Concrete Backyards
Leigh Holt from “Max Your Home” offers some timely advice to help a reader turn a troublesome eyesore into an attractive – and usable – outdoor living area. Question: I’ve inherited a concrete backyard and don’t know how to turn it into a great outdoor area in time for summer. Should I rip up the concrete (groan), can I paint it – or do you have some better suggestions?
This could be a blessing in disguise. With water saving a big issue now, Mediterranean-style gardens have become much more desirable for many people, and that means concrete is a real plus! Here are a few options to consider.
- Assuming the concrete area is level, you have a good base to work on. First step is to consider what you wish to achieve – a table and chairs is a start and you probably want greenery to cool the area and soften the concrete feel.
- Different height levels created in the garden give it interest and can make the area look bigger. Raised garden beds can be built from many different materials including sandstone and brick, rendered if you like, and soil and plants placed within. Include lighting, a watering system and drainage. This allows you to create complete green walls within the planter beds and provides additional seating – or a place to lean on – if the height is correct. You may wish to include a feature urn or water feature.
- If you have a verandah, large troughs will give an instant garden – the larger the container the lusher the plants are likely to be. You can get some great lightweight ones that look just like sandstone.
- One of the simplest solutions is to coat the concrete with exterior paving paint and then use a stencil to spray on a pattern of pavers or any other design. White Knight Paints have just the product. For a really modern look paint it white or a colour that matches your house, then be artistic with splashes, a mottled finish or any effect you fancy – there’s no limit to what you can do. Then apply a two-part clear finish on top to seal it.
- Create different design looks by laying decomposed granite (known as deco) over the top of the concrete, perhaps even inserting a paved border design to give a provincial feel. It’s also an efficient and attractive way to cover uneven or broken concrete areas.
You see, concrete really can be fabulous.
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