Interior design trends over the years have shifted erratically. There are those who are all about colors and grandeur in one end of the spectrum,—think, bright colors and glossy finishes of rose gold. On the other, however, is the visual group that’s all about minimalism—white walls, utilitarian pieces, technically any design approach that screams “less is more.”
Probably one of the most surprising design trends that have taken the interior design world by storm, however, is concrete. From being viewed once as a very intense and often boring design element, it has become one of the most in-demand visual styles for those who want an edgier approach to the minimalist look. And yet concrete remains to be a very tricky style element to utilize, which makes it understandable for some people to feel intimidated to use it. With the right design guidelines, however, it can make a home look unique and out of the box. Thinking of using concrete in your home? Here’s how you can execute it perfectly.
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1. Use it as a focal point
Scared that your home will look too much of a rough-looking factory? If you’re not ready to commit fully to a major concrete overhaul, the best approach is to use it as a focal point instead. Cement has such a unique feel and visual texture that even the most minimal applications of it can change the way your interiors look big time. Invest in a good statement piece, like cement countertops or a kitchen island to add just a slightly utilitarian feel to your home. You can always keep things from looking too monotonous by choosing pieces that mix it with other materials, preferably those with warmer textures like wood or cloth. When executed well, your pieces can also be amazing conversation starters to your visitors, too.
2. Play it “low”
Meaning, you can use it on your floors for a subtle but still sophisticated approach. Cement floors, especially when used against materials in complementing palettes and visual textures, do great in bringing an interior theme together. But what if you already have your floor installed and just want to refurbish it to concrete? The best way to go is to use micro cement, a finish that can be applied to existing flooring surfaces. Also known as micro concrete, this kind of flooring not only has the appearance and durability of the real deal, it doesn’t need any heavy installation, too. Just make sure to go to a reliable provider like Relentless Interiors to make sure that you get quality application and treatment of this finish.
3. All about balance
Concrete is no doubt a cold and rough interior element, so if you’re not going for an entirely industrial look, one way that you can soften things a bit is to match it with contrasting pieces. For example, you can use furniture with smooth curves or rounded edges if you’re planning to use concrete for your living room or install velvet curtains to keep everything balanced. Concrete pieces are great as focal points, yes, but if you’re planning to use them for larger pieces like walls and floors, it’s good to pair them with complementing materials to keep everything from looking too monotonous and harsh.
4. Play with colors!
Just because you’re planning to use concrete doesn’t mean you have to keep its original color. What’s great with concrete is that it has great visual texture—meaning you can imagine how its surface feels like without even touching it—so you can always experiment with colors and still keep its uniqueness. Painting alone concrete walls with a bright color, for example, can instantly brighten up a room. Relentless Interiors is a good provider to contact for such services because of the wide range of colors and patinas that they offer in addition to professional application.
5. Warm it up
Unless you want your home to look like one of those third-wave coffee shops that’s all bronze and concrete (in which case, it’s okay if you do!), one design trick you can do to make concrete more “homey” looking is to pair it with “warmer” pieces. Wood almost always looks good with concrete and is one of the best materials you can use if you want to add a bit of warmth to your place. Not a fan of wood? Other accents like indoor plants and soft cushions in warmer colors can also work in adding a more welcoming pull to your abode.
6. Lighting matters
Concrete can be considered a “dull” material, but its dullness can actually be one of its strengths when it comes to lighting. What’s great with concrete is that it doesn’t take much to create contrasts, especially when used with bare white bulbs. Not a big fan of stark lighting? Concrete is also a great canvas for subtle (think warm yellow) for a homier glow.
7. Explore textures
One of the best things about concrete is that you can pretty much mold it to whatever shape or texture you want. If you want to tone down a bit on its monotonous look, you can always play with textures. A glossy finish (using epoxy resin, for example) can look sophisticated, while a lace or fine spray type of texture can add a little bit of variety in your home.
Concrete is such a tricky material to work with because it can easily make a home look severe if it’s not executed well. With the right execution and visual guidance, however, it can also make your home stand out from the pool of interior design concepts of today. Moreover, concrete is a very durable material, so you know pieces made with it are in the long run.
Looking for a good concrete supplier? Relentless Interiors is one of the best ones in the market nowadays. It offers a variety of services and products like the installation of quality furnishings and designer pieces for homes. To know more about them, you can check their website here.