When choosing flooring, take into account the adequate price-quality ratio. It is equally important to find a suitable shade for the future interior or fit the desired color into the already established style of the room/office. Laminate flooring in dark colors will look harmonious with most types of room design.
Features of color selection
Before choosing a laminate, you should decide on its functionality. The fact is that with the help of color you can enlarge or reduce a room, create a warm or cool atmosphere. How to choose wallpaper for laminate flooring, taking into account the characteristics of the room?
To visually enlarge the room, you should use light wallpaper and dark laminate. Thus, the floor will have a noble and solid appearance, which will give the walls lightness. In such a room it is better to use light furniture. Its contours will stand out clearly on the dark floor.
To visually make a room smaller, use a combination of dark walls and a light floor. Often this combination of finishing coatings allows you to adjust the shape of a long room. If, on the contrary, you need to stretch it out, then the optimal solution would be light-colored floors and walls.
It is worth considering that the tone of the wallpaper and flooring should be slightly different, otherwise a box effect will be created.
What to choose first?
Despite the long-term use of such materials for room decoration as wallpaper and laminate, the question of priority remains open. It all depends on the required effects and other repair measures possible within the framework of a specific design project .
The sequence implies the following stages of final finishing:
- If the systems for finishing the ceiling are not complex acoustic or tension ones, then the coating is applied to them from the beginning of work.
- The walls are covered with wallpaper or finished with other materials.
- The floor is laid, painted or varnished last. When you do not need to enter the room, then the coating will dry completely.
Practicality of finishing
When choosing flooring and wallpaper, it is worth considering the practicality of finishing coatings. If the windows face the sunny side, the floor illumination will be maximum. In such cases, you should avoid using dark-colored laminate. Otherwise, the floor covering will look dusty. This will make cleaning the room much more difficult.
Also, dark floors should not be used in rooms where there is very little natural light. Here, installing such a laminate will create a gloomy and boring atmosphere.
White laminate is especially popular among consumers. With its help, they create a luxurious floor that will color the entire room. But, there are cases when it is better to refuse such finishing. If there are animals or small children in the house, then a white floor is not the best solution. The fact is that in such conditions the risk of contamination of the floor covering is very high. As a result, the floor will quickly lose its original shine. It is better to opt for beige flooring material.
When choosing a floor, it is worth considering the cardinal directions to which the room’s windows face. If the windows face north, then it is better to choose light and warm colors for the floor. You should not use a gray shade here, as it will create a feeling of eternal cold. The warm wood texture will create a cozy homely atmosphere.
On the southern sunny side, it is better to use a cool palette for decoration. This will create a feeling of lightness and coolness.
On video: combination of laminate in the interior.
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Repair sequence
What does laminate or wallpaper do first? The relevance of this issue affects 80% of families who make repairs with their own hands. Even experts cannot answer unequivocally, although the majority is of the opinion that the wallpaper is glued first.
Why? Let's look at the nuances of the process:
- Wallpapering is accompanied by the appearance of high humidity . Drying takes place with the windows closed. As a result, the floors will absorb the resulting moisture during the day. This may have a negative effect on the coating.
First you need to finish the walls, and then you can install the flooring
- On an already installed laminate you will have to use glue . When smearing walls or strips of wallpaper, there is a high risk of staining the coating.
- When cutting a roll, you can drop a knife, scissors, or tape measure . Scratches or other defects will occur from moving the auxiliary ladder.
- There is no need to make even cuts at the bottom - the material is glued to the floor, and the plinth will cover all the unevenness.
Features of a white floor
When combining finishing materials, it is worth considering that the atmosphere of the room and the style of the interior will depend on this. The main role here is played by the floor and walls. Therefore, you need to approach their finishing very carefully. This is especially true when using white laminate.
This material will fit perfectly into a modern and minimalist style. It is also used to decorate a room in a high-tech style. When laying such a floor covering, it is worth considering that it is very demanding on the design of the surrounding interior. So, the walls should not be finished in white. Otherwise, light laminate and wallpaper are a fairly easy-to-understand combination.
Among the main combinations are the following:
- In combination with green wallpaper, white laminate will be an ideal solution for decorating a relaxation room. This combination will create a feeling of freshness and peace.
- The combination of white and purple can be used in almost any style.
- The combination of white and crimson colors also has some features. So, if a white laminate is used for decoration, then its effect can be enhanced by a furniture set of the same color. It is also appropriate to use light stucco molding and figurines here. Otherwise, the design will look unfinished.
- In a small room, it is best to use a combination of white flooring and blue wallpaper. This will create a feeling of weightlessness and lightness.
- White flooring and red wallpaper create a play of contrasts. Therefore, this combination must be used carefully. It is better to carry out such finishing in the kitchen and living room. White and red design allows you to visually enlarge the room.
- The classic option is yellow and white design. Such rooms will create a feeling of spaciousness and lightness. This style uses a combination of white floors and brown walls.
Do not forget that in homes where there are animals and children, such material will not be the most suitable option. A heavy load will cause the light laminate to quickly lose its original appearance.
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Useful tips
In order for the interior to create a feeling of comfort and be harmonious, it is necessary to skillfully select the colors of the flooring, wallpaper for walls, and doorways. You must adhere to the following procedure:
- It is necessary to determine the style of the room, taking into account the existing furniture and other items and decorative elements. If they are not there, then the possibilities are wider.
- The choice begins with the shade and texture of the flooring - this element of the interior will set the rest of the style.
- More exotic laminate colors will cause fatigue or discomfort as a result of a long stay in such a room. Preference should be given to calm colors. The price of the material, which indicates the service life of the coating and the range of suitable finishes, means a lot.
- The widest choice of palettes is available for floor slabs in golden, yellow and milky shades.
- The second step is the choice of interior paintings, which should either match in texture and tone, or contrast in warm colors.
- It is important not to overdo it with white color, as the sterility effect will create discomfort in such a room.
- Laminate flooring in small rooms should have minimal color variety so as not to visually break the room into small zones.
- If the floor covering has a shade of white oak, birch or beech, then you should not choose too light canvases for the walls; it is advisable to glue the rolled materials 2-4 shades darker.
Creating a comfortable interior depends on a competent approach to choosing the color of laminate flooring, doors, and wallpaper. The right combination will create a feeling of spaciousness, peace or original appearance of the room. To avoid mistakes, you need to adhere to basic rules that will greatly simplify the choice of a beautiful room design.
Experts from the field of residential decoration note that laminate flooring in light colors is actively used when decorating houses and apartments. This flooring option has a number of advantages. Despite the fact that the material in this color is less practical, it attracts buyers with its sophistication and sophistication. Further in the article we will talk about light laminate in the interior of apartments and houses.
What to combine with a gray floor
One of the most common options is gray laminate. This neutral and unpretentious material can be combined with any shade.
Of course, we should not forget that this option has some features:
- You need to be careful when combining a gray floor with green walls. This combination can destroy even the most interesting design idea. As a result, the interior can become simple and discreet.
- Gray laminate goes well with wallpaper that has yellow patterns. Of course, there should be few such decorative elements.
- The combination of gray and red looks fashionable and modern. But despite this, you need to approach interior design very carefully. To make it easier to perceive color contrast, it is worth installing elements in the room with white or neutral shades.
- Beige wallpaper under gray laminate is often used in a classic style. This combination can also be used to decorate a room in a modern style.
- Gray laminate can also be combined with orange and purple wallpaper. This design of the room will look unusual and impressive.
Despite the fact that gray laminate is very popular among designers, it must be used very carefully.
Advantages and disadvantages
Laminate in light shades is used to decorate residential premises not only in the former Soviet Union, but also in America, Europe and some regions of Asia. Let's consider the advantages of light floor finishing:
- Visual increase in space. An ideal choice for compact living spaces.
- The room is filled with light. A light and peaceful atmosphere reigns in the room.
- White color is classic. It will always remain at the peak of relevance.
- Light colors combine harmoniously with colors of different temperatures and saturations.
- Contrary to popular belief, dust is less noticeable on a white surface. Marking on it is also less noticeable.
- Laminate in a light color is a stylish and fashionable solution. The coating will add a touch of sophistication and chic to the interior.
Despite a number of advantages, light laminate also has disadvantages:
- Designers note that when using such a floor covering, an unnatural lighting effect may occur. To get around this drawback, manufacturers are trying to make the material more natural in appearance and choose a more natural color.
- In order for the coating to become a decoration, you should choose the right finish for the baseboard, doors and other decorative elements.
- If you overdo it with light colors, the interior can become faded and boring. Especially if you choose a white laminate to match light wallpaper and place furniture in a similar color in the room.
As you can see, the coating has both pros and cons.
It is worth noting that regardless of the style of the interior and the color of the coating, the laminate must be of high quality. In this case, the material will serve for a long time, maintaining its beauty for the entire period of operation.
Wood laminate
The texture of light wood species is neutral and universal. It can be combined with various colors and used in any interior. The most successful combinations:
- The combination of a wood floor with black or light walls will add austerity to the interior.
- Woody yellow decoration will make the room lighter and more radiant.
- Wood laminate and brown wallpaper will add rigor and nobility to the interior.
- Mahogany laminate looks harmonious with green, blue and yellow wallpaper.
In fact, there are quite a lot of options for combining the colors of the floor and walls. Therefore, you need to select a laminate based on personal preferences, and carefully. So, for example, if you use a different combination in each room, this will visually reduce the area of the house.
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Tips for choosing laminate (2 videos)
Color combinations (40 photos)
Design techniques
Experts from the field of room decoration note that laminate flooring in light colors can be used as a link between different zones and rooms of the house. Despite the fact that white, beige and similar colors saturate the room with light, you should carefully consider the placement of lamps. You can choose either central or peripheral.
The contrast effect is very popular. It's a win-win.
Light laminate (ivory, champagne, mountain oak, bleached oak and other popular items) goes well with dark wood doors. Colors on both sides of the spectrum highlight each other's expressiveness. This technique is actively used in both modern and classical styles. It is worth noting that the floor covering of the above type can be successfully combined with other light elements of a similar color.
Light laminate – light doors
Every designer knows that the color palette used in design is very important. Each style is characterized by a certain set of colors. Walls and floors attract most of the attention. If the room has white, milky or beige doors, you can safely lay light laminate in this location. This duet will create an atmosphere of lightness and freshness in the room. Together with well-thought-out lighting, the room will visually increase.
To prevent the finishing of the floor, walls and doors from merging together, forming a boring and faded interior, you need to install dark furniture or pieces of furniture several tones darker than the laminate in the room. Various decorative elements in more expressive colors, such as paintings, lamps, rugs and much more, are also suitable.
Designers recommend choosing solid wood doors, but if we are talking about decorating a modern interior, you should avoid wooden products. You can choose varnished canvases for glossy laminate.
Light laminate – dark doors
Decor experts note that the technique of combining light flooring and doors in a dark color has been used for a long time. Given its success, it is widespread. This type of blowing can be found not only in houses and apartments, but also in hotels, restaurants and other facilities. In this case, it is recommended to choose light wallpaper that will contrast with the doors and blend in with the floor. It is worth noting that the above technique is used in classical and innovative decorative styles.
The expressive harmony of dark and light colors is better suited for spacious rooms, due to the fact that thick and rich tones visually reduce the volume of the room. To reveal the fullness of dark shades and present the laminate in the best light, install a sufficient number of lighting fixtures in the room, especially if the location is located on the north side.
Expressiveness
If you want to focus attention on the laminate, shade it with small dark rugs. This element will look great, standing out against a light background. If the size of the room allows, you can hang dark curtains made of thick and heavy fabrics in the room along with a light floor covering. This element is perfect for classic decor based on spacious rooms.
Rich, dark colors add elegance and class to a setting, but be careful when using them.
Remember that such shades reduce the volume of the room. If you overdo it, instead of exquisite decor you will end up with a gloomy and depressing environment.
Versatility
In combination with this flooring option, soft and pastel colors will look great: coral, lilac, mint, blue, apricot and their shades.
It is better to avoid a large number of decorative elements in flashy colors and choose a calmer and more classic palette.
If you choose fittings to decorate a room, it should be several tones lighter than the floor.
Large pots with fresh flowers will look great on a light-colored laminate. The green color of plants will add a touch of naturalness and naturalness. If you want these elements to stand out, you should opt for dark pots. Options in brown and dark gray tones, as well as classic black, are ideal. It is better to completely avoid artificial flowers. They are a relic of the past and also dust collectors.
How to care?
In order for the flooring to retain its presentation for many years and delight the household, you should follow simple rules.
- To clean the floor, special detergents intended for laminate are used. With their help, you will quickly get rid of dirt and preserve the coating pattern.
- The waterproof type material can be safely washed with water. It is resistant to high moisture. Otherwise, it is recommended to carry out dry cleaning only, using products if necessary.
- If small scratches appear on the coating, they can be removed using wax crayons, a mixture of water and soda, as well as marking agents that are sold in finishing materials stores. Larger defects acquired during operation can also be corrected. To do this you will need a special mastic or paste. This can be found in specialized retail outlets.
- Pads should be placed under the legs of heavy furniture to prevent damage to the coating. When moving large pieces of furniture, be careful not to snag the laminate.
See the following video for options for light laminate in the interior.
