5 Inspiring Patio Design Ideas

April 10, 2023

The right patio can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your outdoor space. There is now so much choice of materials, patterns, and layouts to choose from that it can be hard to know what might suit your home best. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy the coming long summer evenings in the garden.  

Choose a material that complements your house

It is important not to create a jarring contrast between the patio paving and the style of the house. For example, if you have a modern semi, then rebrick herringbone pavers will probably look fine, but they will jar harshly in a traditional country cottage garden. In this case, natural limestone, sandstone, or granite slabs might be suitable.

Go for low maintenance and durability

If you want a low-maintenance patio but do not want to compromise on style, then porcelain tiles are a great choice. Porcelain can withstand extreme temperatures and is stain resistant and very durable. 

Many porcelain tiles can be used interchangeably for outdoor and indoor purposes, so you can create a sense of unity by using the same tiles seamlessly in a conservatory and patio area. They are also available in a variety of patterns, colours, and styles. A fashionable choice is to incorporate some element of mosaic design into your patio, for example. 

Create multiple zones

If you have enough room in your garden, then creating multiple zones for different purposes can help you to get the most out of your outdoor space. For example, when the sun is in its morning position over your garden, you could build a stone patio for some bistro furniture to enjoy your morning coffee. 

For long lazy afternoons of sunbathing, you may wish to create an elevated area of paving where the sun is at its strongest at that time of day. Likewise, an evening dining and socialising space with access to outdoor cooking facilities or a firepit can be built to catch the setting evening sun. 

Experiment with different shapes

Your patio doesn’t need to be square or rectangular shaped. Circular paving layouts can create an attractive focal point in your garden, especially if there is some subtle variation in the colour and texture of the tiles. Curved edges with a different colour of kerb stone can also set a garden off to its best advantage.

Introduce different levels

Including different levels in your garden with steps and paved pathways in between can help to create interest and will also protect the lawned areas of your garden from foot traffic and general wear and tear. 

If your garden is steeply sloping, then some landscaping to create level areas will help to make the best use of space, allowing you to create convenient sitting and barbequing areas. It will also make the garden easier to maintain and reduce time consuming lawn maintenance. 

If you are looking for outdoor tiles in Hertfordshire, please get in touch today.