30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (2024)

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Kristin Hohenadel

30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (1)

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.

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Updated on 05/09/23

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30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (2)

There are a million ways to elevate a simple concrete patio, from painting the floor to setting up a fire pit conversation area to decorating it with outdoor rugs or plants. Check out these simple, modern concrete patio ideas in a range of backyard settings for inspiration on how to make your outdoor space shine.

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    Lay an Outdoor Rug

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (3)

    An affordable outdoor rug will warm up your concrete patio, like this large striped black-and-white rug from Blanco Bungalow that anchors a backyard seating area decorated like an outdoor living room.

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    Make It Romantic

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (4)

    A couple of comfy lounge chairs, an outdoor pouf, and some extra plants and flowers that echo the landscape give this simple concrete paver patio from Georgia Zikas Design an easy, cozy feel that's perfect for sharing with the one you love.

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    Add a Cozy DIY Fire Pit

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (5)

    Most Lovely Things added a DIY fire pit to warm up the neutral tones of her painted concrete porch. A pegboard on the side of the house to hang up extra throw blankets, simple black seating, and tree stump side tables complete the affordable mixed modern and rustic look.

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    Paint a DIY Runner

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (6)

    Thistlewood Farms added structure to a simple concrete patio with a DIY painted runner. You can paint a DIY doormat or rug as well depending on what best suits your patio layout.

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  • 05 of 30

    Add Texture

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (7)

    To keep your concrete patio outdoor space from feeling too cold, add textures using outdoor furniture and accessories like the kilim pouf in this space from Emily Henderson Design.

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  • 06 of 30

    Hang a Chair

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (8)

    A black woven hanging chair suspended from the roof of this covered patio from Forge & Bow Dwellings adds a note of boho style, while raw wood planters and a fire pit add warmth to the cool concrete flooring.

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    Choose an Accent Color

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (9)

    White Sands furnished this concrete rooftop patio with warm wood tones and white textiles, then elevated the whole look with some bright pops of acid yellow on the accessories.

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  • 08 of 30

    Install a Pop-Up Canopy

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (10)


    This outdoor dining area designed by Ajai Guyot for Emily Henderson Design
    is sheltered by a pop-up canopy with tie-back curtains that can be closed completely if desired. A pop-up canopy is an easy solution to shelter a space like this driveway-turned-patio for special occasion entertaining.

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    Stencil the Floor

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (11)

    Craftberry Bush dressed up the plain builder-grade cement tile patio of a London backyard by stenciling them with a pretty gray-and-white pattern using an outdoor acrylic paint that doesn't require a sealer and is waterproof and scuff-resistant, an affordable way to get a patterned cement tile look for less.

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    Add a Daybed

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (12)

    This Mediterranean courtyard patio from Fantastic Frank has a built-in daybed nestled against a beautiful stone wall, decorated with simple cushions in neutral fabrics. You can build a simple, affordable DIY daybed from pallet wood.

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    String Some Lights

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (13)

    Hanging a row of outdoor Edison bulb LED string lights is a shortcut to making any concrete patio feel warmer and more inviting, like this space from Arbor & Co.

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    Incorporate Nature

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (14)

    Landscaping around existing trees is an earth-friendly way to save money while creating warmth on a concrete patio, like this space designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design. A planter with a trellis to train vines along the wood fence adds another natural element to make the space feel inviting.

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    Zone It Out

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (15)

    Modern House Vibes used outdoor umbrellas to help define separate dining and sitting areas on this small but functional concrete patio.

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    Add a Pizza Oven

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (16)

    Home Consultant added a gray brick outdoor pizza oven to this concrete paver patio in a Los Angeles backyard, and constructed a pergola to define the adjacent dining area.

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    Add Rainbow Stripes

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (17)

    A Beautiful Mess gave this concrete patio a budget-friendly makeover with a DIY rainbow stripe paint job made up of sherbet-colored shades. Feel free to adapt the color palette to suit your setting.

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    Add Natural Accents

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (18)

    A live edge dining table, woven seating, a bamboo roof, a wall of plants, and wrap-around curtains soften and warm up this concrete dining patio from Fantastic Frank.

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    Buy Secondhand

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (19)

    If you've got a small budget, source a gently used or vintage patio set online. Moving sales are another place to look for quality outdoor furniture at a discount since it's something people often leave behind when relocating. Dazey Den chose retro seating that adds charm to this small detached Palm Springs patio.

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    Add Privacy With Plants

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (20)

    To add privacy to this driveway turned dining room patio from Home Consultant, a row of planters on the wall helps to block the view of the neighbors while maintaining a friendly feel.

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    Create a Focal Point

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (21)

    Arbor & Co. furnished this concrete driveway turned patio outside a Portland vacation home with a cozy seating area and hung a collection of inexpensive decorative woven baskets arranged over the loveseat to create a focal point.

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    Make It Modern

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (22)

    Polished concrete effect tiles make this patio off the kitchen of a Northern California home from Cathie Hong Interiors feel modern and sleek. Paired with a modern dining table and chairs and a contemporary sconce light, it feels minimal and chic, a look that can be as high-end or affordable as you want depending on where you source your furniture.

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    Install a Canopy Roof

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (23)

    Blanco Bungalow added a slanted roof canopy anchored by thin posts that defines this concrete patio from the rest of the outdoor space, ensuring that there's always a shady place to sit and sip a lemonade on a sweltering day.

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    Complement With Earth Tones

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (24)

    If your concrete patio is feeling cold, complement your outdoor space by adding warm earth tones to balance things out. On this concrete patio designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design, chocolate brown paint on the high privacy walls, wood tones, and apple green chairs add warmth.

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  • 23 of 30

    Create Shadows

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (25)

    A pale wood pergola over the patio and outdoor kitchen of this home from Cathie Hong Interiors adds partial cover from the sun while creating mesmerizing shadows on the concrete floor that change with the light.

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    Warm It Up With Wood

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (26)

    Wood furniture warms up this concrete slab patio from Home Consultant, while rectangular planters help define the space and echo the modern minimalist look of the backyard.

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    Keep It Minimal

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (27)

    If you find yourself with a spacious patio but your budget for outdoor furniture has run low, keep it simple and minimal like this concrete porch from Kern & Co. This patio is furnished simply with an outdoor area rug and twin love seats facing one another to create a conversation area with plenty of space around it to breathe.

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    Set Up a Simple Bar

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (28)

    Emily Bowser set up a simple outdoor bar station on this concrete patio for Emily Henderson Design that makes it feel inviting and festive.

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    Paint the Ceiling

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (29)

    This Austin bungalow back patio from Martha O’Hara Interiors has a dark-painted ceiling that adds contrast to the cool concrete flooring.

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    Invest in a Hero Piece

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (30)

    One way to keep costs down without sacrificing on style while decorating and furnishing your concrete patio is to choose a hero piece, like the large modern gas-powered fire pit that is the focal point of this outdoor space from Forge & Bow Dwellings. Then you can fill in the rest of the space with affordable pieces to complete the look.

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    Add a Privacy Screen

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (31)

    On this concrete patio, designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design, a tall laser-cut wood privacy screen ensures that you and your crew can relax in comfort.

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    Paint on an Accent Rug

    30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (32)

    A Beautiful Mess brightened up this back patio with a DIY painted concrete accent rug in a bold kilim-style pattern in neon pinks, yellows, and blues that contrast with the gray concrete patio and brown outdoor furnishings.

What is the least expensive patio to build?

According to Angi, the least expensive patio to build is made from gravel, with an average building cost between $1 to $4 per square foot.

How much does a 12x12 concrete patio cost?

Keeping in mind that building costs vary according to the labor and materials costs in your area, according to Angi, concrete slabs cost between $4 to $8 per square foot. Stamped concrete will set you back between $8 and $28 per square foot.

What is a less expensive alternative to a concrete patio?

Building a gravel patio is a less expensive alternative to concrete. Keep in mind that what you save in cost for a gravel patio you will make up for in maintenance to keep it looking tidy.

35 Patio Paver Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Oasis

30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget? ›

Gravel is, on average, the cheapest material for a patio and requires the least time to install.

What is the least expensive way to build a patio? ›

Gravel is, on average, the cheapest material for a patio and requires the least time to install.

Is it cheaper to pour a concrete patio or use pavers? ›

Standard concrete slabs are generally lower in cost per square foot than the alternative. Typically, you will pay 10%-15% more if you choose paving stones over standard concrete slabs.

What is the cheapest way to cover a concrete patio? ›

Inexpensive Ways To Cover A Concrete Patio
  1. Play with a palette of paint. Titikul_B/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Put a rug on it. Ben Bryant/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Breeze blocks make decorating a breeze. Elena Belgo/Shutterstock. ...
  4. Coat it with colored concrete. ...
  5. Dress it up with flowers and fruits. ...
  6. Go with epoxy. ...
  7. Cover it with bricks. ...
  8. Use exposed aggregate.
Apr 27, 2022

What is the cheapest hardscape for a backyard? ›

Concrete and gravel are the least expensive hardscape materials, often used to build affordable retaining walls, patios, driveways, and other outdoor structures.

Is it cheaper to build a deck or pour concrete? ›

It's cheaper to build a concrete patio in terms of both the initial cost to lay a concrete patio, as well as its cost of maintenance over time. A concrete patio costs only $4 per square foot, while a deck costs roughly $6 per square foot for lower-cost pressure treated lumber.

Is 2 inches of concrete enough for a patio? ›

In most cases, you'll want your patio to be 4 inches thick, although you should add reinforcement and increase the thickness up to around 8 inches if you want it to support heavier loads and resist cracking more readily.

Does a concrete patio increase property value? ›

On average, the cost of building a patio can be as high as $5,300, depending on size and materials used. That said, it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%.

Can you pour a concrete patio over an existing patio? ›

Since cement lacks any natural bonding agents, newly-poured concrete won't naturally bond to the existing slab. You'll need to either use a bonding agent to adhere the two layers together or use an unbonded overlay method. Condition-affected life span: Properly installed concrete can last for over 50 years.

How much does a 20x20 paver patio cost DIY? ›

A paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot installed. A 12x12 paver patio costs $1,400 to $2,500. A 20x20 paver patio costs $3,800 to $6,800. The cost of paver materials is $4 to $6 per square foot, while installation labor costs $6 to $11 per square foot.

What is the downside to concrete pavers? ›

Concrete pavers can be porous

While concrete pavers aren't as porous as many types of natural stone, they are still porous to a degree. If you don't seal your concrete pavers you may find that they stain easily. Ensure that you are making the effort to clean up stains immediately to avoid them becoming permanent.

What is a good size concrete patio? ›

Typically, however, a patio is about one third the size of the house – larger perhaps than any room in the home. A 1,500 square foot house, for example might sport a 500 square foot patio, one perhaps measuring 20 by 25 feet. A good balance between the size of the house and the patio will create harmony.

What is the best material to put over a concrete patio? ›

If you want to completely transform your concrete patio, you can install porcelain tiles over it. Porcelain paving is one of the most durable, robust, and low-maintenance materials you can install on your concrete patio. Apart from this, you can play with different patterns and colors and create something distinctive.

What is the cheapest concrete option? ›

As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot.

What is the cheapest patio cost? ›

Gravel patios are the most affordable, at $1.50 to $4 per square foot for materials. Concrete patios cost between $4 and $7 per square foot for materials. Flagstone patios cost between $15 and $27 per square foot for materials.

Is it cheaper to build a deck or paver patio? ›

Decks are more costly to install, but have a higher return on investment at around 60-80%. Patios cost less to install, but have a return on investment at around 50%.

Is concrete or wood cheaper for a patio? ›

Concrete, on the other hand, is much more affordable. This makes the installation of a concrete patio much lower than a wooden deck. While the prices vary based on your location and the professional you hire, you may wind up paying twice as much for a deck the same size as your patio.

Is a raised patio cheaper than a deck? ›

Cost: A patio installation will cost about 40% less than a deck installation for a ground-level area like this. For a 300 s.f. space, a deck would start at around $9,000, while a patio would start at around $4,500. Our Call: The patio is the better option.

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