10 Versatile Ways to Use Concrete in the Home
See how this earthy material holds up as countertops, floors and more
tidgboutique
5 July 2018
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.
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Most people encounter concrete out in the world every day without giving it much thought. But this time-tested material has numerous uses inside your home too. Here are some pros and cons of using concrete for flooring, countertops and more.
Concrete is a very textural material, and while it has stone-like hardness and is usually found in neutral grey shades, it can bring a lot of rich character to homes in all sorts of styles. Concrete can create a beautiful contrast with sleek surfaces like metals and glass, complement rustic materials like wood and brick or highlight the coziness of plush upholstery, making your textural palette richer to the eyes and to the touch.
1. Floors
Let’s start by talking about concrete as a flooring material, because this is where some of the biggest pros and cons come into play.
Concrete floors are quick to install (compared with more labour-intensive options such as tile) and very durable, being essentially impermeable to liquid spills and hard to dent. Concrete is a popular choice for architectural-minded homes, allowing for a single flooring material running throughout all rooms to give a sense of harmony.
Check out this guide to concrete floors
Let’s start by talking about concrete as a flooring material, because this is where some of the biggest pros and cons come into play.
Concrete floors are quick to install (compared with more labour-intensive options such as tile) and very durable, being essentially impermeable to liquid spills and hard to dent. Concrete is a popular choice for architectural-minded homes, allowing for a single flooring material running throughout all rooms to give a sense of harmony.
Check out this guide to concrete floors
Concrete can be mixed with other flooring materials to create interesting effects as well, like in this dining room. An inset area of tile creates a rug-like feature. The fact that concrete is poured wet and then dried in place means it can have various materials set in at the time of installation, such as wood borders, stone tiles or metal trim elements.
The fact that concrete is so tough means it can also be hard on feet, dropped glasses and children or anyone else who takes a tumble. Area rugs can be used on concrete as with any other hard flooring material to add cushiness.
There can also be potential issues with dampness if water is able to enter the flooring from below, so it is important to speak with an expert about your unique situation before any installation.
Whether concrete makes sense for a home’s flooring ultimately comes down to your taste and lifestyle. If concrete flooring isn’t for you, there are plenty of other ways to include this material in your design.
There can also be potential issues with dampness if water is able to enter the flooring from below, so it is important to speak with an expert about your unique situation before any installation.
Whether concrete makes sense for a home’s flooring ultimately comes down to your taste and lifestyle. If concrete flooring isn’t for you, there are plenty of other ways to include this material in your design.
2. Kitchen countertops
Concrete’s resilience makes it a solid choice for kitchen countertops. A properly sealed concrete countertop will be highly stain-proof and easy to wipe clean. It can also be shaped into attractive counter profiles and formed to the exact size you need, all without having to cut down a larger slab (as is usually required with stone surfaces).
It looks sleek in modern homes of course, but it can also be paired with cabinetry that carries a more traditional or transitional style.
Take a look at the most popular kitchen countertop materials
Concrete’s resilience makes it a solid choice for kitchen countertops. A properly sealed concrete countertop will be highly stain-proof and easy to wipe clean. It can also be shaped into attractive counter profiles and formed to the exact size you need, all without having to cut down a larger slab (as is usually required with stone surfaces).
It looks sleek in modern homes of course, but it can also be paired with cabinetry that carries a more traditional or transitional style.
Take a look at the most popular kitchen countertop materials
Cool grey concrete, with its rugged texture, makes a perfect complement to glamorous brass cabinet hardware paired with a warm mid-tone-stained wood such as walnut or oak.
A waterfall-style island counter, with the countertop material wrapping down the sides as pictured here, gives an island a sense of polish and really shows off the material.
The simplicity of concrete makes for beautiful waterfall edges that feel architectural but not overwhelming. Use it for all of the countertops, or just the island to contrast another material on the main counters such as quartz or granite.
In this example, concrete forms the main countertop against the wall, with a different material for the island. There are near-endless pairings you can make with concrete, because it is neutral enough to not clash with virtually anything, but rugged enough to stand on its own.
Notice that this kitchen uses concrete to dress the toe kick space of the cabinets as well. You can be sure concrete will really stand up to being kicked.
Notice that this kitchen uses concrete to dress the toe kick space of the cabinets as well. You can be sure concrete will really stand up to being kicked.
3. Coffee tables
A concrete coffee table like the one shown here, with its simple blocky shape, offsets the sumptuous leather of the sofa and the inviting rug with its rich patterning.
There is also a beautiful contrast between the cool grey concrete and brass, this time overhead in the geometric pendant.
See how to style your coffee table
A concrete coffee table like the one shown here, with its simple blocky shape, offsets the sumptuous leather of the sofa and the inviting rug with its rich patterning.
There is also a beautiful contrast between the cool grey concrete and brass, this time overhead in the geometric pendant.
See how to style your coffee table
5. Dining tables
An outdoor dining table needs to be able to stand up to not just the wear and tear (and ketchup spills) of use, but also weather. Concrete is a natural fit for outdoor use, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor dining tables.
An outdoor dining table needs to be able to stand up to not just the wear and tear (and ketchup spills) of use, but also weather. Concrete is a natural fit for outdoor use, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor dining tables.
That being said, a concrete dining table can be beautiful inside as well, such as in this Scandinavian dining room. The wood legs bring visual, material and literal balance to the concrete top, so the whole look isn’t too overbearing.
6. Multifunctional stools
A concrete stool works great when you need an extra seat for a garden party, a table next to the bathtub to set down a glass of wine or an extra side table near the bed or sofa. Plus, as you can see here, concrete adds a little bit of tough texture to an otherwise soft room.
A concrete stool works great when you need an extra seat for a garden party, a table next to the bathtub to set down a glass of wine or an extra side table near the bed or sofa. Plus, as you can see here, concrete adds a little bit of tough texture to an otherwise soft room.
7. Wet spaces
Tile is usually the first option people think of for protecting walls from moisture in bathrooms. But a concrete wall treatment is another sleek way to waterproof a wall and gives a spa-like sense of serenity.
Tile is usually the first option people think of for protecting walls from moisture in bathrooms. But a concrete wall treatment is another sleek way to waterproof a wall and gives a spa-like sense of serenity.
It can be used all over for seamless consistency, or just in targeted areas like in a shower. Notice how this installation includes a seamless built-in niche for products.
8. Exposed structural elements
Oftentimes concrete is already present in your home, so why not show it off?
Oftentimes concrete is already present in your home, so why not show it off?
Whether you’re completing a new build or a renovation, speak with a professional about what materials are likely to be hidden behind your drywall. An exposed concrete ceiling or unwrapped column can give a space a bit of “edge” while also freeing up a little extra space by peeling back a layer.
9. Vanities
Concrete offers many different options for a bathroom vanity because it can be formed to include the sink in one piece. It can essentially be used the same way as a porcelain vanity top or sink, but it looks and feels a little less austere and a little more relaxed.
Find out which vanity is right for your bathrooms
Concrete offers many different options for a bathroom vanity because it can be formed to include the sink in one piece. It can essentially be used the same way as a porcelain vanity top or sink, but it looks and feels a little less austere and a little more relaxed.
Find out which vanity is right for your bathrooms
In this example, the entire vanity is just a floating concrete unit with a pair of integrated sinks, giving an open and airy effect despite being a “heavy” looking material.
If you prefer a more subtle dose of concrete, use it as a counter with a vessel sink installed on top. You can see here how the rugged concrete texture sets off the freshness of the pristine white porcelain. The contrast brings out the best of both materials and achieves a sense of balance.
For yet another different take, this vanity uses a wood front from top to bottom with a concrete top only (picking up on the similar concrete used as the floor as well). This unit really highlights how flexible concrete is: The sink is formed to create a subtly curved bowl instead of a blocky rectangular shape.
And just a reminder that concrete isn’t only for modern homes: This trough-style double sink fits in perfectly with the farmhouse-inspired style of this bathroom, working well with both the sun-faded stain colour of the cabinet and the black-bronze fixtures.
10. Light fixtures
Light fixtures are another unexpected way to introduce some concrete into a home.
Light fixtures are another unexpected way to introduce some concrete into a home.
Island pendants like these are a great way to add just a small hit of a new material in a surprising place, for a hip architectural twist that works well with stone countertops, modern appliances or rustic wood.
Read more:
21 Gorgeous Concrete Homes From Australia
Tell us:
Have you used concrete in your home? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
Read more:
21 Gorgeous Concrete Homes From Australia
Tell us:
Have you used concrete in your home? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
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Is the weight of concrete a consideration, especially with large pieces or floors?
Great article - 2Stone Concrete Veneers or Tiles are another great way to use concrete in your home! We have a great line that will give you the cast in place look without the weight, the hassle and the unpredictability. They are actually concrete not another material trying to emulate concrete. We highly encourage variation, no two pieces will ever be the same! Here is a few projects where our products were used:
We ship worldwide and sell direct so no job is too big or too small!
We wanted a concrete kitchen counter but learned that manufacturing a ton of cement emits a ton of carbon into the atmosphere, so although a great building material, it is environmentally harmful. Searching around for alternatives, but haven't found a suitable material yet. Options?