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Interior Design Ideas Using Concrete

Concrete is often lauded by builders because it is so easy to work with, while others see nothing but difficulty along the way. The material is very versatile, meaning it can be used for a range of different projects and applications. However, if you are looking at choosing concrete, there are numerous elements you have to consider first.

For many, the simple choice of style means they wouldn’t even consider concrete for a residential property at least. While being the material of choice for warehouses and other industrial buildings. Today, however, more and more businesses and homes around the world use concrete to modernise their space. If you think about it, having that industrial look can give your property an edge.

concrete walls in a living space

How Concrete Can Transform a Space

When it comes to trends, most people would think about fashion trends. This year, it was all about bike shorts and usually streetwear styles for the summer and spring. In autumn and winter, jackets and trench coats are all in.

Fashion trends come and go, and they would change depending on the season. It is not something that you can apply to your home or commercial building. You cannot simply take out décor, fixtures, and other items to go with the season. More importantly, you cannot just remove your concrete flooring and replace it with a new one to be in line with the trends.

The good news is that concrete is versatile. While there are new styles that are surfacing recently, you should look to choose one that will stay relevant and appealing for your home or business.

So far, 2019 has a few polarising interior design trends. Many are turning to bold colours but while many at the other end of the spectrum that are keeping things simple. An example of which is concrete, which brings a combination of subtlety and sophistication to your interiors.

Why Concrete will Stay Trendy

Concrete works so well with almost any fixture and landscape. For interiors, it is the material to go for because of the following reasons:

  • Concrete looks great in open-concept applications. Compared to rustic finished wood flooring, concrete is also more affordable.
  • Concrete walls are making waves all over Australia and many parts of the world. Some people may not want to use concrete floors but walls make an undeniable style statement for them.
  • Maintenance is probably the biggest motivation for homeowners. Concrete requires little to no maintenance. Even if you use the material for your fireplace, coffee table, or countertop, there should not be any worries. Make sure though that it is properly sealed, stained, and polished.
  • The texture is also a wonderful reason to go concrete. Highlighting texture is as easy as placing it next to wood or anything natural.
  • Concrete undeniably lends a huge amount of visual weight to a room. It draws the eye, making it a focal point in every home.

Stylish and Trendy Home Interior Designs That Use Concrete

Concrete is set to become a prominent fixture in the world of design, both indoors and outdoors. Here are some of the ways on how concrete is used in modern homes:

  1. From Basement to BedroomIt may be difficult to find inspirations that fit your house and preferences. Building another room is a huge expense that not many homeowners would want to go through. However, if you have a concrete basement, you can turn it into a bedroom or even an office. The transformation can be interesting. It can be a minimalist space with several changes to get rid of the basement look. However, those homes with concrete basements leave the walls, flooring, and ceiling alone. These sections are what bring out character into the room.Some homeowners decided to repaint the floor, going for a white colour, which is a stark contrast to the rest of the room. They utilise black lacquered fixtures. Modern art decorations are on some parts of the wall.
  2. Apartment with Concrete InteriorsHaving an apartment rebuilt from scratch can be a great opportunity for you to show your creativity. Take for example this apartment in Sao Paulo that was transformed into one room. All partitions and some windows were removed. This type of design was intended to create a box with a three-dimensional effect. The lights, walls, and floor coverings would use concrete as the main material. The kitchen that was once another room became a part of the living room. Lights were all LEDs while ceilings and walls had plasterboard and cement. This design is inspired by the 70s, which is evident in the selection of furniture pieces. However, it has a modern twist to it that makes it appealing for young adults.
  3. Concrete CottageMost people think about cottages as a wood structure. The cosy interior makes it feel warm and inviting. Meanwhile, many others believe that concrete is the opposite. It is cold and unwelcoming, making people think it is best for industrial properties. However, concrete can be comfy and cheery, too.Concrete cottages are becoming more popular these days. Instead of wood, they are made of concrete. They are not overly extravagant, just a minimalistic design. It may be not made of something natural, but it does integrate well with its surroundings. Even this rustic house can blend well in the middle of nature.

cafe worktop with concrete

For Commercial Buildings

Concrete has not only taken a foothold in residential properties but commercial businesses as well. Commercial properties are seeing the beauty and efficiency of using concrete. Years before, concrete was simply used for industrial properties because of the lack of colour and ease of use. However, things have greatly changed. The material can be found on many floors, walls, and ceilings among others.

Here are the top interior trends for commercial properties that use concrete:

  1. Concrete WallsMentioned earlier in this post, walls made of concrete are a great alternative to those who do not want to use concrete flooring. The walls are edgy, drawing attention to the other design elements of the room. However, it does not mean that concrete will fade in the background. One style that is growing in popularity involves having a concrete wall with one single feature wall. It adds a daring punch to the office design without running the risk of becoming overwhelming. The result is a combination of texture and visual appeal.
  2. Concrete Focal PointConcrete is a heavy material, which is why it makes sense that it adds a ton of weight to the visual interest in a room. It means that no matter what it is, with concrete, your eye will get drawn to it. For instance, concrete fireplaces are a commanding presence. Whenever they are in a room, even with all the other furniture pieces around, your eyes will be pulled to it. Fireplaces are a bold addition to your office. They may be a mainstay in many homes but workspaces usually forego this feature. However, it is a worthwhile addition to your interior design.A focal point does not have to be audacious. You can stick to anything subtle, such as a concrete coffee table or a countertop in your office kitchen. Concrete is customisable and can be used almost anywhere.

Other Concrete Solutions

Concrete design ideas for interiors seem endless. Here are even more concepts that are fast becoming on-trend in Australia:

A bright living room with concrete as the main material will stand in stark contrast with the indoor plants around it. Concrete, especially when used as an accent wall, will create a beautiful marriage of manmade material (concrete) and natural (house plants) items.

interior of a concrete office with interior design elements

It is one of the reasons concrete works well when juxtaposed with colours and objects from nature. Even when you keep the greenery outside, it still works great. You get to embrace the shades of grey, along with the shades of green that will truly make your living space stand out. This design idea applies to offices as well.

Wood and concrete can work together, however, you will need careful planning to make sure it will work well. Both materials are excellent choices even for those who have no training in interior design. Using wood and concrete to frame a huge piece of furniture, such as a sofa, can give the whole room a smart, modern look. This styling is popular in many modern conference rooms.

Using concrete does not mean you have to keep everything grey and dull. The material has become quite customisable over the years. You can add in a little bit of playfulness and colour to bring life into a room. Simply adding art pieces, especially brightly-coloured ones to a concrete wall can make the wall pop.

Concrete can go beyond just a single accent wall. However, you have to play it correctly. There should be other elements that can present a more dramatic impact. It can be as simple as an accent chair, along with coloured pillows to support the grey concrete. It can also be as theatrical as a life-sized statue right in your living space if you’re feeling particularly bold.

In many of the emerging trends, it can be observed that lighting is a critical element, especially when dealing with concrete. Whether this takes the form of spotlighting, large standing lamps or some cafe-style hanging lights, it’s important to make sure there is enough light that comes into the room so it does not appear gloomy.

Concrete is not limited to grey, there are a variety of styles and colours to choose from for your living or commercial space. Learn more about decorative concrete with the help of Decorative Concrete WA.