I have a small concrete area beside my deck that I'd like to improve. I'm not sure whether just to paint it, or if it's possible to put some sort of stone covering over the top. There's a small area beside the garden bed that has also been cut out, which I'm not sure how to fill. There also needs to be room for the garage door and gate to be able to open. Any suggestions on how I can make this area more attractive?
Hi @MelO1,
Your first step would definitely be to give the concrete a proper clean. A pressure wash will make a huge difference and remove built up dirt, stains, and anything loose on the surface so you’re starting fresh. A pressure washer with a patio cleaner attachment such as this https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-2030-psi-high-pressure-washer_p0637296 would be a great option.
Once it’s clean, you can fix up the damage using a concrete repair mortar or patching compound such as this https://www.bunnings.com.au/dunlop-5kg-ardit-rapidset-repair-mortar_p0760262 .
When everything has been cleaned and repaired, concrete paint is the easiest and most budget friendly option. A good exterior concrete or paving paint as will freshen it up straight away with relative ease. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/diy-skills/painting/how-to-paint-concrete-floors for some guidance on the process.
If you want something a bit more premium, you could lay pavers over the top. Just keep in mind you’ll need to allow for height so the garage door and gate can still open freely. Thin pavers or stepping stones set into a mortar bed could work well in a small area. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/building-construction/cement-concrete/how-to-pave-over-concrete for some guidance.
If you wanted to get creative, crazy paving is also a great option. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/building-construction/paths-and-paving/how-to-lay-crazy-paving for some guidance.
Tiling is another option, especially with outdoor rated tiles, but similar to paving you’ll need to be mindful of levels and drainage and ensure you select an appropriate external grade tile with a slip resistant coating.
Overall, it comes down to how much effort you want to put in and how finished you want it to look, but even just cleaning and painting will make a big improvement.
Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
