How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio

Painting a concrete porch floor will make it and the space around it look so much better. Why not take it one step further and stencil a design over it to make it look like a tiled, stone or brick floor. Stenciling is not hard and is a very budget-friendly way to get the look of costly wallpaper, floor tile or even an area rug.

I have used an allover stencil to hide the imperfections on the walls in my guest bath and even used one on a shower door. I have also used an allover stencil to create the look of wallpaper in the foyer of my previous home.

Last week I had the opportunity to paint a concrete porch using floor paint and a stencil.

Before image of Painted Concrete Floors pictures
Concrete Porch Floor BEFORE Makeover

Would you like to save this post?

Enter your email below and I’ll send it to you!

My younger daughter asked for help in painting her porch floor that was in need of a makeover.

As you can see from the BEFORE photo above, the concrete porch floor had been painted grey at one time, but was worn and ready for a paint makeover.

Worn and ugly concrete porch before getting a makeover

So we got to work to give this floor a whole new look using paint and an allover stencil to make the floor look like it was tiled in a herringbone design.

What Kind of Paint Can Be Used on a Concrete Porch or Patio?

Not every type of paint can be used for concrete and patios. You don’t want to use exterior house paints on concrete as they tend to crack and peel over time.

The best paint for exterior concrete floors is paint that is made specifically for porch and patio floors. It is formulated for durability with binders that allow the paint to contract and expand with the concrete as the temperature changes.

Valspar Porch Floor and Patio Latex Paint Gallons sitting on worn porch floor.

Almost every major brand of paint makes a porch and floor paint that come in pre-mixed colors and that can also be made into any color you want.

For this previously painted and now worn concrete porch, we used two products from Valspar. One can of concrete primer and two colors of porch, floor and patio paint.

  • Valspar Concrete Primer
  • Valspar Latex Satin Porch, Floor and Patio Paint – Colors Used: Base Color: Mountain Smoke, Stenciled line color – Greyed

How Long Does Concrete Paint Last Outside?

Most major brands of paint nowadays are quite durable with bonding primers and acrylic and epoxy formulas that can take a beating, so don’t be afraid to paint your porch or patio floor for fear it won’t last.

If you prep an outdoor concrete floor correctly by power washing and letting it dry, then applying the paint in thin coats, and letting each coat of paint dry completely before applying the next coat, a painted concrete floor can last years.

How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio Floor

What to use before painting a concrete porch or patio floor. Valspar Concrete bonding primer.

Stenciled painted concrete patio or porch how-to instructions.

supplies needed:

  • Power washer and cleaner
  • Valspar Concrete Primer
  • Valspar Porch, Floor and Patio Paint – Base color used: Mountain Smoke
  • Paint brush for painting around edges of floors
  • Paint roller with a 3/4″ nap roller cover
  • Paint roller pole
  • Paint roller tray

supplies for stenciling:

Time needed: 2 days

How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio Floor using a Cutting Edge Design Stencil.

  1. Prep Concrete Floor


    Power wash the floor or scrub well with hot water and detergent or TSP. Rinse well and let dry.
    Worn and ugly concrete porch before getting a makeover

  2. Add a Coat of Concrete Primer


    This is an important step, so don’t skip it.

    Roll on one coat of concrete primer. It goes on white, but will dry clear. Let dry for one hour.
    After one to four hours you will need to add the first coat of paint.

    Rolling on concrete primer on porch floor.

  3. Roll On Base Coat of Paint


    When stenciling a floor you need two colors of paint. Use a 1/2″ nap paint roller to apply one light coat of base paint color. Let dry.

    Apply second coat of base color paint and let dry at least 4 hours or overnight.

    How to paint a concrete porch floor using a paint roller on a pole.

  4. Figure Out Where To Start Stenciling


    When using a stencil you need to figure out where the best place is to start. Make sure to read the directions that come with the stencil.

    You want to consider what part of the floor you see first as this is where you want to make sure a full tile shows up. Then against a far wall would be where the stencil ends and it may not be a full tile.

    How-to-line-up-and-overlap-a-stencil-to-repeat-the-pattern

  5. Tape Stencil on Floor

    Once you know the best place to start, place the stencil on the floor and make sure the design runs straight.

    Using a stencil brush or foam roller, dip into paint and then blot on a plate layered with a paper towel to remove the excess paint, then pounce the brush or roll over the stencil to apply the paint. The look of less paint is better as you don’t want excess paint to run under the stencil.

    Lining up herringbone pattern stencil on porch floor and then taping it down.

  6. Use Edge Stencil to Finish Around Floor Edges


    Once the floor is stenciled, you can use the smaller stencil that comes with the big stencil to do the finishing and filling in where the big stencil would not fit.

    How to use a stencil to paint a concrete floor.

  7. Touch Up


    If needed, use a thin – pointy-tipped artist paint brush to hand paint any lines or areas that need filling in or to extend the lines off the edge of the floor to make the stencil pattern look complete.

    Using a large all over stencil on a porch floor

  8. Let Dry

    Check the dry time on the paint label on how long you need to let it dry before walking over it or placing furniture back on.
    Concrete patio paint stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils in the pattern Fine Herringbone

Floor – AFTER

Outdoor concrete porch paint stencil on porch floor in herringbone pattern.
Concrete Porch Floor AFTER Makeover

How Long Did It Take To Paint and Stencil the Floor?

It took a few hours over a two day period to paint and stencil the floor.

Best stencil to use to paint a concrete porch. Fine Herringbone pattern.

Since we used porch and floor paint we did not need to seal it.

Completed concrete porch painting project all ready to enjoy.

The overall pattern is subtle with just enough color and pattern to make the porch look more inviting.

If you would like to try stenciling a floor, wall or a table top, there are dozens of allover stencil patterns you can use to fit your decorating style.

Check all the beautiful designs here: Cutting Edge Stencils and more how-to stencil tips.

Concrete herringbone stenciled porch floor. Text over lay says the cheapest way to a designer porch floor.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


25 Comments

  1. Rachel-The Antiqued Journey says:

    Such a fun project!! It turned out amazing!!!

  2. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says:

    I’ve always been intimidated to try this. Love your pattern and how you make it look easy. Thanks for sharing it with us on Farmhouse Friday too. I’m featuring it this week. Hope you link up again soon. pinned

  3. Any ideas on fixing cracks in a concrete patio?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Jim – I am not sure about how to fix cracks in a concrete patio, but did find this post from Lowes that may help you: https://low.es/3PCTvBa

  4. What color is the concrete paint?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Anna – The color of the concrete paint: Valspar Porch, Floor and Patio Paint – Color: Stone Mountain

      1. Is the color perhaps Mountain Smoke? Stone Mountain is more of an off-white; definitely not this gray color.

        1. Diane Henkler says:

          Hi Mimi – Sorry for any confusion in reading about the colors used on the concrete porch floor makeover. I went online to find the color, but like you found, it looks too white. Not sure why I wrote Stone Mountain, unless there was another can of paint when I went to note the colors used. The color you found, Mountain Smoke looks like the color. I would use that with the Valspar Color Greyed to make the stenciled lines.

          Thank you bringing this up. I will edit the colors used in the post.

  5. Hello! I’m only 35 mins from Charlottesville. Love the porch! That’s how I found this blog, searching for ideas.
    Just saying hello!

  6. Ireland Tuckerson says:

    You did an excellent job! It came out beautiful. How proud you should be~ Was the stencil heavy enough and big enough? I want to do under my patio because the downspoats leave drained rain on it so it keeps it dirty. I have pressure washed it and will do it again. I am interested in priming, painting and stenciling my concrete. My concrete looks like yours when it was blue. Help, where do I start and get my supplies? Are there any coupons to apply to the purchase.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Ireland – I don’t have any coupon codes to purchase a stencil, but if you go to The Cutting Edge website, they do offer a 10% discount if you sign up to get their newsletter. Here is the link: https://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/

      The stencils are made thick enough to use over and over again. If you don’t know where to start, first pick your color and pattern and them follow the steps in my post. You can buy the supplies at any craft, paint or home improvement store.

  7. I think this stenciled floor is awesome!!! Such an inexpensive way to completely transform the everyday concrete into what is really a design statement.
    Thanks so much for sharing your process and the finished product. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. Sue Bauman says:

    The cement porch painting turned out quite well and is very good looking. As always, you’ve done a fine job of writing detailed instructions and capturing photos during the process. Sorry to read that your daughter and family are moving so far away. But hopefully traveling will soon become more “normal.”

  9. That is such a transformation!!

  10. What a great refresh! It looks so nice, and it is fun to help the kids tackle projects, isn’t it?
    Your daughter and boyfriend are adorable, and she looks just like you. It is great that you were there to be able to help them.

  11. Love the pattern and how it turned out!!!
    Great idea for a somewhat simple spruce up😊

  12. MaryAnn Howat says:

    Looks so great!

  13. I love this! What a cute house and such a cute couple!!

  14. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says:

    The floor looks wonderful. Such an improvement! I hope your daughter was successful at house hunting.

  15. This looks so great! You’ve worked your stencil magic again. Your daughter and her husband are just adorable. 😉

  16. Cecilia from Georgia says:

    I love the pattern you chose and colors. When I first read your email, I was envisioning a small stoop! This is a full size porch with rockers!! Your daughter and husband are so good looking! Thanks for the tutorial!

  17. Wow! What a difference. – it looks great. Beautiful kids too!

  18. Wow, what a difference that made. And those two cuties look pleased and happy with it! So glad you were able to spend time with that beautiful grandbaby, too.

  19. What a beautiful job! The porch looks so much better.

  20. I love it! I have always wanted to do this. It is so pretty.