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Five Budget-Friendly Design Ideas for Small Backyard Patios
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Greetings!
With the economy still struggling, many homeowners are being forced to downsize to smaller homes with smaller yards. Many bank accounts are shrinking, too, leaving less money to spend on home improvements. If you're on a tight budget but want to make the most of less yard space, you can still install a small concrete patio that makes a big impact. See these ideas for using shape, pattern, and color to give your small concrete patio greater visual appeal
and functionality.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Incorporate curves
With concrete, you don't have to settle for boring, square patio shapes with straight lines. You can shape your patio to flow with your landscaping and accommodate a tight, narrow backyard. Curves also create perfect niches for flower beds and shrubby.
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Add a border
If economy is an
issue, you can add flair to a plain concrete patio with a decorative border created by stenciling, stamping, or brooming. Using a contrasting color for the border will give your patio additional pizzazz. See other easy-on-the-budget finishes for small patios.
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Add a pattern or stenciled design
You can give your small patio the look of natural stone or brick by using a stamped pattern or stencils. With stencils, you can also create more elaborate custom designs, such as a faux outdoor area rug.
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Allow enough space for outdoor furniture
If you plan to use your patio for entertaining, you'll need to make it large enough to accommodate furniture and walk-around room. For a 48-inch round table that seats up to six people, landscape designer Scott Cohen of The Green Scene recommends a minimum patio size of 12 to 14 square feet. Here are
more patio sizing tips.
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Use color judiciously
You can achieve a wide array of decorative effects using integral
or topically applied color. For a small patio, however, it's best to
keep it simple. Plus, the fewer colors you use, the more money you'll save. Some tips: Use the same color for patterned
fields and borders, and choose a color that matches or
complements your house. Get more ideas and design tips for using colored concrete.
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