concrete look kitchen cabinets

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE KITCHEN CABINETS: CONCRETE LOOK OR REAL CONCRETE KITCHEN

The terms cement kitchen and concrete kitchen are often used synonymously. At the same time, you must differentiate between “real” and “fake” concrete kitchens, i.e., kitchens with a concrete look. And suppose you look around at the kitchen furniture manufacturers. In that case, you will see that there is no uniform designation: kitchens in cement grey, in a concrete look, in a cement look, in slate gray, and many other designations describe the same look in this kitchen style.

Concrete look or cement look kitchen cabinets

Kitchen fronts that show a concrete look are mostly made of plastic. However, they imitate concrete’s optical and haptic properties so perfectly that it is difficult to distinguish between actual concrete fronts and those with a concrete look. But kitchen furniture with a concrete look is significantly cheaper than a real concrete one. There is often talk of kitchens with a cement look, which is incorrect. Cement is just a binder needed to make concrete, mortar, and other materials.

Real concrete kitchen cabinets

But even real concrete kitchens are not made entirely of concrete. Instead, a wafer-thin layer of concrete is applied to an MDF core board in real concrete kitchens. It is made from ground cement and some additives to strengthen the structure. In addition, there is usually a seal that can be matt or glossy.

Concrete in the kitchen: features of concrete kitchens

• Modern look
• Concrete look surface as an alternative to the actual concrete one
• Timeless shade particularly suitable for modern, often handleless, industrial style kitchens
• Can be combined in many ways with wood tones or colors

WHAT MAKES CONCRETE KITCHEN CABINETS SO POPULAR

In architecture, the trend towards more concrete, which visibly adorns facades, has been evident for years. Now it has also found its way into kitchen planning. This is the effect and appearance of concrete, whether it’s real or a replica. Concrete surfaces convey a cool, raw, and urban atmosphere and look modern, maybe even a little rough – no matter what kitchen design. With these properties, concrete is almost predestined for the design of modern kitchens and especially for puristic, handleless kitchens in an industrial style. Concrete fulfills a new function in today’s kitchens and serves as a striking sign of modernity and purism: concrete kitchen makes a clear statement.

PLANNING A CONCRETE LOOK KITCHEN CABINETS: VERSATILE COMBINATION OPTIONS

As already mentioned at the beginning, a fundamental distinction is made between real concrete kitchens and kitchens with a concrete look – two variants, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Concrete usually refers to the nature of the fronts. For concrete fronts, combination with wood or even stainless steel can determine the kitchen’s overall appearance or can also be used as a contrast.

Concrete in the kitchen combined with wood, colors, and other materials

The minimalist, excellent appearance of concrete and the warm, natural radiance of wood results in a lively contrast in the kitchen. Both materials enhance their respective effect. Wood appears even warmer in the context of concrete, and concrete in the context of wood is even more original and rough. In short: both materials almost always make a dream pair in the kitchen. Kitchen fronts made of concrete can not only be combined with wood tones, for example, as a worktop but also very well with other colors and materials such as natural stone or metal. Color combined with concrete creates more liveliness in the kitchen, while metal and concrete create an even cooler and more puristic atmosphere.

Kitchen sinks and worktops made of concrete or with a concrete look

The use of concrete as a material in the kitchen does not have to be limited to kitchen fronts alone. In addition, a concrete look can also be implemented in the area of the kitchen sink. Last but not least, concrete has long since conquered the modern kitchen worktops. Concrete worktops are more in demand than ever.

CONCRETE KITCHEN: WHICH KITCHEN COUNTERTOP GOES WITH IT?

If you love the tone-on-tone effect, you can choose a concrete worktop to go with your concrete kitchen. However, the same thing applies here as with the kitchen fronts: worktops for the kitchen are available as natural concrete worktops on the one hand and as worktops with a concrete look on the other. Whether a natural concrete worktop is the better choice should be carefully considered.

Real concrete countertops

Absolute concrete countertops are not only quite expensive compared to a concrete look countertop but also real heavyweights. This means that the base cabinets, mostly made of wood, carry greater weight than usual with a natural concrete slab. In addition, concrete worktops are also sensitive to grease splashes or harsh cleaning agents due to their open porosity. As a rule, a patina develops on the concrete worktop after many years of use, but this gives concrete its charm and emphasizes the material’s rawness.

Concrete look kitchen worktops

Worktops with a concrete look are much more practical, even if perhaps it’s not quite as authentic in their effect. They are cheaper, lighter, and less sensitive. But be careful: with laminate worktops in a concrete look, you have to be very careful when handling hot pots or pans, as these can leave marks that cannot be removed later.

TIP: Kitchens with actual concrete fronts plus natural concrete worktops are significantly heavier. Experienced kitchen specialists know this and would make plans accordingly. If you want to know whether your floor is suitable for a real concrete kitchen, it’s worth contacting our kitchen expert.

Concrete look kitchen cabinets with wooden countertop

You have many options if you want a concrete kitchen but perhaps want to do without a concrete worktop. The sensitivity of real concrete to signs of wear chooses a wooden worktop or a worktop with a wood look in combination with concrete fronts almost logically. Then there is the visual component: concrete and wood are usually in an attractive contrast. This is how optical and practical advantages come together when combining a concrete kitchen with a wooden worktop.

White kitchen cabinets with concrete worktop

But the opposite way is also possible. If you want concrete only and exclusively for the worktop, you should consider a few things. From a purely visual point of view, for example, the combination of a white kitchen with a concrete worktop makes sense. But especially when it comes to real concrete, careful handling of the worktop is essential. Hot pans and pots can quickly damage the expensive natural concrete worktop. In addition, countertops with real concrete are heavy, and the load-bearing capacity of the base cabinets must also be geared to this. Worktops with a concrete look are lighter, and also here is the risk of damage due to incorrect handling in the kitchen much lower than with natural concrete.

FLOOR FOR CONCRETE LOOK KITCHEN CABINETS

Finding the right floor for a concrete kitchen, whether for a kitchenette or a spacious U-shaped kitchen, is a challenging task that needs advice from experts who can individually assess the best solution.

In particular, real concrete kitchens need a floor that is suitable for the weight. From an aesthetic point of view, a wooden floor goes well with the cool and hard-looking concrete. However, even for kitchens of standard load-bearing, it is recommended only to use hardwoods such as oak or ash. Light or black tiles can also go perfectly with a natural concrete kitchen – especially if a modern grey-white or grey-black contrast is created. Anyone who does not want to do with concrete and its rough character on the kitchen floor can even opt for tiles with a concrete look. This reinforces the raw simplicity of the material.

It becomes easier to do with a kitchen with a concrete look. Since the problem of weight is eliminated, almost all floor types can be combined with the gray kitchen fronts. No matter parquet, floorboards, tiles, or screed, kitchens with a concrete look can be combined with as you wish, depending on the direction in which the kitchen’s look is to go. It gets graphic with black or white floors, warmer with wooden floors.

MAINTENANCE OF CONCRETE IN THE KITCHEN

If it is a kitchen with a concrete look, it must be cared for like other kitchens. Only mild, water-soluble cleaners and no aggressive substances such as scouring powder should be used for cleaning. A soft, lint-free cloth is the best. Steel wool, scratches, or microfiber cloths are taboos for cleaning the kitchen. Incidentally, dirt should be removed as quickly as possible, just as damp or even wet surfaces on the worktop, the fronts or kitchen furniture must be dried quickly.

All this also applies to kitchens with an actual concrete front. But you have to be even more careful here because actual concrete fronts are even more sensitive, even if the surface has been sealed. In other words, if you love your concrete kitchen, you should also clean and care for it and enjoy the patina that concrete will have over time.

PRICE OF CONCRETE LOOK KITCHEN CABINETS

How expensive are concrete fronts, worktops, and kitchen furniture in general? Unfortunately, the question of price cannot be answered in general. The prices can vary greatly, depending on whether you choose real concrete in the kitchen or a kitchen with a concrete look.

Several other factors determine the price – such as the selection of kitchen appliances, the shape and the size of the kitchen, the desired equipment, and the planning effort. But what can be said: Basically, kitchens with real concrete are usually found in the upper segment and are therefore more expensive.

TO PURCHASE CONCRETE LOOK KITCHEN CABINETS

Today, buying concrete kitchen cabinet is so easy and the range of choice is extensive: No matter in the large furniture stores or online purchasing – the choice of kitchen dealer depends more on your expectations of service quality and the intensity of advice than on the question of whether you want a kitchen made of concrete or with a concrete look. Nevertheless: the total cost of the kitchen cabinet is also one of the key point – for example, if you wish for an actual concrete kitchen – it is advisable to go looking for a kitchen specialist who will assist you in details and realize the concrete kitchen cabinet to you.

Alternatively, you could consider looking for manufacturers with comprehensive advantages. Parlun is one of them, a direct manufacturer of custom kitchen cabinets from China and has long-term partnerships with many other high-qualified Chinese manufacturers of one-stop furniture solutions. You can find satisfactory products with high quality but at an affordable price from us. Please get in touch with us for a free catalog and quote.