Nine ways to update or makeover your patio. There are so many great makeover concrete patio ideas to create a beautiful outdoor living space.
see more: our painted patio makeover
Concrete Patio Ideas
Concrete patios are very durable, but they’re just not very exciting. If you have a concrete slab in your backyard and you’re itching to jazz it up a bit, here are 6 ways to make over a concrete patio! Take a look at all of these fabulous concrete patio ideas.
1. Paint a Pattern
Yes, you can paint your concrete slab. The Handmade Home scored their concrete slab with a circular saw to create a diamond pattern and then painted it with two shades of gray using concrete paint. What a transformation!
2. Lay Decking Flooring
Did you know you can lay decking over a concrete slab? And that it’s not as hard as it sounds! Here’s how you can do it. To finish it off, you can attach white fascia boards along the sides. This is a really great way to make over a concrete patio, because decking flooring will instantly warm up your outdoor space.
Another idea for adding a deck over a concrete patio, is to create a deck out of pallets! Check out the tutorial here. Proper maintenance is crucial for a deck. Learn how to stain it the right way with our tutorial. Or if you already have a deck, learn how to refinish it.
3. Add Curves With Pavers
A square concrete slab is standard, but you can add curves around your concrete patio with the help of pavers. For instance, you could add a half circle to one side to create a fire pit area. Or use pavers to border off a circular garden at one corner of your patio.
You can see how we added a curved retaining wall during our backyard patio project, plus a matching fire pit.
This is such a pretty way to make over a concrete patio.
4. Lay Slate Tiles
Concrete is already a great base for tiles, so you could lay slate tiles to completely transform your concrete patio. First, check for any cracks or weak spots and repair them. Then you’re good to go! Tile your concrete patio just as you would tile any other space in your home.
5. Stain the Concrete to Look Like Tile
If you love the look of tiles but not the hard work or the expense, you could stain the concrete to look like tile! Use 1/2 inch tape (try car shops to find this size) to create “grout” lines on the floor and then stain over it. Peel off the tape and ta-da, instant tile! Just make sure to clean it beforehand and seal it afterwards and you’ll have a concrete patio that looks nothing like concrete.
6. Add a Beautiful Outdoor Rug
The easiest way to make over a concrete patio is to invest in a large and striking outdoor rug. Here’s a great example. The eye will instantly go to the rug and the concrete patio will disappear into the background. Put some great outdoor furniture on top of the rug and you’ve got yourself an outdoor space you can be proud of. If you like a beachy color scheme of blue and white, you’ll love this rug.
7. Paint Concrete
We took an old cracked patio and painted it to create a brand new outdoor living space. Plus, check out this painted concrete floor. See how we added in patio furniture to complete this patio makeover.
And if you’re actually itching to get a concrete patio because you have nothing in your backyard right now, see how you can DIY a concrete patio!
8. Dress it Up
We have plenty of concrete patio ideas to dress it up. Ambience is key! And we’ve broken down lots of great ways to increase patio ambience. And sometimes you just need lots of inspiration to spark the perfect idea for your space. One of our readers asked about how to beautify your patio.
9. Add a Retaining Wall
Mix and match the ideas above with this beautiful retaining wall and fire pit. It is a great way to add texture and a place for planting gorgeous flowers.
Extra Design Elements to Add
We have lots of great inspiration from home shows, and where to find similar pieces to complete your concrete patio ideas.
- Outdoor String Lights
- Outdoor Dining Sets
- Outdoor Sofas
- Outdoor Rocking Chairs
- Lounge Chairs
- Fire pits to buy or build
- Pretty Pergolas
- Garden Arbors and Trellises
- Hanging Chairs
I can almost feel the plans for all of the summer nights and days spent out on the patio. It is going to be your favorite place to hang out with all of these great concrete patio ideas for a makeover.
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Originally posted June 4, 2014 // Updated February 18, 2021
I like how you suggested using curves with pavers as a way to add some extra fixtures to a patio, like fire pits. Thinking about it, a fire pit would be an excellent idea for my own outdoor space since the cold wind of the evening could make it a bit uncomfortable for people who wanna mingle outside. I’ll start looking for a concrete contractor that can help me design this so our patio project can begin.
Nice pictures and great ideas. I especially like the suggestion of painting patterns on the concrete floor. We used stamp patterns for our floor. Now we are thinking if we want to add cover to the space. On one hand, it’s nice to block some sun. But then, we worry it would be too dark. We will see! –