Industrial Concrete Has Become A
Trendy Decor Element
Do you wish that there was a way to get the modern industrialized look into your home without having to spend thousands of specialized metal trims, industrial banisters or light fixtures? Well, even though industrial is the going trend, there is a way to get the industrial look with a price tag that looks even better than the look itself, concrete. No matter what is going on in the interior design cliche, concrete is always going to be affordable on any budget and is the easiest way possible to get the industrial aesthetic that everyone is going crazy for! Want to know how industrial concrete can take your home to the next level? Today, we are going to be outlining the best ways to use industrial concrete in your home down below! So, let’s get started!
Concrete Accent Walls
When it comes to crafting a section of your home to catch more attention than the rest, there is no need to look further than using concrete for your accent wall. A concrete accent wall won’t only amplify the industrial charm surrounding it but can be a very durable and easy to clean way to coat a wall that gets dirtier than the others in your home. Concrete accent walls aren’t stale and colorless either, they offer a wide range of grays that are achieved with trowling the different layers of the material, giving your mall depth comparable to that of plaster at a fraction of the price.
Polished Concrete Flooring
How do you get industrial charm without wrapping your home in metal? Well, one of the easiest ways is to refloor your home and we recommend choosing something that is going to outlast this trend. That is why we think polished concrete flooring is the best route of action! Polished concrete offers amazing benefits outside of its mesmerizing appearance that will leave your guests speechless. Want to know a few of the pros and cons of using polished concrete? We have them outlined down below:
- Will provide an ultra-durable finish/accident protection
- Has the ability to last your home a lifetime
- Is affordable due to lack of concrete coating materials
- May be unsafe to walk on when wet or soiled
- Can become uncomfortable to walk on when barefoot
- Very cold as they do not retain heat very well
Concrete Countertops
One of the fastest-growing trends over all of the social media platforms from Pinterest to Twitter is the reoccurrence of custom countertops. One of the most interesting in our opinion is the use of concrete to mold and shape custom countertops with pigments and additives like stained glass, marble and granite chunks and even the use of LED lighting for a superior custom finish. While concrete countertops are the answer for one homeowner, they may be too much for another. Down below, you will find the pros and cons of using a concrete countertop:
- Very durable, perfect for heavy use with little consequence
- While susceptible to cracks, cracks can be repaired and add more industrial charm
- Damage like scratches can also add to the industrial aesthetic
- Concrete is prone to cracks and gouges
- Concrete is also susceptible to stains from deep colors if not sealed
- At the current time, very expensive at an average of 100 dollars a SQFT.
Sealed Concrete Patios
We think that the industrial trend should extend past the indoors and not only into the garage. Studies have shown that homeowners with patios spend much more time entertaining on their patio than indoors on average, so a sealed concrete slab can add that industrial feel to the outside of your home at a budget-friendly pricing point. Down below, we have outlined the pros and cons of sealing your patio for outdoor industrial feel :
- Sealing can enhance the colors of your concrete to amplify its natural colors
- Is resistant to stains, for accident protection while entertaining
- Is completely waterproof, won’t have to worry about a rainy day ruining your finish
- Will require maintenance and waxes to increase the lifespan
- Sealers will fade after a couple of years and will need replacement every 1-2 years
- Can be toxic to install, exuding smelly and dangerous chemicals
As long as you are looking to increase the industrial charm of your home, you will find that this list concrete based materials will ensure that you get what you want with the pricing point that will keep your bank account out of the red. While some of these finishes are DIY friendly, you may find that your best bet for flooring is to use a professional contractor to ensure it is installed correctly the first time around. No matter what you do, we wish you the best of luck on all of your home improvement projects to come!