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Whereas concrete is likely to be sturdy, inexpensive, and sensible, it’s not at all times probably the most thrilling landscaping materials for a backyard patio. However panic not, you’ll be able to create a classy out of doors house with our simple concepts and high design ideas.
In the event you’ve inherited a concrete jungle, the very first thing you may attain for is a sledgehammer or Kango. However earlier than you don your exhausting hat, there may simply be one other method to revamp your concrete patio with out the necessity for a skip and the expense of changing the paving or slab.
In comparison with lawned gardens, a concrete patio wants rather a lot much less upkeep, aside from just a little weed management and a clear a couple of times a yr (learn how to clear your concrete patio hyperlink ;)). The truth is, you may even go for concrete as the principle materials in your backyard reno. From custom to uber-contemporary, there’s a backyard design that makes use of concrete for each type.
In case you are laying a brand new concrete patio, then Victoria Wade, panorama architect and designer says to differ the scale of paver. ‘Don’t really feel it’s essential to be constrained to your standard “patio pack combine” (the place you could have three or 4 totally different sized slabs to make a sample). We a lot choose to make use of one sized unit, say 900 x 600mm slabs and lay them in a staggered bond.’ On the edges, Victoria suggests utilizing a staggered fringe of full slabs, with an abundance of planting to melt the exhausting landscaping.
Table of Contents
Concrete patio concepts to encourage
Attempt these concrete patio design concepts, no matter dimension, or type of backyard you’ve received
1. Flip up the cottage allure
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Jamie Mason
Concrete paving doesn’t should imply uniformed rows of the identical dimension paver. A 3-paver design echoes a farmhouse kitchen flooring, which you’ll draw on for styling inspiration to create a cottage look. Select light-coloured furnishings, mixing desk and chair types, whereas textiles usher in sample and heat.
Attempt an outside rug to interrupt up a big expanse of concrete paving. In the event you don’t wish to cowl the paving utterly, then go for a runner, serving to to attract the attention away from the concrete.
2. Preserve issues sensible
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme
Beneath a small potting space of your backyard, concrete is a superb alternative. It’s sensible as any seeds or instruments dropped could be seen simply (there’s no gaps to drop down), plus you’ll be able to hose or sweep the world rapidly.
Concrete is made up of cement, mixture and sharp sand. You possibly can combine by hand or utilizing a cement mixer, and whereas it’s going to start to harden after a couple of hours, it may take a couple of days to turn into sturdy. Part off your proposed concrete space with timber boards, that are eliminated as soon as the concrete is cured.
3. Use to make areas move
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Emma Lewis
Hyperlink inside with out by preserving the flooring related. Echo a porcelain tile with a concrete model and mirror the tiling sample to encourage the areas to move seamlessly into one another.
Concrete block partitions give a backyard a recent really feel, particularly when rendered and painted the identical grey-blue as built-in furnishings inside the home.
4. Brighten with paint
Picture credit score: Future Plc/David Giles
Replace your little concrete nook with paint and planting. Select a crisp white for brickwork, immediately brightening up the gray, whereas a sage inexperienced boosts vegetation till they’re extra established. We’ve loads of concepts for patio concepts on a price range
It’s also possible to paint concrete, creating your personal out of doors rug thought, simply be sure to use an exterior flooring paint as masonry paint is designed for vertical surfaces.
5. Disguise concrete loopy paving
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Tim Younger
In case your backyard has loopy paving, there are methods you’ll be able to reduce its… effectively craziness, with out reaching for the Kango. Use planting to melt the sides, permitting it to develop over, whereas planters and pots can elevate your eye upwards. Likewise, a backyard mirror that displays a garden or timber additional down your backyard will work wonders. Soften the strains of eating furnishings with a linen material – select a delicate color to pretty-up the concrete base.
6. Preserve concrete wanting good
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme
Whilst you is likely to be dreaming of sandstone, the truth is that concrete paving could be remodeled with an excellent strain wash. In the event you want recommendation on cleansing concrete, then learn our high ideas (hyperlink to go right here).
Whereas new-builds typically include normal 40 x 40cm concrete patio tiles, laid unimaginatively in straight rows, co-ordinating planting and ornamental equipment will assist create extra a backyard room and detract from the paving. We’ve loads of paving concepts that can assist you profit from your patio house.
7. Neaten up edging
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme
Small touches will make your concrete patio look well-thought out – like edging your paving with sleepers and/or gravel. In case you are laying your paving your self and might’t get an entire paver subsequent to the boundary, then this is usually a nice cut-free resolution.
Attempt to differ the supplies for much less of a ‘concrete jungle’ impact. Combine sleepers, terracotta and galvanised metallic, creating loads of visible curiosity.
8. Play to concrete’s greys
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Colin Poole
For a cool backyard (splendid if yours is south dealing with with little shade), attempt utilizing the gray of your concrete paving as the idea in your color palette. Go for black rattan-effect furnishings and a cool blue paint for fencing panels, which works brilliantly with concrete fencing posts and kick boards. Attempt these patio décor concepts to discover a look that works in your house.
Give your backyard a hotel-terrace vibe with lollipop-style timber, planted in concrete-effect planters. Attempt bay, dwarf umbrella or azalea timber.
9. Make a characteristic of your jointing
Picture credit score: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme
The gaps between concrete paving could be as slender or large as you need. Why not use a colored cement to make an uncommon number of concrete loopy paving pop?
Concrete could be a good way to zone even the smallest of gardens – it’s low cost and you’ll DIY. Attempt mixing paving with ornamental stones and concrete slab.
10. Dwell on the sting
Picture credit score: B&Q
Purchase now: Up to date double-sided gray paving edging, £4.86, B&Q
Solid concrete edging can present a beautiful ornamental contact to slate, whereas serving to to maintain it the place you need it. Search for a scalloped design, including a way of motion to uniformed beds.
Take the concrete look additional with sculptural items in your backyard, like orbs or perhaps a water characteristic.
How can I make my patio look good?
Victoria says to consider the way you wish to use the house and with who, relatively than simply the weather you wish to embody. ‘In the event you plan on coming out to your patio together with your morning cuppa, then a bench within the solar could be beautiful,’ she says. Round this, you’ll be able to create clusters of planters and pots, softening the concrete.
Color will immediately rework concrete paving and patios, whether or not that’s summer time geraniums or a daring rug underfoot. Use the partitions too, main the attention up and away from the concrete.
How can I cowl my concrete patio cheaply?
An outside rug can rework a concrete patio, including color and elegance with out the necessity for any exhausting landscaping. ‘A backyard rug is a superb addition,’ says Victoria, ‘particularly in case you have younger youngsters as concrete could be harsh for little knees.’
Concrete patios will also be painted – in case you have pavers, then you need to use to create your personal rug design. Take care to make use of a paint that’s designed for the job – puddles of standing water and a few exterior paints don’t faire too effectively.
It’s also possible to lay decking over concrete. Use sleepers beneath the deck to permit for water drainage and materials growth/contraction.
