often white), have a completely opposite effect on a person. This type of design can be compared to an invigorating coffee: refined, elegant, sophisticated, but at the same time invigorating, encouraging action.
Types of paints for the kitchen
The production of finishing materials does not stand still, and their composition is regularly improved. Thanks to the addition of various components - rubber base or polymers, excellent performance properties can be achieved.
Acrylic
A relatively inexpensive and versatile option, suitable for painting any surface - wood, concrete, plaster. It is better not to skimp on these coatings, since cheap acrylic paints will not last long.
Silicate
The main feature of this type is high vapor permeability and resistance to fungi. With such a coating, the walls will “breathe” and, if there is a high risk of mold in your home, this is the most suitable option.
Silicone
This type has high elasticity and excellent water-repellent properties, allowing you to hide small flaws and cracks that form when the house shrinks. It is convenient to work with this composition with a roller - the paint does not drip and penetrates well into hard-to-reach places.
Silicate and silicone paints are best suited for finishing a kitchen apron.
Latex
Thanks to the addition of latex, the paint has a more elastic, viscous structure and provides a more durable coating that can also be washed with abrasive agents. However, its cost will be higher. Latex paint is best used for textured surfaces.
Alkyd
Alkyds give a brighter and more saturated color than acrylics. However, they are also highly abrasion resistant and suitable for all surfaces.
Advantages and disadvantages of enamel furniture
Advantages of enamel-coated facades:
- attractive appearance;
- assortment of colors and shades used in the manufacture of furniture. This makes interior planning and design easier;
- the ability to order headsets of different shapes - rounded, wavy, as well as with drawings and patterns;
- variety of textures;
- environmental safety of the material;
- lack of edges on facades. They look as if they are completely covered with enamel;
- ease of care: you will need a sponge or cloth, detergent and polish;
- enamel resistance to ultraviolet radiation, elevated temperature, humidity;
- compatibility with different kitchen design styles - modern, high-tech, etc.
Despite the abundance of advantages, enamel kitchens also have disadvantages:
- significant cost due to manufacturing technology;
- sensitivity to dirt - fingerprints, grease drops, drips and stains. All these marks are clearly visible on a glossy surface, so enamel care must be regular and thorough;
- not very high resistance to mechanical damage. Cracks and chips may appear on the facades, which are difficult to disguise;
- sometimes - fading of the coating under the influence of sunlight.
Attention! The service life and attractive appearance of the enamel largely depend on the quality of the material, the integrity of the manufacturer and the operating characteristics of the headset. For neat owners, the facades remain for a long time as if they had recently been brought from the store.
Floor and ceiling
The floor in a kitchen with matte furniture fronts should be made glossy. This will give the interior a certain style and add variety. In addition, it is advisable to make a matte ceiling.
However, some designers recommend decorating the ceiling with gloss to visually expand the space when the room is small.
Features of lighting in a matte kitchen
The surface of opaque furniture does not reflect light, but scatters it. Therefore, with a lack of natural light in small kitchens, the interior of dark colors looks gloomy.
Artificial light improves the situation a little, but you shouldn’t count on a warm and cozy atmosphere - for this it is better to choose light matte facades.
If the kitchen window faces the sunny side, then the matte facades will be well lit and the room will not look gloomy. In addition, there will be no sun glare in the kitchen.
In a kitchen with matte facades, good lighting should be provided in the main areas.
- Above the dining table is a chandelier for one or more light bulbs.
- The cooking area has powerful lampshades plus LED backlighting. Another option is a backlit glass apron.
If necessary, cabinet lighting is supplemented with LED strip or additional lamps on the ceiling. The kitchen will be visually more spacious if it has enough light sources.
Maintenance of matte façade
The service life of a kitchen directly depends on its care.
Use the following helpful tips:
- A steam generator can be a good cleaning assistant.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners.
- Avoid sponges and brushes.
- Use microfiber or lint-free cloth.
Are there any disadvantages to enamel coating?
Yes, although there are not many of them. The first, most important thing is that although this finish is not afraid of impacts, it is sensitive to the appearance of abrasions. Secondly, if glossy enamel is used, fingerprints, water streaks and drops of fat are visible on the surface. Caring for such facades is a little more difficult than plastic or film ones, but regular cleaning will help maintain the perfect shine of the furniture for a long time. The main thing is not to use products with abrasive particles or hard brushes when cleaning - to carefully remove stains, you need liquid detergents without abrasive particles and a soft cloth. Small dirt can be removed from the surface with plain water.
Designer interiors
A baroque kitchen allows you to combine both wood and glass. Cabinets with small glass inserts will look incredibly beautiful. Baroque style is appropriate for large and bright kitchens.
Give preference to wooden furniture and natural stone countertops. The same techniques can be applied in country style.
For a studio apartment, the kitchen and living room are always designed in the same style. A kitchen in a classic style would look out of place, but a room in the Provence style would look out of place. In addition, all furniture should overlap each other and create an overall holistic image. Combine two, maximum three shades in such a room.
- Straight and clear lines, without bends or bulges - a matte kitchen is the best solution for loft and hi-tech styles.
- Unlike high-tech, in a loft you can use almost the entire palette, the main thing is to correctly combine the shades with each other.
- A kitchen set in the Art Deco style will become a real art object. Please note that Art Deco does not accept flashy shades. Everything should be restrained, but tasteful.
- Matte fronts can be combined with any stylistic decision of your kitchen.
If your kitchen is designed with an island countertop, go for a high-gloss countertop. Thanks to the gloss, the kitchen will not look boring, but elegant.
But be careful when choosing material. It must be durable and of high quality.
Choosing a set according to interior design
The kitchen set is the most important element of the room. Therefore, if you want to decorate a room in a certain design style, it is important to choose the right furniture. The following photos show examples of matte kitchens in various interiors.
The easiest way is if you are planning to decorate a matte kitchen in a classic style . Choose natural (for example, wood) or pastel, light shades. White, beige, and cream work well. Pay attention to details too. A subtle patina, matte or metallic handles, and no fussy lines are what you need.
Baroque allows more freedom in the design of matte kitchens. We recommend combined sets - with matte facades and glass cabinet doors. Please note that such furniture looks good only in spacious kitchens.
For the Provence style, light sets with simple lines are suitable. Pay attention mainly to natural materials: wooden panels, stone and wood countertops. In this case, the room will look perfect.
The same rules are true for country-style kitchens. True, if Provence allows the use of various pastel shades, then we recommend choosing exclusively natural tones: beige, brown, light green.
There is an opinion that matte kitchens do not look high-tech. This is not true: the main thing is to choose the right shape and color of the furniture. Pay attention to straight headsets without curls or complex shapes. In this case, all shades of black and gray look great.
However, you shouldn’t give up on bright colors either: if you manage to play with them correctly, the result will undoubtedly please you.
Matte kitchens are ideal for lofts: gloss is too pretentious for it. Here you have complete freedom to choose a shade - the main thing is that it matches well with the rest of the interior. Loft allows for experimentation, so don't be afraid of bold combinations.
Refined Art Deco also looks unusual with matte surfaces. Avoid too bright colors and be guided by general style ideas and the kitchen will turn out very beautiful.
However, the list of styles can be almost endless - you can choose a matte set for almost any one that will fit into the interior.
As you can see, matte kitchens are perfect for almost any room: they are beautiful, easy to clean and come in a wide variety of materials and colors.
