How to Make Concrete Look Like Travertine

Clean the concrete surface thoroughly by applying a heavy-duty concrete degreaser and stripper. Apply the degreaser to the concrete surface with a paint roller and allow it to sit for several minutes, but do not allow it to dry. Scrub the surface with a stiff brush to loosen embedded material in the concrete. Rinse the concrete surface with large amounts of water, until there are no visible signs of the degreaser on the concrete. Allow the concrete to dry for at least six hours before continuing.

Stir the concrete primer gently but thoroughly to avoid creating air bubbles. Apply a layer of concrete primer to the concrete surface with a good quality 1/2-inch nap paint roller. Wait eight hours before applying the first layer of paint over the primer.

Choose the color you want for your grout color -- this will be the exact shade of the lines between the travertine "tiles" and will also be used for the base coat. Select a glaze color that is a few shades darker than the base/grout color.

Paint the entire concrete surface with the base color you've chosen, using a good quality paint roller. Allow the paint to dry for two to three hours.

Create blocks, or tiles, on the concrete surface with 3/4-inch blue painter's tape. The tiles do not have to be the same size, but the size should coordinate with the size of your area -- larger blocks for a larger area or smaller blocks for a smaller area. Typical designs include running bond, jack on jack, herringbone or basket weave.

Sponge on the glaze with a sea sponge, working with one block at a time. Begin at the outer edges of the block and work toward the middle, rotating the sponge to leave different patterns. Also press the sponge against the concrete with varying pressures, in order to leave more or less glaze on the surface. When you are finished with a block, pat over the glaze with a piece of wadded-up cheesecloth to soften the pattern of the glaze. Allow the glaze to dry for four to six hours.

Remove the painter's tape from the concrete surface. Add some water to a small amount of the glaze to thin it. Using a small paint brush, go over the grout lines between your faux travertine tiles. This gives the surface an extra layer of dimension and a polished, finished look. Allow the grout lines to dry for four to six hours before allowing foot traffic in the area.