Oak laminate: successful color solutions for any interior (26 photos)

Modern finishing materials allow designers to show their creative abilities and make any apartment beautiful and cozy. Flooring is of great importance for interior design, as it can transform the floor surface and emphasize the style of the room. One of the popular types of floor finishing is laminate, which imitates natural wood. The unusual white oak laminate (bleached oak) looks impressive, making the interior light and spacious.

Scope and principles of application

If we talk about classic colors in the interior, one of the popular colors can be called bleached oak. Perhaps this is one of the color solutions that will look good in almost any room, be it the color of the floor, doors, furniture and even walls.

Since the shade is quite light, it creates the feeling of a visual increase in space.

Even in a small room, using laminate or parquet, as well as furniture in the shade of bleached oak, you can achieve lightness and “uncrowded” space. Of course, there are also some peculiarities in the use of this shade - it is important not to forget about accents - darker or brighter details in the design of the room.

For example, create a contrast between furniture and flooring, choose brighter textiles, or focus on wall decorations. The shade of bleached oak will be an excellent background for your experiments.

When to choose black or dark laminate

The color scheme for a laminated floor in black looks very unusual and modern. Just a couple of years ago, such a laminate would not have been found. It simply wasn't produced. Today it is one of the most popular colors, which can transform a boring, ordinary interior both in a living space and in an office. The most common shade of dark laminate is an imitation of exotic South African oak wood, which most of us know as wenge. The main reason for its popularity lies in the ability of this color to add contrast and expressiveness to a modern urban interior, which is characterized by clear lines, dynamics and urban style.

Dark and black laminate combine perfectly with light wallpaper, creating an expressive contrasting space. In this combination, white walls look even more dazzling, and the dark floor has a deeper color and clearer texture. A room with such a floor covering will become a place of attraction for a person, because here you can be alone with your thoughts and escape from the worries and bustle of the city. Deep dark tones of the floor symbolize solidity and impressiveness.

To protect black laminate from fading and deterioration in appearance, experts advise applying several layers of protective varnish to the surface. This will not only protect the coating from direct sunlight and modern artificial lighting, but will also prevent the appearance of minor scratches and chips during use of the floor. In addition, the varnish will give the floor a noble shine.

Laying this type of laminate flooring is a very labor-intensive and painstaking process that has its own nuances. But ultimately, the room ends up with a floor that does not require special care.

When considering which laminate color to choose, in addition to the listed advantages of dark floor shades, you should also pay attention to the disadvantages:

• dust, dirt and scratches are more noticeable on dark colors;
• In rooms with large windows and bright sunlight, it is impossible to use black laminate.

In addition, there are recommendations that you need to follow if you plan to install black flooring in the room:

• doors must be selected for laminate. It is desirable that their color and texture be similar to the floor or, on the contrary, contrasting (it is strongly not recommended to use red doors);
• It is better to choose a color for the walls of the room from light shades;
• in the interior, black laminate goes well with bright furniture in the Art Nouveau style;
• for a black floor, gold handles of cabinets, floor lamps and chandeliers should be avoided; chrome and silver are more suitable;
• for a dark brown floor, on the contrary, antique bronze and aged gold are better suited.

Areas and principles of application

bleached oak The area of ​​use of bleached oak is currently very wide. This color can be found in the most unexpected design solutions and interiors. Due to light colors, it gives the space sophistication and decoration.

The most popular design elements are:

• flooring;
• furniture;
• walls;
• window;
• doors;
• ceiling finish.

Shades and decors of dark laminate

A dark floor is not necessarily black. These include chocolate, coffee, dark gray and others. These include shades:

• some oak decors;
• chestnut;
• wenge;
• hickory shades;
• natural colors of stone and others.

Dark laminate is present in most brands of flooring, for example:

• Tarkett (Romantic Oak, Tanzanian Wenge);
• Kronospan (Red River Hickory, Mustang Slate);
• Solofloor (Berlin Oak, Farandola Oak);
• Quick Step (Antique Dark Oak, Coffee Hickory);
• Alloc (decors “Hollywood and Wine”, “Route 66”);
• Kaindl (Casa Oak, Wenge Orora) and others.

When choosing a laminate decor for an existing environment, take into account the cold or warm range of interior details.

Types of bleached oak laminate

Laminate is often mistaken for natural wood due to its similarity in appearance. However, this material is not natural; it contains only wood as a base - fibreboard. Therefore, laminate can take on any pattern, and not just imitate natural wood.

Among the variations of bleached oak you can find the following varieties.

• With single-lane structure. This is an imitation of natural wood. The type of laminate that we are used to seeing in apartments, as it is often used for small domestic premises.
• With two-way structure. It is constructed in such a way that along the width of one board there is a pattern of two floorboards. With its help, a kind of chaos of color is created on the floor.
• Three-way. The principle of operation is the same as with two-way. But this type makes it possible to imitate real parquet.
• Tile. With the help of laminate you can imitate not only natural wood, but also stone. So, this type will allow you to create a matte or glossy surface of ceramic tiles, marble and even metal.
• Design options. Here you can see imitation leather, newspaper, electronic board and much more.

For bleached oak, it is better to choose a laminate with a single-strip or two-strip structure. Firstly, they are designed to cover small living spaces, and secondly, these options are best suited for preserving the original appearance of bleached oak.

It is also worth paying attention to the color scheme. The classic version of bleached oak is gray or white. But some companies have options in beige, light brown or even dark shades. They have different names, for example, bleached mocha oak.

Board decor type

There are three types of drawing:

1. Single lane. This pattern imitates a wide oak plank and is ideal for large and tall rooms.
2. Two-way. The board looks as if it was glued together from two floorboards. This option looks good in medium-sized rooms.
3. Three-way. This coating option is very similar to natural parquet. It is recommended to use it in medium and small rooms.

Please note: light-colored floors look great in offices and public buildings. Choose commercial or industrial laminate of class 33-43 for them.

Advantages of laminate

• dust and stains from washing are not visible on a light laminate;
• bleached oak laminate has a noble, impressive and expensive look;
• a light tone visually expands the room;
• laminate has the appearance of a rough, uneven and embossed surface, which gives it a natural look.

The light color of the floor goes well in the interior with furniture made from natural wood, as well as their high-quality imitation. This combination is perfect for a classic style and a more modern one, for example, modern or hi-tech.

Bleached oak laminate in the interior will have an interesting and creative look if used in kitchens or bathrooms.

Kitchen furniture made of bleached oak in a country style will add a special highlight to the interior. Dark-colored laminate adds romance to the room. If you are not a fan of contrasting tones, designers recommend saturating your room with a light cream or coffee tone, where the floor and doors are light yellow.

When installing wenge-colored entrance doors, it is not necessary to purchase laminate of the same tone. Laying dark laminate will give the room a gloomy look.

Dust particles will be visible on a dark floor. Additional lighting will be required to give the room a decent look.

If the color of the laminate differs from the tone of the blind door, it is recommended to build a design based on contrast. For example, the laminate is bleached oak, and the door leaf is wenge. A skillful combination of tones will make the room more harmonious, stylish and comfortable.

Drawing of a laminated oak board

According to the pattern (by the number of simulated boards of one lamella or another pattern), the material is divided into several groups:

• single lane,
• two-lane.
• three-way,
• designer,
• tile.

Single-strip panels create the appearance of a floor covered with a solid wooden board. Laminate flooring with this pattern is more likely to suit the interior of a country house. The covering of spirit-strip and three-strip panels is similar in appearance to parquet. Tile laminate imitates ceramics or stone, so it is used in interiors where such a coating is stylistically justified. Any pattern can be applied to the designer laminate; its use is limited only by the taste preferences of the buyer.

Laminate 33 class

For flooring exposed to high mechanical loads, you should choose class 33 laminate. Such premises may be:

• offices,
• the shops,
• hairdressing salons.

Judging by the reviews, this durable, wear-resistant material of class 33 has a long service life. It can also be used in living rooms for any purpose (bedrooms, children's rooms, living rooms, kitchens).

A huge selection of laminated coatings makes it possible to use them in any interior. A room with such a floor will look stylish, elegant, and solid.

Laminate is a practical and common floor covering. It is available in various colors and textures - today we will talk about natural oak laminate, its compatibility with the interior and styles.

Content

Recommendations from experts

• It is necessary to consider the tone of the laminate with the predominant colors in the house. Failure to comply with this condition will give the interior an unnatural style. The room will turn out pretentious and pretentious.
• It is necessary to understand what tones will be used in the interior of the room, warm or cold. If warm colors are used in the interior, then a laminated coating of the same tones is used for the floor. Otherwise, the unity of the style solution will be violated.
• A variety of styles involves the use of different degrees of texture. A clearly defined texture is perfect for country style. In a room with a classic style, it is recommended to use a softer laminate texture.
• Laminate is considered a universal coating, but selection of shade and texture is still necessary. Before laying laminate flooring, it is necessary to level the floor. On a properly prepared floor, laminate flooring will not creak or swell.

Selection principles

When choosing a laminate coating, take into account the purpose of the room, the overall design of the space, and the wear resistance class of the panels. For hallways, kitchens and high-traffic areas, laminated Oak class 33 boards are chosen, because they have:

• glossy surface, resistant to mechanical damage;
• moisture-resistant locking system reinforced with a hydrophobic coating;
• moisture-resistant impregnation, allowing them to be installed in rooms with high humidity;
• greater strength.

Light laminate fits perfectly into the living room design. Swedish Natural White Oak panels create an atmosphere of tenderness and tranquility, fill the interior with soft light and homeliness, and emphasize the design of the room. They match any color of furniture, walls and ceilings.

Tarkett lamellas have a multilayer structure, the specificity of which is the presence of kraft paper gaskets between all layers. This production method ensures the strength of the material. The panels are coated using CLM technology, which guarantees their high quality.

Laminate “White Oak Medium” is a popular coating model with strength class 33. The panels are produced by the Belgian company. The matte surface with a single-strip image fits harmoniously into the living room interior, designed in a classic style.

The coating is considered an elite finishing material that can please apartment owners for many years. “Oak white medium” can be installed in the bathroom or kitchen, as its surface is moisture resistant.

Main accents

What is the most important thing when decorating the interior of a home? Don't fall out of the general image. If you are creating a naturalistic design using wood, do not combine it with plastic. This is bad taste!

Select elements with noble forms: lamps and chandeliers exclude plastic and fabric lampshades.

Curtains - matching, paintings and panels - in a single motif with the interior. Bright spots on the walls are permissible only in strict accordance with the designer’s idea, who can create an interior based on contrasts. Do not combine more than three colors in one room. Bleached oak is “on the same wavelength” with soft pastels or noble shades: mahogany and ebony, marble, bronze, matte silver, gold.

The design combines glass with chromed metal. Natural wood with stone. Bleached oak is a special chic that will occupy a leading position in interiors for a long time. Therefore, you can safely decorate your home with natural oak or substitutes made of cheaper wood, stylized as precious wood.

It is important to remember: natural bleached oak is extremely durable. Thanks to special impregnation, it does not rot.

This material can be easily washed and cleaned with special products; it will last for many years. If, instead of oak, other wood is used, on which a noble texture has been recreated, beware of excessive moisture and mechanical damage.

Main manufacturers and prices

Companies all over the world are engaged in the production of solid oak boards. Products from Italian and German craftsmen are especially in demand. The market offers solid wood and parquet boards made in Canada, China and America. Among them there are materials from domestic factories.

Solid and parquet boards made of natural oak are high quality materials with decent physiological characteristics. Products made from such a valuable type of wood as oak are expensive. But the floor made from them is an eternal covering.

The style in which the interior is made

• Classic design is distinguished by its restraint. Decorative elements are selected in strict whitish tones.
• Vintage is, first of all, antiquity. In this case, bleached oak is chosen in a gray shade, or artificially aged, with scuffs.
• The high-tech style is distinguished by its modern character, so the color can have a lilac tint.

Color accents in textured materials

When laid, laminated panels of different textures create a variety of color accents:

panels made to look like pine, birch, oak or beech are considered neutral in color. They can cover the floor in any living space. To make the space more interesting, wall coverings should be attractive with bright colors; lamellas with red alder, apple, and pear tones go well with both yellow and light green tones of walls and wallpaper with floral patterns; laminate imitating species such as maple and bleached oak create laconic classic-style floors

Wallpaper that creates contrast in color is suitable for them, but it is important to adhere to the principle of three colors; Laminate flooring in dark wenge shades is not suitable for small surfaces. In order not to burden the room, choose wallpaper made in bright colors; decorating a room in a high-tech style requires using a steel, shiny gray laminate; to maintain a fashionable style, the walls can be made the same, but a tone lighter

When decorating wall surfaces, it is possible to use neutral tones or contrasting black and white motifs;

You can divide the children's room into zones by combining laminated flooring with surfaces of different or similar colors. In such cases, wall decoration is selected that matches the diverse space of the room.

Color palette

To get the whitening effect on a natural oak board, it is specially treated. First, soft fibers are removed from the surface of the board using brushes. The resulting recesses are filled with a light compound to whiten and emphasize the natural grain of the wood, and the board is coated with a transparent protective varnish on top.

Of course, the modern market offers not only natural solid wood of this shade; eco-veneer, laminate boards, and MDF and laminated chipboards coated in bleached oak color are now widespread.

But the palette even within this shade can be quite wide. These can be warmer - yellowish or bright beige shades, and cooler, silvery colors with the effect of aged wood.

Oak wood: characteristics and properties

Oak is a mighty tree that has been growing and strengthening for centuries. Different peoples associate it with strength, power, health and fortitude. The wood of this species is particularly dense and hard. It is durable and heavy. The cut reveals a porous structure and a beautiful relief pattern of annual rings.

Oak wood is colored brown or yellowish-brown. The inner part has a light yellow tint. The older the tree, the darker its wood, the more beautiful and noble it looks.

Oak wood

Nowadays, oak groves are carefully protected. This tree knows its worth and grows in good conditions. In light and spacious forests, the trunk reaches fifteen meters in height, without any bends or knots. It is these specimens that are used in industry for the manufacture of furniture and finishing materials.

The quality of oak wood depends on several factors:

1. region of growth: in the north the density is higher;
2. soil composition: the worse it is, the better for the oak. Trees with dark brown bark and milky yellow core grow on sandstones. They are hard, but do not bend well during processing;
3. environment: proximity to water. Olsa (iron, lead, water) oak with a straight trunk and an incredibly dense crown grows near rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Its core is pinkish in color with large layers. It is extremely heavy, elastic, prone to cracking. Trees growing in intermediate conditions have average quality indicators. They do not have the hardness of Olsaceae and have a thick gray-brown bark. The upper part is dry, and the butt is hollow;
4. procurement time. Summer wood is most suitable for construction under water and on land with high humidity. It has high moisture resistance. Winter - used for the manufacture of furniture and finishing materials.

Bog oak, plants that have been in water for a long time, has the highest value. These can be trees that ended up in a river or swamp under the influence of the elements, or that were specially placed by a person in a humid environment.

Oak wood becomes stronger over time

A special feature of oak wood is its ability not to rot, but to gain strength under the influence of moisture. During the soaking process, the wood darkens and becomes even more attractive. The dark purple color with a pleasant silky sheen has high decorative qualities.

Oak wood does not rot, does not mold, and is not damaged by insects. It is demanding and pretentious regarding the use of protective compounds and processing:

• You cannot use synthetic and alcohol varnishes to coat oak products;
• oils for oak furniture and boards are contraindicated: they leave unsightly stains;
• It is not recommended to drive nails and screw in self-tapping screws without first drilling holes;
• You should not use paint, even water-based: it will hide the original natural pattern.

Expert tip : To give oak products a more noble look, they are coated with a colorless varnish made from natural ingredients.

Flooring

floor finishing materials are available in the shade of bleached oak

• natural parquet;
• laminate;
• porcelain tiles.

Covering the color of bleached oak, be it parquet flooring or laminate, not only visually makes the space wider, but also, due to the presence of a wood pattern on the surface, will add a touch of “naturalness” to the interior.

“Woody nature” looks especially good in apartments and houses in the Scandinavian, Provence, and country styles, but even in a modern minimalist interior, a floor in the shade of bleached oak will look organic.

In large rooms, you should visually delineate the space with a light floor so that it does not appear “washed out” by using dark furniture, or darker doors and baseboards.

The great thing is that with the advent of wood-effect porcelain tiles, the shade of bleached oak can be used on the floors or walls of the kitchen and bathroom. In addition, tiles with a wood pattern in the bathroom are one of the fashion trends in the interior.

How to fit laminate flooring into the interior

Most often, when decorating premises, the question arises: “What is the best flooring for doors, walls or furniture?”

Still, we’ll give you some useful tips.

1. If we assume that the floor will be the accent, it is advisable to take its shade as a basis and duplicate it in the interior. For this, it is not at all necessary that the furniture body be exactly the same color. And it’s not easy to make such a selection, especially if you select each item separately.
2. It is much easier to find one accessory, the color of the wallpaper or a pattern on the curtains. In the example above, the color of the floor is repeated in the frame of doorways, borders on the walls and picture frames. Below, one of the shades of the laminate coating is taken as the basis for the entire interior and is duplicated in the wall decoration.
3. It looks great when the doors and floor are laminated the same, but again, matching them is not easy, especially when the laminate is chosen with some unusual texture such as plum or sandalwood. Yes, this is not necessary. These two interior elements can be matched in contrast to each other, as in the following photo.
4. The only thing that needs to be decided in advance is whether to match the plinth to the doors or the floor. Ideally, it should match the color of the floor covering. But if you haven’t found the right shade, try to ensure that the tone of the baseboards is the same as the doors - or with the canvases, or with the platbands.

However, there is always an exception to every rule. Sometimes you look and are surprised that what seems incompatible can look very harmonious. It’s all about the ability not only to compose, but also to accurately dose shades. A person may have such an innate sense of color, and he, even without being a designer, will be able to independently decide what is best to combine the color of the flooring with. If you don’t feel you have such talents, follow traditions or hire an interior design specialist to help.

Laminate flooring care and wear resistance classes

Wall and ceiling panels

While this type of finishing materials is not very popular in mass consumption, the use of wooden panels can achieve amazing results. Such a panel can be presented in the form of a single sheet, tile or separate board and slats.

Wood-colored walls and ceilings will add a touch of simple luxury to the space and make the interior more stylish and interesting.

If you are the owner of a large wooden house, then finishing the interior with such bleached oak panels will give the interior a more modern sound. At the same time, decorating walls and ceilings with wood will look very natural and natural. Don’t be afraid to use panels in small spaces either - in the shade of bleached oak they will look “correct” even in a small apartment and will help zone the room.

It is not necessary to fill all the walls or ceiling with them - it is enough to place accents - to designate the area behind the TV or the dining area.

Shapes and sizes of glossy lamellas

Laminate with a glossy surface has the following parameters:

• The panel shapes are both standard and square, shorter. Thanks to this, it is possible to choose the desired type and size for a specific room;
• As with the classic design, glossy laminated panels can be beveled or without. The chamfer can be present on two sides of the board or on all four, which gives room for imagination when decorating the floor;
• color solutions. There are a lot of them. Basic colors are especially popular: white, black, red without the presence of even minor inclusions and decorations. This floor looks elegant and sophisticated;
• As a rule, glossy panels have classes 32 and 33, this characterizes their strength and wear resistance. This means that the floors will last in a residential area for at least 15 years. With decent care and careful treatment - even 20 years.

Such high performance characteristics are characteristic of high-quality glossy laminate made in Germany. Note that it was German manufacturers who received a patent for glossy material. Chinese glossy laminate will not last such a long time due to the low level of quality.

Furniture

Furniture of this shade is very versatile, it does not burden the space and looks weightless compared to dark interior items. This is just a godsend for small apartments and dark rooms. Moreover, any type of furniture in the color bleached oak will look stylish.

Sliding wardrobes and storage systems with facades in this shade look less bulky, walls and fittings also acquire a lighter sound.

Small elements of room furnishings, such as bedside tables, coffee tables and shelves, in bleached oak color fit better into the interior - they do not create visual noise, while continuing to fulfill their functional load.

Selection rules depending on the room

There are certain recommendations that depend on the specific room. Among them:

1. Kitchen. It is a difficult space in terms of choosing the wear resistance class of the material. Match the appearance to the overall design. There is high humidity in the kitchen, and there is a possibility of greasy drops falling on the floor. Therefore, a material with a high degree of resistance to the negative influence of these factors is ideal.
2. Bathroom. Experts do not recommend using such a coating in this room. Stone or tile is considered the most suitable. If you are only considering a laminate option, be sure to choose one with high water resistance. It is expensive, but copes with steam, moisture and condensation.
3. Living room or bedroom. In addition to wear resistance and beauty, other indicators need to be taken into account. It matters how well the material absorbs noise, especially for the bedroom. Therefore, a high-quality product that will not creak when walking is suitable. For children, it is necessary to consider the safety of the material, whether it causes allergies, and how warm it is. Rough surfaces are better suited instead of smooth.
4. Hallway. The corridor has a high traffic level. The floor is more exposed to contamination and is washed more often. Therefore, models with resistance to moisture and good wear resistance are suitable.

The tips listed will help you choose the right covering for your room. Thanks to this, you will be able to avoid many errors during registration.

See alsoHistory of the formation and development of interior design

Doors

Doors are a very important part of the overall living space: the choice of color and door design should be taken very seriously. A light door does not overload the space and creates a nice neutral background. Also, the texture of bleached oak will be wonderfully combined with glass. Additional lighting can be provided through the glazing in the door, which is very important for dark rooms. You can achieve an interesting effect by choosing different shades and degrees of glass transparency.

In general, the atmosphere of a home with light interiors and an entrance door will be lighter and airier. They are great for narrow hallways and cramped spaces.

Oak color shades

The variety of shades of oak wood will amaze any imagination, especially since with modern processing methods it is possible to create an almost infinite number of textures and colors.

Bleached oak

In nature, such white wood is characteristic only of young plants, and such plants are not used in production. Over time, the wood becomes darker, which means that to obtain the “bleached” effect, it is subjected to certain chemical treatments. The combination of wood types and processing methods makes it possible to achieve a wide variety of color shades.

Golden Oak

The straw shade of natural wood is very close to golden color. Additional painting or varnishing can add thickness or lightness to the color. This shade will look very impressive if it is subjected to an aging process, during which the surface relief will increase and its protruding parts will become darker.

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