In a method for coating a work piece, a layer is electrochemically produced from a first material. In order to generate an inhomogeneous expansion behavior of the layer, a thermal spraying, in particular a cold gas spraying, achieves that specific zones are created in the layer from a material having a different thermal expansion behavior. These zones expand more laterally than in the direction of the layer thickness so that directed internal stresses occur in the layer upon heating or cooling of the component, which can be specifically utilized depending on the design conditions of the component.