8 Ideas for a Patio Makeover You’ll Love
With these ideas, you can transform your existing patio into the perfect spot to hang out with family and friends.
The textured concrete coating by SUNDEK of Nashville makes this a gorgeous hangout spot. - Give your surface a deep clean & repair damage
Whether your patio surface is concrete, pavers, bricks, or a different flooring material, a deep clean can work wonders.
- If you have a concrete surface, see our article on how to clean concrete.
- For other surface types, an online search will provide a wealth of information. Use proper materials and tools to clean your surface so you don’t damage it.
- For non-permanent materials such as decomposed granite or pea gravel, you may need to refresh the area by adding more of the materials and distributing it.
- Repair damage to your surface.
If your surface has cracks, chips, or other damage, it’s important to repair it—not just for vanity reasons, but for safety and cost purposes. As cracks in concrete get larger, they become more of a trip hazard. Also, the longer damage such as cracks and chips sit and worsen, the more expensive they become to fix.
An experienced contractor such as SUNDEK of Nashville can repair your surface. We can even blend in the formerly damaged spot with the rest of the surface so you can’t tell the damage was there.
- Refresh the color.
SUNDEK of Nashville resurfaced this patio and used specific color, texture, and pattern to make it look like wood plank flooring.If you have a concrete surface that is still in good shape but looks dull—or if you’re just looking for a change—updating your patio color is a great solution.
The best way to achieve this is through concrete staining. With concrete staining, you can choose from a variety of colors and styles. When you work with a professional such as SUNDEK of Nashville, you can even incorporate patterns and designs.
Contact us for a free quoteClients sometimes ask about the difference between painting concrete and staining concrete. While both are popular options, your color will last longer with staining since the stain permeates the surface—as opposed to paint which coats the surface. You can read more about the difference between painting concrete and staining concrete here.
- Resurface your concrete.
If a deep clean or a color refresh won’t help, you may want to look into resurfacing your concrete patio.
- If you have an existing concrete surface, a contractor such as SUNDEK of Nashville can apply a coating and make it look brand new. We can customize it using colors, patterns, and textures of your choice. Did you know that with concrete coatings we can can even design your surface so it looks like brick, pavers, wood, or any other material? Contact us for a free quote.
- If you don’t have a concrete surface, SUNDEK of Nashville can still help. We will work with you to get a concrete surface poured, and then we can coat it and design it to fit your style.
- Cool it down.
This inviting patio provides a spot for people to lounge and warm up by an outdoor fireplace. Surface coating by SUNDEK of Nashville. To ensure your patio is a place you want to spend a lot of time in, make sure you add the elements necessary for it to be comfortable during our hot, muggy summer months. Here are some ideas.
- Fans. Not only do fans provide relief from the heat, they also help keep bugs away. There are a variety of options depending on the design of your space: freestanding fans, low-profile or flush-mount ceiling fans, wall-mounted fans, box fans, etc.
- Misters. You can install misters along your roofline or along a pergola edge to make the area significantly more comfortable. This is another cooling element that also serves to keep bugs at bay.
- Add shade. Whether you have a pergola, shade sails, or a nearby shade tree, including a shady spot for you and guests to lounge is a great way to extend time spent in your hangout spot.
- Warm it up.
Adding heat will lengthen the time you have to spend outdoors. Here are some ways to get cozy.
Vertical plants liven up this patio. SUNDEK of Nashville used SunStamp for this surface.- Add a fire pit. A fire pit will not only provide warmth, it also provides a spot to roast s’mores or other food if you’re feeling adventurous. There are fire pits for just about any style. If you’re up for it, here’s a tutorial on building your own fire pit.
- Include space heaters. If you decide to go this route, there are many options to choose from depending on how much room you have available. If your structure allows for it, mounted heaters will provide warmth from above and save room on the ground. Otherwise there are fantastic freestanding heaters that get the job done well.
- Incorporate an outdoor fireplace. Much less common than a fire pit, but just as appealing, an outdoor fireplace provides an eye-catching place to gather. Here are pictures of several outdoor fireplaces for inspiration.
Did you know we can also resurface fireplaces? Contact us for more information!
- Add plants.
There are many ways to add life to your patio with plants. Here are just a few ideas.
- Hanging plants. If you have a structure such as a pergola or extended roof, you can hang plants along the perimeter and leave an opening to create a natural entrance and exit.
- Potted plants. A grouping of three or more pots in a corner makes a lovely focal point. Get pots that match or pots that coordinate with one another for a cohesive look.
- Trellised plants. Climbing plants such as passionflower, trumpet vine, and clematis are like living art.
- Screening plants. If your patio is positioned so that your neighbor’s yard looks right into it, adding screening plants is a possible solution. Plants such as English laurel, boxwood, hedges or trees planted strategically are a great way to add green all year long and help with privacy.
- Brighten it up.
- String lights & twinkle lights may be the quickest and easiest way to add lighting. A search online will reveal many different styles to choose from. If you don’t have a structure to hang them from, you can use a nearby wall, your roofline, or install poles from which to hang lights.
- Outdoor lamps are another simple way to get lighting. If you have a small patio, a tabletop lantern might do the trick. For larger areas, you might want multiple lamps. Another option is add torches where you need lighting. The type of lighting you choose can serve to enhance the ambience.
- Uplighting for plants. Installing uplighting along nearby pathways or next to large shrubs or trees is a beautiful way to make it easier to see (and therefore safer).
Contact us to help with your patio surface
We’d love to help with your project! Contact us for a free quote in one of the following ways:
Call us at (615) 822-7134