Terrace And Patio Renovation With Painting And Stencils

If you have old and worn concrete paving slabs in your yard and want to spruce them up, then this article is for you! Our editorial team offers you a simple solution for the renovation of the terrace or patio, which does not require spending a fortune. These are the reusable floor stencils that have the ability to completely transform your spaces from drab to fabulous. Finally, you will have to add furniture and make yourself comfortable. Need inspiration?

Concrete patio renovation with stencils and paint in a few simple steps

What you will need to complete this project: Exterior masonry paint, paint roller, small paintbrush, stencil, masking tape, scissors, paper towels

Cleaning the concrete surface

Don't underestimate this step! In fact, it is very important to make sure that your outdoor slabs or concrete ground are properly cleaned. Otherwise, the paint may not adhere properly and flake off over time. So invest time and effort to remedy this problem first.

For this purpose, you can use an aerosol cleaner based on bleach, hot water containing washing up liquid, some scrubbers and sponges. Start by spraying the surface and allow the product to penetrate. Then rub with hot soapy water. You may need to repeat this twice depending on how dirty your paving slabs are.

Renovation of a terrace on several levels, concrete slabs decorated with a stencil

Applying a base

Once the concrete is dry, you can proceed to apply a contrasting paint base to the patterns you want to add. Bright white will do the trick in any case in our opinion. Masonry paint is an exterior paint designed for coarse surfaces such as brick and concrete, which remains unchanged for a very long time.

How to use a stencil?

First, of course, choose a design. There is indeed a large selection of patterns on the market - modern geometric, Moroccan, Indian, Scandinavian and Mediterranean. Whatever your style, you are sure to find something you will like!

The next step is to start painting. In addition, it is advisable to always experiment first in an area which will not be exposed and which can be easily covered with furniture or flowerpots if you make a mistake.

If your concrete slabs are relatively new and smooth, you can try using a small dense foam stencil roller. If, on the other hand, you're dealing with cracked, rough old concrete, it's a good idea to invest in a large stencil brush. Don't be tempted to use a normal brush as you need flat bristles to allow for a stabbing motion. Whatever you do, don't brush the paint like you would paint a wall. Otherwise, the paint will drip under the stencil and you will end up with an uneven stained image on the concrete.

When you are happy with the placement of the stencil, use duct tape to hold it in place. Before applying the paint, also run the roller or brush over a paper towel to make sure there is not too much paint on it. Under no circumstances should there be any dripping paint under the pattern. Then, with very light pressure, color the desired pattern.

Terrace renovation with a permanent stencil carpet

As soon as you are happy with the result of the first application of the stencil, simply peel it off and reposition it so that the pattern overlaps on the edge. It is important that you are specific, as a small deviation can build up on more than one pattern. In addition, the paint dries almost immediately and you will not be able to react to correct.

After evenly filling all the gaps, carefully remove the template and you will end up with a nice print on your flooring.

Application of the stencil in the nooks and crannies

When you reach a wall, the process is indeed quite simple. First, cover the edge with masking tape, then press the stencil with one hand down and press the brush into the corner. If the stencil has to dress multiple angles, you only make one edge at a time using the same technique. It sounds a little intimidating, but it's really easy. A smaller brush helps but it doesn't have to be perfect (well, it's just an outdoor space!)

How to clean the stencil?

Indeed, your boss will probably need to be cleaned up mid-project. When too much paint collects on it, it flows under the stencil, which obviously creates spotty lines that are not very pleasant.

For emulsion and chalk paints, we recommend that you soak the stencil very regularly in very hot soapy water until the color comes off easily. This is necessary because masonry paint is much more robust and could be a bit more stubborn to clean. However, be careful not to rub too hard as this may damage your stencil. After all, you don't necessarily need to remove all of the paint, just make sure the edges of the pattern are clear of any build-up.

Finish

Finally, apply two coats of polyurethane to seal the design and give your terrace or patio a beautiful shine!

Additional tips for a successful patio renovation

1. If you have very smooth patio tiles, we suggest you use a roller instead of a brush. This one is much easier to handle and does not cause paint drips under the stencil. And again, if you are using a brush, prefer a model with a flat end. Apply the paint by dabbing.

2. Always make sure the stencil is secure by putting something heavy on it to hold it in place.

3. Slowly apply the paint. At first you may feel a little nervous until you get used to it. After doing this a few times you will gain confidence and start to have a good pace.

4. As for the edges of your patio, you may need to cut your stencil to the correct size. Make sure, however, that you have completed all areas before dealing with them. You certainly don't want to destroy your stencil if you still have spaces to cover with designs.

5. Also, we find that the fastest method of applying paint is to saturate the brush, unload very lightly (or sometimes not at all), and dot repeatedly rather than spinning it. This results in a thicker coat of paint without leaks, and you won't need to walk the same area 2-3 times for decent coverage. The edges might not be perfectly sharp this way, but it's really not noticeable at all, especially on a rough concrete surface.

6. Be careful not to go over areas that have already been painted a second time. If your stencil is misaligned with the previous design, even a little bit you will get a “ghost” effect, which is probably the most noticeable mistake you can make.

Give your wooden deck colorful patterns

Terraces and patios provide an exterior extension to the living space of your home. The defined area normally includes furniture, fixtures and decorative elements - a pergola, privacy screens, sometimes balustrades and of course flooring as the basis of this open-air haven. As for the latter, DIY enthusiasts don't stop experimenting with attractive and ingenious ideas and designs, which also contribute to the overall landscaping and look of the entire yard of the house.

While there are many design inspirations for painted hardwood floors, the hottest trends today are stenciled floors, like permanent painted rugs. Mix-and-match patterns, geometric shapes, bright colors or monochrome designs can be achieved with special floor patterns.

While painting the entire deck with stenciled designs seems like a lot of work, know that you don't have to cover a large area to produce the most unusual and beautiful effect. Just paint one area on your hardwood floor and it will dramatically change the look of your exterior.

On the other hand, in case you want to decorate a large floor area, only reproduce a few simple patterns. So refrain from mixing complicated designs at the risk of getting a real kitsch.

Terrace renovation using a stencil representing a floral motif

Impress your guests from the front door and create a good mood for them.

Garden terrace furnished in the romantic spirit with a renovated stenciled floor

Hanging chair, rattan sofa and armchairs, imitation carpet painted floor, Turkish round table, flower boxes and large mesh duvet - you have everything you need to spend pleasant moments of relaxation in the garden.

* Sources of inspiration and photos: dizzyduckdesigns.com

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