As the summer continues, the quest for cool surfaces continues and following the recent look at Marble (beautiful but expensive) this week it’s the turn of concrete, which is a lot cheaper to begin with. Although by the time it’s been polished and sealed and buffed, it’s probably not as cheap as you thought it was going to be.
![home-designing.com](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/home-designing.com_-700x465.jpeg)
Having said that I would have loved to have Carrara marble worktops, I would also have been very happy with concrete. I love its raw industrial look and think it softens off really well with the addition of a few vintage style accessories – kilims and Persian rugs for example. Or a pale pink velvet sofa. It just needs something a little unexpected to go with it.
![contemporary concrete home berlin by AFGH](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/contemporary-concrete-home-berlin-by-AFGH-700x609.jpg)
Have a look at these interiors and see what you think. Remember,as is always the case, it’s about finding inspiration and perhaps taking a little bit of what you see and making your own interpretation of it.
![fromnaturallymodern.com](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/fromnaturallymodern.com_.jpg)
The kitchen above has confined itself to a concrete floor, which is a good idea if you aren’t sure about the whole thing. It works well with underfloor heating so it needn’t be cold and you can add rugs if you want a bit more colour.
![margas-margas.blogspot.com](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/margas-margas.blogspot.com_.jpg)
Having said you can stick to just the floor, I love these solid concrete shelves in the image above and the island is wonderful too. Particularly when contrasted with the vintage table and more delicate chairs.
![contemporary-2-Concrete-Interior-by-oooox](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/contemporary-2-Concrete-Interior-by-oooox-700x463.jpg)
This ceiling looks great but it’s probably only for those who are embarking on their own Grand Designs style projects.
![from focus.de](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/from-focus.de_-700x466.jpg)
I love the chandelier in this room, a brilliant, and unexpected twist on this look.
![concrete-kitchen-island-French-mag-Maison-Cote-Sud-600x782](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/concrete-kitchen-island-French-mag-Maison-Cote-Sud-600x782-537x700.jpg)
Solid shelving like this looks fantastic with the crockery piled up inside.
![wreckorated.blogspot.com](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/wreckorated.blogspot.com_-700x484.jpg)
Of course, concrete is great in a bathroom – practical and hardwearing it looks fantastic. But, if your walls aren’t suitable for concrete then you can always fake it.
This wallpaper is by Tom Haga
![concrete wallpaper by Tom Haga](https://www.madaboutthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/concrete-wallpaper-by-Tom-Haga.jpg)
So there we have it. Anyone for concrete?