Designers continue to rely on the naturalness of texture and raw materials. In view of this, decorative stone is their favorite, non-secret “weapon”. It is, for the most part, completely natural and has an expressive, self-sufficient aesthetic.

How, in this case, does decorative stone differ from wild, natural stone?
The fact that a person produces it, using special mixtures and forms. At the same time, the design of the product repeats in detail the section of natural analogues. That is, artificial stone is a worthy replacement for travertine, slate, granite and many other rocks and minerals.

Types of decorative stone and production technology

We learned how to make artificial stone a long time ago. The masters of the Middle Ages added to concrete mortar crumbs from tuff, dolomite, marble, obtaining a durable, noble building material.

Today, artificial stone is a fairly light tile, which is pressed from the most various compositions. Depending on the main components, decorative stone can be:

• plaster,
• ceramic,
• concrete,
• acrylic,
• polyester.

In addition, the market offers “liquid” stone in the form of spraying, which is used to cover countertops and bar counters. And also flexible stone veneer: it is used to decorate not only walls, but also furniture facades and countertops.

Specific additives impart additional properties to the facing stone. For example, volcanic perlite increases anti-corrosion, and expanded clay or pumice lightens the product. When soot and iron oxide are added to the mass, a fashionable aged stone is obtained.

Despite the abundance of textures, decorative stone tiles They are produced almost the same way: the selected solution is poured into matrices, tinted, sometimes fired, coated with impregnations or glaze. The process is simple, it can be done at home by purchasing a special silicone mold.

For exterior work, concrete-based slabs are most often used. And inside, they mainly use artificial stone made from gypsum, an environmentally neutral mineral substance.

Advantages of decorative stone

All types of artificial stone share these qualities:

1. availability, relatively inexpensive finishing material;
2. ease of installation;
3. ease of care;
4. resistance to mold, fire;
5. durability (manufacturers provide a guarantee of at least 10 years);
6. an impressive range of shades and textures.

If the stone is made of gypsum, clay, sand, then add to this list also environmental friendliness and hypoallergenicity.

Features of the use of artificial stone

Thanks to the variety of patterns and colors, decorative stone is a real “must have” for a modern interior.

If you use stone, it becomes less bland, more varied, and more convincing, and much more comfortable.

Many are hard to imagine without facing stone. For example, in a Mediterranean house this is a stylization of pebbles or boulders polished by the sea. In Alpine - under mountain debris. The interior has a Provence style - like sandstone, bleached by the sun. In English - under a strict cherry-colored brick.
Artificial, glossy stone has made its way even into this “fiefdom” of metal and glass.

Stone is, of course, a unique tool for creating an extraordinary environment, but you shouldn’t go to all lengths. If you decorate the walls with stone tiles from top to bottom, you will get a crypt, a wine cellar, a dungeon... But not a living space.

Cladding with decorative stone solves several problems. Firstly, it is picturesque, elegant and prestigious. Secondly, with the help of stone you can make it more voluminous and expressive.

In the hallway, tiles stylized as limestone, sandstone, or brickwork are usually used.

Decorative stone looks more impressive if you combine it with other types of finishing - plaster, wood panels, embossed wallpaper.

In the hallway, stone tiles are used mainly for fragmentary cladding. Decorative clinker, sandstone, and quartzite highlight corners, doorways, sections of the wall around the dial, mirrors, paintings, and hangers.
By the way, if a wall covered with crushed stone is added with a large retro clock, a “street” bench and a lamp a la lantern, you will get a soulful city “alley” leading into the depths of the apartment.

The stone is associated with reliability and safety. If it is present in the living room, the household members feel more confident, “like behind a stone wall.”

The stone is also associated with fire, with the warmth of the hearth. Man has carried the memory of the tandem of fire and stone from cave times; it is not for nothing that fireplaces are still covered with rubble and cuttings today.
However, not only fireplace portals are decorated with granite, brick or shell rock tiles.

Decorative stone is used to line niches with lighting, shelves, glass display cases, a fragment of a wall with a TV panel or behind a sofa.

Decorative stone, due to its structure, absorbs a lot of light. Therefore, designers advise alternating it with light plaster or wallpaper. Remember also that finishing with artificial stone will require additional lamps and a well-thought-out lighting scenario.

Decorative stone is especially good in a studio apartment. Perhaps this is the simplest, budget, current method divide the home into locations.

Decorative stone in the bedroom

Here the stone will become a talisman: it will calm, lull, and bring back memories of something dear, truly natural.

A massive, high-quality bed goes perfectly with walls covered with decorative bricks, as well as wooden beams, caissons, sconces in the form of candelabra.

In the bedroom it is better not to use stone tiles with a glossy surface to avoid a “cold”, disturbing flicker. And don’t forget to highlight the fragment lined with stone with lamps, which will make the texture softer and warmer.

Usually the stone is used to decorate the wall behind the head of the bed or the corner with the dressing table and mirror. Unlike the hallway, where transitions from stone to plaster are made using torn edges and flows, other, less noticeable techniques are used in the bedroom. For example, they mark masonry with moldings.

Decorative stone in a children's room

The environmental friendliness and safety of artificial stone tiles ensured its entry here.

It is also important that with the help of a stone you can embody the plot of your favorite fairy tale. Let’s say, create a “princess castle”, “Ali Baba’s cave”, “dungeon of the gnomes”, “underwater grotto”.

Artificial pebbles can be used to easily lay out mosaics, panels, paint pebbles to look like snails and ladybugs, decorate a frame of stones with a landscape on the wall, a niche with toys.

If we are talking about a teenager’s room, then artificial brickwork near the desk will discipline him and call him to order. And resonate with more adult toys - car models, a globe, things in the steampunk style.

Decorative stone in the kitchen/dining room

Methods to successfully integrate the stone into kitchen space enough. For example, imitation rustic masonry above hob turns this working segment into a colorful Russian stove or an ancient fireplace.
And kitchen niches covered with decorative stone will make the kitchen look like an old cafe, especially if they are combined with brutal countertops and cast-iron utensils.

For the kitchen, choose stone tiles impregnated with protective compounds. Porous, loose products absorb water and are more difficult to clean.

It is not prohibited to use decorative finishes in the context of ultra-modern interior styles. A relief stone of a reddish-brown, greenish tint goes perfectly with glass and metal, emphasizing the shine kitchen appliances, makes loft and hi-tech more heartfelt and intimate.

Decorative stone in the bathroom

A natural pool carved into the rocks - this is what a bathroom decorated with stone tiles might look like.

The interior of the living room should always be at least a little oriented towards guests, even the name of this room speaks about this. Therefore, there should always be something special in its design, something that could impress friends and acquaintances who came to visit you. At the same time, its interior should not be completely strict and official; on the contrary, the room should be conducive to free communication. Stone in the interior of the living room would be the most suitable option as such an accent, because its presence not only ennobles the interior, but also makes it very comfortable, both for the family permanently living in the house and for visiting guests.

Stone is a natural material, so its presence in the interior of any apartment is always perceived positively. Moreover, the stone creates the impression of reliability and fundamentality.

Let's take a closer look at the features of using stone in the interior of the living room. How and what can be decorated with it in the interior of a given room.

Stone in the living room interior

There are various ideas for using this material in the interior; there are no strict rules and places for decoration. But there are generally accepted standards, in which one or another method of decorating the living room interior is most often used, using natural or artificial stone.

Since today it is fashionable to make arches instead of doors in the passages to the kitchen and living room, for the purpose of even greater decoration they are decorated with artificial stone. The result of such decoration of an arch in the living room may be different, depending on the type of artificial stone and the method of its installation. Using it, you can lay out various compositions in the arch, from simulating the entrance to a cave to the entrance to a dilapidated building. Most often, they use one of the types of artificial stone that imitates rock or brickwork.

The design technique of a living room with a brick wall is very widely used. At the same time, the brick can be visually aged, which is good for styles such as loft.

In addition to brick, any other type of artificial stone can be used. It should be noted that if your living room is poorly lit, the windows face north, or there are other reasons for this, it is better to use light-colored artificial stone in its interior.

In the interior of the living room, part of the wall can also be decorated - one object can be highlighted with it. Most often, stone is used to create a TV area in the living room.

A niche for a TV or any other object can be quite successfully decorated with stone. For example, in a niche made of plasterboard with a stone back wall, various kinds of antique vases, figurines, etc. will look very impressive. And the included built-in lighting in a niche with such souvenirs will further decorate the interior of the living room.

A composition of stone with wall painting will look very impressive. Greek and country themes are very popular. Such a wall panel in the living room interior will definitely not go unnoticed. After all, the technology of wall painting is one of the types of wall art. The result is genuine works of art on the walls.

If your living room has an aquarium built into the wall, then the closer wall planes can also be “dressed” in stone. By doing this, you will enhance the feeling of the presence of nature in your home; two natural elements - stone and water - will best contribute to calm and relaxation.

Decorative stone photo

Decorative stone in the living room interior can be used to decorate the fireplace. Because real fireplace with chimney in apartment building it is almost impossible to install, today they are used for this purpose electric models. And to make such a fireplace in the living room look like a real one, the wall around it can be lined with artificial stone. Thanks to what is different variants such a covering, the fireplace can be decorated to match any of the modern styles. For example, a fireplace in an Art Nouveau style interior is best decorated with decorative stones imitating fragments of rocks, cliffs, or stones imitating formation rocks.

Stone fireplace in the interior photo

For Provence and country style, it would be appropriate to use a decorative oval stone.

Natural stone photo

For Scandinavian style best suited imitation painted, in White color brickwork.

If you are the owners country house, then you probably have a fireplace in the living room, in in this case You can decorate it with stone even more effectively, because with the help of this material you can also line a chimney. If the living room is large and if there are still high ceilings. Then the stone stones will look truly grandiose and even luxurious.

Stone in the interior of the living room can also serve as sculptures, if, for example, you place a natural stone of a bizarre shape, carved by the forces of nature. It will also be quite attractive to your guests, plus it will be a great topic of conversation.

The stone copes well with the task of aesthetic interior design. It creates a unique and very favorable atmosphere.

Stone in the interior of the living room photo

Stone in interior decoration always looks good and solid. It can be natural or artificial. It is possible to use decorative stone on the wall in any place - for exterior, interior decoration, in various residential, non-residential premises, decoration kitchen apron, doorways, decorating terraces, fireplaces, window sills, building basements.

The cost of these products varies greatly, depending on what materials they are made of. Real granite and marble are much more expensive than artificial imitation made from gypsum, ceramics, etc. About the types of decorative stones for walls, installation inside different rooms, ways self-installation details in the text of the article.

Benefits of stone finishing

Like everyone else existing options design there are positive and negative aspects.

• beautiful, looks expensive;
• durability, frost resistance;
• fire safety;
• strength, wear resistance;
• resistance to chemicals.

• gypsum is not suitable for wet rooms;
• natural is expensive.

Other finishing should correspond to the type of stone - a heavy oak door looks great with granite, bricks can even be stuck above it - then the color of the ceiling also needs to be suitable. The lower parts of the walls are decorated most often.

Natural is more difficult to style due to its greater weight, artificial is softer and lighter. Natural stone is mined in natural conditions, mainly by crushing rocks. “Fake” is made from colored concrete, gypsum, acrylic, polyester resin, mineral supplements. It also often contains clay, stone chips, elements of fiberglass, steel, and all kinds of pigments. Natural is used less frequently for interior design than artificial, due to the fact that most types are cold. Small fragments and drawings from it will decorate any room.

Artificial

What kind of artificial stone exists:

• porcelain stoneware – matte, glossy, textured. It is produced by pressing and firing from feldspar, clay, and dyes. Resistant to temperature changes;
• agglomerates - consist of polyester resins, marble and granite chips, quartzites. Natural material in the agglomerate up to 90%. Not resistant to high temperatures(even from the side of heating radiators), abrasion, but they look solid;
• brick or concrete tiles - consists of Portland cement, dyes, sand, expanded clay, pumice, plasticizers. Hydrophobizing and reinforcing components can be added;
• gypsum-based - consists of high-quality gypsum, slaked lime, dyes, and water. You can make such bricks yourself by casting them into molds and treating them with waterproof coatings. It is very light, cheap;
• flexible - looks like wallpaper. This is a textile on which a thin section of sandstone is applied. Suitable for decorating hard-to-reach places, vapor-permeable, wear-resistant;
• based on acrylic - consists of chips of jadeite, serpentine, jasper, amazonite, granite, mixed with acrylic resins. It is environmentally friendly and waterproof.

With the help of the right choice, any room can be turned into a beautiful work of art. The above-described types of these raw materials are repairable, safe, pleasing in appearance, strong, and durable. They are easy to process, transport, and weigh less than natural ones.

Natural

Natural stone for interior work differs in methods of formation and extraction methods. Such cladding will last for decades, even a century. Its types:

• granite - the rock contains quartz, mica, and feldspar. It is considered the hardest, most durable, wear-resistant in the world, but is relatively easy to process. It has frost resistance, moisture resistance, and dielectricity. The service life of wall finishing is from 150 years;
• marble is a rock, mostly composed of calcite and various minerals. By color - beige, gray, black, yellow, blue, etc. It is hard, antistatic, abrasion-resistant, moisture-resistant, and environmentally friendly. It is difficult to process and extract, but the price is reasonable - technologies are constantly being improved;
• travertine is calcium carbonate, an intermediate link between soft, friable limestone and durable marble. It is formed near mineral springs, which bring calcium salts, limestone, carbon dioxide. Easy to obtain, the color is pale green, red-red, beige, milky white. It has low thermal conductivity, excellent frost resistance, low price;
• slate is a rock made from medium-temperature, low-temperature minerals. The material suitable for use is coated with special varnishes. It is hygienic, bactericidal, resistant to water and temperature changes. May have veins: brown, beige, blue-green;

• soapstone - from chlorite, magnesite, talc. To decorate surfaces it is used in the form of bricks and tiles. It is most often used in baths and saunas, as they heat up quickly, maintaining a constant temperature and humidity. Its heat resistance is more than + 1500C. Color – graphite, gray-green;
• jadeite - consists of sodium oxide with aluminosilicate, silica. Very similar to jade, it can be emerald, graphite, yellow-gray, red. Sold in the form of tiles, bricks, mosaics. It is durable, heat-intensive, waterproof;
• Onyx is a fibrous variety of quartz with impurities. This is an ornamental stone, overly difficult to process, expensive, and can burst if overheated. The cladding made of it looks gorgeous - as if it glows from within. The material is durable, warm to the touch, color – sunny amber, emerald, reddish brown;
• coil – magnesium oxide silicate on water. It looks good, is sold in the form of tiles, up to two cm thick. Dense, safe, similar to jadeite, but the cladding of both of these stones is relatively not durable - about fifteen years;
• dolomite - magnesium and calcium carbonate, contains admixtures of iron and clay. It can be yellow, red, white, shiny pearlescent, satin, matte. It is durable, wear-resistant, environmentally friendly. Possesses healing properties– able to calm the human nervous system.

Some stones are believed to be radioactive. This is not entirely true - materials going on sale undergo strict radiological control.

Installation features

Installation decorative finishing It is carried out on pre-leveled walls using cement and adhesive mixtures. It’s not difficult to stick tiles and stones on your own; you only need high-quality raw materials and tools. In a newly built house, cladding is done only after the structure has settled, otherwise it can quickly fall off. The “wild” stone is laid randomly, square, rectangular shape- in even rows.

How to choose a stone

Wall decoration is divided into internal and external. For interior work, artificial stone is usually used - it is lighter in weight, cheaper, and easier to install. Very popular now for brick, granite or marble, sandstone, bassoon and others. Natural stones used include limestone, shell rock, slate, and, less commonly, marble, granite, and onyx. Natural ones are suitable for creating expensive, almost “eternal” interiors.

When choosing a material for decoration, you should decide in which room it will be used. Different places require stones with various properties– waterproof, thermal insulation, heat resistance. It is not recommended to use a coating with a complex texture for a kitchen apron - it is extremely problematic to clean it from drops of fat and pieces of food.

Load calculation

The load on the wall is calculated independently or using special online calculators. You need to consider what the wall is made of and its thickness. If the weight square meter tiles are within 25 kg, then excessive loads are not placed on the surface. OSB boards support significant weight. The smaller and lighter the pebbles, the greater the chance that they will hold on for a long time and firmly. Material consumption depends on the area of ​​the surface being treated, which is calculated by multiplying the length of the wall by the height. Repair experts recommend buying stone with a margin of 5-10%, especially if it has to be cut here and there, a certain pattern must be followed, or it is simply too fragile.

Preparing the surface and stone for laying

Before you start laying stones on the surface, the walls need to be leveled - carefully, as if you were using wallpaper. All previous coatings must be removed - residues old paint, wallpaper, are cleaned with an iron brush. Next, the base needs to be thoroughly primed, after which the tiles can be laid. The materials you need are the stone itself and tile adhesive. The heavier the cladding, the more glue is needed, the “stronger” it should be. There are two types: gypsum-based and cement-based. It is usually written on the packaging what kind of work this or that composition is intended for.

Necessary tools for DIY masonry

For DIY installation you will need many tools:

• spatulas - regular and serrated;
• metal tape measure;
• building level;
• rubber hammer;
• square;
• syringe gun;
• mixer for preparing glue;
• grinder with a disc for stone;
• brush or roller;
• brush with iron teeth;
• wooden block, beacons;
• containers for grout, glue;
• brush for smoothing seams,
• sprayer for water repellent,
• adhesive mixture.

Laying stone

When all finishing materials and tools are prepared, begin gluing.

Its stages:

• applying glue;
• laying tiles;
• rustication;
• coating with a protective composition.

First, mix the glue and apply it to the wall in small portions - it should not dry out, be thick, but not crumble. Adhesive composition spread with a smooth spatula, and spread onto the tiles with a serrated one. You can use “liquid nails” or cement. Each part is pressed tightly against the wall. After gluing is completed, all excess is removed from the surface and seams. It is advisable that the solution does not get on the front part - it will be difficult to clean. The bricks are firmly attached to a wall made of wood, plasterboard, or aerated concrete using proper gluing with a special compound. If the tile is glued to cement mortar, then you first need to fill the painting mesh and put plaster on it. If necessary, parts are trimmed with a hacksaw or grinder.

Laying should start from the corner, from the very bottom up, row by row. Usually the fastening is done under jointing, that is, the tiles will be slightly spaced from each other, the spaces between them are filled with mortar, the excess of which should be removed. The width of the seam is assumed to be approximately one to one and a half cm. If there are no seams, then the bricks are placed as tightly as possible, close to each other.

Finishing

Final finishing includes removing excess mortar from the joints, painting them the color of the brick or tile, and applying a protective layer.

The coating must be applied if:

• there are children and pets in the house;
• the wall is in a damp room;
• the stone is painted;
• cheap bricks of low quality.

The protection is applied when all the tiles have already been attached and the seams have dried. The composition is applied with a roller, brush, or spray. The facade parts of the building are “decorated” only in dry weather.

Decorative stone in the interior of different rooms

To decorate the bathroom, natural onyx and marble are used, mosaics and a “cascade” of different stones are suitable. The corridor walls are covered with them partially, completely, and an arch is laid out. Properly placed light sources look good - this makes the stone look more advantageous. When used without additional lighting, in places that are not visible from the street, the effect of a cave is obtained.

Among the variety of finishing materials for the home now there is everything. Designers and architects can bring their most daring projects to life. Especially those that until recently were considered only the ultimate dream. Every person likes caves and rocks. Their natural appearance attracts with its amazing appearance. But it would be nice to bring all this beauty to your home. Let's talk about the use of stone in the interior of a modern living room.

Stone wall close up in the living room

Natural or artificial: how to choose a stone for decorating a living room

If you decide that your home should have stone in its interior, then first decide what kind of stone you want. There are two types on the market.

Corner in the living room lined with decorative stone

Natural stone in the living room interior

This is the oldest material for building and finishing houses. He has such qualities as:

• strength;
• durability;
• reliability;
• natural beauty.

Stone finishing in a studio apartment

For a long time, it has been customary to decorate houses:

• marble;
• onyx;
• granite;
• sandstone;
• quartzite.

There are many other types natural stone.

Fireplace framed with decorative stone

But due to the fact that natural stone is considered the most expensive finishing material with a large number of nuances when used, it faded into the background and became less popular.

Wall in the living room made of stone

Decorative stone in the living room interior

This type of stone for interior decoration has become much cheaper and more accessible. Increasingly, people began to use it in their design decisions. Decorative stone is made from the following mixture:

• cement;
• plasticizer;
• reinforcing additives;
• additional fillers;
• dye.

Cement-based stone can be used not only for interior decoration, but also for exterior decoration.

Small living room decorated with artificial stone

Man has managed to make various forms of decorative stone and obtain a rich texture. The main advantage of artificial stone is its low weight. This helps to avoid unnecessary problems during installation.

Wall imitating old brickwork

In addition to this, there are two more types of decorative stone:

• porcelain stoneware;
• agglomerate.

Decorative stone in the interior of a rustic living room

What can you decorate with stone in the living room?

Decorative stone is suitable for finishing any surfaces in the house. Here everything depends entirely on your imagination.

Light-colored brick wall in the living room interior

Walls decorated with stone in the living room interior

Using artificial stone on the wall you can do the following:

• stone panel;
• post your favorite ornament;
• highlight a specific area in the room;
• line the entire wall with stone from floor to ceiling;
• just decorate the room.

The wall is completely lined with decorative stone of different shades

Doors decorated with stone in the living room

The free wall near the door and the door itself can also be decorated with artificial stone. Nowadays it is fashionable to make arches in doorways that are lined with stone. It turns out an original and medieval element in the apartment.

Natural stone different shapes in the decoration of the living room

Floors decorated with stone in living room design

The floor is paved with stone - this does not surprise anyone these days. This invention is old. A wide range of materials are available in stores for flooring. But there is a significant nuance: finishing the floor is allowed only with natural stone. The decorative fellow is very fragile. Some artificial material It can easily be pierced with a knife, but it cannot withstand the weight of a person at all.

Decorative light brick in the living room interior

Fireplace decorated with stone in the living room decor

A fireplace is the dream of many owners country houses. As a rule, it is located in the main room - the living room. If you are the owner of a real brick fireplace, then you can decorate it using decorative stone. It will add zest to the interior. An artificial fireplace can also be decorated with stone.

Artificial fireplace decorated with stones of different shapes and shades

Stone in the living room: how much material is needed for finishing

The decision on how much stone to use in decor is up to you. There are no specific quantitative boundaries. This finishing material can set the overall tone or highlight some individual elements in the living room.

Stone wall in the living room combined with natural wood

Finance will definitely make a direct contribution. Although artificial stone has a lower cost natural material, but it still does not belong to the economy class category. Therefore, if you decide to use a stone, be sure to calculate all the costs.

Rules for using decorative stone in the living room

Now decorative stone has become more popular than ever before. You will never regret using it in your home. The stone will bring a special aesthetic to the living room. But in order for the installation of the material to go without problems, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules:

1. Fake diamond absorbs a lot of light. This happens due to its structure. It is recommended to alternate stone with wallpaper or plaster of light shades. Also think about additional lighting in advance.
2. If the living room is long and narrow, then it is better to avoid using stone in decoration. The room will look gloomy and ugly. Here, even additional light sources will not help adjust the room.
3. Don't get carried away with decorative stone. Otherwise, instead of an original design solution, you will get a cave.
4. Don't be afraid to use stone because it's rough. It can even be used in a girl's room. Decorative stone, it mixes well with various styles and trends.
5. Use fresh flowers in the living room together with decorative stone. The habitat of the stone is wild nature. There are also a lot of plants here. Therefore, be sure to combine these two elements in your living room.

Wall and column in the living room, lined with decorative stone

Features of using stone in the living room interior

The living room is a room where noisy friendly companies and family gatherings gather. Every owner wants to make this room:

• cozy;
• original;
• unusual;
• interesting.

As a rule, it is in the living room that stone is most often used in decoration. You can combine everything with this material, even what seemed impossible. The volume of stone and its texture do wonders in the interior.

Decorative brickwork in the living room above the faux fireplace

Review of ideas for using decorative stone to decorate a living room

Let's look at some of the most successful design solutions use of decorative stone:

1. Every living room needs a centerpiece. In private homes this may be a fireplace. If it is not there, then the TV can become the center. Decorate the wall on which it hangs with stone. This duet will look original and beautiful. On the sides of the TV, it is fashionable to hang several small shelves to match the stone. They can accommodate various accessories and discs.
2. It is not necessary to cover the entire wall with cane. Interesting solution are horizontal stone strips that are located at a short distance from each other.
3. Only corners in the living room can be decorated with stone. In this case, a chaotic stacking order should be visible.
4. To achieve the uniqueness and individuality of the living room, you can use irregularly shaped stone for decoration.
5. If you are the happy owner of a large living room, then you can take up the free space with columns, which should be decorated with artificial stone. These columns can be either free-standing or located in the corners of the room.

How to care for decorative stone

The appearance of the stone will last a long time if you regularly and properly care for it. The stone is considered:

• reliable;
• environmentally friendly;
• durable;
• wear-resistant;
• durable.

But you still need to take care of it. Periodically, the stone should be wiped with a damp cloth or vacuumed to remove dust. It is strictly forbidden to use concentrated abrasive substances for cleaning. Artificial stone may not withstand their influences.

Natural natural stone in the living room combined with red plain wallpaper

If you want to increase the resistance of the stone to cleaning agents, then coat the stone after installation with a transparent special varnish.

Small decorative stone in the living room interior

Natural and artificial stone in the living room - photo

Don't be afraid to use decorative or natural stone in your living room interior. This finishing material will add grandeur, originality and luxury to the room. For an example, see the photo.

Decorative stones are a large exclusive group of finishing materials, which imitate beautiful stones with different textures created by nature. Kvartblog studied how and where to use this type of decoration effectively and functionally, and collected ideas for various interior styles.

General characteristics of the material

Some types of decorative stone contain natural ingredients:

• real stone chips
• sand
• cement
• gypsum
• glass
• mineral pigments to obtain the desired color.

At the same time, thanks to special production technologies, artificial decorative stone has a texture close to natural, is lighter in weight compared to wild stone, and looks beautiful in a residential interior.

Such materials are used in design projects for finishing any surfaces:

• brick and wooden walls
• kitchen work area
• fireplaces
• even for the production of exclusive sanitary ware

Let's consider what advantages they have different types decorative stone in some cases.

What decorative stones look like: release forms and types

Decorative stone is available in different forms:

• Agglomerate
• Slab (large slabs)
• Small tile
• Stone veneer in the form of rolls or sheets
• Decorative mixtures, in most cases based on concrete

Types of decorative stone

Slate

This is a stone that should be called “designer”. Natural slate is made up of several layers of minerals with veins and unique patterns between them.

For interior decoration, veneer or slate tiles are selected. The advantages of these finishing materials:

• slate slabs are lightweight and retain heat well
• they are produced in different colors, close to natural - gray, burgundy, green, beige, pink
• you can create a solid stone wall.

And this finishing option is perfect for a spacious living room.

Artificial marble (decorative concrete)

Natural marble is a material with unique shades and patterns. Artificial marble, or decorative concrete mixture, is made from a cement-sand mixture with the addition of marble chips or pebbles, and imitates marble stains. Release forms - slabs.

Advantages of this material:

• concrete does NOT conduct heat, which is why it is even used for finishing stoves
• compared to real marble concrete finishing lighter and suitable for decorating arches
• the surface of the material is easy to clean
• When producing mixtures, any luxurious colors and shades are created.

Decorative concrete is used in the complex finishing of country houses, for cladding halls, steps, sinks and bar counters, fireplaces.

Gypsum marble is a similar material. Its main binding component is gypsum. Thanks to fine grinding, the gypsum agglomerate is given the unique texture of marble or malachite.

Gypsum decorative stone is used for creating an easy and durable finish and maintains a pleasant microclimate in the room. That's why it's successfully used for bedrooms or hallways.

Quartz composite stone

This is a decorative stone based on natural quartz, with the addition of pigments. The material is used to produce large solid countertops or large slabs.

Quartz slabs have many advantages:

• moisture resistance
• resistance to temperature changes and mold
• antibacterial properties
• ease of care.

Overall it is a practical and suitable material for finishing the bathroom, kitchen work area.

In addition, it is used for the manufacture of plumbing fixtures and swimming pool wall cladding.

Acrylic stone

Artificial acrylic stone is a similar composite of acrylic resins with the addition of natural minerals and pigments.

Acrylic is famous for being used in medical equipment. It is a hygienic antibacterial material. In addition, it has the same advantages as quartz stone and is easily restored.

Acrylic stone is successfully used in interiors for the same purposes as quartz. Acrylic plumbing considered prestigious.

Porcelain tiles (porcelain tiles)

Porcelain tiles are one of the most popular facing materials. It is produced by pressing and firing several types of clay and contains mineral chips and dyes.

Porcelain tiles can withstand heavy loads and high humidity. And this is the most practical material for finishing floors in halls and corridors. Plus it applies for complex finishing of bathrooms.

Tadelakt, or Moroccan plaster

And finally - the most exclusive finishing stone. The name itself indicates that the material was developed for finishing bright Moroccan houses and for interiors in oriental style.

Moroccan plaster is a liquid mixture of clay, quartz sand, ash, marble flour and lime, and may contain henna or other natural dye. And it has many advantages over concrete mixtures:

• natural and completely harmless composition
• when applied, it can be given a beautiful texture using a roller
• it doesn't attract dust
• it is a very durable material.

Tadelakt is used in oriental interiors instead of wallpaper, for finishing any walls.

Read more about in what other interiors decorative stone can be used.

Decorative stone and interior atmosphere: what style welcomes such decoration

There are two types of decorative stone finishing. Each of these types transforms the environment in its own way.

1) Textured finish, with relief surface, which looks like a real stone wall.

This cladding emphasizes the ethnic features of the interiors. When used in moderation, it helps create a cozy, classic atmosphere.

2) Smooth glossy finish, from polished stone.

Decorative stone with a smooth surface and natural pattern - porcelain stoneware or quartz composite - makes the living space more modern and comfortable. This is a wonderful background for an interior in style high tech or minimalism.

The first type of decoration radically changes the interior. However, textured decorative stone can be used for an entire wall, or for decorating a separate area of ​​a room, a fireplace, or interior openings. That’s why designers approve of such material when choosing different styles.

Let's take a closer look at the examples.

Ecostyle based on combination natural materials, approves of stone decoration instead of wallpaper, panels, as well as stands and figurines made of textured stone.

In addition, decorative stone is very welcome in ethnic interiors.

In motley Arabic style stone is used to create interesting accents. It can be used to decorate door and window openings, niches and baseboards.

In addition, in the spacious eastern living rooms accent wall can be decorated with light stone slabs or decorative plaster. IN Moroccan interiors often all walls are finished with tadelakt.

African style even more festive, and only it allows for an abundance of stone. In such an interior, several walls can be finished with rough shell rock, sandstone or stones with a similar natural texture, red, terracotta or green. Stone souvenirs and figurines will complement the style.

IN Japanese house style there is a special love for the stone. At the same time, in Japanese interior Excesses and pompous stone decoration in the spirit of a medieval castle are not allowed. Small decorative brick or slate is used only to create wall picture or an interesting accent, but this decoration looks chic.

IN country style ( rustic style) one of the main markers is the combination of wood and stone. At the same time, in Russian country, untreated large stone is welcomed in the decoration of the fireplace and kitchen apron.

And in ethnic Scandinavian interior The loft-inspired decoration looks harmonious, from decorative brick. It is only important to choose a white or beige textured material that will make the room more spacious.

In the room loft style one or more walls can be decorated with similar brick slabs or decorative concrete.

Finally, another option when rough decorative stone can be used with almost no restrictions is decoration country houses in castle style.

Combinations of stones are appropriate in this style different sizes and with different textures. Moreover, the abundance natural stone emphasizes the wealth of the home.

In most cases, decorative stone, close to natural, is associated with old ethnic traditions, wealth and the popular eco-movement. Plus, it can fill the house with special energy.

Let's move on to how it looks in the interior of different rooms.

Decorative stone in the living room interior

In a spacious living room, you can use decorative stone to distinguish zones: a dining area, a lounge area, a TV wall or a false fireplace.

It is very useful to use this finish near the TV panel - natural colors and textures reduce eye strain.

In a classic English living room, decorative stone in the fireplace is almost required element. At the same time, luxury classics approve of plaster and imitation marble.

IN work area In the kitchen, smooth stone - quartz, acrylic - looks most harmonious. A tabletop or apron made of this material can resemble marble products.

If you use slate or stone in a brick variation to decorate the wall near the gas panel and hood, you will create the atmosphere of a cozy country house with a fireplace in the kitchen.

The dining area can be elegantly highlighted and visually spacious with light faux marble or veneer mosaic tiles on the wall.

Decorative stone in the bedroom interior

The atmosphere of the recreation area will be emphasized by decorative stone in warm light colors with a relief surface.

Using this finishing you can highlight the wall at the head of the bed or create a stone panel.

At the same time, different types of decorative stone are suitable for bedrooms in country, oriental, and Mediterranean styles.

Decorative stone in the interior of a nursery

In a children's room, a decorative stone will help to realize interesting design projects. For example, smooth stones can be used to create voluminous panels and improvised castles in the play area.

With the help of such finishing, you can also highlight the child’s work area.

Decorative stone in the interior of the hallway

A small corridor or hallway can be visually expanded with the help of strips of decorative stone. Plus, imitation brickwork or slate will allow you to decorate this area in the style of old European streets.

The effect will be complemented by a stylized banquette, sconce lanterns, and wall flowers.

But remember - than smaller room, the less masonry you need to use.

Decorative stone on the balcony

On a balcony or loggia, decorative stone finishing is used to:

1. keep warm
2. create cozy atmosphere for relaxation and tea drinking.

In addition, a spacious balcony can be decorated in the spirit of a European cafe or greenhouse. To realize the most interesting ideas a rough textured stone will do.

Decorative stone in the interior of the bathroom

Smooth is traditionally used to decorate bathrooms and toilets. decorative tiles with a homogeneous structure - ceramics, porcelain stoneware, quartz composite, and concrete marble.

Drawing finishing material can emphasize the chosen style.

At the same time, the eco or marina style will be complemented by natural pebbles.

How to choose a decorative stone: criteria

• The main components from which most types of decorative stone are produced are cement, sand, fillers and additives, and pigments. The strength of the stone depends on the brand of cement and the ratio of cement and sand. Stone made from imported durable cement and quartz sand cannot be cheap.
• The surface of a high-quality stone is homogeneous. If holes, cracks form, and the stone crumbles, the mortar production technology has been violated.
• Only natural, non-toxic binding additives and dyes should be used in interior finishing products. Therefore, ask the seller what surfaces the presented material is suitable for.
• If the production technology is followed, coloring substances are added to the solution during mixing, and the stone is stained evenly.
• Note: High-quality decorative stone has the same color on the front surface and the ends; there are no traces of peeling paint or drips. If the material meets the standards, sawn samples may be available in the store.
• And finally, before purchasing, consider different samples of the collection. They should have the same thickness and a repeating pattern.

Features of laying decorative stone

Installation of tiles or decorative stone veneer requires simple preparation and a little imagination.

Let us list the main stages of the work.

1. Before installation, thoroughly clean and prime the surface.
2. Then it is advisable to make even markings on the wall: using a level, draw horizontal lines. The distance between them should be equal to the height of the stone.
3. Lay out the products on the floor and think about the laying pattern that should be created on the wall. It is advisable to alternate short and long elements.
4. Then glue each stone, following the created pattern. To do this, you can use silicone sealant or liquid nails. Carry out installation starting from the bottom row and from the corners.
5. In order to correct the shape of individual slabs, use a hacksaw, a diamond-coated grinder, a miter box or a chisel for figured carving. You can clean the edges using sandpaper.

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