Shades of Concrete: How to Pick the Right Colour for Your Home

Concrete is mostly known for its durability and low maintenance. When it comes to appearance, concrete is typically recognised for its grey colour. However, it can be any colour you want, which is especially beneficial for those looking to upgrade the look of their home.

The beauty of concrete lies in its customizability. It can be designed to look like wood, stone, brick, or any other building material you can think of. The secret is the colour, ensuring that it appears natural. Of course, you can use any shade you desire, but the right colour can make a difference in bringing out a realistic look and feel to your concrete.

In this guide, we’ll help you figure out how to pick the right concrete colour, whether for the interior or exterior parts of your home.

Factors to Consider When Deciding on What Colour of Concrete to Choose

It can be daunting to select the concrete colour. After all, you don’t get to change your mind once the colour is applied – unless you have an unlimited budget, of course. That’s why choosing the concrete colour should be done carefully, so you do not end up regretting it once the choice has been made.

Several factors come into play when considering the colour of concrete for your home, whether it is in the patio, driveway, alfresco, living room, or kitchen. Here are tips that can help so you pick the right concrete shade:

1. Your Home’s Aesthetic: The colour of concrete should be complementary to the current style of your home. For example, if you have a modern design, a darker yet more muted concrete shade is suitable. Meanwhile, traditional homes look great with lighter or neutral-colour concrete.
2. Surrounding Landscape: Are there a lot of trees and greenery where you live? If so, you may want to consider earth-coloured concrete. With so many options out there, you can have concrete floors that are made to look like or match grassy lawns. If you live in an arid region or one that receives very little precipitation, you may want that reflected onto your concrete colour choice, such as sandy or beige.
3. Climate: It is worth noting that colours can affect your home’s temperature. Therefore, if you live in a sunny area, such as Perth, try lighter concrete colours. This way, the material will absorb less sunlight and help keep your home and its surroundings cool. Meanwhile, if it is colder where you live, pick darker concrete so it captures more heat. Darker colours contribute to keeping your home warm.

It helps to check samples first before you commit to a particular concrete shade. Many suppliers allow you to take samples home, so you see how the colours look in your home and under varying light conditions. You can also consult with a professional, especially when you are unsure about the colour to select based on your surrounding landscape, your home’s style, and other factors.

So, What Shade of Concrete Do I Pick for My Home?

You can choose concrete colours that blend with your home’s architectural or natural elements. The final decision often depends on where you will install concrete. For instance, subtle earth-tone shades generally work well when used on outdoor pavements. Some of the popular choices for your concrete driveway include:

• Light Grey (e.g., Boab and Blackbutt) to replicate light stones
• Dark Grey as dark as charcoal
• Red to imitate mahogany or terra cotta
• Tan to Deep Walnut Brown to match the natural surroundings

Make sure to seal your concrete driveway properly and regularly to avoid any cracks and other issues.

Here are a few design ideas to help you get started:

• White-on-White: This scheme works excellently on pool decks, giving them a distinctive look. Picture this: a titanium-white colour in contrast to the blue water. You can already feel its coolness factor. Plus, because you have light-coloured concrete, you can comfortably walk on it even under the harsh sun.
• Variegated Colour Accents: If you examine the natural stone, you will find it features multiple colours. You can achieve an authentic natural stone look with decorative concrete by using custom mixed colours. These shades have been carefully selected to mimic the highlights of natural slate.
• Complementary: If you cannot seem to decide what colour of the concrete to go for, the easiest route is to match it with your home’s existing colour scheme. Take inspiration from the brick and trim of the house, using the main colours for the pavement and the border.

Working with concrete shades is much like baking a cake. You have to layer or apply certain combinations, such as mixing colour hardeners, sealers, release agents, additives, and other tools.

But as durable as concrete is, you can encounter problems especially when it is poured and installed by an inexperienced team. Make sure to call Decorative Concrete WA, the concrete specialists in Perth. We can help you produce your desired result by creating a unique colour and finish for your home.