Stamped Concrete Patio Ideas & Insights

Design ideas and tips for using stamps to add texture to your concrete patio
Updated by Sarah Hutchinson March 11, 2025

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Stamped Patio Photos

Power Concrete Construction
North Liberty, IA
(Courtesy of Brickform)

Stamped concrete is a decorative paving option for your outdoor patio area. Stamping can be combined with color to give you the high-end look of natural stone or wood, but in a more cost-effective way.

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Stamped Concrete Patios
Time: 03:48
Cohen shows some of his favorite patterns and techniques for stamped concrete patios and walkways.

STAMPED CONCRETE PATIOS PROS AND CONS

Like any project, stamped cement patios have pros and cons. Look below to compare a few of them, and decide if it is right for you.

Pros:

Is more affordable than natural stone, brick or pavers
Enhances outdoor spaces and adds to your home value
Offers nearly limitless pattern and color choices
Slip resistant when treated with a non-skid additive
Is durable and long-lasting
Easy to maintain when sealed

Cons:

Not very DIY friendly
Can develop minor cracks
Needs periodic cleaning and resealing
Can be damaged by freeze/thaw cycles and deicing salts
Repairs can be difficult

IDEAS FOR YOUR BACKYARD STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO

If you are thinking about bringing a new concrete surface or texture to your patio, there are several options to make your space unique, long-lasting, and impactful. Here are some ideas that can help you elevate your backyard space.

Popular stamped concrete patterns for patios

Brickform, a division of Solomon Colors, Inc. - Springfield, IL

Seamless Textures

Seamless texture skins or stamps offer a clean and natural look without visible grout lines or joints. These patterns mimic the feel of large slabs of slate, granite, or sandstone. They're currently the most popular choice and work well for both modern and traditional styles.

Salzano Custom Concrete – Aldie, VA

Ashlar Slate

This pattern uses a mixture of rectangular shapes that take your patio to new heights with the appearance of cut stone, especially when combined with color.

Salzano Custom Concrete – Aldie, VA

Brick

A patio stamped to look like brick is a great traditional look. With this pattern you will be able to mimic either a traditional red brick or fancy herringbone design.

Unique Concrete – West Milford, NJ

Random Stone

A more organic look, these patterns are created to give an appearance of naturally occurring stone. The randomness of the pattern makes for a memorable design.

All Pro Cement – Thornton, CO

Wood Stamped Concrete

Creating a wood deck is often a dream for many homeowners. Using this pattern for your concrete patio will give that same look, but with better durability.

What the Pros Say: “Be careful not to overdo these patterns because you don't want the texture too deep or your patio furniture will start to wobble on you and won't sit flat.”
— Scott Cohen, The Green Scene Landscaping & Swimming Pools

HOW TO STAMP A CONCRETE PATIO

Stamping a concrete patio involves the following steps:

Forming
Pouring
Striking, floating and edging
Broadcasting color hardener
Jointing
Troweling
Applying release agent
Stamping
Stripping forms
Curing
Cleaning
Sealing

Get more details on how to stamp concrete in this step-by-step guide.

Coloring options for stamped concrete

There are many coloring options that a contractor may apply:

Integral coloring is mixed into the material. This is good for earth tones and pastels.
Dry-shake color hardeners are laid on the surface of the concrete, and provide a more intense color palette, and improve the strength and density.
Surface-applied color are dyes, stains, and tinted release agents that can be used in conjunction with the first two options that help make textures look more like the natural materials they resemble.

What the Pros Say: “I actually think this is the better way to color concrete... This is called broadcasting color hardener. Color hardener is a blend of sand, Portland cement, and pigment. You broadcast it on the surface and then you trowel it into the surface, and that colors the concrete.”
— Tim Seay, Decorative Concrete of Virginia

UPGRADES FOR YOUR STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO

Stamped concrete patterns make your concrete patio beautiful. But why stop there?

J&H Decorative Concrete LLC – Uniontown, OH

Stamped concrete patio with fire pit

Have your contractor build in your very own fire pit for those late night conversations with your friends and family.

Greystone Masonry Inc – Stafford, VA

Stamped concrete patio with fireplace

Create a wow moment on your patio by installing a fireplace with complimentary coloring and stone look to match your stamped concrete patio.

John’s Cement - Milford, MI

Stamped concrete patio with border

Borders act as a great accent for your patio. Defining the edges of your patio with a new color, adds a stylish dynamic that makes your design more personalized.

See more patio border ideas.

The Wall - Portland, OR

Stamped concrete patio with pergola

Adding a pergola to your stamped patio will give you a shady spot to hang out. Pergolas can be built with wood, metal or even vinyl. Arrange patio furniture under the pergola for a comfortable retreat.

STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO VS PAVERS

Stamped concrete patios give you a vast array of decorative options not possible with other patio materials. At about $15 per square foot, this is a budget friendly way to get a high-end look.

Concrete pavers are placed individually, without any grout, in intricate, stunning patterns. The individual placement of each paver makes it easy to replace any damaged areas, but the spacing between the stones also allows for shifting and weed growth over time. At, approximately, $20 for the most detailed design, it may not be the most cost-effective to install.

CAN YOU DO STAMPED CONCRETE OVER AN EXISTING PATIO?

Yes, you can get a stamped concrete look over an existing patio. With a stamped concrete overlay, you can get the look you want, be able to fix any damaged areas of the concrete surface, and even add strength and durability to your patio.

STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO COST

The average cost of stamped concrete is between $8 and $18 per square foot and a typical patio is around 288 square feet. This means you’ll likely spend between $2,300 and $5,200 for a stamped concrete patio.

The cost difference is dependent on size and details you are looking to include in your design. The most affordable stamped concrete uses a single pattern and color. The more patterns and colors you look to include, the more expensive it will become. If you would like more detail about the costs, visit our stamped concrete cost page.

DIY stamped concrete patio

According to expert Chris Sullivan, stamped concrete is not a DIY project. He explains that because concrete only lets you have one chance at getting the stamping right you should leave it to the professionals. See what else he has to say about stamped concrete as a DIY project.

You can also visit our directory to find contractors in your area that install stamped concrete patios.

Homeowner Testimonial - The Good & The Bad

Sarah Hutchinson, ConcreteNetwork.com's Director of Digital Content, has a stamped patio in her backyard. Here are her thoughts and tips:

Long-Lasting Durability: After eight years, our stamped concrete patio has no cracks or damage. In comparison, our wood deck has lots of rotting boards that need replacing and repainting. See wood deck vs. concrete patio.
Easy Maintenance: Pressure washing 1–2 times a year keeps it looking clean, and periodic sealing has preserved the color.
Avoid Salt Exposure: Rock salt caused discoloration on our patio when it leaked from an ice cream maker, so be careful if you have a sweet tooth or need to use ice melt.
Plan for Drainage Early: Our patio sits low and floods during heavy rain. We have to get out the squeegee or wet/dry vac to remove the water. With better planning before installation, this hassle could have been avoided. For tips on proper drainage, check out our patio drainage guide.

SEALING YOUR STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO

In order to have your stamped concrete patio last longer, you will need to apply a sealer. This will make your concrete surface easier to maintain, protect it from wear and tear, and keep the surface from being penetrated by oils, stains, and other chemicals.

In order to properly seal your patio, you will need to make sure the surface is clean and clear of debris and moisture, and that your concrete is properly cured (this could be several weeks after pouring).

Once clean, you can apply your sealer with a sprayer. Sealers can last anywhere from 1-10 years or longer, depending on the type of sealer used.

SEE MORE STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO PROJECTS

Stone-Look Stamped Concrete Enhances Outdoor Living Space

These homeowners considered building the patio with natural Pennsylvania bluestone, but were intrigued by some of the new developments being pioneered with stamped concrete.

Tiered Concrete Patio Mimics Grouted Stone

These homeowners wanted the look of a natural stone patio, but didn't want to pay the high price. Concrete stamped in an Old English Slate was the perfect solution. To give the patio the look of natural bluestone, the base concrete was colored with a pale blue color hardener and then accented with custom-mixed highlight colors. Faux grout lines between the stones give the patio a beautiful, hand-laid stone appearance.

A Stamped Concrete Patio and Pergola Transform a Boring Backyard

When this home was newly constructed, the backyard was nothing but a colorless, flat expanse of dirt. On this barren canvas, the homeowners created an inviting outdoor space for entertaining by installing a stamped concrete patio with separate zones for a large pergola and a stone-faced fireplace. The warm terra-cotta coloring of the concrete patio was achieved by using integrally colored concrete in a canvas shade and enhancing it with a dry-shake color hardener in a sun-baked clay hue. The surface was then stamped with texture skins in a Roman slate pattern.

Colored Borders Add a Decorative Touch

A decorative border is a great way to set off and frame a stamped concrete patio, especially free-form designs. This new patio and set of steps is colored in beige with walnut accent coloring, and the borders are stained with a darker ebony acid stain. An ashlar slate stamp was used for the pattern and texture.

Concrete Patio Is Designed for Outdoor Entertaining

Equipped with an outdoor kitchen and bar, a pergola, and multiple areas for dining and conversation, this two-part stamped concrete patio is ideal for outdoor entertaining. A concrete walkway, stamped with the same ashlar slate pattern used for the patio, leads down to a second more-secluded patio with an outdoor fire pit. Seat walls made from concrete pavers retain the yard’s sloped terrain and create an attractive patio border.

Concrete Patio Replicates Travertine

For this beautiful 1,200-square-foot patio and outdoor entertaining area, travertine stamps and stone-textured form liners were used to replicate real stone, creating a high-end look for a reasonable cost. An ashlar travertine stamp was used for the main surface and a hammered-edge form liner was used to impart a stone-like texture along the edges. The realistic coloring effects were achieved with a buff-toned dry-shake hardener accented with a combination of sandstone, charcoal and sandalwood water-based stains. A walnut antiquing wash gives the surface a weathered look.

Formal Backyard Patio Showcases the Beauty of Natural Gray Concrete

When the design of a concrete patio is conceived with the landscaping firmly in mind, beautiful things happen. That was the case for this backyard patio project in Silverdale, Wash., a collaborative effort by Northwest Construction & Landscape LLC, a company specializing in the installation of stamped concrete patios, driveways and walkways, and landscape architect Emily Russell of Russell Design Source, the designer of the formal backyard garden.

Patio Makeover Turns Plain Concrete into Decorative Stone

When this gorgeous stone-clad home in Wantage, N.J., was built, a raised concrete patio was installed, but it lacked the character of the home’s natural stone and log details. “Structurally, the concrete was in good shape, but not aesthetically pleasing,” says Todd Fisher of Unique Concrete, whose company was brought in to transform the patio. They installed a concrete overlay stamped in a fieldstone pattern and hand stained to match the color of the stonework.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are stamped concrete patios slippery?

Stamped concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been sealed with a high-gloss sealer. To reduce slipperiness, consider adding a non-slip additive to the sealer or opting for a matte finish.

Are there any alternatives to stamped concrete?

Yes, there are several popular alternatives to stamping:

Exposed Aggregate Patios: Offer a textured, non-slip surface by revealing the natural stones within the concrete.
Stained Concrete Patios: Provide a smooth finish with a wide range of color options, enhancing the natural look of the concrete.
Patio Pavers: Allow for easy repairs and a wide range of design options, but can be more expensive than stamped concrete.