You’re getting ready to walk out onto your patio to enjoy some beautiful sun and a cup of coffee. The birds are chirping, and it looks like a great day.
You walk out onto your patio, and the mood dies. This is not the comfortable and elegant patio that it once was. It’s past time for a new patio design update.
The patio floor sets the stage for your outdoor lounging experience, make sure it can last through a storm, as well as be gentle on sandals and bare feet passing through.
There are so many patio floor ideas out there, and choosing the right one can make or break your new patio project. Keep reading for the best tips for choosing a fresh patio floor.
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DIY Patio Projects
You don’t always have to hire a construction team to renovate your patio space.
Updating your patio doesn’t have to be a complicated project, and there are always plenty of do-it-yourself videos to watch as you go.
Starting with the patio floor is the best way to set a new tone for your patio space. There are many different kinds of materials with different textures and colors and designs.
Even if you choose not to redo your patio on your own, selecting the right material for the outdoor flooring ideas is a critical step.
Paver Patios
Using pavers for your patio allows you to use almost any design theme. You can use a number of different materials for your pavers, including stone, brick, and concrete.
There are plenty of different shapes for pavers, and you can use unique shapes to create unique designs for your patio floor, like a spiral or a mosaic pattern.
Slate/skifer pavers, in particular, are quite durable and also have a variety of colors to set the mood for your outdoor scene.
Reclaimed Wood
For the environmentally conscious, or for lovers of a rustic or boho theme, reclaimed wood can be used in countless ways, including patio floors.
Wood can have a softer tone than other materials, so it can create a cozier atmosphere for outdoor dining and lounging. Reclaimed wood is also known for having individual character, which will make the trend-setter stand out from the crowd.
You can also take a gander at assembling different reclaimed wood pieces of different colors for a truly unique patio deck.
Pallet Floor
Similar to reclaimed wood, a pallet floor for your deck requires less construction labor from laying a stable and level foundation for your patio floor.
You can still get that earthy and cozy feel with a wood floor by building pallets. It’s like a short handmade deck for your yard, with almost all the perks and so much less hassle.
Interlocking Deck Tiles
For a simpler solution to your outdated patio troubles, interlocking deck tiles can be a bit of an easier solution for laying a new patio floor.
You can purchase tiles that look like tile, or wood, or virtually any outdoor decking solution you’d like. They are an easy option for do-it-yourselfers without requiring as much nailing and hammering.
Plus, you can lay these deck tiles over an existing patio floor like concrete or gravel. Creating a new patio doesn’t get much easier.
Porcelain or Ceramic Tiles
If you are looking for a tiled look with an earthy vibe, porcelain or ceramic tiles are a great option.
They are made of clay baked in fire at high temperatures, which makes them durable and resistant to damage.
However, you’ll want to steer clear of glazed tiles. Although they may look pretty and shiny, the glaze smooths the clay surface and makes it quite slippery.
That does not bode well for pedestrians crossing through your patio space.
If you’re unsure of whether to choose porcelain or ceramic and are concerned about the longevity of the tiles, porcelain is the option you want to pick.
Porcelain tiles are a bit denser than ceramic, so they will stand up to harsh weather better.
Painted Floor
If the trouble of laying down new tiles is too labor-intensive, or you’re looking for a quick upgrade, a painted floor can present like tiles without the delicate handiwork.
By painting a pattern over a smooth surface like concrete, you can create an art piece out of your floor, and hardly anyone will notice it’s not actual tile. Painting the floor is also a great solution if you want to use bolder colors.
Or, if customization is key, your concrete patio ideas could include a painted mural if you wanted.
The only downside to a flat concrete patio floor is that it is susceptible to cracking. But, you might ask, why does concrete crack?
There are several culprits, but the point is that they are preventable if you plan ahead for them.
Flagstones or Fieldstones
Both flagstone and fieldstone provide a natural and soft atmosphere to your patio. They are often used around fireplaces to set the stage for a fire pit centerpiece.
Both of these stones come in a variety of colors, and they are also thick enough and tough enough to withstand weather and wear. In addition, they have a slightly rough surface, so slipping is not a concern.
The only difference between flagstone and fieldstone is where they are pulled from. Flagstone is extracted from beneath a ground surface, fieldstone is found and collected from above ground.
Best Patio Floor Ideas
There are countless options for patio floor ideas to include in your design plan. Your old patio will be given new life soon enough, and you’ll finally be able to enjoy it again.
The patio floor will set the stage for all your furniture, fireplace, garden, or water features. Make sure you find the material that fits your dream yard landscape.
Research is paramount in any home project, so make sure you have all the information you’ll need to tackle any DIY endeavor.