Is That Lounge Chair Made of Concrete?
Outdoor furniture designers take advantage of concrete’s cool industrial style. Yes, pillows are part of the equation
Edgy and industrial, concrete has been cropping up as an outdoor furnishings material of choice among designers aiming for a contemporary look. As a material, it’s durable, outdoor-friendly and acts as a modern counterpart to natural elements like wood, stone and woven textiles. If you’re thinking about adding a touch of concrete to your home or backyard, take note of these design ideas and savvy buying and care tips from the pros.
Designing With Concrete Furniture
“Using concrete furniture is all about balance,” says landscape designer Elizabeth Pryzgoda-Montgomery of Boxhill Design. “I like to mix it with soft goods or natural wood to knock down the coolness of it,” she says. Here, she styled a concrete patio and bench with an outdoor rug and cushioned wood chairs, two softer elements.
Orson concrete coffee table: Hard Goods
“Using concrete furniture is all about balance,” says landscape designer Elizabeth Pryzgoda-Montgomery of Boxhill Design. “I like to mix it with soft goods or natural wood to knock down the coolness of it,” she says. Here, she styled a concrete patio and bench with an outdoor rug and cushioned wood chairs, two softer elements.
Orson concrete coffee table: Hard Goods
This design in Sydney shows the same balancing principle at play. For this breezy lanai, the coolness of the concrete table and stools is warmed up and softened by the other elements in the outdoor room, including the weathered decking, throw pillows, textured wood shade cover, wicker chairs and woven baskets. The woven elements, in particular, also add a nice textural contrast to the smooth concrete.
The same design guidelines apply for concrete furniture used indoors. In this home in Orange County, California, the natural wood and upholstered dining chairs, some with fuzzy sheepskins, and double rugs underfoot balance the coolness of the concrete dining table.
Browse concrete dining tables
Browse concrete dining tables
Built-in seating is another way to use concrete as furniture outdoors. For this sloped San Francisco backyard, landscape designer Beth Mullins of Growsgreen Landscape Design continued the concrete flooring she used for the patio to create a built-in concrete bench for the garden’s second level. The continuation of the material connects both spaces and gives the illusion that the bench is floating.
Landscape Paving 101: Cast-in-Place Concrete
Landscape Paving 101: Cast-in-Place Concrete
Mullins agrees with Gore that the weathering of concrete is part of its richness and appeal. In this application, she left the concrete unsealed. (This piece is in a climate that doesn’t freeze, and Mullins wanted a more patinated look eventually.) “I advise clients to accept the patina that develops over time, such as leaves leaving tannins,” she says.
Considerations
Price. Concrete furniture, both custom and prefab, is expensive. Expect to pay significantly more than teak, metal or wicker. This has to be a look you’re very interested in to make it worth it.
Durability. Concrete is made of aggregate (rocks, gravel or sand) and cement, as well as water, making it one of the toughest readily available building materials. If concrete furniture is properly taken care of, it can last a lifetime — and then some.
Weight. Depending on the thickness and dimensions of concrete used for furniture, the weight of each piece can range from lift-with-two-people to set-it-and-forget-it. If you’d like flexibility on placement, choose lighter-weight concrete furniture or pieces set on wheels. The weight of some concrete pieces, like thick concrete slab dining tables, may be prohibitive for some applications like decks and rooftop terraces.
Price. Concrete furniture, both custom and prefab, is expensive. Expect to pay significantly more than teak, metal or wicker. This has to be a look you’re very interested in to make it worth it.
Durability. Concrete is made of aggregate (rocks, gravel or sand) and cement, as well as water, making it one of the toughest readily available building materials. If concrete furniture is properly taken care of, it can last a lifetime — and then some.
Weight. Depending on the thickness and dimensions of concrete used for furniture, the weight of each piece can range from lift-with-two-people to set-it-and-forget-it. If you’d like flexibility on placement, choose lighter-weight concrete furniture or pieces set on wheels. The weight of some concrete pieces, like thick concrete slab dining tables, may be prohibitive for some applications like decks and rooftop terraces.
Sealed versus unsealed. Unsealed concrete is a porous material, which means it can fairly easily pick up stains or rings from water glasses and other moisture. To reduce this, make sure the concrete has been sealed —particularly if you’re using the piece in an application that gets heavy use, such as a kitchen countertop. Sealers will help reduce stains but won’t entirely prevent them.
Keep in mind that, even for sealed concrete, a natural patina will develop through weathering and daily use; it’s part of concrete’s appeal. “It is a natural material that is always evolving,” Gore says. “The same process that makes leather, copper, or wood desirable versus plastic. Embrace the imperfection.”
Modern Muskoka concrete chair: Hard Goods
Keep in mind that, even for sealed concrete, a natural patina will develop through weathering and daily use; it’s part of concrete’s appeal. “It is a natural material that is always evolving,” Gore says. “The same process that makes leather, copper, or wood desirable versus plastic. Embrace the imperfection.”
Modern Muskoka concrete chair: Hard Goods
Integral color. If you choose custom-made concrete furniture, you also have the option of selecting a integral pigment to be mixed into the wet concrete while the piece is being made. Integral color is permanent, resists fading when exposed to sunlight and offers a wide range of color possibilities.
Freeze tolerance. If left outside in a cold climate, the water absorbed by unsealed concrete can cause cracking. Covering outdoor furniture with waterproof tarps can help prevent this, as will investing in furniture made of high-performance concrete that has been sealed against moisture.
Freeze tolerance. If left outside in a cold climate, the water absorbed by unsealed concrete can cause cracking. Covering outdoor furniture with waterproof tarps can help prevent this, as will investing in furniture made of high-performance concrete that has been sealed against moisture.
How to Take Care of Concrete Furniture
“Concrete takes far less attention than teak, wicker or fabric, but a little care will keep the pieces looking great for the long haul,” Gore says.
He recommends:
“Concrete takes far less attention than teak, wicker or fabric, but a little care will keep the pieces looking great for the long haul,” Gore says.
He recommends:
- Clean the surface with a mild cleaner, like Simple Green all-purpose cleaner, and water.
- Occasionally apply a thin coat of coconut oil to concrete surfaces to help with water repellency.
- For concrete furniture used in outdoor settings: In winter, bring lightweight pieces under a covered area or cover heavy pieces with waterproof tarps.
- For general cleaning, Mullins recommends power washing concrete surfaces, including patios and built-in furniture (seat cushions removed) once a year to remove dust and any moss.
Houzz readers: Do you have any concrete accents in your home or garden? Show us how you use the material in the Comments below.
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Custom-made concrete chairs set on wheels: designed by WA Design Architects, fabricated by Concreteworks