Concrete is a highly versatile material with a number of use cases for landscape concrete construction. Some typical use cases, like stamped concrete, and retaining walls are the norm, but other unique and innovative ideas like fountains, architectural decorative concrete, colored concrete and more… are often overlooked. In this post we’ve detailed some great landscape ideas for your home, property, business, or yard to totally transform the curb appeal and increase the livability of your outdoor space.
These are ideas that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but sometimes totally necessary to bring functionality to your yard/property/outdoor-space.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Concrete Retaining Walls
- Colored Concrete Combinations
- High Gloss Sealers for Concrete
- Stamped Concrete
- Natural Stone Concrete Imitation
- Custom Earth Retention / Planting Beds
- Concrete Fountains
- Concrete Fountains with Stone
- Concrete Pad Walkways
- Concrete Bollards
- Curved Concrete Pathways
- Exposed Aggregate Concrete
- Raised Concrete Patios
- Concrete Pool
- Concrete Landscape Curbs
- Decorative Concrete Stairs
- Radial Concrete Patios
- Unique Concrete Driveway Parking
- Colored Concrete
- Structural Concrete Stairs
- Embedded Trench Drains
- Multiple Texture Concrete
- Patio Stone/Brick Imitation Concrete
- Concrete Furniture
1. Concrete Retaining Walls
Concrete retaining walls make a great addition to properties with elevation changes.
They increase the usable area of space in your yard, back/front, or property in general. A well designed retaining wall provides both architectural aesthetic to your yard and functionality, serving to increase space for a patio or other backyard use. High concrete retaining walls may require additional structural footings and engineering to facilitate the correct retention of accumulated soils and maintain structural stability over their life time.
As opposed to masonry (CMU / stone bricks) retaining walls, concrete retaining walls are typically simpler in design, where pavers/masonry allow for more curvature to the retaining wall due to the nature of the building product. That’s not to say that masonry retaining walls are better than concrete, where concrete retaining walls require formwork/reinforcement, this too can be modified to suit your specific project requirements!
Photo Above: Concrete retaining walls should have solid footings as needed to support the necessary load. In some circumstances, adjoining to surrounding concrete structures is required to prevent failures like this.
2. Colored Concrete Combinations
Colored or stained concrete makes a great unique aesthetic for almost any sort of concrete element, be it stamped concrete, concrete sidewalks, concrete driveways, concrete retaining walls, or other elements. Colored concrete can be used solely or in combination to totally transform the dull great appearance of most concrete elements.
Expect incurring additional labor charges for mixing two different elements of colored concrete into a design. Where staining or mix-ins are utilized, separation of clean colors is distinctly required to facilitate the beautiful end result as seen below.
Combination of colored concrete is a truly premium finish for concrete!!!
3. High Gloss Sealers for Concrete
High gloss sealers such as acrylic sealers make a great appearance for any number of concrete elements such as concrete patios, concrete sidewalks, concrete driveways, concrete stairs and more. The high gloss appearance gives a unique aesthetic, as opposed to penetrating sealers, or matte finish sealers.
While generally speaking the sealer is for functional purposes, it also can totally change the look and appearance of the concrete, but needs re-sealing every year or so. Re-sealing of concrete elements is essential to ensure they are kept in top condition and protected from the elements. Over time, the glossy appearance of the sealer is bound to fade.
4. Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete is used widespread throughout architectural and landscape concrete elements such as sidewalks, patios, driveways, and more. Various patterns of implementation such as cobblestone and herringbone exist, transforming the look and appearance of traditionally broom finish concrete elements.
There are many different stamped concrete designs you can choose from, most are typical for imitation of concrete pavers etc.
Stamped concrete is often sealed, stained, or both, to give an even more unique aesthetic. There are so many different patterns on the market to choose from when it comes to stamped concrete.
5. Natural Stone Concrete Imitation
Natural stone can be imitated with patterns and layouts for concrete elements of all sorts. Natural stone imitation is perfect for uses in a garden or a more natural looking area to give a more zen like appearance. It is a ‘softer’ use of concrete that is not commonly used!
This design can be implemented on concrete patios, concrete curbs, concrete stairs, and other concrete elements.
There are various types of concrete stamping models on the market and finding the right product is no light task! Consult with a professional concrete contractor to find the right product for your job!!!
6. Custom Earth Retention / Planting Beds
Custom concrete earth retention designs such as show below make for arrangements in seating areas and even grass. Consider incorporating these sort of terraced elements into your concrete retaining wall designs or property landscape plans!
A concrete planting bed is a perfect use case for a concrete retaining wall to establish not only elevation changes for your property, but also a neat place to put your plants!
7. Concrete Fountains
Concrete fountains CIP(cast in place) are formed, reinforced, and poured in-situ, or in plain terms, on site. This means the design could potentially be customized to the requirements of the client. Other fountains come pre-poured or pre-cast and are just placed in the garden or the yard. The services of a landscape company or a plumbing company might be needed to setup the water flow.
8. Concrete Fountains with Stone
Embedding stones in concrete for fountain designs is another great way to bring a unique design and appeal to your fountain and yard in general. While plain concrete is great, concrete with stone embeds or even mosaics is even better.
9. Concrete Pad Walkways
Concrete pad walkways use fabricated elements like concrete square pads, or circular pads, or natural imitation stone pads, or large concrete pavers, to create a usable pathway to you fountain, or patio or firepit area.
10. Concrete Ramp Structures
Another great use case for concrete is through concrete ramps. These not only add accessibility to your property, but can be done in an aesthetic way to improve the overall look and feel. As opposed to stairs, ramps require a bit more finesse to achieve correct slopes layouts.
11. Concrete Bollards
Concrete bollards are used to protect pedestrians or building features from building traffic. If you have an outdoor area, or a garden, or yard, and have a driveway through the area, bollards can be used to protect your property and guide vehicle traffic.
12. Curved Concrete Pathways
Curved concrete pathways are a great addition to landscape and architectural designs for properties and outdoor areas. Concrete sidewalks and concrete ramps are always needed, so why not add flair with curves, slopes, custom patterns, sealers, and texture(like exposed aggregate concrete).
13. Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Exposed aggregate concrete is a cost-effective approach in between broom finish concrete and stamped concrete. Exposed aggregate concrete is poured by exposing aggregate in the mixture through use of surface curing inhibitors to facilitate exposure of the embedded aggregates by spraying down the concrete post-pour.
The exposed aggregate concrete is subsequently sealed to prevent cracks in the sidewalk, slab, or patio.
14. Raised Concrete Patios
Raised concrete patios are built-up with increases in elevation through fill and poured at a higher elevation than the surrounding grounds.
Concrete pads at a higher elevation require drainage specific to the landscape design. As with all properties and yards, drainage of the excess water runoff has to be done properly to prevent pooling and destabilization of foundational build-ups for raised concrete patios. Concrete makes
15. Concrete Pool
Pools are a luxury element sought after by many a proud homeowner! Specialists with serious understanding of the reinforcement and design requirements of concrete pool construction only should undertake this work. Special requirements may be required for rebar to prevent rusting and corrosion. There are also considerations for the concrete patio surrounding the pool. Of course, careful consideration for the pool embeds are required too, such as strainers, jets, etc.
16. Concrete Landscape Curb
Concrete landscape curbs are formed on grade, meaning, they are formed and poured on the ground to which they are situated. There is generally no special consideration for the sub-grade conditions for concrete landscape curbs.
Specialized equipment can be utilized for concrete landscape curbs, which generally speed up productivity as opposed to physically forming these on the yard. Landscape concrete curbs, in simple designs and patterns, are used to separate gardens from grass.
Some concrete contractors will perform this work and others will not, it depends on the scope and application. For example, concrete curbing like this is frequently borne by a landscaping contractor. This is what is known as hardscaping, where the concrete curbing is done by a hardscaping crew prior to the softscaping crew coming in to finish your yard off.
17. Decorative Concrete Stairs
Concrete stairs are traditionally poured as broom finish and constructed in a manner to be as structurally and architecturally simple as possible. However introducing custom designs, sealers, stamped designs, exposed aggregate concrete, and layouts provides a more unique aesthetic.
While broom finish concrete stairs are totally fine, for smaller sections of stairs, or single steps, sometimes it is nicer to go with a decorative design for concrete stairs instead.
Implementing large stones like in this one-step stamped concrete design below is always a great option!
18. Radial Concrete Patios
Concrete patios are typically rectangle or constructed with 90 degree angles, but radial designs give better aesthetic for things like fireplaces or fountains and meeting places.
Breaking up the traditional aesthetic of plain concrete slabs and grades is best done with circular concrete structures and elements, because they make for great gathering points!
Take into consideration what sort of finish you want for your concrete patio, from stamped concrete patio, to broom finish(like image below) etc. There are also considerations on the sealer and color.
19. Unique Concrete Driveway Parking
Concrete driveways don’t always have to be typical slabs with slab-breaks in plain rectangles. There are designs like exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, and bent / sloped designs that are perfect to add not only aesthetic but also functionality, reducing path of travel and distance to your gathering points and locations. Adding custom designs to your driveway can make a significant impact on concrete driveway costs so bear in mind if you are looking for a functional affordable solutions, custom options might push this work beyond your budget.
When choosing a concrete driveway contractor, make sure to address common items like sub-grade preparation, concrete sealing, finish type (exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, broom finish, slope, entries to sidewalks) etc.
Even broom-finish concrete can be utilized in a creative manner to establish a unique design. Designs like the driveway below, utilized a combination of stamped concrete and curvatures in control joints to create a stunning visual appeal.
20. Colored Concrete
Colored concrete in sole usage is a cost effective approach to establishing a more appealing aesthetic to concrete sidewalks, patios, driveways, and other concrete elements. Colored concrete is made by using concrete ad-mixtures that transform the look of the concrete. Alternatively, concrete staining with stamped concrete can be used, where ad-mixtures are throughout concrete, but surface staining is only the top.
Other penetrating and surface concrete sealers can be utilized with colored concrete, further changing the look and appearance.
Photo Above: Reddish-brown concrete mix-in additive creating unique concrete patio/pad with broom-finish texture.
21. Structural Concrete Stairs
More serious concrete elements like structural concrete stairs are required for serious elevation changes. In some cases you will need guard rails or hand rails to accompany larger structural stair elements. This is in addition to structural concrete ramps. By structural, we mean elements that support soil and have structural requirements.
In terms of serious value-adds for a property, structural concrete stairs are serious investments.
A solid set of concrete stairs brings both architectural aesthetic, but also a long lasting superb addition to the property, that if constructed properly, can be left in great condition for many years!
22. Embedded Trench Drains
Embedded trench drains are not only architecturally appealing, but they make for landscape drainage solution for waste water and rain fall in excess. When thinking about year round drainage and run-off, a trench drain system in concrete brings an upscale look & feel to areas that are prone to drainage issues or flooding during heavy rain events.
The selection of embed grate / product is also important for, drainage considerations and general appearance. Some products can be embedded directly into the concrete trench concrete, that are designed as all-in-one trench drain products. Alternatively, a professional concrete contractor can design a trench drain system utilizing the concrete and slopes as required too!
23. Multiple Texture Concrete
Adjoining concrete elements such as stamped concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, and broom finish concrete can be utilized to create a unique overall design for your yard or landscape. Exposed aggregate and stamped concrete can be sealed alike to create a unique look for the yard.
By implementing a variety of concrete finishes on your property, you get the luxury of choosing fit and finish however you so desire.
24. Patio Stone/Brick Imitation Concrete
A common implementation for stamped concrete solutions is to use a concrete paver design that imitates the look, feel, and aesthetic of concrete pavers. Concrete pavers, whilst usually laid by hand, can be imitated by a stamped concrete solution. Concrete pavers while, having a great look, cannot match the performance of a stamped concrete solution when it comes to ease of installation, general durability, and for drainage purposes.
The best way to allow traditional paver stone patios to match the drainage functionality of stamped/sealed concrete is too use epoxy type sand for filling in the cracks. This product, while expensive, creates a more weatherproof seal than traditional means/methods.
Patio brick/stone/paver imitations: traditional brick patterns, tile patterns, cobble patterns, Herringbone designs, slate patterns etc.
25. Concrete Furniture!
Concrete furniture makes a great addition to any yard or outdoor living space. Concrete/cement furniture comes in various shapes and sizes and adds a unique abstract aesthetic to otherwise simple yards, outdoor spaces, patios and more!
Other concrete furniture: include recliners, concrete tables, concrete stools, etc.
As you can see, there are a variety of use cases for concrete in residential and commercial settings that add both features and functionality to your yard, property, drainage systems, etc.
Typical custom concrete designs, cast-in-place solutions are often utilized for any number of patios, sidewalks, pathways, stairways and more.
There is also always ways to incorporate natural stone with concrete, exposed aggregates, stamped concretes, custom colors, and sealers.
Choosing pre-fabricated products is another option to introduce concrete elements to your yard or green-space. A combination of cast-in-place items, and pre-fabricated products is ideal!!!
Also, landscape designers and outdoor space designers can bring great input to the holistic overview of concrete and landscape outdoor use case. Especially for concrete fountains, collaboration with concrete contractors, landscape designers, and plumbers is paramount.
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