Concrete ugleeeey ... help

Brain trust. Help with ideas!

So I have a pretty nice looking patio. But an ugly as. Any suggestions on cheap way to uplift the look?

I tried pressure washing. It brightened it a bit. But the concrete is soooooo old, it’s still discoloured here and there and heaps of colour spots.

 

How cheap? You could paint it for super cheap

 

Heavy duty paving paint.... simple.

 

Thanks. Any suggestions on good paving paint?

Hoping to fit it in $500 vicinity

 

If it is sound, paint is the cheapest option. I have seem some use stenciling and paving paint to fancy up plain concrete.

Or paint a plain colour, add an outdoor rug, some small furniture for seating and some plants, and should make it seem much more inviting.

 

Yes absolutely. Concrete is sound. Just ugly. I was thinking of paint, but can’t figure out what paint to use! Might ask Bunnings..

 

An example of using paint and stencil:
DIY Faux Brick Stenciled Concrete Patio

 

This is fantastic! Thanks. I’ll check it out.

 

Yes, Ask at Bunnings . May need repainting every 5 - 10 yrs depending on wear/tear but easy . You’ll have to find out what rollers to use for application too

 

Thanks. I assumed I can use normal rollers. I’ll get some info off them.

 

This article shows a very detailed account of a patio makeover with a fancier design, and a few tips on using stencils:
Stenciled Patio Makeover Tutorial

Yours is a smaller area. So a larger complex pattern might not be the way to go. But there might be stencils with smaller motifs, a little fancier than the brick herringbone but less fancy than the one in the second link which could work for your space.

 

Thanks @kimbrisvegas. You are a lifesaver. I think I have a pretty good idea where I’m heading now and what to do. DYI project it is.

 

love it

 

I can't recall the name of it, but there's some kind of polyurethane coating that you can put down that looks amazing. Much easier than stenciling.

 

Problem with raising the height (eg pavers etc) is the wall. May need a stencilled finish - They are usually a thin but flexible & coloured textured surface. eg Can look like tiles
Expansion joints should be cut (diamond saw specialists) as that crack is a sign of poor expansion joints