Border Color Theory
When it comes to borders on concrete whether that is interior or exterior there is a pretty simple rule when choosing colors.
The borders should be a darker color. Having a lighter-colored border with a darker infield color is akin to a fashion faux pas. Besides it being stylistically off, there are actual reasons for having a darker border.
Darker borders provide clear Separation and create a clean line that is aesthetically pleasing. You see this in landscape design where a subtle or strong contrasting line is made (think grass and a flower bed for example)
Digestable: Wait, what? What we mean here is that when you have very large areas, the darker border helps to break up the monotony of a single color and makes the larger area more pleasing to look at.
Framing: A good pair of eyeglasses or a good haircut can frame your face in a way that accentuates what is good. The correct framing (even with something like concrete) draws your deliberate or unconscious attention to the right places.
Safety: Around a pool deck, the darker border allows for the contrast needed to let people know they are getting close to the edge. The same can go for a warehouse floor that need to delineate specific areas.
Below are a few more examples of darker borders around pools, patios, and drieways. I’m including one of the only photos that I have of a pool deck that did not have a darker border. It doesn’t look bad, in fact, I think it looks great; it was one of my first jobs back in 2008 in Colorado.
