37 Concrete Patio Ideas to Elevate Your Backyard Design

When choosing flooring for your outdoor patio, concrete is always a good idea. Smooth, versatile, affordable, and easy to maintain, a concrete patio can be made by pouring a concrete slab (a straightforward DIY project if you’re so inclined) that can be tinted, textured, painted, or left alone to cure to a neutral gray finish that works in both traditional and contemporary settings. Here are some concrete patio ideas in a range of styles and sizes to inspire your outdoor space renovation or refresh.

Easy Pavers

Concrete pavers are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, and can be placed on top of a bed of packed sand. If you dread the idea of weeds or volunteer plants growing between spaces, pavers can be butted together for a smooth, unbroken surface. If you opt for the more traditional method of leaving spaces between pavers (this means you'll buy fewer pavers), they can be filled with pea gravel, pebbles, or a tight, low-growing ground cover.

That Seamless Transition

The mid-20th-century concept of designing a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors is one that has persisted ?and always looks modern. The design makes the most sense with one-story houses, allowing occupants to walk out of open sliding glass or French doors and into a yard with little effort and move back and forth with ease. Nothing beats concrete for a smooth, level transition, especially if the material and color indoors and out are the same or at least appear to be.?

This open, expansive back patio designed by Brophy Interiors showcases a smooth, sleek concrete finish. The concrete isn't the only industrial element present, though—steel beams and glass doors come together to create a striking modern atmosphere.

Contrast with Wood Furniture

A rich stained wood banquette and coffee table add contrast to the smooth concrete floor in this outdoor living room designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design.

Concrete Blocks

While the idea of concrete blocks may bring something more rustic and rugged to mind, this patio designed by Mindy Gayer proves that isn't the only option. The outdoor space features a raised patio with surrounding concrete stairs that give easy access to other designated areas. Another set of concrete blocks creates the foundation for a gathering space that allows guests to sit and relax—even the circular table is made of concrete.

Concrete Spa

A concrete patio with a built-in spa? Count us in. This space designed by Melanie Rekola of Lady Landscape features not only a pool, but a sunken hot tub built from custom concrete. With the spa being built into the space rather than simply placed on top of it, you get a clear, uninhibited view of the rest of the backyard, while also retaining some much-needed privacy.

Paint It Black and White

This DIY painted concrete patio from A Beautiful Mess has the look of a classic black-and-white tile floor with a large geometric pattern that gives it energy and dynamism that is complemented with white furniture and plenty of greenery.

A Rug Is Always Welcome

Concrete certainly has its advantages of being durable and creating a sophisticated setup for a patio. However, it makes sense to add a bit more color or decoration to the standard gray material. JC Designs does so here by adding a large outdoor rug to her seating area. The smooth concrete doesn't create any unwanted bumps or issues, and the rug adds a nice burst of color without adding paint or other pricier options.

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Newport Beach Patio

This outdoor dining and lounge space by Mindy Gayer gives a concrete patio a fresh look. The herringbone style pattern of concrete blocks adds some playful dimension to the dining area, which holds a perfect view of the outdoor pool and feature wall in the backyard.

Create an Indoor Outdoor Feel

This concrete patio off the kitchen of a home designed by Cathie Hong Interiors creates a seamless indoor outdoor feel.

Lush Life

This charming patio space by S.U.S.A.P feels as if you've stepped into a quaint, hidden cafe. The rugged concrete blocks give a worn, rustic vibe to the space, along with the cobblestone wall and plenty of lush plant life.

Create an Open Front Porch

This open front porch from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has a smooth poured concrete base that creates a clean, modern feel for an outdoor living room decorated with neutral tones and adds contrast with the whitewashed brick chimney.

Perfectly Manicured

In a different area of the same backyard, Mindy Gayer's design for the lounge portion creates a perfectly square arrangement of concrete pavers. The middle of the square, rather than being filled in, was left bare to allow the insertion of a concrete fire pit. The surrounding yard is perfectly manicured and sharp, allowing some lush life to still be very present amongst the more industrial elements.

Convert the Driveway

This two-car garage turned Portland, OR vacation rental guest house from Arbor & Co. includes a driveway turned patio with an arched roof that creates space for dining and living areas that can be used even when the rain is coming down.

Gather Around

Another large outdoor seating area from Brophy Interiors, this patio is covered in square concrete blocks and surrounded by a wooden bench border perfect for extra seating. The surrounding circular seating area is positioned to take in the stunning view of the lake and surrounding scenery.

Paint Rainbow Stripes

This bright and lively concrete patio from A Beautiful Mess is painted in bold candy-colored DIY rainbow stripes that give it the opposite of a gray, industrial look.

Echoing Shapes

The geometric shapes of this backyard are repeated in the concrete patio pavers, which also blend the indoors with the outdoors. The separated rectangular concrete spaces create individual locations for different activities while also creating a sense of unity throughout.

Mix With Bold Furniture

A patio covered with large concrete pavers creates a neutral base that allows the palm print sofa, cactus garden, and Palm Springs landscaping of this backyard lounge space from Michelle Boudreau Design to take center stage.

Mix Materials

The former driveway outside this garage-turned-guesthouse from Home Consultant has been turned into an open air patio dining space and contrasted with terracotta tiles for a two-tone effect.

Mixing Materials

Concrete doesn't have to be the only material involved in a backyard arrangement. This one from Kirsten Diane is a perfect example, featuring a deck made out of wood, yet a lower patio made from concrete blocks. The two spaces seamlessly flow together, creating an ideal backyard escape.

Floating Pavers With Pea Gravel

Evenly placed concrete pavers are lined up perfectly for this "outdoor living room" by Lady Landscape. Concrete pavers can be purchased or cast-in-place and made in assorted shapes and sizes.

Concrete Fire Pit

A concrete patio is joined by a constructed concrete fire pit, surrounded by metal stools and cushioned outdoor bench seating. The indoor and outdoor spaces are separated by large glass panels, giving the impression of one united room.

Large Concrete Pavers

A concrete patio designed by Mindy Gayer is surrounded by plenty of seating options, as well as black flower boxes. The large fire pit and black wooden border wall add a level of sophistication to the modernized space.

Smooth Finish

Anything other than a plain, smooth concrete patio would look busy and compete with the other interesting elements of this patio. The lounge and dining spaces boasting a cool color palette make for a relaxing outdoor environment. Additionally, the concrete and grass edges seem to effortlessly blend into each other without any noticeable rift—a smooth, stunning transition.

Step It Up

The concrete patio of this home from Cathie Hong Interiors has integrated steps in the same finish for a seamless and polished look.

DIY Painted Concrete Patio

This concrete patio from Most Lovely Things is painted with large squares in shades of gray, a simple project that helps to personalize the outdoor space equipped with a DIY fire pit.

Complement With Gray Decor

This outdoor dining area designed by Ajai Guyot for Emily Henderson Design includes gauzy gray tied-back curtain and a gray-toned weathered wood dining table that complements the concrete patio floor, while black, white, and gold tableware adds a chic touch.

Add a Fire Pit

This Austin bungalow back patio from Martha O’Hara Interiors has a cylindrical fire pit, comfortable chairs, and an outdoor TV that makes it feel cozy and inviting.

Paint on a Rug

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 surrounding gray concrete and neutral-toned outdoor furnishings.

Accent with Green

Darker gray walls complement the pale gray concrete patio of this outdoor dining space designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design, while a warm-toned wood table and apple green chairs add contrast.

Use Concrete Effect Tiles

Large format concrete effect tiling gives this spacious rooftop patio from Fantastic Frank a sleek and modern feel.

Break It Up

Concrete slabs interspersed with gravel create a simple and geometric look in this minimalist back patio from Home Consultant.

Cut It Out

This Palm Spring concrete patio from Michelle Boudreau Design is designed around a circular fire pit area and includes gravel-filled cut-outs that give it a graphic and polished feel.

Tile the Driveway

Large format concrete tiles line the ground of this driveway turned outdoor dining room patio in a Southern California property from Home Consultant.

Save the Tree

This concrete patio designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design was built around an existing tree that is trimmed out with a little brick border and creates a shady spot for a reading corner outfitted with a comfy chair and side table.

Go Minimalist

Concrete flooring that echoes the pale gray walls of this covered patio and outdoor kitchen and dining space from Fantastic Frank gives the space a clean and minimalist feel.

Add Palm Springs Style

This midcentury modern backyard patio from Joshua Smith Inc. mixes smooth concrete and astroturf for a sleek vacation house vibe.

Match the Fire Pit

A smooth concrete patio complements glass and metal doors and adds contrast to the natural wood posts and patio cover in this outdoor space from Kern & Co..

How much does a 12x12 concrete patio cost?

The cost of a 12x12 concrete patio depends on whether you are hiring someone to build it for you or doing it yourself. Labor costs vary depending on who you hire and where you live. The cost of materials also varies depending on where you source them, and the final price will be influenced by the types of finishes you want, or whether you plan to keep it simple or have it painted. You can generally expect the price of a small finished patio of 12x12 square feet to start at roughly $500. You can use an online calculator to generate an estimate local to you before consulting contractors to give you a clearer range before proceeding.

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Are concrete patios expensive?

Concrete is generally considered an affordable option for an outdoor patio. If you’re an experienced DIYer, you can save money by installing a concrete patio yourself. Keep in mind that the final price of your patio install will be influenced by its size, design, and finishes.

Is it a good idea to have a concrete patio?

Concrete patios are popular for a reason: they are practical, durable, and affordable. Keep them in good shape with a proper annual cleaning. While concrete patios are known to crack, they can be repaired when they do.