How to use concrete in the interior

Concrete is an artificial stone building material made up of several components: cement, aggregate (such as sand or gravel) and water. All this is combined in a certain proportion, concrete is gaining strength and can serve as a structural basis for buildings. To increase the bearing capacity, a reinforcing frame made of steel rods is added to the structure.

Typically, concrete acquires the required strength within about 20 days, and it only increases over time. To minimize the disadvantages of working with concrete, chemical additives are added to the mixture. This allows concreting during the cold season or shortening the hardening time to several days.

Concrete is a proven material for both building construction and finishing work. Concrete products have a characteristic surface, it can be painted in bulk, covered with translucent enamels to emphasize the texture. Such surfaces can look equally impressive in different interiors: from loft style to luxury hotel interiors.

Let us consider in what ways concrete and its imitation can be used in the arrangement of premises.

As a finishing material

Monochrome, "nude" interior is the trend of 2019. Concrete finishes work best for this style.

A great idea is to use large concrete surfaces to the maximum: walls, ceiling, self-leveling floor. If you leave the ceiling unfinished, the electrician will have to be connected in the open, and the room will immediately take on a brutal industrial look.

If the room has a monolithic concrete wall, even uneven and with traces of formwork, this is a chance to turn disadvantages into advantages. There are translucent coatings, tinted and colorless, which strengthen the surface layer of concrete and prevent it from crumbling, and in addition, give the material the necessary shade and reveal the texture.

Self-leveling floors have found application not only in technological rooms, but also in modern interiors. They have a beautiful surface, they are practical to clean and are durable. With the help of additives, the coating acquires the desired color, smoothness and texture. If you use a finely dispersed mixture, the surface will be very pleasant to the touch. There is also the practice of combining concrete and inserts made of metal or wood, then finishing becomes a real luxury item.

Natural concrete surfaces look so advantageous in the interior that concrete imitations have been developed for almost any finishing materials. PVC floor coverings, laminated flooring, decorative plaster, porcelain stoneware and wallpaper - these designs can be found everywhere. This allows the use of strong design moves in interiors where it is impossible to apply real concrete. The quality of modern finishing materials is such that they completely imitate its color and texture.

Such "concrete" surfaces are an excellent backdrop for natural wood, textiles and living plants. It is important to maintain a balance of surface texture. This means combining a rough concrete look with matte white ceramics, metal and glass so that the objects look advantageous and complement each other.

For the manufacture of furniture

Even furniture is made of concrete. Original and striking objects are obtained, especially in combination with metal and wood.

The concrete coffee table will become the main accent of the room and can transform the entire interior. Dining tables, chairs - all this can be made by hand.

Be sure to complement outdoor furniture with removable bright pillows for convenience. Such items will be inexpensive and virtually permanent if properly processed. Using fiber cement, which contains reinforced fibers, will give strength to thin slabs and even allow you to assemble shelves and dressers.

There is already a whole industry in the USA that makes such furniture. In online stores, you can buy ready-made mixtures along with detailed instructions to get the product right the first time.

To create accessories

Interior accessories deserve special mention. Thanks to their ease of manufacture, their assortment is very diverse: from holders for mobile phones to lamps, from watches to flower pots. The possibilities are limited only by the flight of fantasy.

On the web, you can spy on brilliant ideas for concrete accessories for the home and garden and easily repeat them. Chinese manufacturers have picked up on the trend and are selling reusable molds for making concrete accessories in online stores.

For the manufacture of unique products

For all its brutal appearance, concrete is a flexible and plastic material. With the help of special forms, it is possible to make non-standard products from it: for example, a countertop for a kitchen or a sink. It is also possible to make a bathtub, it just will require additional careful processing of the product. Such elements will be especially good in a country style interior.

A fashionable move is to add black matte metal parts, faucets and plumbing to the interior. Accent spot lighting will favorably emphasize the beauty of the surface of the material and add drama.

Window sills can also be made of concrete; they will be appropriate in a loft interior in combination with open bricks. Also, concrete is useful for the manufacture of parapet stone for balconies and terraces or pillars for fence posts. This is convenient when cement and sand are at hand and custom products are expensive.

The general trend of 2019 is naturalness, simplicity, naturalness. Concrete, like no other material, corresponds to this. He is charismatic, inexpensive and technologically advanced. It can be given any shape and color, which will make it possible to embody the design idea by 100%. In addition, concrete is natural and safe.