Why Concrete is a Must-Have in Your Kitchen
Not only is concrete cool, sleek and functional, it's also an on-trend grey! What more could you want for your kitchen?
The growing popularity of concrete should come as no surprise – it satisfies our perpetual love of all things grey, and is a raw and edgy industrial material that’s a true style winner. When concrete is used in the kitchen, it gives the familiar materials we’re used to seeing (timber, laminate and stone) a modernising twist. We’re not talking the rough, textured concrete that you might associate with manufacturing, but beautifully honed, smooth surfaces that bring a tactile dimension to any space. Concrete is the classy choice of kitchen materials: it’s reliable, good-looking and ages gracefully.
It goes with everything
The main concern people have with using concrete is the risk it will turn their home into a cold and frosty environment. In reality, concrete can feel more like an old friend, far from clinical and uninviting.
Advances in mixing and tinting can create darker or lighter finishes, depending on the look you want, and its neutral, well-loved grey tones will complement almost all other materials, ensuring your kitchen feels warm and friendly. Timber is a particularly good team player, and when these two marry they create a stunning aesthetic that’s totally timeless.
8 surprising ways to use concrete
The main concern people have with using concrete is the risk it will turn their home into a cold and frosty environment. In reality, concrete can feel more like an old friend, far from clinical and uninviting.
Advances in mixing and tinting can create darker or lighter finishes, depending on the look you want, and its neutral, well-loved grey tones will complement almost all other materials, ensuring your kitchen feels warm and friendly. Timber is a particularly good team player, and when these two marry they create a stunning aesthetic that’s totally timeless.
8 surprising ways to use concrete
It ages gracefully
Concrete benchtops must be sealed for long-term good looks, and even though a sealer can be compromised by things like acidic foods or hot pans, any small stains that appear on the surface will only add to this material’s natural patina that develops over time. Even tiny hairline cracks that may develop due to settling will add a time-worn charm. If only we could all age as gracefully as concrete…
Concrete benchtops must be sealed for long-term good looks, and even though a sealer can be compromised by things like acidic foods or hot pans, any small stains that appear on the surface will only add to this material’s natural patina that develops over time. Even tiny hairline cracks that may develop due to settling will add a time-worn charm. If only we could all age as gracefully as concrete…
It can be a dramatic centrepiece
If you don’t want to go all out with a concrete kitchen, try using it for just a few choice features. An island is the obvious place to strut the grey and will bring instant industrial style to the space. However, you can also use it in small touches to make a similarly big impact, such as the sink, splashback or even chunky concrete shelves. Due to the weight of concrete, and often the thickness, you may need specialist supports under a floating or cantilevered benchtop.
If you don’t want to go all out with a concrete kitchen, try using it for just a few choice features. An island is the obvious place to strut the grey and will bring instant industrial style to the space. However, you can also use it in small touches to make a similarly big impact, such as the sink, splashback or even chunky concrete shelves. Due to the weight of concrete, and often the thickness, you may need specialist supports under a floating or cantilevered benchtop.
It can be bright and breezy
As well as endless moulding and casting options, concrete can be tinted and coloured. A traditional concrete tone will always have appeal, but innovative aggregates and glass-reinforced concrete mixes will create a unique aesthetic. Tinting concrete to create a paler tone works brilliantly with crisp white units for a bright, airy feel. A highly polished finish will top off the sheen and add to the sense of light and space.
As well as endless moulding and casting options, concrete can be tinted and coloured. A traditional concrete tone will always have appeal, but innovative aggregates and glass-reinforced concrete mixes will create a unique aesthetic. Tinting concrete to create a paler tone works brilliantly with crisp white units for a bright, airy feel. A highly polished finish will top off the sheen and add to the sense of light and space.
It can be dark and moody
Using two or more tones of concrete in one space is a definite mould breaker. Dark floors teamed with lighter-toned benchtops will add an extra layer of interest, while timber-fronted units contribute to the overall mood.
Browse more kitchen ideas
Using two or more tones of concrete in one space is a definite mould breaker. Dark floors teamed with lighter-toned benchtops will add an extra layer of interest, while timber-fronted units contribute to the overall mood.
Browse more kitchen ideas
It can have rustic appeal
Concrete isn’t just for contemporary spaces. Its smooth rawness and neutral tone make it the perfect partner to country-style cabinetry in a setting like this one. Thanks to the laid-back look and feel of this material, it really will work in any setting alongside any style.
Concrete isn’t just for contemporary spaces. Its smooth rawness and neutral tone make it the perfect partner to country-style cabinetry in a setting like this one. Thanks to the laid-back look and feel of this material, it really will work in any setting alongside any style.
It allows you to be inventive
This incredible concrete bench is almost sculptural, and although not terribly practical, the smooth, silky slide makes a definite statement and shows just how versatile this material can be. Keeping any kids in the house off it will be a challenge, however.
See more of this warehouse conversion
This incredible concrete bench is almost sculptural, and although not terribly practical, the smooth, silky slide makes a definite statement and shows just how versatile this material can be. Keeping any kids in the house off it will be a challenge, however.
See more of this warehouse conversion
It can be dressed up or down
Just like a trusty black number that you can dress up or dress down with the right accessories, concrete can be made to feel grand and luxurious, or it can look simple and pared back. Take this enormous peninsula island unit. Replace the seating with luxurious upholstered chairs and hang some elegant pendants, and this kitchen would take on a whole new look.
Just like a trusty black number that you can dress up or dress down with the right accessories, concrete can be made to feel grand and luxurious, or it can look simple and pared back. Take this enormous peninsula island unit. Replace the seating with luxurious upholstered chairs and hang some elegant pendants, and this kitchen would take on a whole new look.
It can create a sense of harmony
Concerned that a concrete surface could dominate your kitchen and distract from the rest of the features? Then create a cohesive look by mirroring the grey tones around the rest of design. The concrete benchtop won’t stand out, it will feel at one with the room.
Concerned that a concrete surface could dominate your kitchen and distract from the rest of the features? Then create a cohesive look by mirroring the grey tones around the rest of design. The concrete benchtop won’t stand out, it will feel at one with the room.
It has indoor-outdoor appeal
Still not convinced? Then check out this ingenious design. The concrete bench continues out onto the deck, creating an outdoor kitchen and enhancing the entertaining area. The practical and hardworking surface is just as good outside as it is indoors, surely making it too tough to resist.
TELL US
Have you used concrete in your kitchen? Share your tips for working with this material and photos of your project in the Comments below.
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See more concrete used in kitchens
Still not convinced? Then check out this ingenious design. The concrete bench continues out onto the deck, creating an outdoor kitchen and enhancing the entertaining area. The practical and hardworking surface is just as good outside as it is indoors, surely making it too tough to resist.
TELL US
Have you used concrete in your kitchen? Share your tips for working with this material and photos of your project in the Comments below.
MORE
See more concrete used in kitchens
As the go-to building material, concrete’s durability is unquestionable. However, it also offers beauty and versatility thanks to its ability to be moulded into almost any shape or design of choice. You can literally create an entire kitchen of concrete, from the floor to the walls and benchtops, with the added benefit of bespoke additions such as integrated sinks and draining boards.
It can also provide a striking framework around laminate or timber cupboards, with the appealing chunky lines adding a contemporary edge. Then, if you choose units in a similar concrete tone, your love of cool, sophisticated grey is sure to shine through.