Decorative Ideas With Concrete

Revitalized Floor

• Replacing an old, cracked concrete floor or adding a new layer of flooring over it can be costly and time-consuming. Turn the flaws and imperfections in your old concrete into assets by staining it. Use a syringe to apply a black or dark blue stain into the cracks in the concrete. Then stain over with tan, terra-cotta or another lighter color of your choice. The worn concrete will absorb the stain more readily in some areas than others, creating a marbled, organic look with darker and lighter patches.

Colored Concrete

• If you prefer more uniform look, color the concrete as you pour it. Add a colorant liquid or powder to the concrete-ready mix, and then add water, sand and any other ingredients and mix as directed. Use a mild tint to give a patio or garden path a bit of character. If you prefer, alternate between two colors of concrete in a checkerboard pattern for a more eye-catching appearance. If you need a harder surface, sprinkle a colored hardener on the finished product rather than mixing in colorants. The hardener will bond with the surface, creating much stronger concrete while adding the hue of your choice.

Concrete Scoring

• Score lines into your concrete to create artistic patterns in an otherwise flat surface. Equip a circular saw with a masonry blade and use it to make shallow cuts, 1/8 inch or less in depth. Trace geometric patterns in the concrete, from simple circles or diamonds to complex mandalas. Alternately, use the blade to carve faces, animals or other drawings into the concrete. Use acid stain in the cuts to make your design stand out.

Concrete Planters

• Add variety to your garden with concrete planters. Place a large concrete planter with a tree in the center of your patio as a feature. Add a row of planters around your driveway or front walk to hold shrubs or perennials. If you have back problems or poor soil, create a whole garden with rows of concrete planters up to waist level with walkways between; the elevated concrete will save you the work of bending and allow you to add a few feet of fertile, well-drained soil to nourish your plants.