Five creative ways to use decorative concrete in commercial spaces

As a creative medium, concrete is extremely versatile, so it’s no wonder that concrete-forward design styles like industrial, European minimalism, and new brutalism are having a moment in commercial interiors. Alongside its design versatility, concrete is also extremely durable, with excellent wear and fire resistance. As leaders in the supply and manufacturing of decorative concrete products, Permacolour has a keen eye on the latest trends and expert advice on how to apply concrete as a decorative finish in commercial spaces. Speaking with Permacolour’s Brian O’Keeffe, we learned five creative ways you can use concrete in your next project.

With a focus on simplicity and natural material palettes, European minimalism is a popular choice for commercial spaces — from retail stores to offices. The style’s trademark clean lines, soft textures, and elegant natural finishes are easily achieved with concrete; Permacolour's Microtopping, with its gentle hand-troweled finish and contemporary colour palette, is a great way to bring this trend to life.

"Microtopping is designed to provide a durable and elegant finish in interior spaces," O’Keeffe says. “Installed by our approved applicators, it satisfies the trending appetite for European fine finishes such as microcement and Venetian plaster.”

For those seeking the opposite of the minimalist movement, maximalism has the answer. With bold patterns and contrasting colours, maximalism is ideal for businesses and organisations with strong visual personalities. Permacolour's Decorative Overlay is a great way to add pattern, colour, or texture to new or existing concrete and masonry surfaces. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, Decorative Overlay is made from a special blend of silica sands, cement, special additives and polymer resins, and is extremely durable for a vibrant, long-lasting finish.

Whether you're designing a space with industrial or new brutalist style in mind, or simply looking for a sleek, modern concrete finish, Natural Stone Flake is a great option. 

“Permacolour's Natural Stone Flake range is a very smart and versatile option for new and existing surfaces. With a look similar to polished concrete, stone, and granite, you can choose from seven different eye-catching finishes,” O’Keeffe says. 

Designed as a surface finish for floors, Natural Stone Flake can be the star of the show — its natural, mottled appearance is a point of difference in more paired back spaces — or a complementary feature in more elaborate rooms.

Transform concrete surfaces into colourful design features with Permacolour's Chemical Stain finish. "Chemical Stain allows you to create colours with real depth that are unique and captivating," O’Keeffe explains. 

"There are countless designs that can be achieved with Chemical Stain, from the understated elegance of burnished leather to the timeless beauty of natural stone. It really is guaranteed to open the door to a whole new world of creative expression."

Made from a blend of acids, metallic particles, and special additives, the formula penetrates the surface of the concrete and chemically combines with elements in the concrete to form oxides and create a finish similar to marble or glazed stone. The resulting colour is unique to the concrete it is applied to and presents differently when used on old versus new concrete for a truly one-of-a-kind look.

Another way to add colour to the concrete in your space is ColourMix Powdered Integral Colour. "This range is considered the simplest and most economical way to add colour to concrete (applied either on-site or at the batching plant) and is available in 45 colours," O’Keeffe says.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, the colour is UV stable and fade resistant, so you know your chosen pigment will stay vibrant for years to come. And, with such a wide range of colours to choose from, there's an option for every design style. You can also select a variety of finishes, from smooth to exposed, depending on the texture you desire.

If you're considering a decorative concrete finish for your commercial space, Permacolour provides both industry-leading products, and the design support to match. 

"All of our staff have extensive product knowledge and can assist you in your search for the right product for your project. In addition to our support crew on the phone, we also have sales representatives in both the North and South Island," O’Keeffe says.

Colour sample boxes are available for their Microtopping, Decorative Overlay, Natural Stone Flake, and ColourMix ranges to help you select the perfect palette. And, with a combined 30-plus years of experience in the concrete industry, Permacolour's North and South Island sales representatives are available to answer any colour or design questions you may have. 

Learn more about Permacolour.