Exterior remodeling projects can be pricey, especially if you plan to replace a concrete patio. A typical 288-square-foot patio will cost nearly $3,000, and some fancier designs can cost three times that amount. If you’re like most people, you don’t have that kind of money just lying around. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of concrete patio ideas on a budget, drawn from what we’ve watched work at Denver homes since we started raising concrete in 1988.
Fix the Slab Before You Style It
Before you spend a dollar on looks, deal with stability. If the surface is cracked, sagging or uneven, correct those issues now or they’ll undo your decorating work later. Instead of spending a fortune replacing your patio, consider having it restored at an affordable price using mudjacking techniques, perfected by AAA Concrete Raising.
The process is quiet and discreet. We inject a slurry beneath the sinking concrete, and as the material fills the voids, the slab lifts and stabilizes. If you’d like to see what the job involves, or weigh doing some of the work yourself, our guide on how to level a concrete patio walks through the options step by step.
When Leveling Beats Replacing
Replacement makes sense when a patio is crumbling throughout, shattered into small pieces, or poured over soil that was never compacted. Short of that, leveling usually wins on price by a wide margin, because you’re reusing the concrete you already paid for. It wins on time, too. A leveling job typically wraps up in hours, versus the days of demolition, forming, pouring and curing a new pour demands. And in our region’s expansive clay, a new slab set on the same unstable base can settle just like the old one did, so replacement doesn’t automatically buy a permanent fix.
Think in Cost Tiers
It helps to sort upgrades into three buckets. The first tier is decor you can carry home in a single trip: rugs, cushions, lanterns and string lights. The second tier involves modest construction or equipment, like a portable firepit or a kit pergola. The third tier changes the concrete itself through stamping, staining or resurfacing. Start at the first tier and climb as your budget allows. A patio dressed with well-chosen accessories often looks better than an expensive slab left bare.
Stamped Concrete
If you’re hoping to add permanent color and texture, consider stamped concrete. This refers to concrete that has been patterned or textured to resemble other materials, such as slate, brick and stone. It’s the priciest idea on this list, but it costs far less than tearing out the patio and repouring it in a decorative finish.
Add an Outdoor Rug
An exterior rug is one of the simplest, most budget-friendly ways to add color and style to a concrete patio. These durable, weather-resistant rugs come in a wide range of sizes, patterns and colors, so it’s easy to find one that suits your space. They also soften a hard concrete surface underfoot.
Establish a Focal Point
Focal points can be anything from fountains to fireplaces to pieces of outdoor art. Pick something that attracts the eye for the right reasons. It should anchor the space without turning garish or over-the-top.
Accessorize
Compelling accessories add personality fast. Lanterns, sofas, colorful cushions and throw pillows give a plain slab some character, and they don’t have to be expensive. Shop sales and clearance racks for bargains that bring comfort and style without straining the budget.
Add String Lights
String lights are an easy, inexpensive way to add ambiance. They’re great for entertaining, and they come in plenty of colors and styles at your local hardware store or online. Just make certain you buy exterior-rated lighting built to withstand moisture and rough weather.
Install a Pergola
Pergolas add shade and structure, and they give you a place to hang plants and those string lights. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can build one yourself using plans available online. Home Depot, Lowes and other home improvement stores also sell relatively inexpensive pergola kits.
Install a Firepit
Firepits bring warmth and a gathering place to a stark concrete patio. Inexpensive portable models are easy to find at hardware and home improvement stores, or you can build a brick fire feature yourself if you’ve got the skills and the weekend.
What Holds Up in Colorado Weather
Denver sits a mile closer to the sun than the coasts, and it shows in how fast outdoor fabric fades. Choose cushions and rugs rated for UV resistance, and store textiles out of the sun when you’re not using them. Hail is the other budget-killer here, so favor accessories you can move under cover quickly and structures built to shrug off a storm. Come winter, freeze-thaw cycles will find any crack or low spot where water collects, which is one more argument for fixing the slab before decorating around it.
With these tips, you can create a comfortable, stylish patio that expands your home’s living space without draining your savings. That said, every concrete patio is at the mercy of the soil beneath it, so keep an eye out for cracking or sinking and deal with either one early.
AAA Concrete Raising has served Colorado homeowners and businesses since 1988. Our crews use modern equipment that skips the noisy, awkward machinery, which means a speedy, neat job that won’t disrupt the neighborhood. Contact our team or call (303) 526-2222 for a free estimate on your next project.
