Concrete is a beautiful and very durable material, super customizable with an incredibly long lifespan, concrete countertops are the perfect application for any kitchen. With a minimalist and sleek appearance, concrete fits perfectly into any home or loft, giving a contemporary or industrial feel. A little more edgy than other countertop materials, it can be very ideal thanks to its inherent properties of being easy to clean and very durable. The best thing about concrete is that you can DIY your own countertops, there are plenty of websites out there that will give you step-by-step instructions. Concrete looks amazing in a modern, open plan interior, integrating well with other materials from wood to silestone. If the look of raw concrete is too clinical looking for you, you can apply an acid wash or any color you wish to add more warmth to your kitchen. The average cost for concrete to be installed as your countertop material is $65-$135 (for standard 1.5 inch thick countertop). Have a look at some pros and cons to using concrete as your countertop material selection.

Pros: Concrete is a porous material and can be stained easily, which is why it needs to be sealed. Color options for concrete is endless, which makes it ideal if you are trying to match it with your interior design scheme. It can be cast in any shape or size and with custom edge details. They can be uniquely personalized by embedding items such as seashells, recycled glass and even pebbles. Its appearance enhances with age, developing a warm patina. Although concrete is heat resistant, if it is sealed, anything hot should not be placed directly on the surface, as it may damage the sealer.

Cons: If you have a large concrete countertop, there will be seams, but you can minimize this with the use of a filler that is color-matched. It needs to be frequently sealed to avoid staining. Small cracks may develop with time and settling. Concrete is a heavy material, so it will need extra support beneath. If you do any custom options such as edge detailing and inlays, the price tag can be greatly increased.

Have a look at the ideas below and find some countertop ideas for your kitchen project. Looking for more kitchen ideas? Have a look at one of our past articles on 47 Incredibly inspiring industrial style kitchens and 51 Gorgeous and inspirational kitchens.

Photo Sources: 1.Shake Design, 2. Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects, 3. Pinterest, 4. Weaver Custom Homes, 5. Kenneth Davis Lux International, 6. Ohashi Design Studio, 7. Platform 5 Architects, 8. Camber Construction, 9. Craftwork, 10. Pinterest, 11. Concreteworks, 12. Wright-Built, 13. Greenbrook Homes, 14. Venegas and Company, 15. S&W Home Builders, 16. On Site Management, 17. Scale Architecture, 18. Sabrina Rothe, 19. Saint Dizier Design, 20. -25. Pinterest, 26. Lake Country Builders, 27. COUPDEVILLE, 28. Livingston Interiors, 29. Reiko Feng Shui Design, 30. Silva Studios, 31. Knight Architects, 32. Cincopatasalgato, 33. Aquidneck Properties, 34. Walter Barda Design, 35. Ward-Young Architecture, 36. Renovation Design Group, 37. Kristina Crestin Design, 38. Marlborough Creative, 39. Artistic Designs for Living, 40. Divine Design+Build