One of the hottest surfaces for home decorating may be just outside your front (or back) door: concrete! Much of the concrete outside of a home is gray and distinctly undecorative, but there's no reason it has to be that way. Driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks, birdbaths and outdoor furniture can all be transformed to help define and accessorize a home and the surrounding landscaping. Here are some things to know about turning concrete from drab to fabulous.

All Wet: Concrete is actually very porous. Water causes a variety of problems when it penetrates concrete and masonry surfaces, including cracking and chipping. De-icing salts and pool chemicals can also negatively affect concrete. A clear waterproofer or concrete stain will protect against damage.

Come Clean: Concrete can get dirty, mildewed and stained over time. A good cleaning can make it look fresh again. Ready-to-use cleaners like Thompson's(R) Water Seal(R) Concrete Care Cleaner & Degreaser work much like a deck cleaner. Apply the cleaner, allow it 10 to 15 minutes to work, scrub lightly with a stiff-bristled brush and rinse with a garden hose. If your concrete is heavily stained, rinsing with a pressure washer and repeating the application of cleaner can help speed up the cleaning process.

Patch Things Up: Relatively small cracks can be filled with a caulk designed for concrete. More broken areas can be filled with a concrete patching compound.

If your concrete surface is too dirty and broken for spot repairs, consider "resurfacing" the entire area. Instead of tearing out the original structure and pouring new concrete, a specially formulated top layer is applied over the existing surface. You can do this yourself, or you can work with a contractor who specializes in concrete repair.

In The Clear: Once the surface is clean and smooth, it's time to think about protecting the surface and the overall look you want to achieve. The simplest choice is a clear water repellent coating. Thompson's(R) Water Seal(R) Concrete Care Sealer is a clear waterproofer that can be applied with a brush, roller or plastic pump-up sprayer. One coat will prevent water damage without changing the appearance of the concrete surface.

Put Your Stamp On It: If you're pouring new concrete or resurfacing, you have the option to "stamp" decorative patterns into the surface before it dries. This can be as simple as using a "found" object like a seashell to make a few imprints in the corners. Also, there are stamping forms made specifically for concrete, available in a wide variety of designs. You can use these to make an entire surface resemble brick, stone or something even more exotic. You can rent or buy these stamps. Check local home centers, specialty stores and even the Internet.

Color Your World: The greatest impact comes from adding color to concrete. If you're pouring new concrete, you can have powdered pigments mixed throughout the concrete, or you can dust on colored "hardeners" and then work the color into the top layer of the concrete with a trowel. Both of these approaches give permanent color. 

"Acid staining" is another option that do-it-yourselfers or professionals use to add permanent color to concrete. In this approach, metallic salt pigments penetrate the concrete and chemically react with it to produce mottled, natural color. The results can be beautiful, but the color choices are limited, and care should be taken since the process involves acid to help etch the concrete so the salts can penetrate.

The easiest way to add beautiful, rich color to concrete is with a concrete stain. Newer stains like Thompson's(R) Water Seal(TM) Concrete Care 100% Acrylic Latex Stain are easy to work with since they offer great convenience features like low odor and soap and water clean-up. (Smooth concrete will need to be treated first with Thompson's(R) Water Seal(R) Concrete Care Pre-Stain Etch.) This stain waterproofs and resists fading and damage from mildew, algae and mold without the need for an additional sealer. The color palette offers 40 choices, ranging from light shades like White Peach and Pistachio to darker, more elegant hues like Deep Ocean, Eggplant and Autumn Harvest. For even more decorative flair, consider using more than one color or creating fun patterns, such as simple squares or other geometric shapes.

Now, whoever said concrete had to be gray? If you'd like to find out more about concrete care, visit www.thompsonswaterseal.com. 

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