Sachin

When it comes to making your home look nice, there are many different ways you can achieve it. Of course, before you are able to achieve this, you will have to ask yourself how much you are willing to spend to make your home look better. One way you can beautify your home without spending a lot of money however is to use stamped concrete. The reason for this is that while it exudes an eye-catching and intricate appeal, it really doesn't cost a lot of money to use.

Installing stamped concrete can get pricey though but will usually depend on the extent of work that needs to be done to produce the look you are after. But this does not mean you cannot use stamped concrete if you have a small budget. There are still ways you can make stamped concrete work for your home even if you do not spend a lot of money on it. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Pour stamped concrete in a shape you like

If you have plans to use stamped concrete on a shape other than the usual square, you can jazz it up easily. This is because concrete can be poured into any shape simply by changing its layout. If you are using new concrete, you can incorporate curves to achieve a good look for your home. You can even make your pathwalk curve slightly by turning it into a half circle. You can easily shape concrete to follow the landscape in your home. And the best thing about this is that it's not going to cost you a lot of money but it will still give you a beautiful look in your home.

Use simple colors

Without you knowing it, your decision to use different colors to your concrete could already be costing you a lot of money. This is why it is best that you opt to use the same color for your fields and your border. This way, you'll save some money on your stamped concrete. Using one color on concrete with a pattern can create a dramatic effect on your pathway instead of just opting for the plain, gray concrete color. This is where simplicity pays.

Throw in a border

If you don't have enough money to stamp the square of your concrete, there's a less expensive option that you can use. You can simply stamp a border with a pattern so you can give it a framed and finished look. By adding in a border, you can already dress up plain concrete without spending too much on it.

Or better yet, expand the area

On the subject of putting a border, you can opt to keep things simple yet classy. Instead of installing concrete throughout your walkway, you can simply stamp on a border and continue it to a nearby section such as the steps, entryway, or the path. You can achieve a more holistic appearance for your stamped concrete instead of focusing on just one area.

Use texture

There is also an option to sawcut a pattern and use it as a texture skin for a pattern you wish to use on your stamped concrete. If you are working with a contractor, you can have him create grooves in the concrete and also use a texture skin. The overall effect of this is that it will produce a 3D look in your pavement. This can work for your advantage when you are on a budget.

Looking for Ideas for Stamped Concrete Design

Now that you know it is possible to use stamped concrete with a tight budget, the next thing you need to do is to look for a design you wish to follow. A good thing about this is that you can always find inspiration for it in different places. One option is to look at the basic construction of the property. If your home is a traditional brick home, you can echo the theme in the hardscaping. You can also take note of the colors you use to make a similar appearance with your walkway. This will give you a harmonious look in your home without creating contrast.

Wherever you go, you will always find inspiration for your stamped concrete. Whether you find it online or in a theme park or a mall, there's always something that will give you inspiration on how you can install the same material in your home. Keep your eye out and you'll be sure to find something you will like. At the same time, see to it that you check with your contractor to make sure that you are getting something that will be fitting for your home. Otherwise, you could be spending your hard-earned money on something you won't be too happy about.

Written by Robert Thompson, owner of Custom Outdoor Designs, where they are one of the best companies for stamped concrete in Columbia, MO.