Patios and Decks

Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget

April 25, 2023

With spring just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to plan for those long summer days outdoors with friends and family. And what better way to do that than making your own yard ready for relaxation with a patio? 

Cost can be a challenge when you’re looking to update your outdoor space, but a concrete patio is often the best value for your dollar. Whether you’re installing a new patio or updating one you have, there are actually lots of options when you’re looking for concrete patio ideas on a budget.

Is a Concrete Patio a Good Idea?

Concrete patios are usually cheaper than brick or stone patios because the installation process requires less labor. Plus, they can be designed to mimic more expensive materials at a much lower cost. And concrete itself is durable and easy to maintain, increasing the value of your home over time. Wood decks tend to require more upkeep, but concrete is especially good at standing up to tough weather conditions. And concrete can easily take on any shape or size, so a smaller patio might help keep costs lower for those looking to save.

Still, an average concrete patio (typically a little less than 300 square feet) might wind up costing close to $3,000, with more complex designs pushing the price even higher. So what can you do when you need concrete patio ideas on a budget? 

Here are some simple strategies for making your concrete patio project as economical as possible without compromising on style:

Try Patio Pavers

Concrete patio ideas on a budget begin with the design process itself. Concrete patios don’t have to be a single slab. Pavers are smaller pads made from molds that come in various shapes and sizes, and they can be used to create patterns and designs. 

Pavers are good when you’re working on a budget because they come in smaller sizes, resulting in a lower price tag, but they also look stylish and modern. If you’re trying to save money on materials and you’ve got parts of an old patio to spare, you can even recycle pieces and incorporate them.

And pavers are versatile–you can put them together for a clean, polished look, or leave space in between them for fill materials like gravel, pebbles, or groundcover. 

Explore Texture and Shape

Stamped concrete comes in many colors and textures. Patterns can be stamped, stenciled, or engraved into concrete while it’s wet to make it appear like pricier patio materials, such as brick, wood, cut slate, natural stone, tile, or even marble.

Stamps and stencils can produce nearly any pattern, and stamped concrete might blend into the natural landscape or create consistency with interior design, depending on your desires. If you’re not excited about a single slab, but still looking for concrete patio ideas on a budget, pavers might be right up your alley.

When you want to experiment with shape, a rounded concrete patio is another option that can add elegance to your yard and flow with the landscape. You might even consider creating a plain concrete patio with a border, which can be a cost-effective way to add polish to your design. 

Revitalize Your Old Patio

Sometimes, concrete patio ideas on a budget are based on what you already have. If you’ve got an existing concrete patio, you might just want to resurface to get rid of cracks and discoloration. 

Stains are another great option for breathing new life into a dull, worn surface, though you’ll want to make sure you’ve dealt with your major cracks first since concrete stains are semi-transparent and significant flaws will show through. 

If your old patio is in good shape, you could simply expand the square footage by pouring new concrete or adding pavers. Or, for an even more affordable option that lets you embrace your creative side, you could actually paint your concrete in various colors, pictures, and patterns.

Use Your Vertical Space

Another exciting way to energize your concrete patio on a budget is to activate the space above it. Covering your patio also has the added benefit of protecting it from the elements, prolonging its life and increasing its value.

While umbrellas offer basic sun cover, pergolas are a shadier, more versatile option. Pergolas not only provide shade – they’re also the perfect place to hang plants and add personality to your concrete patio.

And, when you’re looking for concrete patio ideas on a budget, pergolas are a very cost-effective option. Home improvement stores have affordable brands available. Or, if you have the skills, you can even build a pergola yourself and design it to let in as much or as little sun as you’d like.

Light Things Up

With or without a pergola, light can add evening elegance to your outdoor space, and it’s great for those who need concrete patio ideas on a budget.

String lights are especially good for dinner parties spent out under the stars, and they come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. You could try a small fairy light look, go for larger hanging bulbs, or hang paper lanterns. Colored string lights can offer extra pizzazz. 

If you don’t go the pergola route, lights can be hung from tree branches, fence tops, or house corners. You’ll want to choose lights that are durable and safe for outside conditions. LED lights are especially energy-efficient, and solar lights are a good environmentally-friendly option when you don’t have accessible outlets.

Get a Fire Pit

Fire pits are another easy concrete patio idea on a budget. They offer not just evening light, but warmth on chilly nights. Inexpensive fire pits are available online and at most home improvement and hardware stores, and they can be found in a range of styles and sizes to meet both your budgetary needs and your style preferences.

If you’re feeling ambitious, one economical option is to build your own fire pit with heat-resistant bricks or pavers. In designing your own pit, you can make it exactly the way you want it to look. Just be sure you know your local fire codes! 

Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget 2

Decorate and Design

Outdoor furniture and accessories are yet another affordable way to spruce up your concrete patio. Stylish patio furniture doesn’t have to be expensive, and attractive pieces are often available on sale or second-hand. 

When you’re trying to save, you can always dress up a simple sofa with colorful pillows and blankets. And if a sofa itself is too pricey, consider padded rocking chairs or comfortable recliners. Even colorful adornments – like drink coasters, candles, lanterns, and potted plants – go a long way in making your patio feel cozy when you’re looking for concrete patio ideas on a budget.

If you want flow between your indoor and outdoor space, think about your concrete patio as an extension of your kitchen or living room. Consider a large, outdoor rug that gives your patio an indoor feel. One-story houses are especially well situated to support this design choice, and focusing on flow can even add a feeling of square footage to your house. 

Look at the Landscape

Patios come to life when they’re surrounded by greenery, and landscaping can be one of the most cost-effective ways to add color and personality to your backyard patio design. 

Potted plants and flowers are an easy addition to any patio. If you have a pergola or other spot to hang baskets, you can fill out your vertical space too. And pergolas and fences are perfect for encouraging the growth of flowering vines. Plants that move upwards might also provide a bit of privacy if you’re living in close quarters, and they can be a great option for those without a ton of yard space.

If you have a green thumb, your garden beds can even complement your concrete patio. Planting flowers and plants near a patio can dress up its look. And low-growing, simple groundcover can enliven space between concrete pads and paths, as well as create a more cohesive look.

Lots of Options

No matter what you’re able to spend or how much time and energy you have to devote, there really is a concrete patio idea on a budget for you. Just don’t be afraid to be creative, and let yourself imagine what your dream patio could be!