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How to apply concrete in the interior - solutions that you most likely did not know

Greetings dear readers. Not so long ago I decided to apply decorative concrete in the interior. The fact is that the moment has come when the simple painting of the walls seems boring, and the wallpapering is banal and you simply want something special. It was then that the decision was made to use concrete, and believe me, the result exceeded all expectations.

In this article, I want to talk about what are the reasons for using concrete as a decorative finishing material. In addition, I will show examples of rooms decorated with concrete.

Recommendations for the use of concrete in residential design

It is traditionally believed that the concrete surface in the interior is a sign of the beginning repair work. Today, the presence of deliberately untreated surfaces is not a sign that the repair is not over, on the contrary, it is a fashionable way to decorate walls, floors and even ceilings.

However, decorative trim concrete is in many ways different from conventional plastering using cement-sand mixtures.

And when using this decorative material the following should be taken into account:

• firstly, the work is done carefully so that the surface is perfectly flat;
• secondly, the surface finished in this way is treated with deep penetration strengthening impregnations to eliminate the possibility of dusting;
• thirdly, decorative finishing is applied in fragments in combination with other more traditional finishing materials;
• fourthly, decorating with real concrete can be replaced with imitation made using other materials that are easier to use.

The use of concrete-like surfaces in the interior excludes the possibility of using classic style solutions in decor.
This finishing material relevant only in combination with modern design trends, such as minimalism, hi-tech, fusion, etc.

What to combine

Now let's look at what materials and designs the decor of concrete is combined with.

Of the successful combinations, I note the following combinations:

• with pipes(plumbing and for hidden laying of communications);
• with massive glazing;
• with decorative elements made of polished or chromed metal.

The combination of concrete surfaces with unpainted metal pipes gives the living space an industrial look, typical of loft and high-tech styles. But, in addition to the advantages of styling, such design solution differs in practicality and functionality. metal pipes- this is a great opportunity for hidden wiring, for arranging a heating or plumbing system.

To make pipes look more attractive as a decorative element, it is desirable that their surface be chrome-plated or simply polished.

Massive glazing goes well with concrete walls, floors or ceilings. The best result is achieved if the glazing is made in the entire wall with a minimum number of dividing frames.

An excellent combination are concrete surfaces and polished metal products. Deliberately rough gray wall and floor finishes go well with stainless steel furniture. In addition, metal decorative elements such as aluminum skirting boards or suspended aluminum slatted ceilings can be used.

The combination of gray and metallic shades is typical for modern styles decorating living quarters. Such combinations are actively used in high-tech style and.

How to do it yourself

Now I'll tell you how to do it yourself concrete walls in the interior, using sheet drywall.

The main stages of the upcoming work are listed in the diagram.

Let's take a closer look at the steps listed in the diagram:

• On the initial stage we install a supporting frame on the wall. You can learn how to mount a crate for drywall from my articles;
• If the wall is perfectly flat and too lazy to mount the crate, we fix the drywall directly to the wall. For a better decorative effect, we leave a gap of 2-3 cm between adjacent sheets;
• We putty drywall and thus fill the recesses made for self-tapping screws. We grind the applied layer of putty, and then, in order to nail the dust, we apply a primer;

• On top of the surface prepared in this way, we apply a thin layer of a fine-grained cement-sand mixture. In order not to waste time preparing DSP, I recommend buying tile adhesive for interior work;

• The adhesive applied to the wall will have the required grey colour. Moreover, due to its homogeneous consistency, the cement-based adhesive is easy to apply in an even layer with a trowel or a wide spatula;

• At the final stage finishing works the dried surface is treated with decorative wax for Venetian plaster. The application of a special wax mastic will show the texture of the dried glue and the surface finished in this way will be practically indistinguishable from concrete.

Polymer self-leveling floors as a decorative element in the interior

So, now we know one of the many ways to decorate walls. What can be done with the floor?

To finish the floor for concrete, you can use thin-layer self-leveling floors based on liquid polymer mixtures.

Among the features of such floors, we note the following:

• The price is slightly higher than the usual concrete screed;
• Possibility of the device of the "warm floor" system;
• The possibility of laying with your own hands using an easy-to-use tool;
• Short laying time, starting with the preparation of the base and ending with a completely dry coating;
• No need to harden the finished surface with special impregnations;
• Lack of dusting due to the resistance of the coating to abrasion;
• Long service life (at least 20 years) in residential premises;
• Perfectly flat concrete surface.

You can read more about laying self-leveling polymer floors in my relevant articles.

Conclusion

Now you know what industrial-style decor is and how and with what materials it can be implemented in a living space. Learn more by watching the video in this article.

If you have personal thoughts about the use of concrete as a decorative material, tell us about it in the comments to what you read.

June 26, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

Finishing the living room with concrete walls

Interior with concrete walls, the process of creating a fashionable coating

We begin a step-by-step acquaintance with the process of creating a fashionable concrete wall covering, see the following video

I will not even argue with the fact that the concrete wall covering in the interior is chosen by exceptionally courageous and independent individuals. But even if you consider yourself one of them, then in addition to creating a concrete interior, you will have to work hard on its design.

So that the concrete fits into the rest of the decor, furniture, etc.. Although, I think you can meet daredevils who are only suitable for concrete and nothing else!

Concrete decoration with a fireplace Combining imitation of concrete pavement with wood

In order for your design with concrete to look more impressive, it is necessary to properly organize the interior space.

Interior with concrete walls, how to imitate concrete depending on the area!

Firstly, it is preferable to decorate a concrete wall in spacious rooms, so you will perfectly fit it into the Loft style. If you decide to decorate a concrete wall in a small room, then it is best to use not real concrete, but its imitation. For example, decorative plaster, or microcement.

Concrete in spacious rooms

We clean the surface of the walls from previous coatings, it can be paint, plaster, whitewash, wallpaper, etc. Then an invisible protective impregnation is applied, or a primer at your discretion. Next is the best part, all potholes, pits and depressions are the natural texture of concrete, so you leave them and move on to the next step. Then we use fantasy, here, as they say, an amateur. You can glue a baseboard, hang a cornice, as well as decorate the interior with stucco molding, highlighting sockets and other areas of the interior. The most advantageous thing in a concrete interior is combined with glass. A sconce with crystal pendants will elegantly accentuate a brutal concrete wall.

Concrete interior with stucco

Concrete in a small space

At the initial stage, the process is not much different. We remove the previous coating. Then we level, putty, plaster, primer. Further, depending on your choice, we apply decorative plaster or microcement. In small rooms, it is recommended to decorate the wall in concrete imitation, not in the entire room, but only one wall, or corner. The remaining walls will be best finished with bricks, using a special “brick-like” tile. Or decorate the wall with wood, this is lining or laminate. You can also use metal, or just paint the walls in a contrasting color.

Interior in combination of concrete with brickwork

Combination of concrete with other materials and paints

Concrete is combined with any surfaces, due to the bright contrast. Therefore, glass, wood, and textiles are used, everything for which your soul lies.
Just as I mentioned above, concrete walls can be diluted with contrasting colors by painting adjacent walls in a suitable color. The main thing here is to show imagination, with caution. For example, concrete can serve as an excellent backdrop for bright paintings and unusual furniture. And in contrast, the walls painted in white look calmly and not intrusively. White color.

Concrete combination options

Feel free to use bright accents as decor to soften the heavy concrete atmosphere. The room should be comfortable and cozy, so cold concrete walls should be supplemented with a high pile carpet, or soft sofa, or you can do it all together, here your imagination has no limits.

Option for the living room
Adding bright colors with pictures on the wall and pillows
Loft with concrete walls

Concrete, which is used and perceived as a building rather than a finishing material, has recently occupied a new niche more and more confidently. The loft style provided him with such an opportunity, where the walls are often left without additional decoration, and now concrete harmoniously fits into eco, minimalism and even neo-classic. Its interesting texture looks natural, but not necessarily rough, especially in the right environment. Where is the place for concrete in a modern apartment?

Walls and floor

The easiest way is to implement concrete walls in an apartment - they simply can not be leveled and finished, covered with plaster (if the base is brick, for example), and even vice versa - artificially abrade and knock down corners. Brick elements, forged metal, and leather will harmonize with concrete walls - everything that is often found in a loft. But an amazing contrast can also be created by adding an elegant classic furniture with velvety upholstery or discreet objects made of wood and natural greenery.

If you want neater walls, a concrete column or a single partition / accent wall will add zest to the interior.

A poured concrete floor is very durable and will add a graceful simplicity to the room. If you are worried that the material will be dusty, it can be impregnated with a special compound for sealing, varnished (matte if you do not want it to shine) or polished (it will be guaranteed to shine).

The problems of waterproofing and dust will be solved by concrete-like tiles - in color, pattern and texture, they are indistinguishable from the copied material, but also, as an option, of an interesting shape. Now such tiles or, more often, porcelain stoneware are in many collections. The only thing is that the seams are a little noticeable even when seamless laying and your "concrete" floor or walls will be tile blocks.

Sink and bath

A concrete bath looks impressive and weighty (and not only looks, it really weighs impressive - up to a ton). A completely concrete bath must be polished inside so that it is comfortable to sit in it, and often impregnated with a special compound, otherwise fungus will most likely start in the pores of the material. Conclusion: if you want such a concrete miracle in the bathroom, it is better to limit yourself to an external frame with an ordinary bathtub inserted inside.

With a sink, things are a little easier, because. there is no need to sit in it. However, the problem of large weight becomes even more urgent.

table top

Decor

Concrete decor can take the most bizarre forms. This material produces interesting flower pots, bowls, candlesticks, lamp bases and more. Let's just admire and at the same time look for a place in the interior for a couple of new items:

Photos: popsugar.com, diycandy.com, thayray.com, caandesign.com, freshome.com, hardrockconcretecoatings.com, decoracionretro.net, massifconcrete.com

Pay attention: everyone always looks with interest nice pictures interiors with concrete finishes, furniture and even concrete decor. Someone is delighted, someone is outraged, but no one is indifferent. Concrete is definitely beautiful. True, it is a little difficult to implement, and besides, it is not appropriate everywhere.

After all, the main problem of using concrete in the interior is that no one knows:
a) how to make such repairs for yourself: how concrete walls / floors / ceilings are practically made, where to find a skilled craftsman, and what kind of concrete this is;
b) how not to let concrete finishes kill home comfort and how not to turn the house into a factory closet.

Concrete Interior Rules

Let's start with the second question, here are 3 basic rules for using concrete.

1. Know the measure

Modern technologies make it possible to “dress in concrete” anything: ceiling, walls, floor, furniture, chandeliers, and what’s there, even boxes household appliances. But if you want the room to remain residential and comfortable, it is important not to overdo it.

If you live in a standard city apartment, use concrete only on certain surfaces, such as exclusively on the floor or exclusively on the walls (more precisely, even on one of the walls or part of the wall). Only if the area of ​​housing exceeds 100 square meters, and each room is spacious and with a high ceiling, you can afford a more brutal concrete finish.

2. Feel the color

Concrete surfaces really seem bare and cold. Fill the room with warmer soft colors to soothe the interior. Don't worry, it won't become less dynamic. Designers recommend combining concrete gray with shades of yellow, burgundy and orange, using golden and copper shades of metals. Think over the lighting: let the light be not only warm, but also pointy, that is, it is better to have many cozy lamps on different levels than one bright chandelier in the middle of the ceiling.

3. Keep cozy

Even the most "masculine" concrete interior can and should be cozy and psychologically pleasant. Very softens concrete natural wood, rounded upholstered furniture, pleasant to the touch carpets. Concrete walls are elegantly combined with velor and velvet textiles, knitted textures, fur and leather (artificial is in trend). Do not be afraid to use "mother's" objects and furniture in the room, concrete will still make everything more fresh and solid.

How to implement the idea of ​​​​a concrete wall

If your house is built from reinforced concrete structures, feel free to defiantly open the concrete walls. Believe me, typical concrete high-rise buildings are also an architectural heritage, so why not emphasize it? Technically, all that is needed is to peel off all the paint, wallpaper and plaster, exposing the concrete, and then cover it with special protective agents for concrete and stone.

And what about those whose walls are built from a different material? Simulate concrete.

You can, of course, use wallpaper and other materials with a “concrete look” print, but such walls will not look very serious. But there are options.

Acrylic and mineral plasters based on cement, lime, marble and other natural components come to the rescue. Decorative coating masters apply these types of finishes, obtaining a characteristic concrete texture, even forming artificial formwork seams and other “flaws” of the surface. After that, with the help of glazing finishes, the surfaces are given additional properties of protection against dirt and moisture, as well as additional color effects.

So do you want a “natural” concrete surface or glam concrete with a slight golden sheen, or maybe you need a concrete wall of a particular shade or even color - with decorative plasters everything's possible.

Concrete is a material for rough finishes, but in the last few years it has become used for interior design and decoration. This material looks different depending on the processing: colored, smooth, glossy, textured. Kvartblog asked its permanent expert, designer Valentina Konstantinova, to talk about the options for using concrete in modern interior and styles in which they fit perfectly.

- interior designer, decorator. Valentina has been involved in public spaces and residential interiors for many years. He prefers to work from the very beginning - from setting goals and thinking through the general concept - to the final decor. Currently, Valentina is a creative designer at Kashirsky Dvor.

Concrete in the interior of the apartment

Concrete walls combined with wooden beams on the ceiling and modern furniture create an interesting contrast. A room in which one part of the walls is painted and the other shows the natural texture of the material will look spectacular. Dark-coated concrete walls are perfect for your bedroom if you don't like to get up early.

The advantages of a concrete floor include ease of maintenance and durability, in addition, depending on the processing, it looks completely different: it can be given the appearance of a stone, applied with a stencil pattern or inscriptions. Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine's kitchen has high-gloss concrete floors and white painted walls. Shiny black chairs and modern technology look good against this neutral backdrop.

Use concrete for the floor and walls at the same time - this solution will not look boring if they differ in color. For example, in a mansion formerly owned by American comedian Steve Martin, dark concrete walls and ceilings contrast with lighter-hued floors. A good choice for the interior was a wooden tabletop with a glossy finish.

Concrete will most organically fit into interiors in the loft style, eclecticism and minimalism. In the Los Angeles apartment of model and actress Emily Ratajkowski, located in a former factory, concrete floors and white walls perfectly set off eclectic furniture and carpets, as well as an extensive art collection.

A good solution would be to combine several in the interior of the room at once. natural materials, for example, concrete, wood and brick, which will create a sense of dynamics. Brick can be natural or artificial - it does not matter. The use of such a combined solution is now very relevant.

It is not necessary to use real concrete for decoration, there are many ways to imitate it: using plaster, concrete wallpaper or spatula mass.

If you still can't decide on a concrete floor or walls in your apartment, start by incorporating small elements of it into the interior. This flexible material is used to create the most different designs: columns, niches, countertops, cabinets and even dishes. The concrete countertop in the kitchen of supermodel Cindy Crawford, on the one hand, thanks to its size, is convenient for cooking, and on the other hand, it creates a background against which the food looks even more appetizing.

The material was prepared by the Kashirsky Dvor agency.