Hiding ugly patio?

armstrong1955

Afternoon all,

We've just moved to a ground floor flat with a tiny (20m2) courtyard out the back. It has walls on 3 sides, and the other side faces east, so there isn't much direct sunlight. The courtyard is currently covered with dark grey/brown concrete pavers that make it even more dull and dingy, and I've been trying to find a way to solve this. So far I have considered:

1) light coloured gravel over the top, using a grid to stop it escaping. Best 'bang for buck' option in my opinion, can get good effect relatively cheaply/ simply. Main disadvantage is that graveling right up to the house walls (one of which is our neighbour's) might affect the damp proof course, or block the air bricks.

2) paint/ stain the concrete. Minimal impact on existing structures, but will be difficult to get looking good, and is unlikely to be hard wearing

3) rip it out and install new pavers. This will probably give the best result, but will be expensive, and the only access to the courtyard is through our flat so I would prefer to avoid anything involving cement or bulky equipment!

Are there any other solutions people could recommend?

Cheers!

andrewf75

just add lots of pots/planters?

pramsay13

power wash?

bouicca21

In a similar situation I gulped, then bit the bullet and had a new one. Worth every penny. Mind you I did have access via the communal part of the garden.

rach_k

A couple of outdoor 'rugs'? Ikea sells them. Or cheap click fit decking tiles?

Owain_Moneysaver

Artificial grass can go over an existing patio
https://www.perfectlygreen.co.uk/installing-artificial-grass-on-concrete-and-decking/

Or power wash everything, paint the walls white to reflect light ("mediterranean" look) and you could then paint the pavers with concrete paint.

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm wondering whether the surface is level or no?

Anything you put down on top of the surface is going to be affected by a surface that isn't very level.

If it is level - then you're in luck and I'd probably be getting those wooden click-together tiles in your position and painting the walls white. Add a lot of nice pots with nice plants in them and it might even get to look quite nice and meant-to-be.

More of a problem if the surface is uneven - tell me about it. My house has currently got a large part of the garden in "concrete garden" format and it's going to cost-a-lot to deal with it when I can afford it. Meanwhile - I'm putting nice plants in nice pots on the patio type bits of it and nice table/chairs set. When I have the money to rip it all up - then I'll turn it into a "proper garden" and any hard surfacing will be nice (stuff like sandstone pavers? reclaimed bricks? that sort of thing...) and keep said "nice plants in nice pots". But "nice plants in nice pots" distracts my attention from the "cheapie grot" previous owners had done until then.

moneyistooshorttomention

Think this might be the sort of effect to aim for for you:

https://www.cepaynasi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/guzel-bir-ev.html

scroll down to their balcony photos

Francesanne

Use artificial grass to cover area and then add some lovely planters. Then fix some trellis to wall and train attractive climbers. We've use A.G. to cover a very unattractive part of our garden and really pleased with the result. The quality of artificial grass has improved rapidly over the years and there's a huge choice to be had. I'm a great fan of it.

andrewf75

Hmm not sure artificial grass would look right with planters on it. You wouldn't put planters/pots on real grass so that would automatically highlight the fact that it is fake. Pots/planters on paving slabs (however ugly) would look much better IMO. If they are really that offensive, wood tiles or gravel could look good.

I know artificial grass can look realistic and while I wouldn!!!8217;t personally use it I can see the attraction for some people. But it can only look realistic in a realistic place and a perfect lawn in a dark courtyard would just look odd