By Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful
Though concrete floors may be associated with cold, industrial spaces (or at their worst, creepy warehouse storage units), they're making a major comeback and designers are using them in ways that give them a whole new reputation. In fact, concrete floors can be surprisingly homey, inviting, and warm, all the while offering an edgy twang and modern grit that makes them undeniably cool. Best, they're incredibly durable and super easy to clean. But enough of us fan-girling over concrete floors... To learn all about this pared down design trend and how the pros make them pop at home, read on for twenty stylish concrete floor ideas.
Bring In Plenty of Natural Materials
Sun-filled, inviting, and pared down with neutral hues, this room designed by Atelier Akin is a true testament to the whole less is more colloquialism. The polished concrete floors are an unexpected treat.
Incorporate Them Unexpectedly
Keep a cabin or lodge from feeling overly outdoorsy and nature-inspired by using an industrial material like concrete for the floors. In this bedroom designed by Nicole Hollis, they add just a dash of city slickness without feeling out of place.
Stick to a Minimalist Look
Concrete floors are a minimalists dream. In this dining room designed by Studio Razavi, the concrete floors work within the neutral color scheme and marry the stark contrast between the black details and glossy dining table with the crisp whites and warm wood tones.
Add Color and Tradition
Concrete gets a lot of flack for making a space not feel homey enough. But leave it up to designer Briony Fitzgerald to prove all the nonbelievers wrong. Paired with a traditional console table and vibrant abstract art, the concrete framework takes on a whole new meaning. It's a unique, beautiful blend of old and new, moody and cheerful.
Add Sophisticated Accents
The metallic hardware and marble countertops and backsplash give this kitchen designed by Studio DB a more formal, sophisticated touch so the concrete feels chic and tasteful as opposed to rough around the edges. And while the immediate assumption may be that concrete pairs better with silver and cool tones, it can actually look quite beautiful with gold metals and warmer tones.
Create Flow From Inside Out
Since concrete is a great material for both indoor and outdoor spaces, it's the perfect choice for the ground level of a modern home with a backyard. In this sleek house designed by Robson Rak, the great room bleeds directly into the outside area. The stream of concrete floor ensures this flow, and the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and walls accentuate it even further.
Allow the Floor to Anchor the Room
The smooth, polished aesthetic and texture of concrete floors makes them irresistibly sleek. In this dining room designed by San Francisco designer Catherine Kwong, the concrete floors contribute to the open floor plan, loft-like layout the space. The walls are painted in a chalky sheen to reflect the raw material and edgy look of the floors, setting the scene even further.
Get the Most Out of a Bathroom
Concrete is a great material for bathroom floors since it can also be the base in the shower. It's edgier and more modern than tiles, too. In this bathroom designed by Leanne Ford Interiors, the French glass doors balance out the modern vibes of the concrete floor, adding an old-world charm. The arched frame also softens up it up and the interior glass allows the two spaces to share light.
Warm Them Up Plush Pieces
Modern, sleek, and bright, this family home by Arent & Pyke veers away from the beach house design formula while still giving it a strong sense of place. The beautiful blue artwork is evocative of the sea while the warm tones and casual colors (that Moroccan rug, leather sling chair, and sandy-hued cushion collection on the built bench) keep things grounds. The black accents sharpen up the space to keep it formal. And concrete will be easy to maintain should any hooligans track sand in.
Lay Concrete Floor Tiles
Instead of polished concrete or classic hardwood floors, consider laying concrete tiles. In this living room designed by Studio Razavi, the cement floor tiles give the room a modern, pared down backdrop.
Shine the Spotlight Elsewehere
This kitchen designed by Robson Rak is a serious stunner. The concrete floors complement the most striking design elements-like the skylight and modern setup of the kitchen island and countertops-without stealing all the thunder.
Cheer Things Up With Color
Regan Baker Design freshened up this room with bright white walls and a cozy reading nook. If polished concrete floors are feeling too stark, bring in soft fabrics, mix fun prints, and don't be shy about introducing cheerful colors.
Embrace the Edge
A jute rug, indoor trees, and exposed brick work together to set a nature-inspired but chic, contemporary scene in this open space designed by Arent & Pyke. The result is an edgy but approachable home.
Use Cool Tones
In this upstate family home designed by Studio DB, the concrete floors are complemented and livened up by cool tones in plush materials, like the green carpet and gray sofa, and accents and hardware, like the black pendant light, glossy white side table, and chrome frame.
Paint It
Where a normal person sees an empty closet in the den, Leanne Ford sees a dream hangout spot just waiting to be born. Here's proof that you can transform a concrete floor into basically anything. Fake tiles by painting concrete if you don't want to embark on a total renovation project.
Use It Heavy-Traffic Spaces
Though concrete may seem too gritty a material for a family home, hear us out. This modern California family home designed by Amber Interiors proves otherwise. The vintage, laidback rug makes it feel both unique and edgy, comfortable and inviting. Plus, it's one of the easiest materials to clean and maintain, making it a surprisingly great pick for a home where spills and messes occur regularly.
Cover It Completely
Opt for a super large rug that stretches from wall to wall to cover up the concrete floors entirely. Keep it in the same color range as the concrete floor so it blends in and further disguises it. As seen in this Wabi Sabi-esque space designed by Arent & Pyke, it's just as effective and stylish, but it won't be as much as an overhaul as replacing the floors would be. And it can even make a room-sized rug pop even more.
Make Sure There's Plenty of Light
Concrete floors work particularly well in spaces that get plenty of natural light. In this open floor plan home designed by Studio Razavi, the multi-level windows lighten the space, giving it an open, light, and airy feel as opposed to a humid dark basement, which obviously isn't a great way to get the most design potential out of concrete floors.
Take It Outside
This outdoor living room designed by Arent & Pyke is warmed up with an area rug, upholstered swing bench, and hoop chairs. The concrete floors fit in with the raw, natural surroundings, like the stone wall and boulder. So while it may feel modern and manmade, concrete can actually blend in with nature quite seamlessly.
Paint Them White
In true Leanne Ford fashion, almost everything in this space is painted white. If you want to go tonal and bright but still love the idea of polished concrete, consider working with a professional who can paint the floors white. It can really make the room feel like it's floating on a cloud.
