Wall decoration with mdf panels

What are the types

Installation of MDF wall panels will help in creating a unique image of any room. Various methods of finishing the front surface, sizes and shapes of this material will allow you to choose the right one for you from a variety of options.

MDF will help you create a unique design for your premises

According to the physical characteristics, MDF panels are divided into the following types:

Rack - the most common type of material. Ease of installation lies in the presence of a ridge on each slatted panel on one side, a groove on the other. This makes it easy to do the installation with your own hands, without resorting to outside help.

Rack view of MDF panels

Sheet panels are sheets of various sizes, decorated in various ways.

MDF sheet panels will help you quickly finish the walls

Tiled MDF panels are similar to tiles, only they are larger. Installation in a tiled format is carried out according to the rack-and-pinion principle - "tongue and groove".

Wall decoration with white lacquered MDF panels to create sound insulation

Tiled view of MDF

Types of decoration of the front surface of the panels:

Veneering. Such panels resemble natural wood as much as possible in texture and color. For their facing, a thin layer (less than 3 mm) of natural wood veneer is used.

Veneered MDF panels perfectly imitate natural wood

Veneered MDF panels

Panels, on the front surface of which a polyvinyl chloride film is applied, are called laminated. This type of wall decoration looks very stylish. A variety of patterns, shades and textures distinguish the material from other types. Finishing with a glossy PVC film gives the room a respectable look.

Laminated MDF panels look very attractive

• Wall panels MDF with photo printing - a new trend of fashion. Photo printing with all kinds of images is applied to the front surface. To protect the design, a layer of water-repellent acrylic varnish is applied on top.
• Decorative MDF panels with 3d effect - know-how in the construction market. This method consists in applying to the finishing material by painting in various colors to simulate waves, geometric volumetric figures, carvings, and relief. Decorating a room with such material helps to solve the most complex design ideas.

Decorative MDF panels with 3d effect

MDF panels with a 3D effect will help to translate interesting design ideas into reality

Panels painted with special paints are the traditional processing method. Spreading evenly over the canvas, the paint smooths out small irregularities. There are no restrictions on the shades of paint. Finishes with silver or mother-of-pearl effect match modern interior design styles.

MDF panels, painted with paints, have a huge range of shades

When choosing MDF panels, consider the place of their application. For example, laminated material is more resistant to abrasion or scratches. Painted products have a higher moisture resistance than veneered ones. But you will have to pay more for veneered products, because this is a natural material.

Choosing materials

Currently, in the production of wall panels, various types of raw materials are used from plastic and PVC to cork and glass. Naturally, the cost of tiles depends on what materials they are made of.

Not only the aesthetic component of the interior depends on the choice of certain products, but also the well-being of the inhabitants of the house!

Wood

This natural material of natural origin has long been used for interior decoration of spacious cottages and cramped city apartments. Its wild popularity is caused, rather, not by its excellent external characteristics, but by its environmental friendliness and safety. The panels are made from linden, maple, bamboo, cedar and oak. The paneled room not only looks impeccable, but also breathes, that is, there is an incessant air circulation in it.

It should be understood that natural wood has a rather capricious character. It does not tolerate moisture in the vicinity, therefore it is not recommended to use them in the bathroom, toilet or kitchen. It quickly absorbs all the moisture that settles on the surface, and when it dries, it cracks and takes on a porous shape. Some owners of country houses cover the panels with a special varnish, but it is unlikely to be able to withstand the negative effects of the environment for a long time. Also, a significant disadvantage is the rather high cost of this type of cladding.

Modern designers are constantly trying to find new ways to decorate the interior with wooden products, combining them with mirrored panels or panels with soft surfaces.

Chipboard

The imperfection of this type of sheet panels is more than compensated for by its low cost. The low price is due to the use of woodworking waste. At the same time, their appearance sometimes does not look very respectable, therefore, laminated panels are often used for interior decoration. With the help of this technology, manufacturers achieve a variety of color and texture solutions.

MDF panels for walls

This material has a low density and light weight. It is moisture resistant, fireproof, resistant to aggressive environments.

Plastic

Plastic panels have a fairly wide range of colors and designs. In addition to ease of installation and the presence of high-tech properties, pvc panels have another undoubted advantage - low cost.

It is from plastic that modern and incredibly popular 3D panels are created. These plastic panels are distinguished by their volume and variety of shapes, which is why they are considered an absolute trend in 2019.

Mirror Panels

As you might have guessed, they are made up of reflective glass surfaces, but they are only used as support elements. They go well with gypsum, plastic, cork and MDF wall panels.

Cork

This material has not been used in design for so long, but it has already proved itself from the very best side. Usually they are used to decorate one single wall in order to focus attention on a certain area of ​​the room. Such beauty is not affordable for everyone, which is why it is extremely rare.

Gypsum vinyl

Extremely durable and resistant to external influences material. Previously, it was actively used in the decoration of offices, but now it has safely migrated to houses and apartments. Low cost and high strength and durability characteristics make it affordable for most of our compatriots.

How to fix MDF panels: the size of the lathing and installation of sheets

It is quite possible to carry out the installation of MDF wall panels with your own hands. For this purpose, it is enough to buy MDF panels for walls, the dimensions of which correspond to the requirements of the existing room, and also to find some tools that everyone will probably find in the pantry.

Wall boards in the bedroom are glued

There are two possible ways of fastening: on an adhesive base or on a crate. They use mainly the second option, since it is he who allows you to hide the existing communications, and also not to worry about dismantling the previous coating.In the case of using glue, the prepared surface must be perfectly flat and smooth, which is not always possible.

For work, you will need a tape measure, a building level, a screwdriver, a metal corner, a hand saw or jigsaw, as well as screws or glue, depending on which method you choose.

Fastening MDF panels with clamps

In order to evenly attach the panels with glue, you first need to apply the appropriate markings, starting from the corner of the room. The vertical and horizontal boundaries of each panel that will be docked are indicated. After that, you can apply glue to the back of the panel as indicated on the package and glue the element to the wall. As a guideline, it is recommended to see a photo of wall decoration with MDF panels.

The presence of special locking grooves guarantees reliable adhesion of the panels to each other

If you decide to make a crate, then here you need to adhere to the standard recommendations for this type of work:

• to create the lathing, you can use both metal guides and simple wooden bars;
• the distance between the elements of the lathing should be 40-50 cm. This will ensure the most reliable fixation of the panels;
• it is necessary to strictly monitor that the crate is even. Otherwise, it may affect the cladding - it will be wavy;
• you need to start fixing the plates from the corner of the room;
• it is necessary to check that, at the joints, the panels fit snugly against each other, without forming gaps;
• it is necessary to leave some distance between the floor and the panels, which will subsequently close the skirting board;
• in order to give the corners an aesthetic appearance, a special flexible corner is used.

Scheme of panel mounting on walls (left) and ceiling (right)

Like any other renovation work, wall cladding with MDF panels requires effort and attention. However, this task is within the power of almost anyone who has at least basic skills in working with tools. To make it easier for yourself, you can use detailed videos or photo instructions, of which there are a lot on the Internet.

Regardless of the area of ​​use, MDF wall panels for interior decoration show equally good performance. The main thing is to take a responsible approach to their choice, conduct a thorough inspection and make sure that the products comply with certification, environmentally friendly and capable of serving you for a long time.

Varieties of panels with a 3D effect

It should be noted that these panels can be made from a variety of materials. Sometimes there are very exotic options.

Aluminum

In order to give such a skin the desired shape, it is pre-perforated. The resulting pattern is covered with a PVC film.

Exotic interior using 3D aluminum panels

The advantages of 3D panels for metal walls are as follows:

• Low weight. This means that the load on the walls will be minimal.
• No corrosion. This makes it suitable for use in bathrooms.
• Durability. The service life is calculated in decades.

If you draw up a correct design project, then the use of such products ensures the individuality of the interior.

Pvc

This option has similar advantages to aluminum materials. But it is divided into several types:

• with a mirror effect;
• textured;
• with perforation;
• completely smooth.

Unusual texture, effect of visual expansion of space

This variety allows the cladding to be used in different situations. If desired, it is possible to combine them in one room, creating a common, complete composition. Low weight and increased strength - the key to quick and successful installation.

MDF

Environmentally friendly 3D MDF panels are quite an expensive option.This is due to the fact that for each new series it is necessary to produce an individual mold. The service life of such products is quite long, but the range of decorative options is even greater. The choice of colors, textures and patterns - makes it possible to select the necessary solutions.

Stylish interior using 3D MDF panels

Due to their many advantages, MDF panels are suitable for decorating living rooms and even children's rooms. But there is one limitation - they cannot be coated with surfaces that are exposed to moisture. Although wet cleaning can be carried out without fear for the safety of the material.

Products made of chipboard and fiberboard have similar parameters.

Wood

Of course, any wall panel with a 3d effect, which is made of natural wood (oak, alder, cedar, maple), will look a win-win in any interior. But this pleasure is expensive enough to limit the use of the material.

A noble look worthy of admiration

This cladding has the following features:

• Rich and respectable look. The room turns out to be such that it will make you show admiration.
• The procedure of rubbing with wax or impregnation with various compounds is periodically repeated. If this is not done, then the service life will be significantly reduced.
• The environmental factor cannot be ruled out either. After all, natural wood is a symbol of safety.
• This naturalness provides warmth and comfort, as well as the preservation of the aroma of the wood.

But you need to remember one important detail - the material has increased requirements for the climatic parameters of the room. That is, any temperature extremes, high humidity or dryness - all this has a detrimental effect.

Eco 3D panels made of bamboo allow you to create a unique interior using natural textures

Decorative 3D panels can be made of bamboo. To obtain the required shape, it is preliminarily crushed and pressed. Such a product is much cheaper than wood.

Gypsum

This option is not as popular as the previous materials. This is due to the fact that gypsum is heavier and less resistant to mechanical damage. But all this is compensated for by excellent decorativeness, a variety of colors and textures.

3D gypsum wall products provide the following features:

• Installation is carried out on any base that has been previously prepared. Only slight differences are allowed.
• Their use creates additional heat and sound insulation.
• Perfectly combined with other solutions that are used for interior decoration.

Varieties of wall panels

In order to make the right choice of panels for walls, you need to know what types of them are offered by the market of finishing materials. Wall panels are classified by shape and size, the following types are distinguished:

• sheet - panels of large sizes, the shape of which is rectangular. The dimensions of these panels are similar to a sheet of plywood, distinguished by their decorative pattern on the outside of the wall panel. The standard size is 122 * 244 * 0.6 cm, the surface is often smooth, plus such a large panel is that the number of joints is minimal.
• rack - panels in the form of long strips from 240 to 370 cm, width 30 cm, thickness 12mm. Such wall panels are known to all under the name "lining".
• tiled - panels in the form of squares with sides from 30 to 98 cm. Due to their size, these panels allow you to create various design compositions by combining them in color in a different order.

Panel material and texture

In the manufacture of wall panels, different materials are used, which provides them with different operational and external characteristics. So, panels can be made from the following materials:

• MDF;
• wood;
• plastic;
• glass;
• gypsum.

MDF wall panels are wood fibers that have undergone high pressure and heat treatment. At the same time, such panels do not contain resins and toxic phenols, which means that they can be considered environmentally friendly, and they can be used not only when decorating office premises, but also at home in a living room or bedroom.

The surface of the panel is matte, glossy and textured. They do not require special care, because thanks to the laminated surface, dust practically does not stick, therefore it is enough to wipe them with a damp cloth as needed. In addition, such panels do not fade in the sun and are easy to dismantle.

Plastic wall panels are also environmentally friendly, yet they have good sound insulation and retain heat. It is possible to use such panels when decorating the walls of the living room, but we would not recommend covering all the walls with them, but combining them with another material.

It is best to use them in rooms with high humidity. The color scheme of these wall panels is varied, so you can choose them to match the interior. The service life of the panels is very high; they are used to sheathe walls even in country houses, which may not be heated in winter.

Panels made from such trees as alder, maple, cherry, ash, cedar, oak are used not only for finishing ceilings, but also for creating partitions in the living room and architectural structures such as columns and arches. Very often they combine wall panels made of different types of wood. To extend the service life, such panels are coated with a special wax or varnish. But remember that these panels are very sensitive to moisture.

Recently, glass and 3 D panels have appeared. At first, it may not be clear what it is. But in fact, glass panels are a well-known apron in the kitchen. Therefore, we will not talk about this type of panel as a decoration for the living room. As for 3 D panels, they are made of a special material, consisting of three layers: basic, embossed and decorative. The main layer can be made using gypsum or MDF, the decorative one is treated with varnish, enamel, veneer or even leather.

Modern wall decoration in the hallway with MDF panels: photo

MDF panels are often used to decorate not only walls, but also ceilings. This material has gained popularity for its good finishing qualities. The panels are a good substitute for wood and at the same time imitate it very well.

Wall decoration with panels is not appropriate in all rooms, and is more often used for decoration:

• Corridors of apartments and houses;
• On the kitchen;
• On a loggia or balcony;
• In a dormitory when finishing common areas.

Decorative panels can be partially used for wall decoration in living rooms to highlight some design ideas. It is worth noting that due to environmental friendliness, the material of the panels can still be used for complete wall decoration even in bedrooms, but rarely does anyone create such an office style in a space intended for sleeping.

What are the options for lining the kitchen with MDF plates

Before proceeding directly to the finishing, you need to calculate how much area to cover - either the entire kitchen surface, or just an apron.

Full veneer - good or bad?

It would seem that repair is like repair, and it is better to change the entire surface. But with regards to the kitchen, this is not entirely true, because, as a rule, this room is small, and if it is sheathed in this way, the kitchen will look like a cramped box.

There may be options here - you can try to solve the problem of cramped space using a play of material of different shades, a combination of textured and smooth tiles, or make an interesting laying: trim the floor with square tiles, walls with clapboard of different shades, and make the ceiling from panels without seams.

But such experiments are still recommended to be done in a country house, and in an apartment kitchens are often trimmed with MDF panels only partially.

Ceiling

It is also a surface that can be covered with clapboard, the only condition for the ceiling is light colors of the finishing material. It can be plain or imitate light-colored stone or some original relief. But the same cladding for the ceiling and for the walls should not be selected, the kitchen looks much more attractive, in which its different parts look different, both in texture and in color.

Panel types

Plastic decorative panels are mainly used for decoration of bathrooms and showers, they are fireproof, have high resistance to moisture and have a long service life.

Decorating the walls with plastic panels is a guarantee that the next repair will not be soon.

Decorative 3D panels make the room incredibly creative due to their volume, they give the room a slightly futuristic look, which may not fit into every interior.

Usually such panels are covered with various paints or covered with veneer.

Gypsum decorative panels, like the previous version, are not suitable for all types of interior due to their monumentality. On the other hand, these panels are incredibly practical, very durable and provide excellent sound insulation.

Wooden decorative panels are one of the most versatile options, moreover, they are most suitable for interior wall decoration with decorative panels in a room or apartment, as their feature is environmental friendliness.

Bamboo decorative panels are much more specific than wooden ones, but otherwise they are similar. Bamboo is as environmentally friendly as wood, and besides, it is highly moisture resistant.

Veneered decorative panels are the most affordable type of panels. They are a thin cut of wood glued on chipboard or MDF, outwardly very similar to a massive piece of wood. The interior looks quite monumental and stylish.

Cork decorative panels are somewhat similar to the two previous options in their environmental friendliness and practicality, but this option has its own characteristics, namely: high heat and sound insulation, the material breathes well.

Decorative MDF panels are very affordable and practical, at the same time they are very stylish and suitable for various interiors. They have high heat and sound insulation. Decorating walls with MDF panels is a simple task.

Decorative fiberboard panels are affordable, but not very practical, due to their vulnerability to moisture. Therefore, they are not suitable for decorating bathroom walls, but they may well serve in an ordinary room.

In addition, they do not differ in high rates of practicality, since their moisture protection and protection against deformation leave much to be desired, which is why, be careful when decorating walls with PVC panels.

Color spectrum

MDF panels have different colors, so choosing the right shade when decorating the wall design will not be difficult. Before choosing the color and texture of this material, you need to take into account the general palette of the room. Therefore, at first, the main background of the interior is determined, after which it can be complemented by colored panels. As a rule, white, gray, olive and beige colors are recommended for decorating rooms. An interesting option for decoration will be slabs imitating a tree such as oak or wenge.

Walls decorated with orange, red and yellow material will visually expand the room and fill it not only with bright colors, but also with an unusual atmosphere. For the design of kitchens, it is recommended to choose green MDF, which helps relieve stress and has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Products of pink and purple colors look in a special way: a decorated design in such a palette will acquire a certain mystery, but since such shades are bright, they cannot be used in large quantities. It is best to combine them with light colors. The most natural color is brown - it is most often used when decorating walls in the kitchen and in the corridor.

As for the white, gray and black shades, they are in perfect harmony in any interior. To brighten up the solidity of a room whose walls are decorated with panels of this color, it is recommended to use bright inserts and original decor items. In addition, many designers prefer to use beige MDF in the interior, since this shade combines chic and restraint at the same time.

A variety of decorative wall panels with a photo

Panels differ in shape, have characteristic properties, are used in a particular room, and perform certain functions. The forms are divided into three groups.

1. Rack panels are long strips for the production of which PVC, fiberboard, chipboard, MDF are used. They are often mounted in rooms with many angles, in small rooms. Light panels are able to visually correct the space of a small room (kitchen, bathroom, hallway, balcony). The horizontal arrangement of the planks will stretch the walls, and the vertical arrangement will visually raise the ceiling of the room. Wall panels of this shape are easy to install, fastened with brackets or self-tapping screws on an aluminum or wooden crate.
2. Tiled panels - square from 30 cm to 1 m. Fastened with steel plates for fastening or glue. If you arrange the wall panels on a plane in different ways, then you get interesting options for wall decoration. By arranging the slabs at different angles and several levels, you can get the original interior design of the room. The final touch will be the built-in backlight between the levels.

3. Sheet wall panels are the largest in size (1.22 by 2.44 m, thickness - 3 cm), more often they are made of PVC and fiberboard. They form a multi-level structure with a printed pattern, texture that imitates other finishing materials (wood, stone, brick), or a combination of these. The panels are fixed with glue, the seams formed between them are filled with moldings.

The following types of panels deserve special attention. Some of them have appeared relatively recently, differ from the previous ones in their originality and creativity.

Modern room design with wall panel

Apartment interior with wall panel

The original design of the room using wall panels

Soft panels

The current fashionable trend of volumetric decor has added popularity to soft wall panels. In addition to the aesthetic component, this type of finish has a number of other advantages:

• Ease of installation;
• Excellent sound insulation;
• Can be mounted on uneven walls. After installing such panels, all irregularities will be smoothed out by their texture;
• The possibility of using various colors.

Due to the design features, the list of materials for the front of the panels is limited to three items:

• Leather. Expensive and stylish material. Such upholstery will be appropriate in official places: conference rooms, restaurants for business meetings, office;
• Artificial leather;
• Textile. Although this is the most budgetary option, but at the same time, it provides a wide choice of colors. Will fit well into the interior of the bedroom.

Foam rubber and synthetic winterizer are used for filling. The first allows you to create curvy and soft designs, and the second is lighter and does not crumble over time. The basis can be a sheet of fiberboard or chipboard.

To fix such a coating on the wall, use a sealant for massive decor items. This is the most popular installation method. The second way is to fasten the panels to the crate with self-tapping screws or nails. After completing the installation work, it is necessary to close their caps with plugs.

The main difficulty that you will have to face after installation is fixing additional interior items on the wall: paintings, hangers, sconces, sockets. Small elements can still be dealt with by attaching them to a soft base, but hanging a heavy shelf or TV bracket is not so easy. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare in advance for such difficulties by making adjustments to the upholstery plan.

Plastic wall panels

It is a modern and environmentally friendly finishing material. Such panels are characterized by high thermal insulation and sound absorption. Excellent hygienic qualities allow these panels to be used for interior decoration in medical premises.
Caring for plastic panels is quite simple. Once a month, it is necessary to wipe them with a damp cloth or rag using any detergent without abrasive elements in the composition. Wall panels made of plastic are presented on the modern building materials market in a wide range of colors. This gives a unique opportunity to diversify the interior, giving it a special appeal. Installation of such panels in rooms does not require preliminary alignment, removal of old wallpaper, paint or plaster. At the same time, the panels are able to hide various defects, hide the wiring, and also additionally insulate the room. The work does not require special equipment and tools, as well as special skills. Installation takes very little time. This material is durable and resistant to mechanical stress. Installation of plastic panels can be organized in various directions, in a combination of different textures and colors. Such panels are recommended for installation in rooms with high humidity and unheated space.

Wooden wall panels

This material is intended for finishing ceilings and walls, partitions, columns and arches.It is quite easy to mount and remove such panels. For the production of wood panels, alder, maple, oak, cherry, beech, ash, cedar, pine, spruce are most often used. Combined panels made of several types of wood have become very popular. The layers of panels are reliably bonded under the influence of high temperature and pressure. The finished panel is coated with wax or acrylic varnish, which protects the panels from damage and prolongs their service life.