Cement is one of those materials that has been very popular among DIYers (myself included). It could be due to the versatility or maybe because it's accessible and relatively affordable. I have shared many DIY projects where I use cement, concrete, or a similar cement-based materials. Cement of course is gray and often has a connotation of being industrial or boring. It doesn't have to be! You can add color to tie in with your desired color palettes.
You can certainly get earthy tones or even stone-like finishes. Today I'm sharing simple some ways to add color to your concrete, cement, and mortar mixes.
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1. Color Pigment
Used on lamp: Henry's Feather Finish mixed with Buff color
You can use cement color (pigment) for best results. The is going to be more concentrated and will likely come in powder form. A little goes a long way with this. I typically use 1/4 a teaspoon per 1 cup of cement but will ultimately depend on personal preference. The more you add the more vibrant the color. Keep in mind the color of the pigment appears brighter than it will actually be once the cement cures.
Skim Coated with Henry's Feather Finish mixed with Buff color
Newlook Cement Color
Home Depot - Price: $9
Click to see more colors options, but this one will give you a red terracotta look. This container can last you a long time.
Quikrete Liquid Cement Color
Home Depot - Price: $9 each
It's essentially the same thing as powder but in liquid form. This may last you a long time.
EARTH TONE Collection - 3 Pack
Amazon - Price: $28
Light Yellow Ochre France, Natural Umber CPR, Burnt Umber France
You can mix these together (in your cement/water mix) to get a stone or marble look, or test out colors!
THE BASIC Collection - 3 Pack
Amazon - Price: $28
Titanium Dioxide, Romana Black Earth, Marrone Alabastro
You can mix these together (in your cement/water mix) to get a stone or marble look, or test out colors!
2. Craft Paint
Craft paint can be mixed in to the cement mixture to add some color, however it will not be as vibrant. This would be a good option for neutrals, beiges, and other earthy tones. Keep in mind the color of the mixture will be lighter once it cures. Another thing to note is too much paint can reduce the strength of cement. You can do some tests to determine the best paint options.
First, mix up your cement/concrete mixture per usual (with water) then slowly add in the paint. At the end you want a thick pancake consistency. Work quickly and wear PPE.
Mixing powder cement pigment with craft paint
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