Painted Checkerboard Concrete Patio Floor

It’s finally done!!! And I can’t love this checkerboard patio floor more! I’m completely obsessed with this space now. Looking back at the before photos, it’s truly amazing what a little paint, sweat equity, and determination can do for a space!

When last I left you, I had just finished painting this concrete patio floor a solid white – First Snow by Behr in their Low-Lustre Porch & Patio Floor Paint. And even just that made a huge difference in the space.

But the checkerboard pattern in this pretty terra cotta color – Glazed Pot by Behr – truly brought this entire patio to life!

Before

After

I’m so in love!

I decided to go with a larger-scale pattern outside the gate to create a little visual separation, and I love how it all flows but still breaks up the space just a bit.

DIY Details

This is a totally doable DIY. It’s a very beginner-friendly paint project that truly just requires patience. And you don’t need any painter’s tape!

You’ll want:

• a pencil
• this short-handled angled paintbrush
• a small sponge brush (to paint the corners)
• a small roller & paint tray
• a square tile to use as a template
• yardstick or a long straight edge

You can check out a video of my no-tape required painting process here.

1. When beginning your pattern, place your tile where you want to start, and make sure the side points of your diamond shape are 45 degrees from your starting edge. Or use a measuring tape to make sure that the side points are equally distant from your starting edge.
2. Then trace around the tile, and use the yardstick/straight edge to extend the lines from each corner.

*The start of your pattern is the most important part of the whole process. Once you get that first tile traced, you just continue to build off of that using the yardstick/straight edge.

I worked in small sections. Penciling three or four rows at a time and then filling in with the paint before moving on to the next section.

For the larger scale pattern, I doubled the size of the tile. So instead of 12 x 12-inch diamonds, they’re 24 x24 inches. The larger scale pattern took a lot less time!

Once I was done painting, I used this top coat to seal the floor, applying it with a large roller.

Working for a few hours a day when I had time to devote to this project, it took me about 9 days to paint and seal this checkerboard floor. I’d say it took around 20 hours in total. It was definitely a labor of love in terms of time commitment and patience, but the result made it so worthwhile!

I still have a few more little styling things planned for our backyard patio, but I’m fully in love with this checkerboard floor! I’m so glad I went with this shade of terra cotta over grey. It feels classic yet unexpected and fun!