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1. Glow-in-the-dark concrete

Turn down the lights, save on electricity, and install some glow-in-the-dark concrete. New photoluminescent coatings allow you to light up your concrete so it casts a reflective glow at night. Often used to illuminate pathways and stair steps, these surfaces are also ideal for bartops and outdoor countertops. Learn more.

Glo-Kote: Glow in the Dark Concrete

Phosphorous Illuminates Concrete Surfaces

2. Free-form shapes

It's no longer hip to be square when it comes to decorative concrete. People are beginning to take full advantage of concrete's ability to be molded into any shape, from geometric to curvilinear. Check out these curvy countertop projects:

S-Curve Countertop

Concrete Bartop Doubles as Abstract Art

3. Going organic

Another trend is to veer away from the ultra-modern to a more natural look that takes advantage of the organic characteristics of concrete. There are a number of ways to give new concrete a slightly worn, broken-in look, like vintage clothing. See this example:

Aged-Looking Spa Sink

4. Metallic coatings

A whole new alchemy is available for adding razzle-dazzle to concrete floors, countertops and even concrete bowls and other objects -- metallic coatings that allow you to "guild" your concrete to replicate the look of copper, silver, aged bronze, and other metals. Some of these coatings contain real metallic powders, while others use special reflective pigments. See some of the unique effects possible.

5. 'Undercover' concrete

One of the best attributes of decorative concrete is its ability to impersonate other materials, such as brick, natural stone, wood, marble, and slate. What's more, you get all the performance advantages of concrete but often at a lower cost than the material it's imitating. Here are some amazing examples of concrete in disguise.