Concrete, as part of the furnishings, began to be used quite recently - in the 20th century. The fashion for it appeared along with the emergence of the loft style in the era of industrial development. After a short period of time, the movement strengthened its position along with the popularity of minimalism and industrial.

If until this time the material was perceived only as rough finish, now with its help they create a design that even includes interior items made of concrete - stairs, vases, tables, chairs.

Designers and architects saw in concrete the attractiveness, aesthetics and flexibility to realize creative ideas.

Main advantages of the material

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the advantages of concrete:

• The material is plastic, so it can be used to create various shapes.
• The surface allows you to create texture, patterns and relief.
• Contains environmentally friendly pure substances- crushed crushed stone, sand, water, plasticizers harmless to health.
• Under the influence of the heat in the room and heating devices, it becomes warm, and in the summer it remains pleasantly cool.
• Good noise suppression.
• Resistant to moisture, despite the ability to absorb it. Even with systematic and abundant absorption, the properties will not change for the worse for a long time.
• Gas tightness.
• Impact resistance.
• Resistance to temperature changes and extreme temperature conditions.
• Long service life.
• Combines well with many finishing materials.
• Since the material is available, it can be used on large areas without significant financial expenses.
• As a result of the designer’s work, the material can look no less attractive in the room than marble or natural stone.

Along with the advantages, we would like to mention the disadvantages.

The material strongly absorbs moisture. Therefore, if paint or plaster is applied to match the concrete in the interior, the surface is first covered with a thick layer of primer. Then less moisture will be absorbed, and liquid composition will lie flatter.

Another nuance is that the material is cold. Therefore, where appropriate, cushions or other lined textiles are placed on concrete furniture. The floor is heated or carpet is laid.

How is architectural concrete different from ordinary concrete?

The basic composition of both types is the same. As already said in previous section- these are crushed stone, sand, water, plasticizers.

• To obtain architectural concrete (art concrete), colored pigments are added to the raw material to add color, ceramic chips for texture, or colored glass.
• To ensure that the color is uniform and consistent, special levelers are added.
• More plasticizers are also often included if the material will be created into complex shapes.

Decorative concrete in the interior is part of it; it looks complete and expressive, in harmony with the overall decor.

Options for combining concrete with other materials when arranging a home

Thanks to its versatility (color range, texture, plasticity), designers combine concrete with other materials when arranging the interior. Let's consider the most popular and successful combinations, based on design practice.

Concrete and wood

Despite the fact that both materials are natural (at least the base of concrete), this duet creates a spectacular contrast - the coolness and industrial motifs of concrete and the warmth with natural beauty tree. Based on this, the emphasis is placed on one material or another, taking into account their wishes.

The basic rule for combining concrete and wood in the interior is to do certain type surfaces with one type of material. For example, a concrete floor, and the walls and ceiling are made of wood.

If wood is the main material, the room will not seem cold. You can relax and enjoy comfort in it.

The slightly rough surface of the concrete ceiling and floor looks impressive with smooth wooden walls. The ceiling is made cream-colored or white using pigments.

Concrete and brick

Based on design experience, we can say that brick and concrete in the interior are the most harmonious combination. Their properties are similar, and the combinations are harmonious.

The combination options are different. Designers do brick walls, and the floor and ceiling are made of concrete or materials alternate on the same wall surface.

With a predominance of brick, especially artificially aged brick, interiors are created in the style of a medieval castle with a large fireplace, arches lined with brick, stone floors and other elements characteristic of the style.

By evenly combining materials, with an emphasis on concrete or brick, a loft is created. For example, one wall can be concrete, and the rest - brickwork.

Concrete and steel

This duet is a tribute to modernity. It is associated with the development of industry and the trends that arose during this period.

Designers create a ceiling, floor, and concrete-like walls in the interior with the desired texture and color, and from metal they make, for example, stairs, crossbars, which are mounted to the ceiling in the manner wooden beams or posts attached to walls.

You can dilute the laconicism and severity of the decor with splashes of wood or wooden furniture.

In addition to the above duets, concrete in the interior is combined with massive glazing, air ducts, as part of the loft interior, as well as with chrome or polished metal decor.

Ideas for furnishing living spaces

An interior made of concrete or interspersed with it can be created in any living space. Let's look at them separately.

Living room

In the living room, concrete will fit most harmoniously into minimalism and loft. You can also implement eclecticism and even classics.

If the living room does not have concrete walls, you can imitate them using ready-made panels or textured concrete, which is applied to the rough finish.

In a small living room, it is advisable to cover concrete walls with decorative plaster with cement fractions. Large rooms will be expressive if the material is in its original form or with a uniform color pigment.

Concrete in the kitchen interior can be the floor, walls, and ceiling. To prevent the room from merging, use different tones. For example, a white or cream ceiling, metallic walls and a dark floor.

Furniture can effectively contrast with the decoration and be, for example, red or purple with a glossy shine. Concrete furniture - table top, dining table - will also fit.

Since concrete absorbs moisture, it is advisable to finish it in the washing area with tempered glass or tiles of a similar color. This solution also makes it easy to remove dirt using detergents without harm to the coating.

In the bedroom, designers use concrete and end up with a cozy and relaxing interior. For this purpose we use decorative possibilities use of material - warm shades, patterns.

You are not mistaken, we will talk about concrete in interior design interiors, as well as furniture and accessories made from this brutal material. Until recently, concrete was used exclusively for construction and was carefully hidden during the process. finishing. With the onset of fashion for industrial style and loft aesthetics, concrete penetrated the holy of holies of the home and turned into a fashionable material used everywhere.

Concrete in the interior, Ideal Work

Back in the 1950s, Le Corbusier called for the use of concrete in interior decoration, and the famous Japanese designer Tadao Ando called it “the marble of the 20th century.”
Concrete - budget, affordable, environmentally friendly material, resistant to moisture and temperature. Of course, it cannot be called sophisticated or very cozy, but on the other hand, it can look very bold, stylish and modern.

Concrete Wall™ - Tom Haga

Concrete as a floor covering

Concrete in quality flooring can often be found in industrial buildings and shopping complexes. It is not always suitable for residential premises, so for a bedroom or nursery it is better to choose a more warm material, however, in the kitchen or on the balcony it is quite acceptable. Additional advantages of such a floor covering include its low cost, the presence of anti-slip impurities, the possibility of installing a “warm floor” and wide choose decor options.

Concrete floor with tinting from Ideal Work

Memo: concrete can be painted, polished almost to mirror shine or put any drawing or engraving on it, for example, with your family coat of arms!

Concrete floors in the kitchen, Ideal Work

By the way, if you apply a special polymer coating, you can very reliably recreate the texture of natural marble and even wood. This option can be used, for example, in the case when you are tired of your existing concrete floor and want to radically change the interior.

Polished concrete floor, Ideal Work

Relief concrete tiles for indoor and outdoor use, SAS Italia

Concrete for walls and ceilings

Concrete walls will set a stern, “masculine” tone for the entire interior. Want to create a mood industrial loft and save on finishing? Then concrete walls are exactly what you need. In addition, concrete can look interesting in design. country house, contrasting with the nature outside the window.

Unpretentious and neutral grey colour will be an excellent background for bright posters and any furniture from high-tech to classic. Very advantageous on concrete background looks designer furniture mid-20th century and any colorful accents.

Concrete in an industrial style interior, Concrete Wall™ - Tom Haga

Advice: decorate only one accent wall with concrete, this will give the atmosphere a zest, but will not look too rough.

Vinyl wallpaper imitating concrete in the interior, Concrete Wall™ - Tom Haga

Concrete walls in the interior, creation algorithm:

• clean the surface of paint, whitewash, plaster using a wet brush;
• it is advisable to apply a protective impregnation (for example, against fungus and mold in wet areas);
• small potholes and irregularities are considered natural for the texture of concrete and therefore are not specially leveled (there are even special impregnations based on acid etching technology that create additional scratches and grooves);
• do not forget about baseboards, cornices and other appropriate framing.

Memo: concrete ceiling may be too pressing, so is only suitable for large spaces with sufficient height. But industrial-looking metal lamps will look great against its background.

Pattern on concrete, Mineheart

Another interesting design technique I can be concrete columns in the interior. In many houses they play a supporting role; accordingly, the question arises about their decorative design- deliberately textured concrete columns will fit well into a minimalist modern interior and will remove the issue of decoration.

Furniture and accessories made of concrete

No matter how strange it may sound, even furniture and lamps are made from concrete. You can find tables and even chairs made from something other than this soft material however, they are more suitable for use as garden furniture and so on.

Concrete lamps, shelves and handles for furniture, URBI et ORBI

Another thing is kitchens made of concrete. Many designers are happy to include stationary devices in their projects. kitchen islands made of this material, which allows you not only to save money on the purchase of appropriate furniture, but also provides ample opportunities for creativity, because you can design a structure of any shape and configuration, including radial.

Finished kitchen island with concrete countertop from Werkhaus

However, if you are planning furniture that will last forever, you can use concrete to construct cabinets, partitions and other built-in furniture options, especially since in combination with natural wood and with metal, concrete looks very impressive. Such furniture, of course, cannot be moved or moved, so the calculation must initially be accurate to the millimeter.

Concrete island that can be made according to individual project, kitchen from Werkhaus

Minimalist concrete washbasin, URBI et ORBI

Imitation concrete

Real concrete is better suited for finishing large areas; in smaller spaces it is easier to use its numerous imitations. Wallpaper that faithfully imitates the texture of rough concrete has been the rage in interior fashion for several years, and besides, it’s always easy to get rid of it if you get bored with industrial aesthetics. And tactilely they will feel like any other paper wallpaper.

Wallpaper panels with concrete texture from N.O.W. Edizioni

Another Alternative option- decorative textured plaster or microcement, only about 2 mm thick. However, the surface of the walls in this case will need to be carefully leveled, plastered and primed, as if for painting, before applying the finishing coat.

As a floor covering you can often find ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware, which also recreates the texture of slightly rubbed concrete: you get interesting decoration floors in the loft style, but without compromising comfort, because under such tiles you can also install heated floors.

Large format ceramic tiles imitating concrete, Ceramica Fioranese

In the world of modern design, the distinction between rough and finishing materials is blurred, so you can safely use any materials at hand to create an original environment, why not cheap and easy-to-use concrete?

Wall panels made of concrete with three-dimensional relief, URBI et ORBI

Concrete once revolutionized the world of architecture, and today it is rapidly occupying positions in interior design.

A decade ago, we could not even imagine that today this material would cease to be associated with gloom and would become the highlight of any interior (even in Provence style), an original basis for bright accents. If you use concrete correctly, you can not only create a trendy design, but also bring a feeling of comfort and coziness to the room (yes, you heard right). We have prepared three basic rules that you need to know when undertaking a renovation using concrete as a finish.

Law No. 1: Less is more

It is a mistake to believe that concrete fits exclusively into loft or industrial style. Untreated, rough, exposed concrete walls can become part of Scandinavian interior, organically complement fusion and even romantic Provence! There is only one rule - it is important not to overdo it!

By generally accepted rules When working with concrete in the interior, either the walls, floor or ceiling should be left concrete. One of three! Only if your space exceeds 100 square meters, and ceilings higher than 3 meters, exposed concrete can be left on all surfaces. In this case, it will serve as a brutal basis for the implementation of bright ideas. But if you live in a typical city apartment, use the material in fragments. Remember, gray color “eats up” space, and concrete itself is a cold finishing material. If you overdo it, you risk getting an uncomfortable interior instead of a trendy one. cold basement extremely high.

Law No. 2: Combine concrete correctly

To bring coziness to the room, combine concrete with wood. For an ideal combination, any of its shades are suitable - from light bleached to dark wenge. The fundamentality and strength of concrete is perfectly emphasized by glass structures and brickwork. A successful combination yellow and pink metal are also considered. To soften the brutality of the concrete finish, elegant furniture is used.

Law #3: The Secret is in the Processing

If the concrete walls, ceiling or floor are a “legacy” from the builders, to create a trendy interior, it is enough to carefully polish them and treat them with special protective equipment. If you want to imitate bare concrete surfaces, microcement, architectural concrete or decorative panels. The first two solutions will help achieve a slightly “suede” surface with organic color transitions, reminiscent cement screed. However, before you get such a result, you will have to work hard and thoroughly treat the walls in the same way as is done before painting.

If cold concrete is still too radical for you, use porcelain tiles with a similar texture (for example, porcelain tiles "", "", "", "", "", etc.). You can complement the interior with a concrete countertop, boxes, mirrors in concrete frames.

• A concrete ceiling in a room below 3 meters will visually “eat up” the space and literally “press” on your head.
• A concrete floor will look stylish and organic with both a rough and polished, glossy surface.
• Tables and cabinets can serve as concrete accents, flower pots and dishes.

The most durable buildings have been built on the basis of concrete for several decades. It is affordable, durable and, as we will see today, is used not only in construction, but also in interior design, filling the room with a very special atmosphere.

Only recently has concrete begun to be used as a fashionable decorative material. Now we will show you several examples of how concrete can be used in any style of interior, creating a special “industrial charm”.

Visualization: Hatice Unsal

This bright and airy living room features a clear contrast between the plants and concrete wall.

Source: B&B Italia

Decorative concrete in the interior looks complete and expressive, in harmony with the overall decor.

Designer: One Work

Cold concrete surfaces pair perfectly with warm wood. Add a few more shades of gray to the interior and you will have a stylish and cozy room.

Visualization: Ricardo Ferreira

You can hang bright paintings against the background of plain concrete walls. Refined and refined furniture will perfectly soften the brutality of such finishing.

Via: Projem

The use of concrete should not spoil general interior rooms. Add original decor, hang bright curtains, and the concrete will sparkle with completely new colors.

Visualization: Marta Gord

The large windows in this living room create a stunning contrast between the view from the window and the concrete wall.

Visualization: AB Architects

Artistic concrete carving is an excellent option for creating a truly unique interior in the living room.

Visualization: Elena Lapshina

Concrete finishes fit best in large spaces. But you need to have a special flair so as not to create a gloomy atmosphere in the room. Add bright and unexpected accents, such as this horse in the photo above.

Visualization: Anthony Kalambet

Lighting is another important element when using concrete. Don't be afraid to go overboard and add a couple more lamps to the room. Don't turn it into a cave.

Visualization: Taner CANDAN

You can also paint the concrete any color you want and add some warmth to the room while still maintaining an interesting texture to the finish.

Visualization: Janire Delgado

Concrete is perfect for a minimalist interior.

Designer: Sergey Makhno Architects

Add variety to your concrete wall by adding beautiful patterns.

Visualization: Luydmila Todorova

An interesting solution is to mount the TV on a concrete wall.

READ ALSO: TV picture, 15 photos and ideas

Visualization: Wertikal Constructions

An example of how you can decorate a fireplace using concrete.

Source: Concrete Works

Traditional interior with concrete floor, which perfectly complements the fireplace imitating wood.

Visualization: Hot Walls

An excellent option for how to complement the interior with soft textures - designers recommend combining concrete gray with shades of yellow and orange.

Visualization: Bruno Tarsia

Pay attention to the unusual and at the same time simple floor lamps, which give the room additional coziness.

Visualization: Andrew Skliarov

A soft sofa in gray shades also fits well into the interior.

Designer: Tanya Dorokhina

Shelving and additional lighting can be used as an accent.

Visualization: Alexander Yukhymets

Feel free to opt for concrete walls in an open-plan apartment.

Visualization: KDVA Architects

Pink and gray, concrete and wood – good game contrasts in the interior.

Visualization: Xdream3D

During sunset, the room is filled with a pleasant warm light.

Visualization: Algimantas Raubiška

Concrete wall, concrete floor and brick wall accent.

You can create a modern interior in an apartment with imitation concrete walls yourself. For this they use special wallpaper or decorative plaster.

Rough texture in apartment decoration

Concrete walls evoke a feeling of unfinished renovation; this is a popular type of interior decoration. This option is not suitable for those who prefer classic lines, a large amount of decor, furniture, bright colors in the interior.

Concrete walls in the interior of an apartment: relevance today

The loft style is popular for residential interiors. It is characterized by walls made of rough materials, including concrete. Gray surfaces with a rough texture serve as an interesting backdrop for furniture or decor. This current trend V modern design. This type of finishing is also used for minimalist interiors.

Concrete walls are suitable for the premises large sizes, for example, a living room, a kitchen-dining room or a studio apartment. It is not necessary that the wall structure actually consists of concrete. It is possible to use a finish that imitates this material.

If the room is small, it is better to use a concrete finish partially, i.e. only one wall.

How to make a concrete wall in the interior: concrete finishing

You can make this finish yourself if you use:

• gray wallpaper;
• decorative plaster with imitation concrete.

The advantage of the latter option is that the surface will be resistant to various mechanical damage, the material is made of environmentally friendly, non-toxic material. You can do this decor yourself if you have experience in finishing work.

A large selection of wallpaper with imitation concrete will suit any room. They can be on a textured or thin basis. The color of the concrete is gray, but the wallpaper can be of different shades. For example, lighter or darker, with a cold bluish tint or with a warm beige tint.

Hue and saturation are selected depending on the size of the room, the selected snowstorm, the colors of other finishing materials. For example, the floor material has a warm shade, then the walls should be made in this color.

In the bathroom

It is not advisable to use wallpaper in the bathroom. Suitable here decorative plaster with imitation concrete. It must be treated with a special coating, e.g. acrylic varnish, which prevents condensation and water droplets from penetrating the wall.

In the living room

Finishing with plaster or wallpaper imitating a pattern would be appropriate here. concrete surface. You can make such decor on just one wall, which will serve as a dominant feature in the interior.

In the bedroom

You can use all types of wallpaper in the bedroom: paper, vinyl, non-woven. Decorative plaster will also look organic here.

Hall in spacious apartment will serve as both a place for receiving guests and a relaxation area for the whole family. Suitable for large rooms textured plasters with imitation of rough finishing.

In the kitchen

More suitable for the kitchen washable wallpaper on a non-woven basis. They can be textured or smooth, their main advantage is the ability to remove dirt using wet cleaning.

Decorating walls to look like concrete: features of popular decor in the Loft style for an apartment

The loft style is also called anti-glamorous, since it uses a rough texture, lack of large quantity decor, required amount furniture without frills. Concrete surface is one of the ways to form an interior. It can occupy one plane or be on most walls.

To add realism, concrete plaster may have streaks of rust, a rough texture with cracks and protrusions. Typically this solution is used for a living room or hall. For other rooms, a smoother finish with imitation concrete is used. Too saturated walls in the bathroom, kitchen or others small rooms will visually overload the interior. Therefore, calm background colors are chosen here.

Is it possible to choose concrete wallpaper in combination?

The popularity of concrete walls in apartments has also influenced wallpaper manufacturers. Various collections were released with imitation of this material. Produced big choice different shades, there may also be a texture with a pattern of defects in the concrete surface. There is also wallpaper, where the pattern and color repeats the texture of a smooth concrete surface. Photorealistic options made from vinyl and textured ones made from non-woven fabric are popular.

Another option is paintable rolls. Their main advantage is that you can choose the color individually. But for high-quality painting it is necessary to apply the material in several stages. Depending on the type of wallpaper, they are used for interiors in the style: loft, minimalism, eclecticism.

How to care for the surface

Care depends on the room and materials:

• Washable wallpaper made of non-woven or vinyl is wiped with a damp cloth using gentle products. Paper ones are wiped with a dry cloth without using aqueous solutions;
• The plaster is washed with soapy water; moisture is not absorbed into it.

Photo examples of concrete finishing

The living room with one concrete wall is decorated with a large-sized painting. There is also a niche used for storing books. There is furniture in the room warm shades, which blends harmoniously with the background in gray tones.

Concrete plaster applied to the walls between the wide window openings. Light gray shade with a fine texture harmonizes well with dark natural wood floors.

The concrete texture goes well with light-colored textile furniture. The carpet also looks harmonious light color without pattern with short pile.

Concrete finish a good option for apartment modern layout. This will help create unique style and diversify the interior. This solution is suitable for those who like loft or minimalism style.

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