Microcement living rooms

Why microcement suits living rooms

Microcement living rooms tend to feel calmer because the surfaces are continuous. There are no tile joints or board lines pulling at the eye, so furniture, artwork and daylight do more of the work. It is a thin, hand-applied finish, which means it can run across the floor and onto walls without altering the proportions of the room.

It also suits how living spaces are used. Once sealed and cured, the surface copes with foot traffic and the knocks of family life, and a few simple habits, such as felt pads under furniture, help it stay that way.

Floors, walls and built-in pieces

In a living room, microcement is most often considered for:

• the floor, especially where an open-plan space connects to a kitchen or dining area;
• a single wall that frames a sofa, bookcase or media unit;
• built-in elements such as bench seats, plinths and shelving made from a suitable substrate;
• steps and thresholds between rooms, so one finish carries through from space to space.

If the floor is your main interest, the microcement floors page covers traffic, preparation and sheen in more depth. Where a living room opens onto a terrace or courtyard, microcement can be used outside as well, although exterior surfaces are assessed separately for exposure and use.

Substrates and underfloor heating

The base needs to be stable, level, clean and below 5% humidity. Suitable bases include a cement-based screed, self-levelling mortar, sound tiles, terrazzo or marble. Natural timber floorboards are not advised, because boards move at different rates and that movement can crack the finish above. The guide to whether microcement cracks explains why.

Underfloor heating is compatible with microcement when the protocol is followed. The heating is run in gradually before application, switched off at least 48 hours before work starts and brought back up slowly afterwards, and an expansion joint is needed between the screed and the walls. The underfloor heating guide sets out each step.

Choosing a colour for the room

Living rooms are often the brightest rooms in a home, and large windows can wash out a colour that looked rich on a small sample. Soft greys such as Plomo and Aluminium feel calm and architectural, while Camel, Mocha and Nogal sit comfortably with timber, linen and leather.

Think about floor and walls together: a slightly deeper tone underfoot grounds a room, and a lighter wall keeps it open. Screens distort colour, so start with the colours and textures library, then compare physical samples in the light of your own space and send an enquiry with your shortlist.

Living with the finish

Vacuum or sweep regularly, since grit carried in on shoes acts like sandpaper underfoot, and damp-mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Wipe spills promptly, lift heavy furniture rather than dragging it, and treat the surface gently in the first week while it continues to harden.

On a heated floor, avoid thick rugs and furniture that sits flat without space beneath it, as both can trap heat. Over time, the sealer can be maintained to keep the surface protected.