A History of Concrete Furniture and Evaluation of Current Trends

Concrete of varying different forms has been used in architectural design since way back in Ancient Roman times. Originally these early forms of concrete were quite unlike the Portland cement we use today and consisted of a combination of volcanic ash and limestone. Over the years concrete has been used in all manner of applications including buildings, bridges, roads and dams, however it wasn’t until Thomas Edison invented Portland Cement at the turn of the 20^th century that the idea that cement could be used to make furniture first came about.

Edison, a true pioneer of his time, was the first person to envision a future where houses could be mass produced in concrete and residents would be able to sit on concrete furniture. Whilst production of this scale was not economical in Edison’s time, nowadays concrete can be seen in everything from cast kitchen counters to modern coffee tables and chairs. Concrete is particularly useful in the construction of outdoor furniture such as park benches and picnic tables where it’s hard wearing nature and resistance to all weathers makes it the perfect building material.

Modern Trends in Concrete Furniture

Today, concrete furniture design is evolving rapidly, and designers have found new ways to create much more elegant looking furniture. Materials such as gravel and sand which were more traditionally used to create concrete have been replaced with more with high-tech materials, such as fibreglass or reinforced micro fibres. This allows designers to create a much more elegant 3-dimensional shape that whilst much thinner in form is still incredibly strong.

Concrete furniture is now much more likely to be seen in contemporary homes where it’s rustic nature and minimalist form can help to create a real statement and add additional texture to a room. For example, a concrete coffee table or sofa can create a cool, industrial look which can then be enhanced by the addition of bold rugs or cushions in order to create a stunning contrast.

Concrete is also now a popular feature in bathrooms where concrete fixtures such as bathtubs or sinks can create a more organic, Nordic feel which combines beautifully with a warm toned wood floor. If you yourself are considering a home makeover at some point this year then why not take a look at the many different options concrete has to offer for something that is both fresh and unique.