Outdoor Living and Backyard Ideas

Planning and Design Tips for Outdoor Rooms

Ways to Enhance Outdoor Rooms

Backyard Landscaping with Concrete

Backyard Recreation Options

Other Resources:

Outdoor Living Photo Galleries:

Concrete Patios

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor Fire Pits

Outdoor Fireplaces

Concrete Furniture

Water Features

Traditionally, the favorite hangouts in the home have been the kitchen and family room. But today, the backyard is taking over as the favorite gathering space for cooking, entertaining and relaxation. More homeowners are bringing all the comforts of their indoor rooms to the outside by creating multipurpose outdoor living spaces that function as inviting extensions of their home.

Thanks to its versatility and ability to withstand all types of weather, decorative concrete is expanding the possibilities of outdoor living. Concrete can be used to build nearly every structural element of an outdoor room, including patios and pool decks, countertops and sinks, pizza ovens and fireplaces, built-in seating, architectural accents and water features. What's more, decorative concrete permits homeowners to match the colors, textures and styles of the elements inside their homes and create seamless visual transitions.

Check out these ideas for using concrete to design and build an outdoor room that enhances the beauty and usability of your home and brings style to your outdoor entertaining.