With outdoor living rooms becoming the space du jour, classy concrete patio ideas are a must for a timeless look in any backyard. The beauty of a concrete patio is that it’s low-maintenance and creates a visual break in a sea of landscaping ideas.

A concrete patio does not have to be all concrete. Mark Cutler, cofounder of CutlerSchulze, in Los Angeles, worked with landscape designer Joni Janecki to create concrete pads that echoed the shape of oak leaves. “Not only does it break up the hardscape, but it also encourages creative play in the garden,” he says.