Explore the world of simple yet elegant concrete slab patio ideas perfect for creating a timeless outdoor space. This guide offers inspiration and tips for transforming a basic concrete slab into a stylish and inviting patio area. Discover how to blend modern and rustic elements, integrate lush landscaping, and select the right furniture to enhance the natural beauty of concrete. These ideas are ideal for homeowners looking to elevate their backyard with a durable and versatile patio solution.
Hey there, my fellow DIY over-achievers and home improvement inspo-seekers! Are you tired of your ugly concrete patio or cracked cement front porch, wishing it could look better and be...
Ready to rethink your patio? If you love the idea of a low-maintenance, high-impact outdoor space, stamped concrete might be the perfect solution. Its incredible versatility in terms of patterns, textures, and colors means you
Transforming your concrete patio into a cozy outdoor retreat is easier than you might think. With the right design elements and creative touches, you can tu ...
Discover innovative concrete patio border ideas that will transform your outdoor space into a stylish retreat. Get inspired for your next project here!
Taking a staycation this year? Transform your outdoor living space into something wonderful by getting inspired by these exterior home trends for 2023.
making room for stylish outdoor living When we built our home in 2013 we had our contractor lay a pad of crusher run so we could take the dogs out on what was mainly a mud pit at the time. The pad was temporary (so we thought). But four years later we found that this was a project we never took on and was long overdue. Our goal was to create a large patio space with room for a fire pit area, eating area and seating/hot tub area. We priced out both pavers and concrete and found that concrete was about half the price. I really wanted to look of bluestone/flagstone and loved the linear look of these natural stones. That's when Jeff Garner from JMG Stamped Concrete and Masonry assured me he could create that same look that I loved used stamps. I trusted him and never looked back. Jeff gave us the patio of our dreams! To truly appreciate Jeff's talent, take a look at where we were when we started this project... B E F O R E T H E P R O C E S S After framing in the area where the patio will be poured, Jeff and his team laid rebar over the crusher stone. The concrete truck came in and concrete was dumped into the patio area. Jeff smoothed and evened it all out using various tools. Think of it as baking a cake, with very large decorating tools! :) After the concrete was poured, evened out and smoothed, and was left to dry a bit until it was at an optimal point for stamping. When it comes to stamps there are so many patterns and looks you can go for. You can go as far as staining the concrete you order if you wish it to be a certain color. We liked the traditional gray color and were able to save money by not dying. Here's a pic of the stamps and the pattern they were laid out in. Once the stamping begins it's a little bit of an art! Jeff and his team laid out the pattern and kept it moving from left to right. They smoothed out seams and imperfections as they went along which made it look more authentic and less stamped. It's the exciting part of the project because you can really start to see it coming to life! After it drys overnight, it gets a protective sealer and antiquing on it. That really brought out the "look" of the concrete and made it truly feel like stone. Below is an aerial shot of the layout once it was finished. T H E E N D R E S U L T We are so thrilled with how this came out. We saved over $4,000 opting for stamped concrete versus pavers, which for us, was the difference between having to wait another year or more. I'm so glad we opted to go for it. A few tips and things to ask about when you interview a mason and/or concrete installer: What is your experience? IMPORTANT!!! Ask for a portfolio and call references. How big is your team? It takes several team members to do this, and do it right. Trust us - we've had stamped concrete nightmares in the past from going with inexperienced, small teams. What will this cost? According to my research for the area I live in, the cost per square foot is typically between $6-10. Traditional pavers cost more but they don't crack like concrete can. How long will this project take? Jeff and his team took two days to prep the area and then the pouring and stamping took one day, and the sealing and antiquing took half a day. Be prepared and make sure you work around any big plans for entertaining at your home. We love the outcome and hope you do too! It's still cold in upstate NY right now so any flowers and planters are at a minimal, but I can't wait to jazz up this hardscape area with more plant life pretty soon!
How to paint concrete floors to look like wood planks, including the best concrete paint to use outside and a step by step guide to get the look!
Here are some Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget so you can enjoy sitting with style without burning a hole in your pocket.
Some designs call for a head-to-toe makeover. Others require targeted problem solving and a bit of spiffing. Interior designer and homeowner Julieta Alvarez came to Yardzen seeking the latter. Her family’s modern home in New Jersey had a lot going for their outdoor space. A beautiful deck with cable railings... Read more »
We painted our concrete patio and it looks amazing. Here's what used, how we did it and how it's held up...complete with tips, tricks and photos.
Making your own concrete patio can be a rewarding project, offering a fresh look to your outdoor space. This DIY guide steps you through how to pour a concrete slab, ensuring your project is successful from start to finish. With precise instructions and a detailed overview of the process, we aim to equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle this task with confidence, regardless of your current skill level. From planning your patio layout to the final touches that make your space uniquely yours, this guide covers all the necessary steps. Understanding how to properly mix and pour concrete,
How to Carve and Stain Old Concrete: Old concrete can look neglected and cracked. Even new gray concrete can be boring.I hate old looking concrete, so I set out to restore and make concrete look like art. Learn how to carve, sculpture and color concrete.If you are trying to make an old…
Hey there, my fellow DIY over-achievers and home improvement inspo-seekers! Are you tired of your ugly concrete patio or cracked cement front porch, wishing it could look better and be...
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Create a beautiful patio or driveway without the expense or environmental impact of concrete, with one of these budget & eco-friendly concrete alternatives.
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Discover creative concrete floor ideas that redefine spaces. From modern elegance to industrial charm, explore innovative design inspirations.
Making your own concrete patio can be a rewarding project, offering a fresh look to your outdoor space. This DIY guide steps you through how to pour a concrete slab, ensuring your project is successful from start to finish. With precise instructions and a detailed overview of the process, we aim to equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle this task with confidence, regardless of your current skill level. From planning your patio layout to the final touches that make your space uniquely yours, this guide covers all the necessary steps. Understanding how to properly mix and pour concrete,
Update your concrete patio with rust-oleum, and I will show you how! If you’ve been following along for a while, then you might remember that we’ve been working on projects to fix up the exterior of our house since the spring. I shared the whole “before” of our exterior as well as our plans to...
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This project explains how to repair a cracked concrete patio with QUIKRETE® Concrete Repair (No. 8620) caulk.
It’s finally done!!! And I can’t love this checkerboard patio floor more! I’m completely obsessed with this space now. Looking back at the before photos, it’s truly amazing what a little paint, sweat equity, and determination can do for a space! When last I left you, I had just finished painting this concrete patio floor […]
Learn how to resurface concrete for a brand-new, durable finish with this simple step-by-step guide.
The story so far... Our Indian stone patio had just been laid when we moved into our home in 2007 and the colours were beautiful. 13 yrs of power washing twice a year, it was a little jaded and needed some love and attention. After joining the Dizzy Duck family in April 2020 I was dying to stencil something! The Zarzi
In this blog, we're answering some common questions about using pavers or concrete for your next backyard project.
I have created some DIY friendly layouts you can copy, modify, or use as a springboard for planning your own outdoor getaway.
Check out are incredible DIY concrete patio cleaner based on science. No bleach needed, but it works just as good and will clean all concrete.
All concrete patios experience wear and tear over the years. Luckily, you can try these concrete repairs on your own for it to look like new.
Suzanne Simmonds did an amazing patio makeover using stencils and paint! Above is what her patio looked like before... She painted the stone slabs with Masonry Paint and let dry. Then she bought a stencil
This concrete Patio Cleaner is perfect for patios in dire need of a cleaning. This recipe will make your patio look brand spanking new!
Read on to see how we transformed an old kitchen table using a concrete overlay in this easy (ish) DIY Concrete Table Refresh.
If you've ever thought about turning your cement porch into a wood deck, it's surprisingly easy! Here are some thoughts, tips, & photos from our experience!
Do you want to DIY large concrete planters in one weekend? Use these simple methods to build a Concrete planter for your front or back patio.
How to update your drab concrete floors.
Ever thought about turning your concrete slab into a covered deck? It's definitely doable! Here are some thoughts, tips, & photos from our experience!
Discover unique stone edging ideas to transform your garden into a stunning outdoor oasis. Click to explore creative designs!
(Edit) Please also check out my latest patio repaint from summer 2021, using a slightly different method and products based on what I learned from this project. You may or may not have seen my latest mammoth project that involved hand stencilling my garden path, if you haven't then click here, if you have then you are
Week six of the Blanco Bungalow Kitchen remodel where we are building our 1920's Spanish Bungalow kitchen from scratch using concrete blocks and microcement.