CHOOSING OUTDOOR PATIO SLABS: IDEAS AND INSPIRATION

Landscaping your garden doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, especially if you’re simply wanting to refresh and rejuvenate existing areas, rather than a complete landscaping transformation.

Fortunately, a clever way to revamp your garden, without having to break the bank, is by updating or introducing new paving slabs to your patio.

Need some inspiration? We’ve put together a list of garden patio slab design ideas that will impress your friends and neighbours! Alternatively, you can check out our range of luxury vitrified porcelain patio paving.

WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL FOR PATIO SLABS?

Due to its premium appearance, extreme durability and stain resistance, one of the best materials for patio slabs is vitrified porcelain. And, as this is a non-porous material, you don’t need to worry about sealants, as a simple sweep and wash down will make the porcelain patio look as new as when you laid it.

Alternative popular materials also commonly used in a patio design include limestone and sandstone.

LIGHT PORCELAIN

Designed with luxury and quality in mind, light porcelain paving offers the perfect, low maintenance solution for any landscaping patio project. The Anno Avorioslabs used in the project above, are a bright shade of light grey and feature a unique and distinct pattern that give the appearance of natural stone.

When used in a patio design, these light porcelain slabs bring an essence of the Mediterranean to your garden.

DARK PORCELAIN

If a darker shade of paving is more up your street, our Anno Pantera range used in the image above contributes to an opulent patio design. These porcelain slabs are a deep shade of charcoal and are finished with a unique and distinct pattern that combines shades of charcoal with cool undertones that give the appearance of natural stone.

As porcelain remains unaffected by the sun, you won’t need to worry about the Pantera shade fading or changing over time too.

LIMESTONE

Since limestone is a natural material quarried from the earth, it makes an ideal material for those looking to create a more authentic, natural patio design. Like other natural stone products, Limestone can be cut and calibrated to many sizes and shapes, while maintaining durability throughout the years.

An important thing to note is limestone is more prone to lightening under the sunlight, so if your patio is likely to get lots of sunlight, you may want to consider sandstone or porcelain, or look into sealing the limestone, to help retain its colour. View our Pavetuf range of patio sealers for more information.

Used in the example above, the Steel Blue paving slabs from Natural Paving’s (another Talasey brand) Classicstone collection consists of a unique light blue limestone material.

For cool-toned patios, this shade is a welcome addition with its contemporary blue shade. Ideal for those looking for a sleek and contemporary finish, who may want something different from the popular grey sandstone options.

SANDSTONE

As a natural material, sandstone paving slabs are available in an array of earthy tones and finishes, making it one of the best options if your preference is something more traditional.

Each stone is unique and ranges in shade variation and surface finish, with some containing natural veining and fossil prints. If calibrated, the slabs are laid with ease and make a great option for more modest budgets.

The cool grey sandstone displayed in the patio above features the Promenade paving slabs from Natural Paving’s Classicstone range, a natural sandstone paving with a cool, grey colour palette that flaunts flecks of brown and buff. The paving slabs are ideal for those who are seeking a contemporary, grey aesthetic in their patio design.

TYPES OF PATTERNS

Nothing is stopping you from getting creative with your patio design… you can choose imaginative layouts and unique shapes to create a bespoke garden patio space.

There are an extensive variety of patterns you can choose from when laying paving slabs, which range from minimalist and traditional to unconventional.

BORDER PAVER

For a cohesive aesthetic, edging a patio with a border paver (sometimes referred to as a stretcher bond) can add a clean finish to your design and create separate spaces. They are also great for separating landscaping materials, such as patios and lawns.

In the project shown above, the installer has used Natural Paving Ebony Cobblestone to edge the porcelain slabs to create the water feature area of the patio.

STACKED BOND

Best used in a square or rectangular space, a stacked bond of paving slabs is one of the most traditional patterns used in a patio design.

This design showcases identically sized and shaped Bellezza Lago slabs, the pattern formulates a neat and aesthetically pleasing format. The pattern can also be modified by utilising alternating colour paving slabs, creating a chequerboard effect.

OFFSET STRETCHER BOND

If you’re looking to showcase a more asymmetrical pattern, an Offset Stretcher Bond layout replicates the pattern of brick-laid walls and provides a familiar paving technique.

Using theDi Pietra Cenere paving slabs in this patio design, this pattern is fashioned by laying a row of slabs, placed longitudinally. This is succeeded by a second row of slabs laid offset to the previous row by the measurement of half a slab. The process is continued until the pattern is complete.

HOW DO YOU LAY PAVING SLABS?

It’s recommended that you consult with a professional installer before setting out on a patio renovation project. If you’re going down the DIY route, always refer to the manufacturer guidelines and never lay paving slabs in any air and surface temperatures below 5ºC.

Ensure you double-check the batch number and shade reference before starting and setting out string lines as a guide before laying. Our Guide to Planning & Installing provides in-depth instructions to help perfect your process.

PAVING WITH THE RIGHT REINFORCEMENT…

Made up your mind about your patio design? We stock a range of installation products that will help you with the installation of your paving stones.

Whether you opt for a traditional mortar bed install with joints, or a riser system that allows you to lay the paving on pedestals, we offer a range of solutions to suit your project and requirements.

For any further inspiration, don’t forget to check out our ‘Be Inspired’ page which showcases all of our beautiful patio slabs in a series of captivating designs.