Microcement feature walls

What makes a microcement feature wall different

A microcement feature wall gets its presence from the way it is made. Layers are trowelled by hand, sanded and refined, so the surface carries subtle movement and tonal variation that a flat paint finish does not have, and no two walls are quite the same. The effect is quiet up close and more pronounced from across the room.

Because the finish is only 2–3 mm thick, it adds depth visually rather than physically, and it sits comfortably beside joinery, windows and door frames.

Choosing the right wall

The most effective feature walls are the ones you see first or most often. Before deciding, consider:

• Viewing angles: the wall you face on entering, or the one behind a sofa, bed or dining table.
• Light direction: low, raking light from a side window exaggerates texture, while even, frontal light softens it.
• Architecture: curved walls, niches, bulkheads and stair voids suit a continuous finish.
• What sits in front: shelving and artwork cover part of the surface, so decide whether texture or colour should lead.

Scale changes perception as well. Movement that looks subtle on a small sample becomes more noticeable across a full-height wall, so view the largest sample you can before deciding.

At ULA Café in Collingwood, Luxury Concrete collaborated with SuiL Architects on curved walls, counters and thresholds, showing how one finish can shape an entire room. For whole rooms rather than a single plane, see microcement walls.

Preparing the wall

Plaster, plasterboard, cement mortar, existing tiles and metal can all be suitable substrates. The wall must be stable, level and clean, with humidity below 5%, and anything that could stop the primer bonding, such as old paint, dust or grease, is removed first. Natural timber panelling is not advised. Note the switches, power points and intended fixings on the wall before work starts, so the finish can be worked around them.

Where a wall already shows cracks, understand the cause before any finish goes on, because microcement cannot correct movement in the structure behind it. Our article on why microcement can crack covers the usual causes.

Colour, texture and sheen

A feature wall can take more character than the surfaces around it. Graphite and Gris Marengo give a deep, mineral backdrop, Arcilla and Foresta bring earthy colour, and Oxid Metal finishes such as Bronze and Copper with oxidant have an aged, metallic look suited to a single statement wall.

Texture deserves equal attention. A tighter, smoother finish keeps the wall calm, and more visible trowel marks catch light and shadow. Screen colours are only a guide, so browse colours and textures, compare physical samples in the light of your own space and send an enquiry before deciding.

Plan the lighting with the wall. Downlights or wall washers set close to the surface graze it and bring out texture, while lights set further back flatten it, so settle their positions before the electrical work is finalised.

Caring for a feature wall

Walls take far less wear than floors. Dust occasionally with a soft cloth and remove marks with a damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner, avoiding abrasive sponges that could dull the sealed surface.