Give your concrete patio a quick and inexpensive makeover just in time for the warmer months. Turn it into an outdoor room that's an extension of your indoor living space with a functional layout, practical features that protect it from the elements, potted greenery that ties in its surroundings, and decorative accents that set a cheerful backdrop for outdoor entertaining.
Whether you have a large patio with a beautiful pergola or you're trying to make the most of a small outdoor space, we'll show you how to add function and style. Use these ideas for patio curtains, modern fire pits, and outdoor rugs to turn your concrete patio into the perfect hangout spot.
Small Concrete Patio Ideas
A symmetrical patio setup makes for a warm and welcoming entrance to this modern farmhouse. The green front door is flanked with a pair of wall sconces, potted ferns, and black rocking chairs for a classic design and a visually appealing first impression.
Painted Concrete Patio
To prevent outdoor furniture from looking like it's simply floating on a large patio, anchor it with a well-chosen area rug. Outdoor rugs are available in a variety of styles, colors, and materials, and this black rug adds depth and contrast, ties in the black exterior window shutters, and helps define the conversation pit. A painted design on the concrete patio itself adds even more dimension.
Functional Concrete Patio
Maximize a large patio by dividing it into zones based on activities. Keep views and practical factors such as proximity to the door or a pool in mind when creating different zones such as a dining area, a grill station, a spot for kids to play, and a seating area with comfy lounging outdoor furniture.
Add Cafe Lights
Hang cafe lights from a pergola ceiling to illuminate your patio and set the mood for al fresco dining. Calculate how many strands of lights you will need before hanging them and ensure the lights are dispersed evenly above an outdoor dining table or seating area.
Modern Rustic Concrete Patio
Warm up a concrete patio and create a modern rustic design with warm woods, woven textures, comfortable seating, and a neutral color scheme. Incorporate greenery in the form of flowering window boxes, potted plants, and a lush centerpiece to integrate the patio with the surrounding green space.
Hang Patio Curtains
Add a beautiful finishing touch to your outdoor space with patio curtains that serve both a practical and an aesthetic purpose. Their main function is to provide privacy and shade from the sun, but they are also a great vehicle for adding color and pattern and visually framing a concrete patio.
Hang Ferns From Pergola Beams
Hang ferns from a pergola ceiling to liven up a concrete patio and turn it into a lush green oasis. Bring in potted plants to surround outdoor furniture and add bright planters, colorful throw pillows, and a textured weatherproof rug to complete the patio.
Use Natural Wood Accents
Natural wood has been a recent interiors trend, but the material is also a beautiful choice for a stylish concrete patio—if it's weatherproof, of course! An organically shaped wood coffee table, a rustic wood board holding a potted plant display, and an L-shaped sectional with a wood frame warm up this white exterior and seamlessly blend in with the surrounding greenery.
Bring Out an Umbrella
For a non-permanent way to provide shade, bring out an oversized outdoor umbrella to shield seating. It's a much more affordable option than a pergola, it offers flexibility since you can move it around, and if needed, you can use more than one umbrella to provide sufficient shade.
Install a Fire Pit
Install a fire pit on a concrete patio so you can roast marshmallows and enjoy its cozy ambiance. Consider the shape, size, and materials used in your patio to determine the type and style of the fire pit for a cohesive outdoor design and plenty of clearance around it.
Add Outdoor Wall Decor
Treat your patio like you would any indoor space and add visual interest with outdoor wall decor. Here, a tiered wood shelf holds potted plants to fill an empty exterior wall, livens up white siding with blooming greenery, and creates a beautiful focal point that serves as a pretty backdrop for a casual dining set.
Covered Concrete Patio Ideas
Install a roof or pergola so you can enjoy the patio rain or shine. This clear roof allows maximum light to stream in while providing a shield from the elements, and its beams have built-in recessed lights to illuminate the outdoor space after dusk.
Use Cheerful Colors
Brighten up a concrete patio with cheerful colors to make it extra warm and inviting. Orange and teal furniture, throw pillows, and wall decor pop against brown exterior siding on this small patio corner and black and white striped curtains with orange tiebacks introduce a bold pattern while offering shade and privacy.
Modern Concrete Patio Ideas
A wicker sectional with plush white cushions and a simple round coffee table creates an elegant patio seating area. A pair of statement wall sconces flanking a window draws the eyes up and maintains a clean and streamlined aesthetic.
Arrange Potted Plants
Add height and fill an empty patio corner with an arrangement of potted plants. Depending on the size of the corner, gather two to three large planters with different types and heights of plants for volume, texture, and color.
Roll Out a Bar Cart
If you're working with a small patio that can't accommodate a fully decked-out built-in bar, rely on an easily portable and inexpensive piece—a rolling bar cart! Stock it with drinks, glassware, and other outdoor entertaining essentials, and move it between the house and the patio as needed.
Outdoor Rug Design
Switch things up and position a rug on an angle to add a modern edge to your patio. An outdoor rug helps anchor the furniture and define a seating or dining area, and it's also a great way to continue a color scheme or hide cracks in the concrete.
Build a Brick Fire Pit
Build a brick fire pit on a concrete patio and paint it white for a clean and updated look. Continue the light and bright design with rattan chairs, black and white cushions, and wood accent tables, and liven up the outdoor space with trailing plants and tall potted trees.
Mix Materials
This elegant patio features stone flooring, metal furniture, and lighting, and a stunning wood ceiling for a beautiful mixed material look. The layered design consists of natural materials that create contrast while maintaining a limited neutral color scheme for an outdoor patio that's both inviting and timeless.
Create an Outdoor Room
Turn a covered patio into an outdoor room with interesting wall details such as this vertical white paneling that sets an elegant tone for the rest of the space. Assemble a comfortable seating area and mount a TV on the wall in a spot where it can be seen from multiple areas and install ceiling fans with lights to keep the space cool in the summer and add brightness in the evenings.
