How to use concrete materials in your decor

[dropcap]The [/dropcap] use of concrete materials in decoration is a growing trend among interior design experts. Until recently, the concrete was hidden under layers of paint and finishing, so as not to give the impression that the environment was incomplete.

A cement block well used can become a decorative object without much work on top of the piece, presenting an innovative and modern concept.

However, the material started to be more valued recently, both for walls and floors as well as decorative objects, giving the space a more modern and bold look.

Concrete is nothing more than a cement mix, water, stone and sand, which becomes a paste once the cement hydrates with water. By aggregating the fragments of stone and sand, becomes a block.

Concrete is widely used in construction worldwide, especially in Brazil. This is because it is a versatile material, resistant and with less chance of corrosion and deterioration, besides having an excellent cost-benefit.

Some materials, as white cement, have been highly sought after for creating decorative environments in the most varied ways, becoming very popular.

Inside the decoration, Concrete has been widely used in line known as industrial, that gives a modern and bold feeling of an environment.

The trend is to transform the space with shades of gray, passing an unfinished impression, but with an impressive final result.

Use the concrete in decoration, however, is something that must be planned correctly. If the material differs from the rest of the design, may appear to be sloppy and unpleasant. You need to design the entire environment before you start making changes.

Concrete panels have long been used in decorative environments, both finished and raw. These elements give a special charm to the decorated environment.

And not only on the walls it is possible to take advantage of the material. You can use concrete in a number of elements, like slabs, columns, countertops and furniture.

In addition, there are a number of variations of the material, as aerated concrete. It is ideal to study hard before deciding to change your decor, so that you always choose the best elements to work with.

Concrete decoration trends

Concrete has some clear advantages in its use for design. Primarily, it's a material:

• Resistant;
• Economic;
• Durable;
• Charming.

Environments can be greatly benefited with concrete elements giving a modern and interesting air. Nowadays, a number of decorative options can be used to create the perfect space.

There is no limiter for the use of the material. It can permeate any room in the house, as long as the environment is built to maintain that aura of modernity and elegance.

The polished concrete can make an excellent environment, used correctly, thinking about every space in the room, mainly, to create an area that the resident likes.

From common environments such as living rooms and kitchens, even more intimate areas like bedrooms and bathrooms, there are decoration possibilities to be explored using concrete.

Furniture has been a new field of exploration. Due to the malleability of the material, you can create custom tables and benches, increasing the practicality and beauty of food environments. It is important to think, however, on how to increase the strength of the material.

The application of waterproofing agents is ideal to avoid any accumulation of dirt and stains that may arise with its continuous use. In addition, you can explore a range of colors for your decor, given that the tone of the concrete is neutral.

For people who have a more limited space for social areas, concrete furniture can be the solution to better use the useful area without losing space.

With a sofa modeled in concrete, just add some pillows for a better decorative effect and more comfort in the furniture.

The concrete polishing allows a series of changes that transform the material into unique objects, perfect for decorating any room in your home.

The bathroom is an area where you can let your imagination create wings. It is possible to create a completely stylized environment with concrete structures for storage and organization of items.

It is also possible to mix concrete with other materials, like metals and wood, for an even more elegant environment.

Here, waterproofing is also essential, since the bathroom is a water environment and can create mold, leaks and leaks, plus stains on concrete.

There are several types of material, so it is ideal to assess which is the best concrete for a given room. Especially when using it in conjunction with items that need special attention.

Work together with other materials, thus the use of concrete to blend with custom kitchen furniture can give a modern and interesting look to the room, but you need to pay attention.

In the case of ovens, for example, the material must be able to withstand high temperatures, so it’s ideal that you choose a special type of concrete.

Tips for using concrete in decoration

The use of concrete in the decoration can make any environment beautiful, but it is necessary to pay attention to some details when starting to modify.

The material is particularly easy to combine, since its gray color is neutral and combines with different shades.

1.    Rustic decor

Very present in general decoration, the rustic style is a more casual style, more focused on nature and convenience. It is common to use wood, stones and flowers, with a theme that often turns to the countryside lifestyle.

This type of environment can be recreated anywhere, passing the information that the marks and imperfections of the decoration are seen as beauty.

In this case, the concrete fits like a glove for this type of setting, passing that feeling of something more gross, but simple.

Unlike elements like building painting, the rustic decor opts for the rawest environment, showing the architectural details of the environment.

Bet on pure materials, that you can find in nature. Combined with more cozy lighting and thematic decorative objects, your environment can be exquisite.

2.    Protection

Using concrete as a decorative element can leave you exposed to weather and weather, therefore, conserving this material is a fundamental element for your decoration.

Often the option to maintain the quality of the material without losing the charm of the concrete is the use of varnish for protective layers.

It is important to perform tests to check if the material is resistant, mainly in the case of varnish application. This is because the varnish deteriorates much faster than ordinary paints.

Thinking about it, keep in mind that the resin used must be more resistant, for a better absorption of the varnish by the concrete.

In the case of a bathroom with concrete, the use of chrome bathroom accessories leaves the atmosphere elegant, but without adequate protection the deterioration of the environment ends up being much faster.

The varnish then creates a protective layer that must be used for an appropriate period, requiring constant renewal of the layer.

Think safety first when applying this type of material. It must be kept in mind that a decorated environment depends on constant care, to prevent deterioration and, even, natural hazards.

3.    Maintenance

Concrete does not require much to be maintained over time. Is important, however, think of a good way to coat the material, be with the varnish, as cited above, or with another material like silicone or resin, that are less aggressive and easier to apply.

To wash and maintain concrete walls, it is not necessary to use many cleaning products such as soap, detergent or chemical materials.

A good dose of pressurized water is more than enough to keep the material clean and fresh, lowering the maintenance cost even more.

4.    Application

Each type of concrete piece that will be used, be it on a wall, floor or decorative object, you will need a special type of application.

In the case of very high parts, for example, concreting must be done at once, to improve the process and avoid failures.

In these cases, often the best option is to look for a professional who knows how to work the material, since the payment of a qualified person will certainly be much better than the risk of making a mistake and having to redo all the work.

Always think that an architect's ease, builder or bricklayer will be worth much more than the difficulties of doing it on your own, mainly taking into account that the material for the design is not expensive, allowing for a more flexible budget.

This text was originally developed by the blog team Investment Guide, where you can find hundreds of informative content about different segments.