» Wood color » Oak color: shades and combination in the interior with other colors
Oak colors, from light to wenge, have a luxurious structure. Each shade has its own unique combination in the interior. Examples. Photo.
Oak is a common material for parquet, stairs, doors, furniture, and various utensils. Strong, hard wood is not susceptible to rotting, repels dust and lasts a long time. The aesthetic qualities of oak wood are also highly valued. A pronounced large pattern and a huge range of shades in combination with reliefs give inimitable depth. In addition, oak is susceptible to processing, of which there is a huge mass, to achieve even more interesting textures, patterns and shades.
In this article we will look at the main shades of oak and their names, possible combinations and characteristics of the shades.
The boundaries of oak shades range from completely white wood to almost black. There are practically no red shades in the color transitions, but there are enough gold, gray and brown.
Use in different rooms
The use of bleached oak color is relevant in almost any room.
Living room
The milky oak color within the living room can be used both in furniture and decoration. Such a design solution will give the room lightness, as well as visually expand and “lighten” it. At the same time, the shade of light oak will look good in both classic and modern interiors.
Bedroom
A relevant solution in a bedroom would be to use wood that has been subjected to the so-called aging effect. This way you can create a luxurious interior. It can be complemented with heavy curtains with prints or paintings.
Children's
Obviously, when arranging a children's room, you should first of all make sure that all materials used meet safety requirements. Only then can you think about appearance
It should immediately be noted that you need to use light oak color in a child’s room with caution, since you will have to clean it quite often
On the other hand, there are also a large number of positive characteristics, because it is very important that the children’s room is as bright as possible (especially if the child is studying in his room, for example, doing homework)
Hallway
As a general rule, a hallway room is a fairly small room.
In this regard, it is especially important when arranging it to take care of providing the maximum possible level of light. This effect can be achieved, including using furniture and finishing in bleached oak color
Bathroom
When arranging a bathroom, the color of light wood can be used in decoration, namely in tiles. Thanks to this, you can visually open up the space. In addition, the use of such material will be especially relevant for nature lovers, as it looks as natural and impressive as possible.
Kitchen
When using light colors in the kitchen, you need to be just as careful and careful as when using these shades in the nursery. This is primarily due to the fact that the kitchen is constantly exposed to various types of contamination. Despite the fact that caring for materials in this color is quite simple, it must be done regularly. Only in this way can you maintain the aesthetic appeal of the room.
Thus, we can conclude that the use of milky oak color in the interior is quite common and popular. This is due to its attractive appearance, as well as a wide variety of shades. During the design process, you can follow standard and generally accepted rules or express your individuality. Overall, using milky oak is a safe bet.
Advantages of exotic color
Sonoma oak is recognized by experts as the closest to the light variety of natural oak, with a hint of straw, so a bright room and such light furniture with mirrors create the effect of infinity. Even a large wall of Sonoma oak does not reduce the space. There are many other benefits:
- It goes with almost any color. Particularly interesting are duets with chocolate, silver, straw, and gold.
- Heat. Furniture of this color will make any home interior cozy. Although the desk has a light shape, the light shade detracts from its formality.
- Airiness. Light Sonoma Oak visually expands the space, making the room more spacious and brighter.
- Clearly defined plot. Creates the effect of natural noble wood. Doors made from this material are strong and durable.
- Practicality. A good solution for intensive use: the light straw shade, although dirty at first glance, actually masks minor dirt, such as fingerprints on the door, dust. Even shoe shelves or children's furniture, which are especially vulnerable in this sense, and especially the kitchen, always seem well-groomed.
Sonoma Oak is one of the favorite materials of designers. With it, the bedroom gives peace, so to speak, the small corridor grows, and it becomes less problematic to care for the nursery. It lends itself well to creating contrasts and blends harmoniously with light interiors. Such furniture gives an interesting color scheme and is combined with textiles and bright walls. It’s worth buying if you want your small apartment to become large, at least visually.
Furniture in the interior
A dining table painted in natural oak color looks attractive and impressive. It will definitely become an indicator of the good taste and solid aesthetic sense of its owner. Oak furniture fits equally well into the interiors of “men’s” and “women’s” rooms. In the first case, it embodies notes of power and energy, and in the other, traditionality, stability and comfort. Oak is almost completely resistant to harmful insects and mold, however, it is expensive, and that is why they often try to imitate oak color by other means.
An oak table fits perfectly into dining rooms and living rooms; you can decorate it with carved parts, although this is not necessary. Another good option is a solid desk for an executive in his personal office. The kitchens use luxury cabinet furniture in oak colors. This solution is optimal for spacious kitchens. In the bedrooms they put made of oak:
- beds with thoughtful, sophisticated headboards;
- trellises;
- chests of drawers
In luxury living rooms, oak walls are often placed. They combine high-quality wood with:
- precious metal;
- glass parts;
- inserts made of mahogany and other elite species.
Video description
The video talks about a kitchen in Sonoma oak color:
Not only the set, but also the dining table and chairs for it can be made in this color. Such a purchase helps to create a relaxed atmosphere conducive to long, intimate conversations. The tones of light oak do not distract from the meal, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system.
The entire set is in one color Source prom.st
Sonoma oak should be introduced into the interior of a children's room taking into account the gender of the child. If the room belongs to a girl, you should choose those shades of wood that have more of a pink tint in their color. For a boy, furniture made from darker oak is ideal. You can also use light-colored rocks, but only those whose texture has more of a gray tint. Small rooms do not need to be overloaded with a lot of furniture. They should contain only the essentials: a bed, a desk, a wardrobe. If the area of the room allows, you can expand the list and add cabinets, chests of drawers, shelves, and a dressing table.
Using bleached oak in different rooms
Depending on the size of the space, the degree of illumination and the design style, white oak parts are selected to match the color of the furniture and in accordance with the general direction in which the room is designed. Elements that are in harmony with kitchen furniture are not suitable for decorating a living room. We reveal the secrets of combinations.
Corridor and hallway
The corridor part of the apartment is artificially lit, so it would be appropriate to use white and light colors for the floors, walls and furniture.
Solid oak is combined with both synthetic and natural materials. To highlight the shabby texture of the wood, place the lighting elements correctly.
Bleached oak will highlight the color of the stone floor and glass fragments. Solid wood doors will fit into the country style. Making long staircases from bleached oak gives a luxurious and rich look to the house.
Living room
This is the part of the house in which residents spend the maximum amount of time. The style should be calm, conducive to relaxation. The ideal option is a laminate with a bleached oak shade. Oak flooring harmonizes with any style and will help create a unique decor. Bleached oak boards are suitable for making a false fireplace. This technique will help evoke an association with an ancient palace.
Bleached oak is used to decorate the walls of the living room; its unique texture turns ordinary doors into a decorative piece of art. Cabinets made of expensive wood give the room the mystery of a Mediterranean style and go well with modern appliances and elements of antique decor. The cold tones of the solid wood are “insulated” with terry bedspreads and carpets with fluffy pile.
Kitchen
The trend of the season is a kitchen made of solid bleached oak in a Scandinavian style. The richness of shades allows you to choose a classic white color or a more saturated one.
The kitchen can be completely decorated in wood - a classic that will never go out of style, and high-quality material will allow you to use wooden furniture for many years.
Give preference to cool tones combined with pastel pinks, blues and greens. Decorate with bronze elements and matte silver.
Solid oak harmoniously combines with marble finishing and stone countertops. The kitchen set is made from different materials: oak goes well with leather covering and chrome parts.
Bedroom
Fill your bedroom with pure energy. Natural materials not only look beautiful, but also help you fall asleep quickly and have a positive effect on your health. Therefore, oak furniture is a good choice.
Choose light oak, which will highlight the color of the bright bedspread and calm you down after a hard day at work. Don't clutter your bedroom with too much furniture. The rest room is decorated in calm pastel shades.
Kitchen
This is a special room where most of the time is spent. That is why special attention should be paid to the decoration of this room.
The kitchen in bleached oak is a unique combination of classic style with warmth and comfort. Furniture in the shade of mountain larch, cool pastel in combination with gray and green elements, and blue motifs will look great. It is also recommended to select accessories in the form of matte bronze. Bleached oak harmonizes well with the modern style of the interior.
Buy stools with a light leather covering or budget leatherette for your room. You can also decorate your kitchen with glass countertops or chairs with chrome backs. Place laminate flooring in bleached oak or other light colors. Use your imagination to make the room look elegant, comfortable and noble.
Color solutions
Lightened oak is presented in different tones and subtones: from pale pink to gray, artificially aged color. The shade of wood can also be cold and warm, darker and very light. The choice of a specific color depends on many factors: lighting, room dimensions, stylistic direction.
Illumination of space
The location of the room relative to the south and north most influences the selection of tones for decoration. The brighter the natural light, the cooler the color scheme can be. For the northern part of buildings, warm colors are usually used, restoring the balance of color temperature (oak with a sandy or beige tint). If the room is located on the south side, cool shades with undertones of gray and bluish are suitable.
Room size
A small room will be visually enlarged by the lightest shades of oak. For spacious rooms, you can use dark colors, as well as contrasting combinations with bright colors. As for the ceiling height, oak is suitable for anyone, because all its colors are quite light and delicate.
Interior style
Milk oak fits into every style; there are only certain nuances in shade and method of application. Classics are distinguished by restraint; decorative elements are selected in the most austere colors and shapes. For vintage and shabby chic styles, aged oak options with artificially made abrasions are preferable. High-tech, modern, and minimalist styles involve the use of unusual oak tones, for example, with a purple tint.
Color palette
Bleached oak implies not one, but a whole range of different shades. Warm tones have notes of yellow, peach, pink or beige, while cool tones have undertones of gray, silver, blue, and violet. The most popular colors are called:
- beige oak;
- yellow oak;
- gray oak;
- Newar oak;
- oak Dune.
Light shades of sonoma
The shade Sonoma goes well with both bright and matte surfaces. The most popular combination is with wenge color. Looks great with rich chocolate, gold, silver shades. Sonoma oak's own shades range from grayish to smoky pink. Its cool tones go well next to pastel shades in the decor. In addition to the already mentioned tea rose color, light shades of Sonoma oak can be close to smoky, golden, vanilla and coffee shades.
For calm and cool shades of Sonoma oak, choose different partners, the best of which will be:
- white;
- grey;
- lilac;
- denim;
- lush green;
- violet;
- Bordeaux;
- brown;
- mustard.
Photo: smalldesignideas.com
Photo: smalldesignideas.com
What styles are wenge-colored furniture well suited for?
Wenge wood furniture is a sign of luxury, aristocracy and brutality. Unfortunately, the high price of the material makes it inaccessible to most Russians. Another option to fill your home with a piece of elegance is household items in the color of this wood. An additional advantage of the choice is the fact that the shade can harmoniously “get along” with most modern styles.
Kitchen in wenge color in high-tech styleSource mebel-sonya.ru Wall in a classic styleSource www.differo
Scandinavian style and minimal presence of wengeSource www.vsedliasna.ru
Loft style in combination with a minimal presence of wenge Source ottochento.com
Wenge combined with contemporary styleSource roomester.ru
- High-tech - straight lines, simple shapes, white and black, glass and metal. Only monochromatic, unobtrusive shades. The direction may seem to be one of the most ideal for using wenge color, both in relation to furniture and doors.
- Classical - assumes the presence of elements reminiscent of the era of the 17th century - the period of its formation. In it, wenge can be presented in the form of individual elements of furniture made according to samples of that period.
- Scandinavian – maximum white and gray shades. Most furniture also belongs to these color schemes, but the inclusion of individual elements is possible. For example, a wenge tabletop for a table with light legs, a dark kitchen work area or something like that. But don't exaggerate, one brown object per room is enough.
- Loft is a style of spacious rooms with a minimum of decorative finishing. Place for wenge only in furniture.
- Contemporary - similar to Scandinavian, preference is given to light, beige shades. Wenge, with its chocolate tone, can only be present in furniture or decorative elements, and even then, in small quantities.
- Minimalism is, first of all, the most thoughtful space and well-organized area, and not a banal lack of furniture. There are no strict criteria for the use of color schemes. But you need to choose one shade and add others as small accents.
- Neoclassicism - the beauty and sophistication of the classics with the addition of modern style. Preference is given to light colors. Place for wenge only in antique objects (frames, figurines, intricately curved chair legs), the number of which should be small.
- Eco-style - although it involves the use of wood and natural elements, light and pastel colors look preferable. Wenge is used extremely rarely and is considered a violation of style.
- Country is another option where the use of wenge is inappropriate. The main rule is to use a “natural palette” with a predominance of light wood and natural textiles.
- Modern style is a broad direction that does not require special rules. The main emphasis is on the play of contrasts, allowing the use of wenge with maximum “load”. One of the popular options is a light background with dark furniture.
Living room in minimalist style with wenge furnitureSource mirdizajna.ru
Bedroom in the neoclassical style - the proportion for the presence of wenge is minimalSource rehouz.info
Furniture in wenge color, related to eco-styleSource Catalog
Country style kitchen interiorSource www.youtube.com
Modern hallway with wenge furniture Source www.dizainvfoto.ru Saturation of wenge color furniture Source rerooms.ru
Why do laminated chipboard decors have such names?
To attract buyers, marketers around the world are actively coming up with names for brands, products, and services. After all, sometimes, a beautiful and sonorous name of a brand makes a person pay attention to it, and subsequently purchase or use the service offered. In this article we will try to understand some of the obscure names of edge decors, chipboards, and pvc edging.
Plum "Wallis".
Wallis is the German name for the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In principle, home plum grows in many countries. Switzerland is no exception. However, this hypothesis is not fully disclosed - it is not a fact that the Swiss plum tree is better than all the others... not a watch after all. See pvc plum wallis edging in the catalogue.
French oak.
Everything is more or less clear here. The famous Chablis wine (Burgundy) was aged exclusively in oak barrels. Obviously, the name of the color comes directly from here. The French, like true gourmets, believe that oak wood exudes an unsurpassed aroma. See French oak pvc edge in the catalogue.
Ash "SHIMO".
Other than that shimosa is an explosive that was used in artillery shells, there is no information. From the African Bantu language, Swahili shimo means depression, depression or tunnel. Therefore, this name of the decor remains a mystery. See shimo ash pvc edge in the catalogue.
Beech "Bavaria".
A very logical name for a tree that grows in Central Europe, and considering the fact that the famous Bavarian Forest National Park is located in Bavaria. See Bavaria beech pvc edge in the catalogue.
Oxford cherry.
Most likely, just another beautiful name for a color. For it has nothing to do with Oxford, unless the author himself completed a course in philology and linguistics at the famous Oxford University. At least that would explain a lot. View pvc cherry oxford edge in the catalogue.
Oak "Atlant".
It is “Atlant”, not “Atlanta”. Since it has nothing to do with the city of the same name in the USA. As we know, in the rich mythology of Ancient Greece there were mighty titans who held the firmament of the sky in their hands - Atlas. Many writers compared the mighty oak tree with these characters. Hence the name. View pvc oak edging in the catalogue.
"Woodline."
Just another beautiful combination of the English words wood (forest, wood) and line (line). Just look at the decor itself, on which the longitudinal lines are clearly visible. Looking, in fact, at which they decided to call this color that way. It is curious that at one time the concept of “wood line” meant a railway line built to transport lumber. Look at the PVC woodline edge in the catalogue.
Sonoma Oak.
It looks like we are talking about an oak tree that grows in Sonoma County in California - also known as California oak, whose acorns were used as food by the Indians. See pvc oak sonoma edging in the catalogue.
Oak "Cremona".
Same as Sonoma. There are oak trees that grow in Italy, and the city of Cremona is famous for its masters of musical instruments: Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri. See PVC edge Cremona oak in the catalogue.
Wenge "Congo".
Everything here is extremely simple. Wenge, as we already described in one of our articles, is a tropical tree that grows mostly in the Republic of the Congo. See wenge congo pvc edge in the catalogue.
Cherry "Scandinavian".
Several versions. First, barrels for strong alcoholic drinks were also made from cherries (in particular, for Alkavit, a Scandinavian folk drink). According to the second version, everything is much simpler - cherries growing in Scandinavian countries. See PVC edging Scandinavian cherry in the catalogue.
"Noche Maria Luisa"
A very beautiful name. Most likely, the Marie Louise in question is Marie Louise of Austria, the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, and the wife of Napoleon. Noce, translated from Italian “noce” means nut... It is unlikely that the author of this name imagined Marie-Louise eating nuts... This color is often understood as the “Italian walnut” decor. See Italian walnut PVC edge in the catalogue.
Toronto Oak.
Aka Canadian oak. And since Toronto is a city located in Canada, the name generally matches. View pvc edge oak toronto in the catalogue.
Wenge "Linum".
Translated from Latin “linum” - rope, thread, flax. The texture of this decor is permeated by oblong lines. Perhaps this is where the beautiful name comes from. See wenge linum pvc edge in the catalogue.
Oak "Rustic".
One of the trends that is included in the concept of folk is rustic style. In other words, rustic. Therefore, if we talk about wood, then it must be an authentic decor that meets this simple requirement. See rustic oak pvc edge in the catalogue.
"Bodega" white.
In the old days, a bodega was a place for storing wine. And as we know, real aged wine is stored in oak barrels. Perhaps that is why this color was called “bodega oak”, as if symbolizing these very whitish barrels. See Bodega white pvc edge in the catalogue.
Chamonix Oak.
There is such a town in the French Alps - Chamonix. Situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix attracts tourists and ski enthusiasts. So the Chamonix Valley also had its own winemaking. And who knows if the name “Chamonix oak” is connected with the famous oak wine barrels... See the Chamonix oak pvc edge in the catalogue.
Oak "Navarre".
A very beautiful name for what was once a medieval kingdom and is now an autonomous region in northern Spain. It is known that the name comes from the Basque word “nava” - “intermountain plain”. Perhaps the “Navarre oak” came to us “from the mountains”? View pvc oak navarra edge in the catalogue.
Oak "Galiano" dark.
Obviously named after the famous Italian liqueur Galliano, the production of which also uses oak barrels. See dark Galiano oak pvc edge in the catalogue.
Oak "Country".
Similar to “rustic,” there is a style called country, which characterizes rural life in America. This color seems to fit the style perfectly. View pvc oak country edge in the catalogue.
Beech "Stella".
We all know that a stele is a stone (granite or marble) pillar or slab. Perhaps the whiteness of the “stella beech” decor has the purpose of emphasizing this. See pvc beech edge in the catalogue.
Beech "Tirol" chocolate.
There is such a land in western Austria - Tyrol. And as we know, Austria is famous throughout the world for its first-class chocolate. Most likely, the name “chocolate Tyrol” refers specifically to the “sweet” side of this state. Look at the edging of pvc beech tyrol chocolate in the catalogue.
Pegaso nut.
Everyone is familiar with the winged horse from Greek mythology, but few people know the Spanish car brand Pegaso, which got its name in honor of it. The Spaniards produced famous sports cars in the 50s. And often wood was used as the interior finishing material. Perhaps that’s where the “legs grow”... Look at the PVC edge of Pegasus walnut in the catalogue.
Maple "Tanzau".
If there is a “Bavarian beech”, then why not a tansau maple? Tanzau is the name of a city in Bavaria. See PVC tansau maple edge in the catalogue.
Desirae is dark.
It's hard to be sure about this name, though. Translated from English “Desire” means desired, desired. Probably just a beautiful name for the decor, like some others. See dark desir pvc edge in the catalogue. We also bring to your attention a short video story on this topic.
You can find all of the above edge tape colors, as well as other PVC edge decors, in our catalog .
Wenge and bleached oak: how to combine
The similarity between wenge and bleached oak lies in the similar structure of the wood fibers, which is why the shades can fit so harmoniously into each other. There are many combinations for combining them:
- Combined furniture: vertical walls – wenge, horizontal – bleached oak.
- Another one from the list of the most popular methods: kitchen set - wenge, floor covered with laminate - bleached oak.
- Using a similar principle, you can decorate the bathroom premises. The only drawback of a dark wood shade can be poor-quality water, leaving stains on its surface from dropped drops.
Bold decisionSource tvoidvor.com Personal project of the customerSource stylingroom.ru
More photo ideas with Sonoma Oak color
Oak has been used by people for centuries to decorate their homes. This is understandable, because it is of good quality, furniture made from it is able to maintain a presentable appearance and lasts for decades. An object such as an oak table can eventually become a family heirloom and be inherited.
There are many types of oak on the planet, and the color of the oak bark is determined by the climate of the area where they were grown. So, in arid regions and on sandy soils it is light yellow, in humid regions it is a dark and rich brown hue.
For making furniture, a tree that is at least several decades old, or even more, is suitable, which means it is expensive.
Modern technologies have solved the problem of accessibility. Wood materials carefully reproduce the best shades of natural oak or the result of its processing. The bedside table, beautifully made from laminated chipboard, looks quite decent.
Sonoma oak furniture in the living room Sonoma oak furniture in the living room Sonoma oak colored bedroom
The characteristic color and structure of wood is achieved in three ways:
- hard wood;
- when covering wooden material with veneer, that is, cutting through natural wood;
- lamination of MDF or chipboard panels.
If only decorative film is used to reproduce the design, then the greatest resemblance to the breed is given. Therefore, by color or beam we mean a matrix or laminate of MDF or chipboard.
Chest of drawers “oak sonoma” Chest of drawers “oak sonoma” Bed “oak sonoma”
Today, elite wood, especially golden Canadian oak, successfully imitates laminate and chipboard film on its surface. In addition, not only the pattern with spots is copied, but also the relief: not perfectly smooth, but with shallow depressions.
All shades go well with the decor, and the Sonoma Wenge Oak is simply elegant.
Kitchen set “Sonoma oak”
Kitchen set “Sonoma oak” Laminate “Sonoma oak”
Ways to combine colors in a kitchen set
1. One color for the top, another for the bottom.
As already mentioned, dark color is more often used in lower structures, but the opposite solution is also possible. If the background is used (a combination of a spectral color with a neutral one), the top is usually made bright.
2. Color mix.
Both colors can simply be “mixed”, that is, they will be present both above and below.
3. One color is the main color, the second is an accent color.
In this case, one of the colors is used more actively, and the second - as color inserts.
This can happen if only one insert is inserted or its color is too saturated. The accent facade will look like an eyesore.
It’s hard to say that the red accent façade fits harmoniously here
4. Accent island. White kitchen
Almost 50 shades of luxury are available with wenge color, modern designers are convinced. Why is this color a favorite among many of them, why is it becoming more and more popular?
Wenge - we call one of the shades of color, but at the same time we say and hear a lot.
Classic and luxury, aristocracy and relevance, exotic and modern and many more meanings include the energetic word “wenge”, like the spell of the leader of an African tribe.
And it means the name of wood from Africa. Wood of a special, incomparable shade, and in addition possessing very important qualities: durability, strength, texture.
Wenge color is confidently conquering the world. Once used only in Africa, it gradually spread throughout America, Europe, and once in our country, it became incredibly popular.
And now this color is used to decorate walls and floors, furniture and household appliances. Wenge fits organically into different rooms, and wenge-colored kitchens are very popular.
Sonoma to every home
If you can’t afford a solid expensive tree, decorators suggest resorting to little tricks. One of them is laminated chipboard, a laminated board made from pressed shavings. In fact, for little money we get an ideal front part, in no way inferior to the famous oak, and no one will guess that these are slabs of sawdust, unless you look closely at the side walls with a magnifying glass.
Advice! The thickness of the material may vary, so when purchasing furniture made from chipboard, check it. Panels that are too thin will not be able to hold large quantities of heavy dishes.
In combination with white, the room visually expands
Another way to imitate solid wood is veneer. This is a film that maximally copies all stains, wood cuts, knots and other details characteristic of natural wood.
This is interesting: Curtains for attic windows - features of attic decoration (23 photos)
How to choose?
When choosing a light laminate, you need to remember that a glossy finish does not look good indoors in all cases. Sometimes it even spoils the impression of the room’s decoration. If you want to avoid this, consider every detail or opt for a matte laminate. It doesn't look like linoleum or faux tile and doesn't look cheap.
Pay attention not so much to the color as to the design of the floor covering. In addition, the light in the room is very important
The shade of the coating will depend on how the lamps are located, as well as on the color of the objects in the room. Remember that light-colored flooring is not suitable for high-traffic areas.
Many people prefer to combine light laminate flooring with light walls. This way you can visually enlarge the room, but do not use only light colors in the room, otherwise it will become faceless and cold. Don't forget about various bright elements.
To complete the look of a light laminate, you can use a plinth. It should be darker and match the tone with any piece of furniture.
A black baseboard looks very unusual in combination with a light floor covering. Such rooms are distinguished by expressiveness and clarity. For the concept to become unified, different interior elements must be black.
So, we can conclude that a light laminate can either decorate a room or ruin the entire design. It all depends on how to use it. Think over several options, try to imagine what the interior will look like.
To learn how to choose the right laminate, watch the following video.
Aged and smooth options
Oak for laminate and parquet in interiors in rustic, country, vintage and ecological styles is an excellent option, and if you are drawn to these styles, then you can safely choose it for laminate. But there is a subtlety - the more pronounced the rustic or vintage element is in your interior, the more important it is to choose a textured or aged option for laminate or parquet.
This is clearly visible in the photo above: the interior is rustic (brick, baskets, textiles), and the oak laminate is smooth, modern, almost seamless. This floor is dissonant with the overall interior decor.
But laminate or parquet boards with an aged oak look are just perfect for interiors with vintage, rustic and country motifs (next photo). This floor looks amazingly beautiful. But such a parquet board will make it difficult for you to clean.
On the other hand, such laminate or parquet boards have much less noticeable wear. It is well known that in all types of laminate the seams “wear out” after several years of use, the only question is the number of these years. Inexpensive varieties make visible joints within a year or two, expensive ones - after 5-6 years. In aged oak laminate, uneven joints will be less noticeable.
Design tips
To get the most attractive visual effect, it is very important to observe the combinatorial nature of all finishing materials used.
How to choose wallpaper for light laminate flooring
In order to visually expand the space in the room, it is advisable to complement light wallpaper with dark flooring and light furniture. The light finish of the floor, on the contrary, looks very harmonious with wallpaper in relatively dark, sandy tones or the color of milk chocolate.
Flooring in white and beige, as well as various pastel shades, goes well with wenge-style wallpaper. Yellowish and golden laminated boards can be very successfully complemented with wallpaper in green, terracotta, brownish and orange tones. It is advisable to combine gray floor finishing with shades of wall materials that are as close in tone as possible.
In order to visually expand the space in the room, it is advisable to complement light wallpaper with dark flooring and light furniture
How to choose the color of doors to match light laminate
Universal door colors for light flooring are acacia, light oak, honey birch, light alder and ash. The contrasting combination looks very original, which is represented by a radical difference in colors in the form of a light laminated board and a dark door and vice versa.
Skirting board for light laminate
A dark floor finish and a door in a light color scheme allow you to install a light baseboard, and when using a light laminated board and a dark door in the design, it is quite possible to use both versions of the baseboard, including both light and dark shades.
Light laminate in various interior styles
Light laminated floorboards can be used in almost any interior style. Particular emphasis in this case can be placed on the method of installing the finishing board, which can be presented:
- alternate laying of elements;
- perpendicular laying;
- diagonal position;
- staggered flooring;
- using inserts.
Natural material does not mean expensive
Veneer furniture can be an excellent alternative to furniture made entirely of oak. Veneer is a thin sheet of wood that can be attached to a base made of materials such as chipboard, plywood and others. For example, the base of a kitchen cabinet is made of MDF, and the kitchen facade is made of natural veneer.
Bathroom cabinet made of oak
Advantages of veneer over other materials:
- Unique pattern and rich color.
- Cheapness.
- Weight of furniture. Have you ever rearranged your hallway or living room? If yes, then you know how heavy furniture can be. When using natural veneer rather than solid wood, tables and cabinets become much lighter.
- High strength. There are several types of furniture facade coatings. They will protect this material from scratches and abrasions.
Dark designer oak wall
Stylish stool with oak drawers
Classic oak furniture
Gray oak kitchen
White white oak
White wood can only be found in young trees that are not used for production. With age, wood darkens. And even White Oak has a darker wood compared to what we think of as white white oak. However, on the market such wood is presented in a fairly wide range of shades: ash white, milky white, silver, pearl, snow white, ivory, parchment color, cream, vanilla, etc.
To obtain such oak wood, it is treated with various chemical compounds that bleach the fibers, soaked in oil and varnished. This wood is called “bleached oak”.
There are quite a lot of bleaching technologies, as well as different types of oak giving a distinct shade. So you can hear the names of bleached oak: milk oak, milky oak, Atlanta oak, bleached oak, white oak, etc.
The fashion for white interiors spurred production. It is difficult to find two identical shades of white oak from two different manufacturers. However, the unifying base of “white” with a grayish, straw or less often pink tint remained.
Color is a distinctive feature of such oak and it is not uncommon to find descriptions of furniture in the color of milky oak, the color of milky oak, the color of bleached oak, the basis of which is only a shade of oak.
If you like the exquisite shades of bleached oak, and you decide to make a designer renovation in this style, consider the following color combinations in the interior: bleached oak and pale sunny yellow, light lilac, violet gray, denim blue, pale emerald, gray, gold, silver , black.
Color technology
According to experts, oak is a very durable material that is not subject to rotting, repels dirt and dust, and is therefore considered durable. To obtain the color of bleached oak (what color it is, you can get a fairly clear idea from the photo in the article), the wood is treated with a special pigment that can change the color of the fibers. Then the material is primed and coated with a layer of varnish. The result is a noble matte shade with a pronounced texture. The modern market presents, in addition to natural solid wood of white oak color, materials coated with a layer that imitates its texture and shades - eco-veneer, laminate boards, laminated chipboards and MDF boards, which contain cheaper wood, while the quality is not inferior to natural oak .
Wenge as a background
One of the most common ways to use wenge as a background color is as a floor finish. Laminate or floor tiles can harmoniously fit into any interior and add a little exoticism and luxury to it. The only drawback of this choice is the above-mentioned difficulties from a functional point of view: a dark floor means noticeable dust, foot prints.
Another mistake of inexperienced designers designing their own apartment will be the problem of choosing furniture. Due to ignorance and fear of making mistakes, many people take furniture of a similar color. The resulting effect is called the “Wenge trap” in professional jargon. Dark floors, furniture and, in most cases, poor lighting make the room dull, dull and depressing.
Combination of wenge and light oak in the interior Source orint.ru Wenge against the background of light walls and panoramic windows Source roomester.ru
The positive effect of such combinations will be only in two cases, and their presence should be observed simultaneously:
- Good artificial lighting and large windows that let in a lot of light.
- Volumetric room.
Wenge furniture and original decorative elementsSource wallegro.ru
The second option for using wenge color as a background color is a zoned finish. If it is not suitable for full wall cladding, then a part of the wall or a spacious brown niche looks great.
What looks better: dark or light flooring?
If you're planning on painting your walls a rich color, choosing a light, muted kitchen floor is a good idea. Likewise, for white or light gray walls, a darker floor is recommended to contrast with the furniture. Of course, nothing prevents you from combining white walls, white floors and light Sonoma oak furniture. To ensure that the interior retains its original character, it is enough to introduce dark or bright accessories into the composition, for example, a patterned carpet, a gallery of photographs and posters, or lush green plants.
Combination of wenge doors with laminate and furniture
The harmonious perception of a wenge-colored door in combination with the floor or furniture is created taking into account the basic rule: the selection of shades should occur in the same “temperature” range. First you need to choose the main shade: cold or warm.
Lines emphasizing African flavorSource marsel-mebel.ru
Combining color shadesSource modernplace.ru
Don't overlook the superficial combination of shades. The ideal choice for a wenge door would be a light floor. It is more practical to install skirting boards in the same color as the doors. This solution emphasizes the contrast and gives the room a complete look.
Laminate in dark tones rarely harmonizes with wenge. This happens for three reasons:
- The combination looks good only in large, voluminous rooms.
- The interior may seem “gloomy and dull” and will have the effect of a cave.
- For practicality reasons: wet cleaning will have to be done daily. On the dark surface, dust, traces of bare feet, and stains are clearly visible.
Gray and light gray floors harmonize with wenge doors no worse than light ones. In fact, the shade is considered background, that is, it practically fits into most other color schemes. It will transform the environment into a more comfortable one, conducive to relaxation.
Living room with fireplace and wenge furnitureSource classpic.ru
When combining doors with furniture elements, you need to select a similar range of colors. The maximum deviation is allowed to be 1-2 shades lighter, but no more.
An interesting combination would be furniture or individual objects with glass elements: mirrors, photo frames, mirrored wardrobe doors.
Features and color characteristics
Oak takes on darker colors over the years. Obtaining a variety of color options is possible through the use of various technologies. The tones can be cool or warm, and the brightness of the design can be adjusted. There is a tree of natural color, close to black. To recognize the oak, you should take a closer look at the picture.
Obtaining a variety of color options is possible through the use of various technologies.
Gallery: light laminate in the interior (50 photos)
Of particular interest is the “minimalism” style, which has become especially promising in recent years, in which the most ideal and harmonious floor covering is in almost any light shade.
A successful addition can be delicate shades of decor, made in coral or wine shades. In any case, you should completely abandon the brightest accessories and decorative elements. A good result is also achieved by adding any indoor plants to the interior, grown in stylish flower pots made from natural materials or durable, high-strength plastic.
You should completely abandon the brightest accessories and decorative elements.
What furniture to choose - solid oak or beech
Which furniture is better - solid oak or beech? Both of these breeds belong to the same family. Both beech and oak have dense wood, which actually determines their practicality and reliability. However, they may differ in some respects. Therefore, it is worth conducting a comparative analysis to determine which of the two types of trees is of the greatest value. To do this, it is worth considering several criteria:
- Colors. The texture and shades of both types of wood are pleasant. Except that the growth rings of beech are decorated with pronounced inclusions. The color of this variety can be peach, pinkish or yellowish. The red-brown color of centuries-old trees is exclusive, valued above other varieties! The coloring of oak is also quite extensive - from a light golden shade to gray-brown and rich brown tones. During use, the wood darkens, which is why pieces of furniture take on an antique look. Although over time, beech also changes in color.
- Properties. Beech is an alternative to the stronger wood of oak. In terms of basic indicators, beech is practically not inferior to oak. In addition, after special treatment, beech can become stronger than oak. However, in some ways he clearly loses. We are talking about resistance to moisture; water has a destructive effect on the structure of beech. Wood is also prone to mold and fungal infections. Therefore, in order to protect the material, it is treated with special impregnations. Oak itself is resistant to moisture and biological destroyers - protection provided by nature itself.
- Application area. Due to the distinctive features mentioned above, beech requires more careful handling. That is, you cannot use wood for finishing work on the outside or inside without high-quality protective impregnation. Oak does not need such manipulations. It is from this tree that bathhouses and outbuildings are built. The material is also good for making barrels that are stored for a long time in damp basements. At the same time, beech is more flexible and for this reason it makes good bent furniture of the elite class.
But what should you choose in the end – solid oak or beech furniture? The main difference lies in the atmosphere created - beech can visually refresh the space of a room and it has a soft and warm energy. Oak is the personification of luxury, nobility and aristocracy. In any case, the choice in favor of one material or another is the prerogative of the owner of the home.
Interior decor with wenge
You can add zest to an interior made using wenge color by bringing it closer to the place where the tree itself came from. For example, decorate a room with a painting depicting a sunny sandy beach or a savannah with a luxurious green crown of Congolese rosewood. You can complement all this with a beautiful figurine of African animals.
The effect of what is done will not leave you indifferent. The unique exotic African flavor will spread throughout the house and will warm you on cold winter evenings.
Plays of colors using wenge furnitureSource stylingroom.ru
Which panels to choose for walls and ceilings
The use of wooden panels in the color of bleached oak will allow you to achieve truly remarkable results in interior design. The walls and ceiling in the shade of bleached wood introduce a certain element of chic into the interior. In a wooden house, decorating a room with such panels will give the interior a natural and modern look. In small rooms, bleached wood panels will help divide the room into zones. It is not necessary to install panels over the entire area of the ceiling or walls; you can simply place accents - cover the wall with them behind the TV or in the dining area.
Laminate installation options
The way the plates are laid in relation to each other largely determines the perception of the room and the interior as a whole.
Standard laminate installation methods:
- Straight. Laying “in a straight line” emphasizes the direction in which the flooring is being laid. The proportions of a long narrow room can be corrected by placing the plates perpendicular to the long wall.
- Diagonal. The laying direction at an angle to the direction of one of the walls is usually used in non-standard shaped rooms. Also, laying laminate flooring diagonally in the interior is used to emphasize zoning.
- Curly. Laying in herringbone or squares can create the illusion of parquet, but it requires a special laminate with small strips and special locks for adhesion at right angles.
Laying schemes for laminate flooring
Types of locks for installation
The plates are equipped with locks so that they can be fastened when stacked together. There are three types of locks:
- Lock. The protrusion on one plate connects to a recess on the other, which matches the shape of the protrusion. The main disadvantage is that the mount wears out quickly. It cannot be disassembled and reassembled in another place.
- Click. The design of the lock allows you to “snap” it by connecting the plates at an angle. Over time, the lock does not come apart. The coating can be disassembled, moved to another place and reassembled.
- Uniclic. Assembly is faster and easier than with other types of locks. Quick step laminate produced using this technology looks very decent in the interior of any room. The coating is absolutely flat, suitable for disassembly and installation in a new location.
Laminate is also distinguished by the presence or absence of a chamfer - a beveled edge along the plate. Bevels are used when installing wooden floors to make cracks less noticeable and protect the wood from chipping. Laminate with a chamfer in the interior looks more like natural wood.
How to distinguish solid oak furniture from fakes
In some stores, the fight for the client is carried out in a variety of ways, and the severity of such actions can go off scale. Often sellers resort to one trick - instead of real solid oak, a cheaper type of wood appears.
Tree species can be easily distinguished in their natural conditions. But after processing and coating with varnish (stain), it is no longer so easy to distinguish them, if at all possible.
However, there are a number of significant factors that will help identify a fake:
- Weight – it’s worth doing a simple experiment. If the bedside table lifts without effort or you don’t have to strain to move the bed, you should be wary. For your information, the weight of pine is on average 1.5-2 times less than oak.
- Hardness – if you press discreetly on the surface of the furniture with your fingernail, the dent remains on coniferous wood.
- The structure of real oak is porous with beautiful heart-shaped vein patterns. In addition, other types of wood simply do not have the same texture as this tree.
- Smell – oak aroma is rich and specific. There is also some bitterness in it.
If furniture made from solid oak is purchased to order, then it is unlikely that the store management will decide to deceive, since this could lead to trouble and the business could simply fail. However, you may encounter another problem - violations at the wood preparation stage. The material must dry well, otherwise the products will subsequently dry out, lose their shape and become covered with cracks.
Features of the production of furniture from solid oak
Technologies for making oak furniture have been known since the 18th and 19th centuries. Currently, the production process is more automated, but does not depart from the original technologies. Solid wood is artificially dried and then varnished. The composition of modern varnish eliminates the negative impact on humans and provides reliable protection of furniture from mechanical damage, fungus and wood destruction by harmful insects.
The process of producing custom-made oak furniture consists of several stages:
- Preliminary agreement between the manufacturer and the client regarding the parameters of future products. At this stage, the room in which the furniture will be installed is studied, all necessary measurements are taken, and its main functionality and appearance are determined.
- Development of a design project. The designer provides the client with sketch options, from which the most optimal one for the customer is selected. After all the modifications to the sketch, a drawing of the product is made with a detailed drawing of all furniture elements and an indication of their sizes.
- Selection of materials for making furniture. The customer chooses the type of oak from which the designed items will be made. In addition to wood, inserts made of natural stone, leather, and glass can be installed into furniture. This point is also discussed with the client in advance.
- Manufacturing of components. The array is cut into several parts. Then, using a machine, they are given the required shape. Polishing, varnishing and decorating are carried out entirely by hand.
- Furniture assembly. The elements prepared in advance are assembled in the room where the furniture will be located. In production, only small interior items are assembled: tables, chairs.
The process of making oak furniture is very labor-intensive and complex. To obtain high-quality products, it is necessary to strictly follow all the rules of its production technology.
Oak furniture finishing options
The beauty and elegance of products made from solid wood helps to reveal various processing options. Let's take a closer look at the technologies mentioned above:
- Staining is a procedure for treating oak to obtain a dark purple hue. It is considered rare and decorates the rich interiors of cottages and large apartments. Furniture made from bog oak is suitable for offices, bedrooms and living rooms.
- Bleaching is used to lighten wood without disturbing its structure. Light colors visually enlarge the space and make the room sunnier and more comfortable. Bleached oak has a number of useful properties. For example, scratches and dirt are less visible on a light surface. Therefore, products made from bleached oak are often installed in hallways. And thanks to the cozy atmosphere inherent in white tones, such furniture is placed in children's rooms and bedrooms.
- Brushing and patination - used to give products an antique and antique look. Such procedures are used when processing garden and country sets, as well as to create a certain style in the kitchen, living room or office. The effect of abrasion with small cracks on the surface makes the appearance of the room noble and unusual.