Concrete in the bathroom - what to combine it with
May 2022
A dozen or so years ago, raw concrete on the walls or on the floor was often associated with unfinished interiors and renovation. Then, the industrial style took the interiors by storm, and not only did concrete gain popularity, it also became one of the decorations. Now, it adds class and emphasizes the character of the arrangement. How to use architectural concrete in the bathroom to obtain a trendy decor?
The way we perceive concrete in interiors has been evolving. At first, it was timidly introduced into industrial arrangements, where it is now one of the most important finishing materials. Then, with time its use has become more common. Gradually, it began to be present in spaces arranged in accordance with the principles of minimalist or futuristic styles. Some designers even decide to include architectural concrete in slightly more traditional interiors. Although, by itself, concrete may not be particularly appealing visually, when it is combined with certain materials and accessories, it looks amazing.
Contents
Concrete in the bathroom – what are the biggest advantages of this solution?
First of all, a bathroom with architectural
concrete is a great choice for those looking for trendy solutions that combine minimalism and functionality. Concrete will harmonize with various colors and can be an interesting alternative to traditional ceramic tiles. It also has high durability and doesn’t absorb water, which is particularly important in the bathroom.
If the concrete tiles for the bathroom are well finished – meaning professionally sanded and polished – they will be very resistant to damage. Since bathroom renovation is expensive and we expect the arrangement to look good for years, this is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of this material. Sometimes, investors worry that concrete, being gray and cold, will make the interior feel cold and unfriendly. Nothing could be further from the truth, if we know what to combine concrete with, we can get a cozy arrangement. So what do we need to know?
What to combine concrete with in the bathroom?
Concrete looks fabulous when accompanied by strong and contrasting colors. It will look great if the tiles on the bathroom floor or on a part of its wall have trendy colors, or if accessories have this feature. This is a simple recipe to obtain an interesting interior in the industrial style. A concrete bathroom goes well with such colors as black, white, and shades of yellow or green.
A good suggestion is to introduce wood into the interior. In this way, the arrangement will gain some warmth, and a
bathroom with both concrete and wood will be elegant and cozy. The presence of wood will break the industrial character, making the decor feel friendlier, especially to those who have mixed feelings about concrete.
Another common solution is combination of concrete and brick. It can be classic red brick or white ceramic tiles. Soft fabrics, like suede and mock fur, look amazing in interiors with concrete, but since bathrooms have specific microclimate, using fabrics for decoration there may be impossible. Thus it is better to follow the previous suggestions, and leave this one for the living room or bedroom.
Concrete bathroom in the industrial style
Concrete can be used in different ways in the bathroom. It can be the main finishing material or it can decorate only a part of the surface. Depending on the direction the investor takes, the result will be completely different.
Fans of the industrial style opt for a total look, meaning having concrete in the entire bathroom. For some people, such decor may seem extremely gloomy, so we need to find a way to break the gray tones. If both the walls and the floor are covered with concrete, it is all the more worth thinking what furniture and sanitary ware should be in the bathroom. With their help, we can enliven the arrangement. White ceramics and the previously mentioned wood are a good choice.
Concrete in stark loft-style interiors
Another design style in which a certain starkness is desirable is the
urban loft style. It is similar to the industrial style and can be combined with it, but that’s not a rule. Arrangements of this type refer to industrial buildings and old factories. Having concrete on the wall of an urban loft-style bathroom is almost a must, and to emphasize its austerity, it is worth including black elements. A black framed mirror, black lamps and black accessories will look marvelous here. If the investor dreams of a loft-type bathroom, but at the same time would like it to feel warm, then red bricks will be perfect. We can try to uncover the natural brick forming the wall, and if it’s not possible, we can opt for brick-effect tiles, which may work just as well.
Architectural concrete in a rustic bathroom
An effective way to warm up the interior is to introduce plants into the bathroom. If the bathroom has a window, then we can easily find species that will not only survive in the bathroom, but its microclimate will be beneficial to them. Besides, vegetation is an indispensable element of rustic interiors, and although concrete is not associated with it, vegetation can complement a bathroom in this style.
Rustic bathrooms are not all about plants, there’s also brick and concrete. Instead of traditional red bricks, white brick tiles will work well. White perfectly complements concrete and it brightens up the interior. When we add the said potted plants, furniture made of raw or aged wood, and a little bit of concrete, we can obtain an exceptionally trendy and original arrangement.
A touch of concrete in bathroom decor
So far, we’ve showed architectural concrete as the main material in the interior, but it is worth knowing that it also works well in places where we only wish it to subtly complement the arrangement. In this version, concrete can appeal even to those who are unsure about it.
It will look beautiful if we put it on one wall, or use it as a countertop or tub enclosure material. Concrete flower pots also look nice. Besides, concrete does not have to be gray at all. Sometimes, we can achieve a better result if its surface is painted with a special paint in a different shade.
Concrete in a small bathroom – is it a good idea?
Those who face the challenge of arranging a small bathroom spend a lot of time thinking what to opt for so as not to further reduce the space. Is concrete a good option for a small bathroom, then? When it comes to rooms of small size less means more. Not only shouldn’t we waste space for decorations, but also their presence might cause chaos, and the decor may be overwhelming.
With such bathrooms, the best option is to aim at minimalism, which implies, for example, industrial style. It doesn’t have many decorations and the beauty resides in simplicity and starkness. And for this reason, concrete on the bathroom wall is an interesting option. Architectural concrete will look great with wooden flooring and white fittings. It does not require many accessories because it is a decoration itself. If we add a large mirror, we can obtain a trendy, functional and optically enlarged interior.
Architectural concrete must be protected
Concrete is durable and resistant to damage, but we shouldn’t forget that it will often be exposed to water.
To ensure that the water vapor doesn’t harm it in any way, the surface should be impregnated, preferably twice. In this way we protect it from possible stains and discoloration that could appear over time.
Installation is also significant. We should always reach for special adhesives for laying the slabs. If an investor wants to use large concrete slabs and would like to have a bathroom in industrial style, screws in addition to glue can be used. This, on one hand, will make concrete stick better, and on the other hand, will create an unusual visual effect, which will increase the aesthetic value.
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