10 Reasons to Covet Concrete Flooring
I’m in love with the edgy, tough, grey stuff that is concrete flooring. Check out these stylish ways to use it and you’ll see why…
Lara Sargent
12 February 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
Once upon a time, concrete’s main purpose in the home was as a subfloor, offering an even, stable base for tiles or natural stone. Now, however, this building material is adding edge and style to rooms all over the house in the form of polished concrete floors, which have a cloudy beauty and robust credentials. Unconvinced? Check out these floors looking splendid in myriad settings. It’s time to bare all…
Pair with wood for warmth
This is a combination that’s sure not to disappoint. Concrete and wood complement each other so well because the wood adds warmth to the concrete, and the concrete adds a little grit to the wood. The result is an effortlessly cool and edgy space.
Make sure you do your research and seek out experts who will design, install and treat your concrete floor correctly, so it will last for years. If it isn’t laid properly, it can crumble.
Read expert advice on how to choose the perfect kitchen flooring, including concrete
This is a combination that’s sure not to disappoint. Concrete and wood complement each other so well because the wood adds warmth to the concrete, and the concrete adds a little grit to the wood. The result is an effortlessly cool and edgy space.
Make sure you do your research and seek out experts who will design, install and treat your concrete floor correctly, so it will last for years. If it isn’t laid properly, it can crumble.
Read expert advice on how to choose the perfect kitchen flooring, including concrete
Inject more of the industrial
You’ve got the metro tiles, tick, the old-school radiator, tick, and whitewashed brickwork, tick. So all you need to complete your 21st century, industrial-style bathroom is a silky-smooth concrete floor.
For any wet or damp areas in the home, make sure your concrete has been sealed properly, as it’s naturally porous, and treat it with a hardener for extra wear- and scratch-resistance.
Discover the 10 golden rules of bathroom design
You’ve got the metro tiles, tick, the old-school radiator, tick, and whitewashed brickwork, tick. So all you need to complete your 21st century, industrial-style bathroom is a silky-smooth concrete floor.
For any wet or damp areas in the home, make sure your concrete has been sealed properly, as it’s naturally porous, and treat it with a hardener for extra wear- and scratch-resistance.
Discover the 10 golden rules of bathroom design
Heat it up
It’s good to be aware that concrete will be cold underfoot, just as tiles would be. But don’t throw in the trowel just yet… Concrete is a great heat conductor and can be laid over underfloor heating, so it’s possible to have toasty toes and a beautiful floor.
Learn the facts about underfloor heating
It’s good to be aware that concrete will be cold underfoot, just as tiles would be. But don’t throw in the trowel just yet… Concrete is a great heat conductor and can be laid over underfloor heating, so it’s possible to have toasty toes and a beautiful floor.
Learn the facts about underfloor heating
Harden up your playroom
Concrete is a pretty tough material that’s possibly the perfect underfoot solution for a busy family room. It should be able to handle dropped toys and spilt juice just fine. It might be worth softening it up with a rug for floor play, though.
Concrete is a pretty tough material that’s possibly the perfect underfoot solution for a busy family room. It should be able to handle dropped toys and spilt juice just fine. It might be worth softening it up with a rug for floor play, though.
Master a micro concrete
If weight and/or access make a conventional, wet-cast concrete floor out of the question, consider a much thinner micro-top concrete instead.
At just 3mm thick, the mix of cement and polymers is applied using a trowel in multiple layers over a few days. And while a micro-concrete is slim, it’s still long-lasting, tough and water-resistant, and offers a similar look.
If weight and/or access make a conventional, wet-cast concrete floor out of the question, consider a much thinner micro-top concrete instead.
At just 3mm thick, the mix of cement and polymers is applied using a trowel in multiple layers over a few days. And while a micro-concrete is slim, it’s still long-lasting, tough and water-resistant, and offers a similar look.
Pair with a worktop
If you’re totally in love with the tough stuff, then why not go all out with a concrete worktop to tie in with your concrete floor?
A sturdy slab of concrete atop your cupboards can’t help but inject masses of design flair into any kitchen, and the repetition of surfaces makes for a cohesive scheme.
If you’re totally in love with the tough stuff, then why not go all out with a concrete worktop to tie in with your concrete floor?
A sturdy slab of concrete atop your cupboards can’t help but inject masses of design flair into any kitchen, and the repetition of surfaces makes for a cohesive scheme.
Get rid of grout lines
One of the major plus points of concrete is that there are no grout lines, which is spot-on for the minimalist look (and easier to keep clean into the bargain).
One of the major plus points of concrete is that there are no grout lines, which is spot-on for the minimalist look (and easier to keep clean into the bargain).
Try a concrete lookalike
Having a real concrete floor laid will create a totally cool and cutting-edge look, for sure, but for an alternative that’s less costly, time-consuming and disruptive, how about concrete-effect tiles in porcelain or ceramic?
Although you’ll have visible grout lines, the surfaces are very realistic and come in a range of tones, from pale to dark grey. Many can even be continued outside for a fluid look.
Having a real concrete floor laid will create a totally cool and cutting-edge look, for sure, but for an alternative that’s less costly, time-consuming and disruptive, how about concrete-effect tiles in porcelain or ceramic?
Although you’ll have visible grout lines, the surfaces are very realistic and come in a range of tones, from pale to dark grey. Many can even be continued outside for a fluid look.
Be bold in the boudoir
The bedroom might not be the first room that springs to mind when considering a concrete floor, but think again, because it’s sure to add some sass and statement to a boudoir.
In its natural state, concrete is grey, but special stains can be applied to the material if you want something different, from orange to blue to rusty red. The surface can also be ground to expose the aggregate, as here, for a more mottled effect.
Check out 10 interior design rules worth breaking
The bedroom might not be the first room that springs to mind when considering a concrete floor, but think again, because it’s sure to add some sass and statement to a boudoir.
In its natural state, concrete is grey, but special stains can be applied to the material if you want something different, from orange to blue to rusty red. The surface can also be ground to expose the aggregate, as here, for a more mottled effect.
Check out 10 interior design rules worth breaking
Keep a hallway looking smart
A sealed, polished concrete floor is very easy to maintain, just needing a sweep and damp mop, which makes it ideal for a high-traffic hallway. For extra protection, you could always add a good floor wax designed for concrete floors.
This type of floor is a particularly good choice for pet owners, as it won’t harbour dander and muddy paw prints can be quickly mopped away.
TELL US…
What do you think of concrete flooring? Have you laid any in your home? Please share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
A sealed, polished concrete floor is very easy to maintain, just needing a sweep and damp mop, which makes it ideal for a high-traffic hallway. For extra protection, you could always add a good floor wax designed for concrete floors.
This type of floor is a particularly good choice for pet owners, as it won’t harbour dander and muddy paw prints can be quickly mopped away.
TELL US…
What do you think of concrete flooring? Have you laid any in your home? Please share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Related Stories
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Dining Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Dining Rooms on Houzz Right Now
By Kate Burt
Vintage furniture, great lighting and top tables – feast your eyes on dining room ideas collated from your own clicks
Full Story
Colour
8 Clever Ways to Use Strategic Colour Blocking in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Paint can do so much more than refresh your walls. Explore ways to highlight features, zone areas and trick the eye
Full Story
Utility Rooms
15 Richly Coloured Utility Rooms
The trend for strong, earthy tones has reached the utility room, with hues from plum to ochre to deep green adding depth
Full Story
Kitchens
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Colour
8 Ways to Work a Rust Red and Blue Palette in the Bedroom
By Kate Burt
We’re seeing variations of this combination all over Houzz right now. Check out these tips for trying it yourself
Full Story
Colour
Creative Ways to Make a Feature of Structural Beams
Turn your RSJ into something more than just functional with these clever ideas from our Houzz Tours
Full Story
Gardens
9 Ways to Enjoy Colour in Your Garden All Year Round
By Kate Burt
However your garden grows, you can add colour with hardscaping, furniture and accessories
Full Story
Gardens
What Will We Want in Our Gardens in 2024?
Discover the gardening trends homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this spring and summer
Full Story
Kitchens
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
It's highly versatile, seamless and durable....even waterproof.
With lots of colours and effects we guarantee to please and fulfill the client and design spec.
please visit www.wallstothefloor.com for more information
Does anyone have experience using fibre cement sheeting such as HardieFlex on floors, sealed to look a lot like polished concrete? I recently saw it on (gulp) Grand Designs Australia and have spoken to a supplier of sealer who says that it's been done clients of theirs before.
I would also love to hear from anyone who has used sealed fibre cement sheeting - saw it in a magazine and thought it was a super idea - lighter, cheaper and softer than the real thing but with great looks. Any advice on best sealer and how it wears?