Concrete Countertops

Use Concrete in Home Design

Rugged good looks and a stylish side? No wonder it's a hot pick.

Sturdy and strong, cast concrete boasts surprising adaptability that has made it one of the most popular materials among designers of innovative countertops, flooring, fireplaces, and, of course, paths and patios.

Today's cast concrete doesn't always look like its old, gray self, thanks to a wide array of subdued hues and textures. Stenciling, scoring, etching, and embedding artsy objects all add interest to boring backsplashes and drab slabs of patio. With fancy finishing treatments, concrete can sport the look of tile, granite, limestone, or marble.

Concrete, which wears and develops a patina over time, performs similarly to marble because of its porosity and durability. Like earthy materials, it also offers timeless fashion. Depending on the project, concrete applications are appropriate for do-it-yourselfers, but the proper mix is critical because it affects a surface's susceptibility to staining.

The seam of the pictured berry-color peninsula is embellished with an embedded semiprecious stone and a scrap of metal.