Jackson Free Press

Living in Arizona and Northern California gave me a greater appreciation for nature and enjoying the outdoors. In Arizona, I was able to enjoy the view of the beautiful mountains from my backyard. Arizona's richly colored rocks and mountains provided a beautiful range of colors that I wanted to capture in my home when I moved back to Mississippi.

My new house had a small apartment-sized patio, so the first project I started when I moved in was to extend my concrete patio another 15 feet. I wanted my patio to be an activity space, a place of relaxation and comfort. Basically, I wanted my patio to be an extension of my home.

The challenge was having limited time and money. Between paying for moving costs, purchasing appliances and all of the expenses associated with a new home purchase, I needed to budget my money wisely.

So I decided to tackle my patio as a personal project. If I did it myself, I would save money and time by completing it in a weekend.

To allow freshly poured concrete time to cure, you should wait 60 days before applying stain to the surface. I purchased two gallons of tintable stain. Because the stain is tintable, you can select the color you want and the paint staff at the store will mix up for you. I selected Cheyenne Red, which reminded me of the red mountains and terracotta-colored pottery in Arizona.

Concrete stain comes in a variety of colors, ranging from grays to reds to gold. Use a gallon sprayer, which you can purchase in the insecticide section of the store, if you want a varied multi-toned look on the concrete.

I wanted a more even appearance on my patio, so I applied my stain with a roller in small 3- to 4- foot sections, which minimized lines and
provided better coverage.

To achieve the desired finish I wanted, I applied two coats of stain to my patio. On the first two days, I applied the stain. On the third day, I applied a high gloss sealer. The sealer will protect my concrete stain from flaking, and it provides a nice, finished look.

After staining, I purchased a patio table with umbrella and chairs. I also bought high-back chairs and a small table. Because I also wanted to enjoy my outdoor space in the winter, I purchased a barbecue grill, a fire pit and a chimenea.

Staying within my budget, I was able to transform a bland, gray concrete patio into a relaxing space that I can enjoy year round with my family and friends. I am now able to journey back to Arizona without leaving my patio.