30 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget

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

Blanco Bungalow

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

Design by Georgia Zikas Design / Photo by Jane Beiles

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

Most Lovely Things

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

Thistlewood Farms

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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Add Texture

Emily Henderson Design / Photo by David Tsay

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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Hang a Chair

Design by Forge & Bow Dwellings / Christa Tippmann Photography

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

White Sands

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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Install a Pop-Up Canopy

Design and Photo by Ajai Guyot for Emily Henderson Design

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

Craftberry Bush

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

Fantastic Frank

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

Arbor & Co.

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

Design by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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

Modern House Vibes

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

Home Consultant

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

A Beautiful Mess

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

Fantastic Frank

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

Dazey Den

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

Home Consultant

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

Arbor & Co.

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

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

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

Blanco Bungalow

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

Design by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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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Create Shadows

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

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

Home Consultant

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

Kern & Co.

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

Design by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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

Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors / Photo by Andrea Calo

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

Design by Forge & Bow Dwellings / Christa Tippmann Photography

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

Design by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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

A Beautiful Mess

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.

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