How To Upgrade Your Concrete Patio

Plain concrete patios don’t do much to add character to your home. However, they can serve as blank slates that have boundless potential if you get creative. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to upgrade your concrete patio. 

The best way to upgrade your concrete patio is to clean, resurface, and stain it to overhaul its appearance. You can also change the appearance by laying tiles or pavers to create a unique, natural aesthetic. It’s also worth considering installing a hot tub and setting up comfortable furniture and string lights. 

The sky is the limit if you realize that the only person you have to please is yourself. After all, your patio should serve as a nice outdoor escape. Follow along as we explore how to upgrade your concrete patio. 

What To Do With A Concrete Patio

1. Lay Tiles

Many people find their plain concrete patios quite dull and hard to decorate. However, even something as simple as laying tiles can transform and upgrade your concrete patio with little effort. You can even do this project without professional help if you have experience laying tile. 

For example, you can buy bulk porcelain, travertine, terracotta, or slate tiles and lay them yourself. These are the best options for concrete patios, as they can withstand heavy foot traffic. That also means you can place furniture on the tiles without worrying about damage. 

Rubber is another option, and while it’s cheap, it’s not as durable as slate or porcelain. Depending on the type of tile and whether you hire help, you can expect to spend between $2 and $20 per square foot.

2. Install A Hot Tub

A simple above-ground hot tub can transform any concrete patio into a lavish getaway. Standard hot tubs typically cost between $2,000 and $10,000, and dealers can typically help install them. You can find hot tubs at any price point, but naturally, they differ in quality. 

For example, inflatable hot tubs rarely exceed $1,500, but they also lack durability and won’t last long. Vinyl and roto-molded plastic are the best budget hot tub options for a concrete patio. Vinyl-lined hot tubs typically cost between $4,000 and $12,000, while roto-molded plastic tubs start at $2,000. 

No matter what kind of hot tub you buy, you must keep up with maintenance. Otherwise, you’ll constantly deal with algae, mold, and motor problems. 

3. Hang String Lights

Wasting outdoor space at home is a crime in any designer’s eyes. Many people struggle to envision their plain concrete patios looking better, but all it takes is a little creativity. For example, some string lights and LED balloon lanterns can add character to your concrete patio.   

Anyone can hang string lights without hiring someone to help. You can easily connect string lights to a post or anchor on your exterior wall. String lights help create a warm, cozy outdoor atmosphere that’s hard to beat. 

Look for weatherproof string lights to ensure they don’t suffer from elemental damage, like temperature changes and rain. Pair your string lights with some LED balloon lanterns to create an outdoor oasis on your concrete patio. 

4. Turn It into A Lounge

Why not put as much care into your concrete patio as you would put into an indoor room? Don’t let the possibly bland appearance of your concrete patio stop you from turning it into a fun lounge. All it takes is some outdoor furniture and a rug to make it a comfortable space. 

Weather-resistant rugs are affordable and often quite visually appealing. Look for a washable outdoor rug to ensure you can clean it throughout the year. After all, it will likely get dirty when dirt and grass kick up from standard lawn maintenance. 

Aluminum, wicker, and teak wood furniture are perfect for outdoor use. Pair your furniture with cushions rated for outdoor use to make your furniture more comfortable. It’s also worth buying an outdoor storage bin to store your cushions before extreme weather. Avoid glass tables if you live in an area with heavy storms, as they can break from hail damage. 

5. Resurface It

Does your concrete patio have many cracks and lots of cosmetic damage? If so, you can upgrade your concrete patio by resurfacing it. Many people hesitate to do so because of the cost implications, but it’s much cheaper as a DIY project. 

First, you must clean the concrete patio with a power washer and let the surface dry. Next, patch the cracks with cement patching material of your choice, such as Quikrete. Be patient, as you must carefully manipulate the material with a trowel to ensure it stays flush with the patio floor. 

Now, you can mix a cement overlay with prepared concrete and spread it on the concrete floor. Go slow and use even, consistent brush strokes to ensure a nice finish. This will make your concrete patio floor look brand new. 

6. Stain The Concrete Floor

Much like resurfacing, staining can make your concrete patio floor look much better. That’s because you can find no shortage of stain options to transform your concrete floor. Some stains can contribute to a natural aesthetic, such as tile and stone, despite being a standard concrete floor. 

Keep in mind that stains don’t hide cracks and imperfections, so you must patch and resurface the concrete floor first. Water-based stains are especially effective on concrete patio floors. They typically look exactly like what you’d expect upon curing, which isn’t always the case with oil-based stains. 

Water-based stains also dry quickly and are much easier to apply than oil-based stains under many circumstances. However, oil-based stains can typically withstand much more wear and tear than a water-based one. That means they may come in handy if you live in an area with harsh weather. 

7. Make Room For Activities

Concrete patios aren’t always spacious, but they often have enough room for fun activities. You may not have room for a mini golf course on your concrete patio, but you probably have space for a putting mat. Today, you can find putting mats and machines that can easily fit on the average concrete patio. 

Granted, you should look for weather-resistant mats to prevent damage. It’s also worth checking out miniature badminton and pickleball courts. You can’t go wrong installing a basketball hoop, whether it’s large or small. 

This can help keep you active and entertain your friends and family. However, you must be careful, especially if you have windows near your concrete patio. 

Summing It Up

You can cheaply upgrade your concrete patio if you lay tiles or resurface and stain the floor. String lights and LED balloon lanterns can also help create a warm and cozy environment. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a hot tub, pickleball court, badminton court, or basketball hoop. 

Related Guides:

• Nine Signs That It’s Time To Replace Your Patio Umbrella
• How To Arrange Patio Furniture