How to choose the color of the laminate?

When choosing flooring, the vast majority of apartment owners prefer laminate flooring. The popularity of this material is growing, and the huge assortment that manufacturers offer their potential customers plays an important role. A variety of colors makes it possible to apply the most unexpected design solutions. The article will discuss how to choose the color of the laminate, because the appearance of the room depends primarily on the color scheme.

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What are the parameters to choose?

There are no trifles in the interior. Even the tiniest detail can decorate a room or disfigure it. There is nothing to talk about large fragments - everyone who enters the room pays attention, first of all, to them.

As for those who are in the apartment all the time, the poorly selected colors can cause them depression or irritation. But before you pick up the laminate and doors by color, it is very useful to figure out what do you really want from the flooring? What should it be?

You can and should choose material according to two characteristics:

• quality;
• color.

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Two words about quality

An ideal laminate is one that does not wear out after a few months and from which it is enough to simply remove dirt, that is, it is not afraid of water. Therefore, when choosing a coverage, pay attention to the following parameters:

• What class does it belong to?
• where and by whom is made;
• how panels connect.

Class

You will find the class on the markings. It is indicated by two digits, the first is 2 or 3. The larger the number, the higher the quality:

• Coating, marking of which begins with a “deuce”, is intended only for residential premises. Now it is almost everywhere discontinued, but in stores such material is still found. It wears out pretty quickly, and besides, it cannot be washed.
• If you see “three” on the marking, this means that the laminate is intended for public buildings, where many walk on it in a variety of shoes. So this material is high quality enough to take a place in your hallway or in the kitchen. In stores, flooring of these classes is most often found.

Manufacturers

This parameter is not as important as the class, but still, you should pay attention to it:

• Traditionally high-quality flooring is produced by German, French and Belgian companies. In these countries, technology has been worked out to the smallest detail, the laminate undergoes the most stringent testing.
• But on sale you can find good materials from Russian manufacturers, as well as those made in Eastern Europe.
• As for the Chinese laminate, in this case it is necessary to carefully study the remaining characteristics - once and for all it is not necessary, you can buy relatively inexpensive and good material, or you can get it at exorbitant prices so that in a year it will have to be completely changed.

Mount Types

By the type of fastening, the laminate is:

• glue;
• castle.

In the first case, the panels are mounted on PVA glue, in the second - they are mounted using special devices. Adhesive is less sensitive to moisture.

As for the locks, they are of two types:

• collapsible, they are also Click;
• latches, or lock.

Most consumers prefer the first type. There are two reasons for this:

• bond strength;
• low probability of damage to panels during installation.

In residential premises, as well as in the hallway, it is better to lay a laminate with a castle connection. As for the kitchen, in this case the glue is more suitable.

Important! Latch panels usually cost less, but they are less reliable.

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Understanding shades

How to choose a laminate in color in the apartment? Designer's advice is most often as follows:

• the flooring must match the style of the room;
• the floor should be in harmony with the rest of the interior;
• it is necessary to take into account the influence of different colors on the mood, the feeling of temperature, that is, the individual characteristics of residents;

Important! The floor should always be darker than the walls, at least a few shades - this creates a feeling of confidence and what is called “soil under your feet”.

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Style

Even before you choose the color of the laminate to the interior, and even before you start the repair, decide on the style. It depends on him the color scheme.

A modern apartment can be decorated in any style, but there are popular options - they can be considered universal:

• Classic;
• Retro;
• Provence
• Minimalism;
• High tech;
• Loft.

It is necessary to consider the size of the room. Here the rule is simple:

• if you have a spacious room in which light furniture will stand, you can safely make a dark floor;
• in a cramped room it is better to lay a light laminate;
• in any case, the floor should not merge with the walls.

It is necessary to take into account the lighting in order to choose the right color for the laminate. Here, too, the most elementary considerations:

• if the room is poorly lit, the floor should be dim - best of all neutral colors;
• in a well-lit room, the floor can be any.

Important! Light colors are more promising from the point of view of creating a variety of interiors - they combine well with almost any shade of walls and furniture: choosing a dark coating, you create the basis for the interior, decorated in contrasting colors.

Classic:

• For a room in a classic style, flooring is suitable for the color of noble woods - oak or beech.
• Wallpaper should be several shades lighter.
• As for furniture, in this case tables, chairs and armchairs made of light wood are preferable.
• If we talk about the texture, then the best option is “for parquet”. But there may be an interesting solution with “stone” floors - “marbled”, for example.

Important! The coating should not be too dark and not particularly bright.

Retro:

• A brown floor with the texture of a boardwalk - such as was usually done in apartments in the middle of the last century, or completely smooth.
• What color to choose a laminate? - The coating may be yellowish or reddish.

Important! The furniture is in the same style, lampshades with tassels, glazed cabinets, porcelain figurines, household appliances, the lines of which are repeated by those that were in fashion in the 50-60s.

Provence

This style provides more opportunities to show design abilities. Provence is characterized by the use of natural materials, that is, the laminate should be:

• "under the tree";
• "Under a natural stone."

If you prefer “wooden” floors, you may like the following textures:

• resembling large wooden panels, with lines that can be seen on the board;
• “Wooden floor” in the style of the middle of the last century;
• parquet.

As for the stone imitation coating, there are many options:

• classic marble;
• granite;
• jasper.

Important! All other interior elements should also be in the same style - wooden furniture, large mirrors with carved frames, floral ornaments.

Minimalism

An ideal style for a person who appreciates time and money. Nothing extra. How to choose the color of the laminate in this case:

• The coating is plain, preferably neutral colors, without any texture.
• Walls can be either lighter or strictly in tone.

High tech

A lot in common with Minimalism, including the choice of flooring.The room resembles the laboratory of the future or the spacecraft cabin. No natural materials. The floor is decorated “for metal” or “for plastic”, respectively - its color can be any.

Loft

In appearance - a complete lack of style, in fact - every detail is thought out. This is the most difficult option. Items seem to have been brought in from the garbage, but in reality, they are in perfect condition and arranged in strict order. The floor is best to choose “wooden” or “earthen”.

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What should match in color?

Some fragments of the interior must certainly have something in common in color. This also applies to laminate flooring. Designers recommend several options:

• floor and doors of the same color;
• the floor and ceiling are painted in the same tone;
• laminate of the same color with wallpaper;
• flooring is the same as furniture.

How to choose a laminate for the color of the doors?

To choose a laminate for the color of the doors is the most popular option. The door is chosen exactly the same color as the floor covering. It is best to do just that, because in this case the door becomes a full-fledged element of the interior and does not fall out of the picture.

Important! The exception is if you decide to play with contrasts. Then the door and the laminate should not overlap, but with some other interior elements.

Floor and ceiling

An interesting design option is when the floor and ceiling are one color, and the walls, doors, window frames and furniture are different. True, there is one condition - the coatings at the top and bottom should be bright, otherwise - the room will look very gloomy.

Floor and wallpaper

The option is interesting, but rather risky. In any case, the floor and walls must be separated. This can be done, for example, using a wide decorative skirting board in a contrasting color. It is better to choose furniture in the color of the plinth, as well as doors.

To match the furniture

Laminate flooring can match either the upholstery or the wood (or metal parts). It will look good if you make the walls in the same range, but a lighter shade, and other parts of the furniture - contrasting.

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Talk about gamma

The color scheme has a very big impact on the selection of the laminate. She may be:

• neutral
• cold
• warm
• “All shades of black”;
• “All shades of white.”

Neutral tones

Manufacturers of laminate, skirting and doors use this approach very often. Perhaps this range of shades can be called the most popular. The neutral gamut includes all shades of beige and brown - from pale to dark, including red-brown, yellowish-beige.

Important! This gamut conveys the colors of natural wood well and is suitable for almost all styles except, perhaps, Hi-tech.

Cold

Cool colors - blue and green, as well as all their shades. As for repair materials, it is customary to include all shades of gray into this category.

The gamma is quite wide, it includes not only gray tones, but even such as milky white.

Important! In the Provencal style, “granite” or “marble” floors can be painted in such tones, while in high-tech - “metal”.

Warm

The warm colors of the laminate are yellow and orange, as well as all their shades. Such colors can look good in rooms decorated in the style of Hi-tech, Loft or Country. But there is one subtlety - usually the coating has a bright and rich color, which is good for large rooms, but conceals the space in small ones. In addition, vibrant colors quickly bother.

Black and white

Black laminate can convey stained wood structure. It will be good for a classic style living room, but not particularly suitable for a bedroom. Choose furniture with caution. Plain fabric or non-woven wallpaper with a pronounced texture will do.

The white sex in some causes unpleasant associations. For residential premises, this option is not very suitable. If you decide to decorate the whole room in white, take care of bright skirting boards and spectacular draperies.

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Glossy or matte?

Faced with the question of how to choose a laminate by color, you will certainly think about the appearance of the surface. She may be:

• brilliant;
• matte.

It is necessary to choose one or another option based on the style of the room and its purpose. The glossy surface gives the room a solemnity, that is, such a coating is appropriate;

• in the living room;
• dance hall;
• large entrance hall.

But in the bedroom or kitchen, it will look bad.

Important! An exception is the premises decorated in the Hi-tech style, where shiny surfaces that convey the texture of the metal are a stylistic feature.

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Wood texture

When choosing a laminate and doors, consider one feature: regardless of whether these coatings are the same color, just in the same color scheme or contrasting, the textures must be combined with each other. It is best if both surfaces mimic the same rock:

• light oak doors and light laminate "oak";
• floor “made of bog oak” and bright doors with the same texture;
• both of them - with the texture of stained birch or pine;
• the floor is dark stained birch and unpainted birch doors.

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We select the baseboard

In construction stores you will find many types of skirting boards from a variety of materials:

• a tree;
• plastic;
• metal.

They differ in width and design. Now many users choose a plastic baseboard - it is easy to fix it, you can choose strips of different colors, it is cheap. Skirting gives the floor a certain completeness.

There are several options:

• skirting board is exactly the same color as the floor;
• the plinth matches the color of the door, the floor is contrasting;
• the baseboard is selected in the color of the furniture, both contrast with the laminate.

Important! The easiest option is the first, because it is suitable for any room. If you are developing an interior for the first time, it is best to dwell on it. Other design solutions can be any, and even if you do not choose the color of furniture or drapery very well, a well-chosen combination of flooring and skirting will make the disadvantages less noticeable.

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Stock footage

To choose the right color for the laminate, you need to treat this task not as a technical one, but as an interesting creative process. Then you will be able to create a unique interior design for any room that will be both beautiful and organic in the apartment as a whole, and practical.