There are many reasons why people use concrete as the base material for their patios. It’s durable, affordable, and easy to pour. However, concrete patios may look a bit dull on their own, which is why many people wonder “how can I make my concrete patio more attractive?”
You can try a variety of methods to add unique effects to your concrete patio. The easiest ones are stains and paints. You can also stamp a pattern or create a tile effect. You can also cover it with some furniture or rugs, which is excellent if you also have cracks.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best decorative ideas to give your concrete patio a quick makeover. Let’s dive right in!
How to Make the Concrete Patio More Attractive
The following list features various ideas that can greatly improve the general look of your patio. They vary in terms of difficulty and budget required. You can also combine some them together.
1 – Stain the Concrete Patio
The first and most popular way to improve the aesthetics of your concrete patio is by staining it. It’s also an affordable project that costs around $3 to $4 per sq ft.
You can use acid stains for a more permanent effect or opt for a water-based stain if you want a broader range of colors to choose from.
Keep in mind that stains don’t hide obvious discolorations and cracks. In fact, the contrast may make them stand out.
That’s why you have to treat the surface with a pressure washer and crack sealants before applying it.
2 – Paint the Concrete Patio
Painting the concrete patio is fairly similar to staining but it gives you a wider range of color choices. However, it doesn’t last as long as staining.
However, painting a concrete patio is a surefire way to cover any stubborn stains and discolorations that stains can’t hide.
3 – Score a Pattern
Another way to massively improve your concrete patio looks is by scoring a pattern into it. This process involves the use of a saw cutter to carve out a faux tile effect.
The best thing about scoring concrete is that you can control the size of the pattern and its shape.
This includes geometric shapes like grids and diamonds, waves, asymmetric shapes, and much more!
4 – Cover It with an Outdoor Rug and Some Furniture
If your concrete patio is relatively small and you only want to hide a small imperfection, especially in the middle, you can use an outdoor rug.
A rug makes for a perfect place to through some furniture and make the patio a pleasant hangout spot during the summer. It’s also an affordable solution that doesn’t require any skills or tools.
While choosing furniture for your patio, look for durable options that are specially designed for outdoor use so you don’t have to replace it so often.
If you want a more elaborate addition to your patio, you can also install larger additions like a hot tub or a cooking station for outdoor parties.
However, these additions take up a remarkable space on your patio, so it’s only suitable if you can still have enough leg room left.
5 – Stamp Your Concrete Patio
If you have poured the concrete patio yet or you don’t mind pouring a new one, you can try stamping the concrete to give it a unique texture and a custom-made aesthetic.
Stamping allows you to score a pattern quickly and more effectively, such as cobblestone and stone bricks. Alternatively, you can add a pattern of a leaf, flower, or even your initials.
7 – Polish and Wax the Concrete
If your concrete patio doesn’t have obvious cracks but has lost its luster after years of exposure to the elements, polishing and waxing could be a great choice for you.
To do this, you’ll need to clean your patio and remove any items in the way.
Also, you should strip any layer of wax that was previously applied using xylene, then apply a new coat evenly on a dirt-free surface.
8 – Use Pavers
You can also install tiles or pavers over the concrete to give it a complete makeover. However, while adding pavers, you’ll need to make sure that it doesn’t affect the drainage system of the concrete patio.
Ideally, you’ll need a professional for that project. However, if you’re handy enough you can do it yourself by laying the one-inch pavers over a layer of thin-set mortar.
9 – Put Up a Pergola
If you don’t mind spending a little more for an exquisite addition to your patio, you can set up a pergola on top of your concrete patio.
Ideally, a professionally installed pergola should cost you anywhere between $2,000 to $6,000 depending on its size, design, and materials used.
The pergola will add shade and privacy to your patio and allows you to set up a special spot for hanging out and outdoor parties with family and friends.
A patio pergola can also increase the resale value of the property, so it’s a good long-term investment.
10 – Concrete Fireplace
Another practical and aesthetically pleasing option to consider while decorating a patio would be a fireplace.
You can install the fireplace at the center of the patio or at the edges, so you can also use it to hide imperfections.
The fireplace makes for a perfect hangout for backyard camping and makes the patio more accessible during the winter months.
What to Put Around a Concrete Patio
Now that you know how to make your concrete patio more attractive, you might be interested in improving the general look of your backyard area as well. Here are some ideas that you can use to complement your patio.
1 – Gravel
Despite being a very simple addition, surrounding your patio with a few inches of gravel can massively improve the layout of your patio.
The contrast between gravel and concrete colors can create a more defined border/edge, which creates a much cleaner finish.
You can also add some unique lights under the gravel to make it pop out when the night comes.
2 – Fences and Walls
Adding a low-height wall or fence around the patio creates a unique feeling of privacy and comfort while you’re hanging out in the backyard.
By containing the patio inside a wall, either partially or fully, it turns into a standalone space rather than an extension of the backyard.
You can also adjust the decoration of the wall to match your house style and increase the resale value of your property.
3 – Shrubs and Trees
Another way to create a bordering effect around the patio and give it a pleasant look is to plant some shrubs or small trees around it.
Can control how dense the foliage can be, and you can also use large outdoor vases to add contrast and make the plants portable when you need the space for backyard parties.
Plants can also provide natural shelter from sunlight and extra privacy.
4 – Special Lights
If you want your patio to maintain its attractive look at night, you may want to install some special lights.
For example, you can install some outdoor lights or lanterns above the patio, which improves the visibility at night while improving the aesthetic quality of the whole backyard area.
5 – Koi Pond
Lastly, if you live in an area where temperatures outside are stable between 60 to 80 °F, you can dig a koi point around the patio.
Koi is a hardy fish that can tolerate outdoor temperatures and makes your backyard more attractive and unique.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! A variety of cool ideas to decorate your patio and add a touch of elegance to your outdoors.
When it comes to concrete patio decoration, the sky’s the limit! You can also mix and match a variety of the previously mentioned ideas to create something truly unique!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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