Top Cambria Designs for Concrete Alternatives

With a neutral color palette, concrete countertops add an industrial and modern feel to any space. Loving the look of concrete for your next project? Cambria is an intelligent alternative to concrete with its beautiful natural quartz designs that seamlessly blend both form and function.

The neutral gray-inspired Cambria natural quartz surface and countertop designs, like Birdport, St. Giles, and Buxton mimic the look of concrete and the Cambria Matte™ low-sheen finish perfectly completes the aesthetic.

Cambria vs. Concrete

“We are continuing to see demand for concrete looks and alternatives that provide high performance,” said Summer Kath, EVP of product development at Cambria. “The industrial design look is changing, refining, elevating, but it’s not going away. It’s becoming more eclectic, living in the same room with other themes and styles.”

Cambria’s American craftsmanship and industry-leading innovation let you achieve the concrete look for your kitchen countertops and other surfaces without sacrificing the performance Cambria is known for.

Unlike concrete and other surface choices, Cambria does not require sealing or polishing, and cleaning it is as simple as warm water and a soft cloth. Even mild soap is optional! And whereas concrete is very porous and conducive to staining, Cambria is nonabsorbent, so spills do not become stains and it will not draw in moisture that can harbor harmful bacteria.

Concrete can also be difficult to install, has to be maintained regularly and can stain. With Cambria, you never have to concern yourself with DIY countertops or worry about maintenance, staining, or performance. Cambria is always professionally installed, warranty-protected, and maintenance-free.

Here, a few of our favorite designs.

Bridport

A light gray with subtle cream undertones and abundant flowing gray threads, Bridport brings another dimension of style to the concrete aesthetic.

To complement the light gray and cream tones in the design, we recommend pairing Bridport with other shades of gray, whether in dark herringbone tilework or in textiles, contrasting black hardware, light or dark stained wood and neutral shades of paint that allow the design to pop.

Windrush

Dark and dramatic with prominent medium gray tones, the Cambria Windrush design is streaked with slate-gray veining that flows and mingles with white accents.

To highlight the dark and dramatic medium gray tones in the design, Cambria recommends complementary elements that allow the style to shine, like matte black hardware, geometric textiles, white tilework, leather cabinetry pulls, light stained wood and gray and beige paints.

St. Giles

Bold and expressive with prominent medium gray tones, St. Giles is accented with contrasting slate-gray and white veins that course across this elegant design. Faint gray veins under the surface add extra dimension and depth.

We love how St. Giles is brought to life in this living room, which features a standout floor-to-ceiling St. Giles fireplace surround that adds richness to the room and plays well with the jewel toned velvet accent chairs, supple brown leather couch, patterned rug, medium-hued wood ceiling and shades of white in the wall paint and light fixture.

Bradwell

The sedate and reflective Bradwell features a backdrop of medium gray tones with delicate, dark gray strands and clusters.

In a light-filled pantry, the Cambria Bradwell design pairs perfectly with blue-gray cabinetry, neutral patterned wallpaper, light wood accents and mixed metals in the fixtures and hardware. The stone never detracts from the other elements in the space and instead enhances them.

Buxton

Another new design, the bold yet never overbearing Buxton depicts an industrial, grainy concrete foundation intermixed with gray, cream and white.

“I’m really fond of our new design Buxton, which represents an exotic, gritty concrete look possessing both cool and warm tones of gray and greige,” said Kath. “And a bonus, it’s made from repurposed scrap material from the Cambria production and fabrication process that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Win, win for our environment and for our customers.”

For Cambria, protecting the environment is second nature. Cambria uses best practices in raw mineral procurement, manufacturing and finishing processes to create beautiful natural stone surfaces that make a big impact, just not on the environment. Cambria maximizes efficiency without sacrificing quality to protect both the environment and our workers.

Carrick

Presenting a modern spin on smooth concrete, Carrick flourishes swirling shades of gray and soft charcoal specks to create an intriguing pattern in this stylish and contemporary composition.

As Kath mentioned, the industrial design look is refining and elevating. With Carrick, it becomes more eclectic, living in the same room with other themes and styles.

We love the bold element Carrick adds to a modern fireplace design.

Dunmore

Bold and elegant in its simplicity, Dunmore features a solid concrete-gray hue that provides a strong, grounded presence.

We love this Dunmore fireplace with a sculptural chandelier that adds ambiance to a dining room with both traditional and contemporary styles.

Templeton

An unassuming gray with tiny toffee-colored flecks, Templeton is both relaxed and rugged, just like concrete.

In this kitchen, Jaclyn Peters Design hung matte black pendant lights above an oversized Templeton island to create an eye-catching focal point. The design complements the warm wood cabinetry and black accents in this modern take on the farmhouse kitchen trend.

Fieldstone

The striking shade of slate gray in Cambria’s Fieldstone design is an impactful neutral that is true and timeless.

This midcentury modern kitchen remodel embraces the original architecture of the home, updating where necessary for style and substance, like with Cambria Fieldstone countertops that lend durability and a grounding hue of deep gray to balance the floor-to-ceiling wood tones.

Get the Look

Follow Cambria on social media with #MyCambria for more standout designs.

For more information on Cambria, including performance data, product specifications, and certifications, see our Professional Resources. Learn more about how Cambria has benefitted various projects in these case studies.

Interested in creating a show-stopping design project with Cambria? Order a sample, find a dealer, schedule a virtual consultation with a Cambria expert, or call 1-866-CAMBRIA (1-866-226-2742) to be connected with a market representative in your region.