Tiled Backyard Patio Before & After
Patio before and after inspiration! See how we transformed a plain concrete backyard into a stunning tiled patio with design tips and ideas for your own makeover.
If you love a good patio before and after, our backyard makeover is full of inspiration. Honestly, this patio before and after didn’t happen overnight. It’s been two years in the making! We’ve had to piece together renovations as our budget allowed, which meant slow progress… but also more thoughtful design decisions along the way.
In some ways, taking our time made it easier to figure out what truly works for us. In others… it meant redoing the same project multiple times. (Case in point: our shiplap patio wall is on version four.) Despite the occasional DIY-induced stress, we couldn’t be more excited to finally share this backyard patio before and after with you.
Since we get a lot of detailed questions about our renovations, we’re breaking this patio before and after project into a series of posts. This first post will cover the full transformation and overall decor, followed by deep dives into our DIY Invisirail glass railings, geometric concrete Lili Tile tiles, and upcoming projects like our tank pool and fire pit.
Backyard Before: A Blank and Uninspiring Space
Every great patio before and after story starts somewhere. And in this case, the “before” was a basic concrete slab that lacked personality and function.
- Plain concrete surface with no visual interest
- Minimal seating and no defined layout
- Dark, uninviting and uncomfortable
- No cohesive design elements
It wasn’t even possible to see the previous patio, let alone being a light filled space! The first thing we did was clear out the old brush and remove the iron fence. We lived here the first year before finally picking out a new cement patio tile to refinish the old patio.
The Vision for This Patio Makeover
The goal of this patio before and after project was to create a modern, welcoming outdoor living area using tile as the focal point. Key goals included:
- Add pattern and texture with outdoor tile.
- Create a cohesive seating area.
- Improve comfort and usability.
- Design a space ideal for entertaining.
Patio After: A Beautiful Tiled Backyard Oasis
The “after” in this patio before and after transformation is truly eye-catching. The addition of patterned tile completely redefines the space and adds personality.
What Changed?
- Patterned tile flooring creates a bold visual foundation.
- Defined seating area makes the patio more functional.
- Layered decor and furniture add warmth and style.
- Improved layout enhances flow and usability.
Why Tile Works So Well for Patio Before and After Projects
One of the biggest takeaways from this patio before and after is how impactful tile can be. Benefits of using tile outdoors:
- Durable and weather-resistant
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Adds pattern, color, and texture
- Instantly upgrades basic concrete patios
If you’re considering your own patio makeover, tile is one of the most effective ways to transform a space.
DIY Privacy Wall
We painted the entire exterior in Behr Polar Bear White and built a custom PVC board wall to create a clean, modern privacy feature for our patio.
Patio Decor: Extending Our Outdoor Living Space
For our patio decor, we first shared our outdoor dining set up last summer in this guide on how to make a battery-operated accent light.
Since then, we’ve loved our outdoor table so much that we decided to extend the space with the Arca outdoor sofas and Tana side tables from Article. And we have to say, free furniture delivery (yes, Article!) makes a huge difference.
These pieces feature solid wood construction and feel incredibly sturdy, so having them delivered directly to our home made the entire process seamless.
We wanted the outdoor space to feel collected and layered. So we mixed new and vintage finds to create a woven hat and rattan accent wall. Rattan decor adds natural texture and warmth, making outdoor spaces feel relaxed, layered, and effortlessly cohesive while still staying lightweight and weather-friendly.
We chose white geometric concrete coffee tables to echo the pattern of the Lili concrete tiles and tie the whole patio design together.
Fun yet functional decorative wall mirrors add both style and purpose, helping reflect light and make outdoor spaces feel larger and more open. This Boho rattan mirror fit in perfectly with our theme. Though it’s no longer available, you can find similar mirrors like this 3-piece rafia set, round wicker mirror, or Boho wall mirror.
Sliding Door Upgrade: Why We Chose Fiberglass French Doors
We replaced the old sliding glass doors with fiberglass French doors to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection from the kitchen to the patio.
Unlike traditional sliding glass doors, French doors open wide to create a more open, inviting flow between spaces (perfect for entertaining).
We also chose fiberglass for its durability, energy efficiency, and resistance to warping, cracking, and moisture, which makes it ideal for our lakeside climate. Plus, the classic look of French doors adds more character and charm than standard sliders.
Since we live on a lake, the outdoor Hunter Fan ceiling fans were a must for keeping bugs and humid weather at bay too.
We absolutely love the view from our breakfast room to the lake now.
Creating a space where we can entertain and seamlessly bring the outdoors in is exactly what this lake house needed.
Patio Before and After Tips for Your Own Makeover
Inspired by this transformation? Here are a few tips to recreate your own patio before and after success:
- Start with a clear vision: Know how you want to use the space
- Choose durable materials: Especially for outdoor conditions
- Define zones: Seating, dining, or lounging areas
- Add personality: Use decor, plants, and textiles
Tiled Backyard Patio Sources
- White patio concrete coffee tables
- Optics cement tile from Lili Tile
- Glass deck railing from Invisirail
- Trimaran Outdoor fan from Hunter Fan in White
- Tana teak wood stool from Article
- Teaka dining chairs from Article
- Teaka dining table from Article
- Arca Driftwood gray sofas from Article
- Resin/plastic outdoor storage cabinets
Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!
Wow! What a view and the completed patio looks amazing! What material did you use for the white ship lap wall?
Hi Amanzz! It’s a DIY wood slate wall. We tested different sizes and spacing before we settled for our current wall!
It looks amazing, your backyard is so dreamy!!
Thank you, Jennifer! XOXO