Guest Picks: Concrete Ideas for Patios and Decks
Look to lightweight fiber cement for functional outdoor furniture and accessories that are heavy on style
Like functional sculptures, many stylish indoor and outdoor products are produced from a fiber cement material that renders the designs lightweight, easily transportable and perfect for urban dwellers. Concrete is a natural material that has long been a favorite among architects and designers for its durability, as well as its expansive breadth of colors and textured finishes that provide a wide spectrum of design possibilities.
Because it's most commonly used as a building material, concrete is naturally perfect for outdoor products of all kinds. It's weather and UV resistant, making it virtually maintenance free and able to hold up to just about anything, including kids and dogs. It's also porous, so it drains well, making it great for planters because it allows plants to breathe and absorb just enough water and nutrients. Better still, it stays cool, helping to maintain proper soil temperatures. — Robin from Urban Gardens
Because it's most commonly used as a building material, concrete is naturally perfect for outdoor products of all kinds. It's weather and UV resistant, making it virtually maintenance free and able to hold up to just about anything, including kids and dogs. It's also porous, so it drains well, making it great for planters because it allows plants to breathe and absorb just enough water and nutrients. Better still, it stays cool, helping to maintain proper soil temperatures. — Robin from Urban Gardens
Puzzle Slabs
Time for some outdoor games. How about mixing it up with these concrete slab puzzle tiles interspersed with grass? They're chic and witty and let you play on the patio.
Biofire Coffee Table
Ivanka produces this fabulous combination concrete table and bioethanol firepit. The double-duty design is great for smaller spaces because it is two products in one.
De Castelli Claps Stone
De Castelli's lightweight cement Claps Stones are smooth white stones that function as seating, a spot for placing a drink or just as decorative pieces. They are perfect for urban spaces, as they're easy to move to the rooftop and back indoors.
Concrete Geodesic Planter, Dark Gray by At Stuart
Inspired by the geodesic dome, this hand-cast cement planter is pure organic architecture for the garden. I'd fill it with something colorful or with succulents. A grouping of them would be stunning.
Concrete Coffee Table With Moss Planters by LAbC Furniture
I'm loving this outdoor glass fiber–reinforced concrete cube with moss insets on the top surface. It's would be be great for either indoor or outdoor use, as it's lightweight and the moss needs no upkeep except an occasional misting.
Concrete/Wood Planter Bench by Tao Concrete
This concrete and wood planter bench has a wonderful blend of industrial and organic elements. For both exterior or interior spaces, it's a good example of a multifunctional piece that is both furniture and a planter. It would be especially great for smaller spaces where one piece needs to do the work of two.
Extra Large Handmade Concrete Gold Planter by Dachshund in the Desert
Oh what a delicious bit of bling this hand-painted concrete can bring to any decor! I love the contrasting roughness and gold color of the planter's edge, which is sealed so that it's perfectly weather resistant and ready for outdoors.
Concrete Birdhouse by Ferguson Mireault Concrete Design
Hello, birdies. Here is a contemporary concrete and wood abode for modern feathered friends. What do I love? The magnetic lid that can be easily removed for cleaning and the water-based acrylic sealer that allows it to be left outdoors all year-round.
Stitched Concrete Stools
A study in cool contemporary contrasts, these stools mix the look of soft fabric with the strength of concrete. The innovative Stitched Concrete stools by designer Florian Schmid are cleverly made by folding cement-impregnated fabric supported with a PVC backing, so they are weather and UV resistant, lightweight, and easily moved indoors or out.
Cubik Concrete Table
Think big with this concrete and stainless steel dining table that's a design statement indoors or out. Its lightweight concrete top sits on a base of two stainless steel legs, but the element I love most is the center well that can hold river stones or plants or — get creative!
Concrete Jungle Table
Talk about funk and function. Jonas Bohlin's Concrete Jungle table is ready to party. Its top concrete disk sits on a black painted steel base. Place some candles into the white aquarium gravel (that comes with the table), then light it all up and enjoy the glow.
M. Bench
A twist on outdoor upholstery, this Grupo Bondi concrete pouf makes fun outdoor or indoor seating and is also quite a conversation piece.
Comfort Without Conformity Chair
I am so intrigued by designer Stefan Zwicky's concrete homage to the iconic Corbusier chair. This really brings a modern classic outdoors. It's not for every space, but it would certainly add a cool detail to some landscapes.
Mobilier a Jardiner
How fun is this concrete garden furniture? The creative minds at the Parisian agency 5.5 Designers came up with a series of modular concrete pieces that incorporate planters of varying sizes and configurations. The furniture is intended to go anywhere you can plant it.
Concrete Bench
Anna Badur's bench delightfully fools the eye with its "soft" concrete seat. It even has buttonholes that Badur says she's adjusted to the human anatomy to provide comfort. I love how the designer has thought it all through. It has drainage holes in case it rains, and the powder-coated steel frame and legs add a dash of color.
Triangulum Fire Pit
I love to warm up by the flames of an outdoor fire. Imagine a group sitting around this one that's made of durable composite concrete. It's both good looking and practical. The fire sits 10 inches off of the ground, above vertical slots that allow drainage and let in air to feed the flames.
Knotty Stool
These funky hollow-cast concrete tree stumps make fabulous outdoor side tables or extra seating. If you want to bring nature inside, just add the optional sliders and roll the Knotty Stool indoors.
Bench With Backrest and Planter
I can see a few of these planter seats together on a patio overlooking the cityscape. They work nicely as seating, occasional tables or both, and versatile pieces like these optimize limited spaces.
Next: Concrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons
Next: Concrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons