Before & After: Adding Color and Texture to a Concrete Patio

Cindy and her husband loved the outdoor possibilities offered by their large patio, but didn’t love the boring grey expanse of concrete. With this shady spot offering a respite from soaring temperatures, Cindy knew she had to turn it into a more colorful, welcoming space for her family.

After using a power washer to clean the patio furniture, she painted the metal chairs with brown spray paint to create some needed contrast. When that project was done, the big change got underway — Cindy decided to use an etching stain to transform her concrete patio. Cindy started by powerwashing the patio to remove any dirt or grease. The next day, she hosed down the space to make it wet, then sprayed on the etching stain. After letting it sit for four hours, Cindy began the tedious process of neutralizing the stain with a baking soda and water scrub. When that residue was vacuumed up, the final step was applying the sealant. The end result of a hard day’s labor is a warmer, more inviting space.

See more: Beaux R’eves: Staining Concrete

(Images: Cindy/Beaux R’eves)