A society that has already begun to get tired of advanced technologies and everything artificial is increasingly inclined to decorate its living space with natural natural materials.

Finishing decorative stone is one of the most popular ways to equip a natural corner in your home. Moreover, it can be used for cladding not only indoors, but also facade surfaces.

Decorative stone materials

Artificial stone is a material made of concrete for interior wall decoration, the basis of which can be various mineral binders in the form of cement, gypsum, etc.

This type of cladding has a number of advantages that distinguish it from others:

• low cost compared to natural counterparts;
• strength due to uniformity throughout the depth;
• the lightness of the elements, which does not require additional reinforcement work on the foundation;
• easily lends itself to any kind of processing, cutting;
• suitable for cladding surfaces made of various materials (wood, concrete, brick, etc.);
• a small indicator of water absorption, resistance to mold and mildew;
• a large selection of colors, textures and shapes;
• due to its high antistatic properties, the surface does not absorb dust and grease, so its maintenance is the easiest.

The disadvantages of decorative elements can be different, depending on the base. Some need additional coating protective compounds others do not tolerate exposure to chemicals and high temperatures.

Types of artificial material

Artificial facing stone can be quite trumpetically distinguished from natural thanks to unique formulations, which are different for each species.

Porcelain stoneware elements - they contain clay, feldspar and various substances that affect the color of the material. This material has increased strength and resistance to low temperatures.

Porcelain stoneware is often used for decoration facade surfaces and rooms with high humidity. The shape of porcelain stoneware tiles can be completely different, the surfaces are glossy, matte smooth or textured.

Agglomerate images consist of filler, which can be sand, granite chips, etc., and polyester resins to bond the particles.

The finished elements imitate marble, slate and other surfaces. The most durable is the quartz agglomerate, which is used for facing the outer surfaces.

Products based on gypsum and concrete are mainly used for interior cladding.

Natural stone cladding elements

In addition to decorative stone tiles, wall surfaces are used natural materials... They are distinguished by their strength properties, due to which the service life is increased.

Among the most popular are:

Sandstone - it is soft and porous, most often it is used to cover walls and fireplaces. Sandstone coatings require additional impregnation with silicone compounds so that dirt does not clog into the pores.

Pebble elements are resistant to temperature extremes. So that the material does not absorb moisture and does not become stained, it is periodically impregnated with special means. Often used for cladding wall surfaces in a bathroom or kitchen.

Travertine elements are very durable and abrasion resistant. Well suited for floors, wall coverings and fireplaces, as well as in the bathroom, kitchen or living room.

Marble material is not afraid of high temperature fluctuations. It must be impregnated with compounds so that stains do not form.

Granite coatings are the most durable, they are not afraid of scratches, cracks, moisture and temperature fluctuations. Considered ideal for floor planes and countertops.

Tiled ceramic elements which are made from clay, stove, quartz. The material is durable and waterproof.

The use of stone in the interior

The design of stone walls is very effective and attractive, however, when using such a material in an interior composition, it is necessary to take into account some peculiarities.

Surfaces lined with stone elements reduce the natural light in the room. Therefore, in order to avoid a gloomy effect, additional light sources should be installed in the room and alternated masonry with light plastered areas.

Well-lit stone canvases will reflect the texture and color of the material. Designers do not recommend decorating narrow rooms with stone.

For creating harmonious design it is advisable to combine masonry with other types of surface finishes. This is how the combination looks as natural as possible stone wall with cascade climbing plants or flowerpots on the floor.

If there is no possibility of combination and additional lighting, then it is worth revealing only some fragments with stone elements, for example, corners, doorways, part of the wall surface.

To recreate the Provence style in the bedroom, you can trim the head of the bed or a canvas for the TV with stone tiles, as in the photo of stone wall decoration.

V kitchen areas the dining area is trimmed with stone, in front of the sink. In the bathroom, the areas near the sink, mirror cloth or shower room are revetted with pebbles.

Working with stone material

Working with stone elements is quite simple, so it is possible to decorate rooms with your own hands. At the first tap, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of the old finishing coating, plaster cracks and prime. More simple and quick option will be the wall cladding with plasterboard sheets.

Thanks to this pattern, it will become clear which pebbles need to be cut and how much material is required. Further, according to this sketch, the whole composition is laid out on the floor, after which you can start finishing.

Elements are fixed on a special adhesive composition by applying it to the wall. For even masonry of the first row, it is necessary to set a level at which the edges of the elements will be leveled.

Layout starts from the corner of the bottom row, gradually rising higher and higher. Each new layer must be allowed time to dry, and excess glue on the elements must be quickly removed.

It will take about two days for the entire composition to dry, after which you can start grouting the seams and joints with mastic or putty.

With decorative stones, you can not only decorate the interior of a room, but also highlight functional areas in it. At the same time, the design will be refined and unique.

Stone wall decoration photo

There are many methods of creating creative and cozy interior... For this, all kinds of finishing materials are used, including natural ones. Indoor stone decoration has become especially popular. However, when applying this method, you need to take into account some factors that fundamentally affect the final result. So, using stone cladding in a small room, you can visually make it even smaller. Such cladding requires space and scope. It is great for decorating halls, living rooms, separate sections of the walls in bedrooms, and is irreplaceable in the kitchen.

In the process of selecting finishing materials, their compatibility is taken into account. Artificial and natural tiles look organic with metal, glass, textured wallpaper, textured plaster, frescoes.

Literate organized lighting favorably emphasizes the visual advantages of the stones, and the lack of light will create a "crushing" impression. Such moments must be taken into account if the wall cladding artificial stone done by yourself.

Assortment and characteristics

Before choosing a product for wall cladding, fireplace or countertops, you need to know its characteristics, behavior in a particular operating mode and application possibilities. You should be especially careful about materials of natural origin, in contrast to which artificial stone for decoration is less capricious. Besides, great importance for many has and price factor... Of course, non-natural products are cheaper than natural ones, but in terms of quality characteristics, they are often not inferior to them. For the most part, they are environmentally friendly, beautiful, do not burn, and in case of fire they only melt. Artificial tiles affordable, and you can do them yourself.

Natural materials

The most commonly used natural products are:

• marble is considered one of the most luxurious materials; it has a beautiful cut pattern and lends itself to grinding; occurs in various colors: from white to black, depending on the deposit; water resistant, but susceptible to acids and alkalis, and also reacts to high temperatures; needs to constant care; marble is used to decorate not only walls and fireplaces, but also floors, but only in dry rooms;
• oil shale belongs to the category of rare and very expensive; usually found in brown-beige colors; despite its considerable hardness, it is easy to process;
• sandstone is gray and red in various shades; does not respond to temperature changes, but is not suitable for the manufacture of countertops, since stains remain on it;
• travertines are classified as dense and relatively inexpensive materials and are used quite often; differ beautiful flowers and interesting sectional drawings; to avoid the appearance of unwanted streaks or stains, it is recommended to cover the travertine with varnish or resin;
• granite - the most durable, resistant to moisture and temperature changes, at the same time easily tolerating installation, material; mined in various colors, it is used for cladding surfaces in any part of the apartment: from the bedroom and living room to the kitchen and bathroom.

Sometimes the interior decoration of the walls with artificial stone of the room is carried out with semiprecious minerals: agate, onyx, opal. Most often, they are used to decorate countertops, bathtubs, and sinks. Many varieties of these representatives of nature are endowed with a translucent property. Therefore, they are used where it is provided for the design of a panel or individual parts with LED backlighting, and also perform some decorative elements. For example, flower vases or shades for table lamps, overhead lamps, sconces.

Artificial products

Artificial stone in interior wall decoration is now found quite often, due to its good technical and aesthetic properties. A wide variety of textures, sizes and colors allows you to make a choice to create an apartment interior in any style and optimal combination with other materials.

There are several core types of non-natural products:

1. Cement based. Provide high surface strength, providing it with resistance to moisture, chemical attack, fire safety, long term service. Artificial stone wall decoration on cement base perfectly imitates many rocks of natural origin, can be easily restored. But, such tiles have a fairly large weight, so installation must be done on a very strong glue.
2. On a plaster basis. Practical, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, light in weight. The bars are made by molding in a special tooling from a mixture of gypsum, hydrated lime, water and pigments. Therefore, you can get products different textures and many colors. Gypsum and cement bars do not have to be bought ready-made; you can make them yourself. It is enough to have the form and study the technology.
3. Acrylic is a modern composite product that has found wide application for interior decoration, despite the rather high cost. It is used to make tiles and panels, countertops, bathtubs, sinks and sinks. The products have a beautiful smooth surface, high strength, water and abrasion resistance. Acrylic objects do not burn, weigh little, you can lay artificial stone with your own hands. Tiles are produced in monochrome, colored and interspersed with crumbs from marble, granite, jasper, serpentine and other natural rocks. They can be glossy or matte, solid or transparent. When manufactured, they can take any form.
4. Quartz flint is made using a technology close to acrylic production, from natural vein quartz, bound polyester resins and saturated with pigments. The product is quite rare, produced mainly in the form of tiles.

There is also such a material that is called "flexible". In fact, it is a kind of textile wallpaper with a natural texture. They are obtained by applying them to a fabric base by means of polymer resins of the smallest particles of sandstone or a very thin cut of fossil rocks. In appearance, such a cladding looks like an artificial stone finish. To avoid damage, manufacturers cover face surface film, which must be removed after the installation is made or in the course of it. Facing the walls with flexible stone is made according to the method of wallpapering with some nuances.

Facing works

For wall decoration with piece products, it is not enough to use your own experience, you still need to ask the opinion of knowledgeable people and read the instructions for using the selected product. Like any other construction work, the installation of tiles requires preparatory steps.

Preparatory actions

Surface interior walls the apartment should be perfectly smooth. Depending on the condition, leveling is first done with a layer of plaster, possibly with the use of a reinforcing mesh. If the plane is flat, then you only need to repair cracks and cavities. If necessary, apply a starting putty. Before starting the installation, the plane is thoroughly impregnated with a primer to protect it from fungi, mold and so that the finishing layer has better adhesion to the base. The same procedures are carried out with surfaces made of plasterboard. During repair work, niches and partitions are made in this way.

In order not to perform work "approximately" and "by eye", it is necessary to draw up a sketch, drawing or diagram. This is not difficult to do, because the tiles have Exact size... You can correctly calculate their number and distribute the location of each pebble by color and pattern. Then the scheme must be transferred to the prepared surface, the raw materials must be sorted out and the adhesive must be prepared. You can use ready-made mixtures or seal dry glue with water.

It is necessary to knead with a construction mixer or a perforator with a special attachment, because it is impossible to manually achieve the desired plasticity and homogeneity.

Main process

A person who has successfully finished a corner can already consider himself a good master... Because the installation of the first row and the design of the corners is the most difficult work on which the entire cladding process depends:

1. The adhesive is applied to the wall with a notched trowel or trowel to the height of the first row.
2. They begin to lay the pebbles from the corner, pressing one tightly to the other. The same width of the joints between the rows of bars can be observed using plastic tile crosses.
3. Each subsequent row must be slightly shifted relative to the previous one. This improves the visual impact of the work done. The resulting rusts are sealed with a grout in the color of the coating or with a contrasting one. It depends on the taste of the owner or the decision of the designer.
4. In order not to stain the finishing bar with a spatula, grout can be pumped into the seams with a device similar to a pastry bag with a narrow nozzle. The cladding takes its final form after cleaning the surface with a soft brush.

If the wall covering is done entirely with pebbles, then there are no questions. If, however, individual parts are made out with piece products, then first the main cladding with textured plaster, wallpaper or painting is performed, and only then they take up the installation of piece products. Because the laid block is not easy to get around unnoticed by other finishing materials.

There are times when there is a need or just a desire to make the stone surface shiny. For this, a special varnish is used. And so that the color of the products does not change from the varnish, they are first coated aqueous solution PVA glue. So the color will be preserved and the varnish will lie smoother, without smudges. This maneuver is especially useful when tiling in a damp room, such as a bathroom or kitchen.

Application area

This method of sheathing internal surfaces premises of a house or apartment are suitable everywhere. The choice of this or that product depends on the preferences of the owner, the purpose of the room and the style of the interior. For example, in the kitchen, unnatural granite or acrylic can be used for facing an apron, a tabletop can be made of it. dining table as well as a sink integrated in working area... In the living room, hallway, on the loggia, pebbles will be perfectly combined with wallpaper and frescoes, with finishing plaster or metal, with mirrors and glass. The main thing is not to overdo it, not to overload the room, so that it does not lose its lightness and moderation.

To create a sense of sophistication, you can use decorative stone in your interior.

With its varied texture, shape and color, it makes it possible to use it in design different premises e.g. in the hallway, kitchen, bathroom or living room.

Even in ancient times, stone was used not only in construction, but also in the decoration of premises.

Now a natural stone- This is an expensive, heavy material, which has been successfully replaced by artificial material. To decorate walls with decorative stone, you should choose only high-quality material.

On the merits of decorative stone

• Rich appearance;
• environmentally friendly material;
• not afraid of corrosion, mildew and mold;
• easy to clean; easy to install;
• It has different shades; durable, heat-resistant and frost-resistant;
• is inexpensive.

Currently, decorative stone in the interior of an apartment can be used in almost all areas of modern housing.

To make sure the stone looks good in modern interior you can see a photo of a decorative stone in the interior of completely different rooms.

Hallway stone

No one can argue that the first impression of your home is received by guests entering the hallway. Artificial stone will tell about the sophistication of the owners right from the doorstep.

When planning to use a decorative stone in the hallway, it is worth remembering its small size and inaccessibility to natural light.

Therefore, it is necessary to choose light colors here. If you settled on dark shades, add additional lighting to the hallway.

And besides, the best option- this is a partial finish. The stone can be used to decorate mirrors, arches, walls behind a hanger. Remember that a space will become sophisticated if oversaturation is avoided.

Living room stone

Here they receive guests or arrange cozy home gatherings. Usually the living room is the largest room in terms of area. Therefore, the stone can be used to highlight areas.

The stone is used to decorate the wall near the table, the shelf area, and its heat resistance allows it to decorate the fireplace and the area in front of it.

The bar counter and walls in the TV area can also be decorated with artificial stone. And a variety of colors makes it possible to create smooth color transitions, or make contrasting accents, giving the uniqueness of the room.

Stone in the kitchen

Using decorative stone, you can transform the room beyond recognition. This material is quite practical, it is easy to clean, it is not afraid of temperature changes and is quite moisture resistant.

With it, you can make a work area, or all walls, giving the kitchen the appearance of a medieval room.

Door openings, niches, part of the wall are trimmed with stone, dining area... But it is worth remembering that the stone should be combined with the set, and correspond to the size of the room, if the kitchen is small, take a small stone, spacious - large.

Stone in the bedroom

Warm colors are suitable for this room. The best option there will be a white decorative stone in the interior. They can trim the headboard area. Stone panels will look good here.

And of course the stone goes well with natural wood... If a stone of dark colors is chosen, then it is better to combine it with light furniture.

Bathroom stone

This room requires high quality finishing materials. Using artificially made marble or granite that is water-repellent, the bathroom can be turned into a spa.

Elements of such building material are made up without visible seams, so it looks more aesthetically pleasing. ordinary tiles... Playing in the bathroom marine theme, you can use artificially created pebbles. Rough coarse stone goes well with wood elements.

Any room has its own atmosphere, but all of them should eventually become part of the overall ensemble of all housing.

Photo of decorative stone in the interior

The use of decorative stone for interior decoration allows you to decorate a house or apartment in an original way. Such natural material successfully merges into various interior solutions, and becomes the highlight that the homeowners are trying to reproduce. Artificial stone gives decorative effect no worse than his wild brother.

Properties of decorative stone

For interior decoration, you can use both artificial stone and natural mineral, here it's all about the price and the wishes of the customer. Each of these types is endowed with a number of properties that must be considered when choosing products. To better understand what kind of decorative stone is for interior decoration, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with its characteristics and study the types of this material.

An undeniable advantage mineral with natural origin is its durability, especially since such wall cladding is not subject to external negative factors inside an apartment or house. It is not affected by precipitation and ultraviolet light, thanks to which the stone can give its best properties - the ability to heat insulation and an unsurpassed appearance. It so happened that decorative elements walls made with such cladding have served and continue to serve as a sign of high financial wealth, so this also affects its popularity.

Oddly enough, but the high strength of the mineral is both its advantage and disadvantage, since its processing is significantly difficult. Again, the pattern on the surface of this decor can be different, and this is not to everyone's liking. And the main disadvantage, which, probably, will always distinguish the wild mineral is its exorbitant price, which is not available to everyone.

The price of a stone produced in artificial conditions, much lower than that of the previous version. The gypsum or cement component makes it much lighter, which can significantly reduce the load on the structure of the house and such material is easier to glue. Thanks to this property, delivery and unloading becomes easier, which means that the cost of the material is lower. Artificial stone deservedly leads the market for decorative building products, as it is endowed with unsurpassed qualities:

• ease of installation. It is laid on a special glue in the same way as ceramic tiles, but there is no need to carefully adjust each element, and a certain randomness only adds charm to the room;
• a huge selection of colors and textures that imitate a natural mineral. There is a wide field for design ideas here;
• the coating can be repaired and restored;
• strength and durability can compete with those of natural cladding;
• optimal hydrophobic properties make the decor easy and convenient to care for.

There are practically no negative qualities here, except that some types of artificial turf are subject to abrasion due to mechanical stress, sometimes hydrophobic processing is indispensable and the cost can be higher than for more traditional types of finishing materials for walls (wallpaper, ceramic tiles).

Using artificial stone for interior wall cladding

There are no strict restrictions on the use of stone in the interior, but you need to be able to stop in time so as not to overload the living space of a house or apartment with this bright and textured material. It is quite justified to decorate corners, arched and doorways with it, since here we have not only an artistic effect, but also excellent protection of vulnerable places from mechanical damage. This technique will help to highlight some of the interior elements and create a beneficial accent on them. You can put plaster or any other decor on glue both over the entire selected area, and in the form of small inserts.

It is customary to glue artificial flexible stone or gypsum products in niches or on shelves. When decorating fireplaces, along with these types of cladding, ceramic decorative stone tiles can be used for interior decoration.

Due to the environmental friendliness of the artificial decor, it can be glued in the bedrooms at the headboard, which looks very original. In living rooms, TVs are hung on the lined surfaces of the walls, and the stone does not have to have a linear layout - it can be placed randomly.

Radial cladding of niches and ceilings with the appearance of a new product on construction market, such as flexible stone, is now much easier to carry out due to the malleability of the material. In general, a flexible artificial mineral deserves special attention, and we will definitely tell you more about it.

Facing stone: types and individual characteristics

On the construction market there are all possible varieties of decorative facing stone, which in most cases is mounted on glue. Most often, our compatriots prefer plaster products, therefore, we will begin our review with them, in addition, gypsum material, like flexible stone, has a number of advantages over similar claddings for internal walls, which means that it deserves special attention.

Gypsum cladding

Gypsum tiles very naturally imitates real stone

The plaster base of the material allows it to be widely used. It has long and reliably led the way among similar decor designed for indoor use. The increased demand for gypsum is due to its low weight and aesthetic data; moreover, the price for such material is quite democratic. Gypsum products have a porous structure, so they absorb moisture. To exclude the destruction of the material due to moisture, it should be treated with special varnishes and impregnations. Non-flammability, ease of installation on glue, resistance to sudden temperature fluctuations - all this has a positive effect on the choice of buyers. In appearance, gypsum stone, like its flexible counterpart, is similar to sandstone.

Concrete products

Concrete tiles characterized by a monotonous color, available in a variety of colors

This material includes sand, hardeners, plasticizers, and color pigments. As additives, pumice, ceramic dust, expanded clay granules can be included here. Concrete-based stone is versatile, so it can be glued to any wall surface.

Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware tiles have an endless variety of textures and textures

The main ingredients of porcelain stoneware allow it to withstand increased stress. Ceramic cladding with granite strength consists of several types of clay, mineral fillers, feldspar and pigment dyes. In the process of pressing and further firing, porcelain stoneware acquires the ability to resist high temperatures and moisture, as well as significant mechanical stress. In appearance, porcelain stoneware looks like colored glass or a well-polished mineral. To avoid scratching the glossy surface of this cladding, it is best to refrain from abrasive cleaning agents.

Agglomerates

The agglomerate has a fine mottled structure, great for a strict style

This class of facing materials is characterized by excellent strength characteristics, since they are based on marble and granite chips. Also, manufacturers in the composition of agglomerates include limestone, quartz sand and various pigments. They are mounted on glue on a pre-prepared surface, in which they are similar to more common plaster products.

Acrylic material

Acrylic stone can be cast in absolutely any shape

Acrylic stone can be laid on the surface of the inner walls, which has a number of advantageous properties:

• resistance to mechanical damage;
• does not absorb moisture;
• does not attract dirt and dust;
• easy to clean;
• easy to glue to the surface;
• light weight;
• ecological cleanliness.

Quartzite

Quartzite windowsill

As well as similar plaster products, it can be installed in rooms for any purpose. The structure of such a stone is super strong, and the material itself serves for a very long time without loss original appearance... It can often be found in the form of window sills and countertops. Quartz stone can be easily processed with diamond discs.

Flexible decorative stone

Flexible stone can be laid even on round surfaces

It is difficult to imagine that a stone is flexible in its structure, but modern technologies do not get tired of surprising us. Such a flexible material is produced at the site of sandstone mining, for which the natural mineral is cut off in the thinnest layer so that its unique pattern remains. Then the thin section is sanded until a smooth, glossy surface is obtained. The basis on which it is customary to glue the cut material is durable textile with acrylic plasticizers applied to its surface.

Over time, the textiles are removed, and the cut of sandstone and acrylic glue on it back side dried in the sun under the open sky. During the manufacturing process, as you understand, small particles of a natural mineral solidify and leave an unchanged pattern and texture. Flexible stone can be glued to any surface due to its pliability. It is indispensable where you need to process round shapes, make a smooth transition from one element to another. This is a great solution for those who plan to glue material in the corners without cutting it. New flexible facing material is not cheap, but its possibilities are not limited by anything.

Ceramic tile produced in a large assortment

Probably, it is difficult to find a more familiar wall cladding than stone tiles for interior decoration. Everyone who has come across at least a little renovation works, know that products are mounted on special tile adhesive, have an attractive appearance and are distinguished by a huge selection. On sale you can find products of any price category that will give the wall surface both moisture protection and a decorative effect. Such wall cladding will serve its owners a lot. years provided that the correct adhesive is selected and the installation work is carried out correctly.