9 Beautiful Stamped Concrete Patio Ideas To Take Your Design To The Next Level

There are many benefits of using concrete as your chosen hardscape material for your patio from its low-maintenance nature and durability to longevity. And while in the past settling for concrete's non-temperamental advantages meant potentially compromising on style and design — a singular, poured slab could be, well, a bit boring. Nowadays trends in concrete design means the onus to make it look more exciting doesn't need to be on an aftermarket DIY. Rather, you can opt for a stamped concrete patio to take your yard design to the next level if it's within your budget.

Stamped concrete describes a styling technique where a texture or pattern is literally stamped on the surface of the concrete to resemble the look of natural stone, tile, wood, or brick, but without actually having to use those more fussy materials. It's a way to achieve visual interest and create a particular aesthetic without the hassle of, let's say, weeds growing between stones or surface-damaging moss growing on wooden decking material. Instead, concrete holds the promise of a durable, low-maintenance patio while potentially providing a similar look to traditional materials. While there are some ways to keep decks from growing moss and even tricks to prevent pesky weeds from growing in between pavers, these all require a fair level of intervention. But, for those not wanting to commit to that level of yard maintenance, stamped concrete — in all these different forms — is a stylish alternative. 

This stamped concrete technique mimics the look of random fieldstones with its varied patterning of stone sizes, shapes, and even textures. Overall, the look itself should actually be heavily textured so that it looks like authentic stones that were cut and laid down as the foundation of the patio. Because it feels quite organic, this design works well in yard designs looking to harmonize with the nature around them. Can't you just imagine it working well with a natural stone pond and greenery?

The Grand Ashlar pattern describes an old masonry laying technique that used fitted stones cut into rectangles and squares arranged in horizontal lines. While there is some symmetry involved, the point of a Grand Ashlar pattern is to use various stone sizes and shapes, and most importantly to switch up texture to disrupt any unnatural uniformity. The great part about a classic pattern like Grand Ashlar is that you can also play with its design — add some color to make it look more like different stones or bricks, or add some exaggerated texture.

As we've mentioned before, texture is key to making sure your concrete patio doesn't look too manufactured. So, to enhance any patterning like the Grand Ashlar, you could opt for a slate texture that will make the material look much more organic and visually appealing. This added slate touch will make your concrete resemble more traditional pavers, but without actually having to deal with said paver maintenance. While some may argue this makes the patio look too rustic or dated, slate textures add the perfect weathered touch that makes your patio feel lived-in, in the best of ways.

Gray hardwood floors were trending last year for interior spaces in the home, and if you enjoy continuity in design indoors to outdoors, then choosing a wooden-stamped pattern for your concrete may achieve just that. For gray wooden floors in particular, consider alternate gray colors along with wood-texture stamping for the patio. Wood plank stamped concrete does come in a variety of hues too, though, so you don't necessarily need gray hardwoods to execute this design either. Opt for a warmer color variation in the concrete if you have more traditional wooden flooring.

This popular pattern is a design darling for those who love an air of traditionalism and elegance in their home design. A fun motif found in tiles and bricks, you can stamp a herringbone pattern in your patio concrete for a chic English countryside touch. It's also classic enough that this idea won't date your house or yard to any bygone design era. Just imagine this herringbone patio surrounded by blue hydrangeas in the summer with your cream linen patio sets, and you'll see why this stamped pattern is so stylish. 

Playing off a potential herringbone stamped concrete design, if you love the look of traditional brick, then you can have your cake and eat it too ... though in this case, we suppose you can have your brick and concrete too. Bad puns aside, this brick, terra cotta coloration for stamped concrete is a stunning way to enhance the otherwise standard gray color that may not be so appealing for homeowners who want character. In fact, concrete can be colored in a number of ways to enhance your curb appeal from this lovely red to creams and browns.

This stamped concrete pattern epitomizes European luxury, and it'll make your patio look more like a fashionable European thoroughfare than just a backyard respite. The key here is to lean into the antiqued sort of look, so it's another pattern that will do well with added texture or color and even some imperfections around the joints and edges too to enhance its weathered look. Do one massive European fan in a rounded patio for a punchy, impactful design, or repeat several fans along a larger space for a medieval courtyard feel.

If you hadn't already guessed, texture can play a big part in stamped concrete designs, and this pattern's tactility can change up the vibe tremendously. This square tile pattern can either lean mid-century modern or historic European depending on execution. A more slate-like texture may skew towards the latter while a rounded, more even texture could make it appear 1950s. Either way, for this design you can choose from a number of dimensions as well. While these choices feel subtle, different sizes and textures can change the aesthetic in big ways.

Don't be afraid of going bold with stamped concrete, since color and pattern are where you'll get to play with this design material. You don't have to stick to just one or another and sometimes the design that'll look best for your patio is to combine them all! When choosing a color and pattern combo, think about what aesthetic you want. If you're feeling more earthy, lean into the rounded shapes and patterns in warmer colors, but if you want something that feels more contemporary and fresh, then use a cool-toned, sleek gray color with angular patterns.