I’ve got a garden bed with this concrete exposed. What’s the best way to cover it up or make it look nicer? Eventually the shrubs will do some of the work.
Stucco or tiles? Cheaper and easier would probably be to make decorative panels that you could attach to the beams and paint the same color.
MrTripperSnipper
I’d probably put horizontal battens between posts. Or boards, maybe out some lights behind them for the evening. Or for something cheap maybe bamboo or cane screening.
Ay_Yo_Vertigo
Paint it a dark color, frame it and put lattice up.
OneUpAndOneDown
Find an arty person to paint a trompe l’oeil picture on it
Cheyenps
It’s tough to get right but it could look really nice stained.
I like the texture.
dungotstinkonit
Tile it
North-Star2443
I actually like the texture. I wouldn’t paint it I have never seen painted concrete look good.
shwaaaaaaaaaaa
It looks great as is, don’t mess with it.
Minimum-Guidance6991
The best advice here is leave it (which I would bc I like the texture and color) or paint it a very dark color and then do something over it like wood lattice. A wood tone like the one on the porch would look nice and brighten up the area. Then the lattice could serve as a trellis for greenery.
J-t-kirk
You could use the garage floor coating and add dazzle or just add a quick facing of river rock
werther595
Something like lattice, but maybe not lattice. Maybe something like a Japanese zen-style fence?
Apprehensive_Disk478
Stone veneer of your choosing
jjflash78
Have pots above with hanging plants which spill over into the garden.
I would not paint, stain, or do anything to the concrete itself. In fact, to me, the rock look of it is a good contrast to the wood and greenery.
External_Twist508
You could pressure wash and get some grout and skim coat but you need some who knows what they are doing
IIIRIVERIII
I’d stain it black to make it a nice backdrop to all that greenery.
Sheenapeena
I actually really like the texture. You could acid stain it, if you like that kinda look. I personally really like it, my husband and mom don’t like the blotchiness of acid stain, but to me it mimics nature, you could even do a two tone acid etching with green and brown so once the bushes grow up it just blends into that.
No_Chemist_2419
My disabled uncle calls it conkcreek
beemer-dreamer
Skim coat concrete or tile.
Seanacles
It’s looks nice like rustic
Red_Leader19
Just give it some time with weathering and whatnot it’ll patina really nice. Or. You can add some lattice panels and your choice of vines.
Sea_Soup8873
Trompe-l’œil paint on the concrete of shrubs and flowers?
TheBimpo
Wrought iron fencing, taller plants.
joey7chicago
Boston Ivy?
JG-UpstateNY
It is hard to know what style the rest of the space has based on this photo.
1 If you want more modern, I would paint the side black and then put horizontal cedar slats between the posts.
2 If you want fresh and clean, just grab some stucco or mortar mix and cover the whole surface area out with a smooth facade. You could mix a tint in with the mortar, like iron oxide if you want it darker. Or you could limewash it for a brighter look, but mulch and dirt will stain the bottom of limewash walls.
3 You could grab some local stones and build your own stone facade.
4 Go with colorful tiles and give it a Moorish Spanish vibe.
coco8090
The texture and colors are actually really desirable. It’s not supposed to be all smooth and/or all a uniform color.
Yeti-Stalker
Looks good to me
rex_kreuzen
Plant some vines
Wabi-Sabi-Iki
I would tile it. You need to consider the style of your house and find tiles that are complimentary. This could be a showpiece if it is done right.
w_benjamin
1/4″ thick brick overlay would look nice.
Next-problem-
Wood strips of some sort is a nice look
DukeOfWestborough
Bold patterned tile? In style with existing house & I concur with the “leave it” views, but seems OP is looking for something
32 Comments
Easiest would be to paint it Go Away Green
Stucco or tiles? Cheaper and easier would probably be to make decorative panels that you could attach to the beams and paint the same color.
I’d probably put horizontal battens between posts. Or boards, maybe out some lights behind them for the evening. Or for something cheap maybe bamboo or cane screening.
Paint it a dark color, frame it and put lattice up.
Find an arty person to paint a trompe l’oeil picture on it
It’s tough to get right but it could look really nice stained.
I like the texture.
Tile it
I actually like the texture. I wouldn’t paint it I have never seen painted concrete look good.
It looks great as is, don’t mess with it.
The best advice here is leave it (which I would bc I like the texture and color) or paint it a very dark color and then do something over it like wood lattice. A wood tone like the one on the porch would look nice and brighten up the area. Then the lattice could serve as a trellis for greenery.
You could use the garage floor coating and add dazzle or just add a quick facing of river rock
Something like lattice, but maybe not lattice. Maybe something like a Japanese zen-style fence?
Stone veneer of your choosing
Have pots above with hanging plants which spill over into the garden.
I would not paint, stain, or do anything to the concrete itself. In fact, to me, the rock look of it is a good contrast to the wood and greenery.
You could pressure wash and get some grout and skim coat but you need some who knows what they are doing
I’d stain it black to make it a nice backdrop to all that greenery.
I actually really like the texture. You could acid stain it, if you like that kinda look. I personally really like it, my husband and mom don’t like the blotchiness of acid stain, but to me it mimics nature, you could even do a two tone acid etching with green and brown so once the bushes grow up it just blends into that.
My disabled uncle calls it conkcreek
Skim coat concrete or tile.
It’s looks nice like rustic
Just give it some time with weathering and whatnot it’ll patina really nice. Or. You can add some lattice panels and your choice of vines.
Trompe-l’œil paint on the concrete of shrubs and flowers?
Wrought iron fencing, taller plants.
Boston Ivy?
It is hard to know what style the rest of the space has based on this photo.
1 If you want more modern, I would paint the side black and then put horizontal cedar slats between the posts.
2 If you want fresh and clean, just grab some stucco or mortar mix and cover the whole surface area out with a smooth facade. You could mix a tint in with the mortar, like iron oxide if you want it darker. Or you could limewash it for a brighter look, but mulch and dirt will stain the bottom of limewash walls.
3 You could grab some local stones and build your own stone facade.
4 Go with colorful tiles and give it a Moorish Spanish vibe.
The texture and colors are actually really desirable. It’s not supposed to be all smooth and/or all a uniform color.
Looks good to me
Plant some vines
I would tile it. You need to consider the style of your house and find tiles that are complimentary. This could be a showpiece if it is done right.
1/4″ thick brick overlay would look nice.
Wood strips of some sort is a nice look
Bold patterned tile? In style with existing house & I concur with the “leave it” views, but seems OP is looking for something