Top 10 Patio Design Ideas for Your Outdoor Spaces

A good patio design can transform your outdoor living space – not just in terms of making it more visually appealing but also by adding practical touches that ensure it works for your lifestyle.

Get it right, and it will be like adding another room to the house.

The best garden patio ideas for your home will depend on the size and shape of the space you have available, but there are an infinite number of ways to create a beautiful outdoor area that you will want to spend time in.

Elements to consider when redesigning a patio

Before you get started, think about the practical uses of your patio.

Are you looking to entertain with a BBQ on the regular? Or do you want a quiet escape for reading and morning coffees? Whatever the vision, consider what type of designs will incorporate the aesthetic and practical elements you need to achieve your goals.

Whether you have the grandest of gardens or the smallest of spaces, it’s possible to bring eye-catching concepts to your garden that will enhance both your home and your lifestyle.

Still twiddling your thumbs? Then fear not. Here are 10 of our favourite inspiring patio designs to get you started.

1. Use patterned patio designs to catch the eye

Looking to indulge your creative flair? There are so many ways you can apply it outdoors – whether it’s through attractive planting, stylish furniture or making the most of your patio layout.

However, in the best garden patio designs, all three areas should work harmoniously, starting with your patio slab designs.

If you want to create a distinctive look, check out our range of materials, such as paving slabs, for different garden patio ideas. Proper research allows you to get a sense of all the different materials, styles and patterns you can utilise to set a beautiful and eye-catching foundation for your outdoor space.

Explore different shapes and tones of patio stones to find a look that aligns with your garden furniture and planters. Across our range, we have various patterns to suit every garden concept.

And, while the key to patio design is often in the pattern, don’t forget driveway edging stones to give your paving a neat and tidy finish.

2. Personalise your patio ideas

One of the fundamental features of both interior and exterior design is making your home a reflection of you. The colours, textures and styles you use in your home decor echo your unique personality – and your patio design ideas should be no different.

Throughout our collection, you’ll find an array of coloured, textured and shaped materials for unique patio ideas.

No matter how weird or wonderful, don't be afraid to create zones in your garden that reflect your personal edge and are an extension of your indoor living space.

3. Use bold stone patio materials to stand out

Sometimes, it makes sense to be bold and attempt something remarkable – particularly when you have a large area to work with. You can create stunning garden patio designs by incorporating intense colours into a space.

Make expert use of our Fairstone Limestone Aluri Riven garden paving, a natural stone available in a deep charcoal colour or a distinguished rustic ochre multi-colourway, to produce a striking garden look.

Of course, it’s important not to go too bold.

If you’re using a prominent colour as the base of your patio build, you don’t want to go overboard with other areas of your design. Be clear and consistent with your patio edging ideas and the furniture and planting you use to complement the space. 

Consider your lighting options carefully; with the right ambience, you can achieve a wonderfully intimate setting once the sun has set.

4. Create a natural patio with paving slabs

Natural materials regularly feature in amazing patio ideas across the country.

If you love the look and feel of organic materials, natural stone paving could be the perfect choice for your patio. Marshalls natural stone paving comes in a range of different styles and sizes, including limestone, slate, granite and ethically sourced Indian sandstone.

The buttery hues running through our Fairstone Sawn Versuro Linear paving are a great example of how natural stone paving can be used to define key sections, such as seating areas.

Whatever style of natural stone paving you choose, it’s guaranteed to bring a warm and welcoming feel to any kind of garden design while delivering a premium look.

5. Introduce levels to your patio with steps

Why not take your patio, quite literally, to another level?

Incorporating steps into raised patio designs has always offered aesthetic and practical benefits. Not only are they a great way to add character and depth to an outdoor space, but they also provide practical demarcation between areas and an impressive passage from your home to the outside. 

They can also provide a route to other levels of your garden whilst protecting grassy areas, ensuring they continue to look their best.

Looking for patio steps ideas and inspiration?

Try our Fairstone Sawn Versuro steps, which are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your property. Available in Golden Sand, Antique Silver, Caramel Cream and Autumn Bronze, their clean and natural design combines a practical, non-slip finish.

Try our Casarta Slate steps, crafted from high-quality slate, for a more striking and contemporary look. Regardless of which style you prefer, these steps will allow you to create a new dynamic for your patio.

6. Consider circular patio materials

Depending on the style of your garden and the space, you can always consider a rounded patio, which can deliver a stunning focal point for dining and entertaining. 

A circular layout creates the opportunity for a natural centrepiece, be it a barbecue area or vintage fire pit, which you can surround with furniture and planters. Picture a curved rattan sofa or a central rounded garden table that blends seamlessly into the garden aesthetic.

Our Indian Sandstone Circles offer great value, natural stone circular feature that will give your garden design a wow factor to make it stand out. Circular designs can combine wonderfully with straight lines; for example, you can use our Fairstone Sawn Sandstone setts to provide a beautiful contrast framing.

7. Create an atmosphere with patio lighting

For further decorative touches, lighting can transform your outdoor space – but as with any garden fixture or accessory, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Many patio wall ideas feature quality lighting arrangements that are perfect for creating an intimate and atmospheric setting when the sun goes down or for adding a sense of drama by emphasising the shadows and natural shapes of your garden design.

Lighting up steps and paths is both practical and pretty, with spotlights allowing you to focus light wherever you want it to create the desired effect.

8. Use wood as a central patio design feature.

Utilising a wooden look as a central feature of your design brings an eye-catching, natural, earthy feel to your patio. It’s versatile, too, and will enrich any area of a garden, from an outdoor dining space to pathways.

However, genuine wood flooring is not a durable or long-lasting solution, as timber is highly vulnerable to warping, rotting, and degradation.

Enter our Symphony Vitrified Plank Paving, available in Birch, Cherry and Char. Vitrified plank paving recreates all the aesthetic benefits of wood without the durability issues. 

Perfect for creating beautiful designs and giving an ultra-contemporary edge to economical, hard-wearing stone, the Symphony range offers a low-maintenance solution for those looking to install a wood-feature patio.

If you’re short on space, plank paving can make areas seem larger – an optical illusion produced by the long and thin strips. Offering excellent anti-slip performance, this new range of faux-wood patio slab ideas is making the wooden look as practical as it is attractive to look at.

9. Remember, less is more with small patio ideas

You don’t have to live in a castle to bring a stunning garden design to your home. Small patio garden ideas needn’t be small in stature, so even if your property is small, there are ways to make your petite patch of green space fit for a king.

Our dark Fairstone Casarta Slate combines well with darker decking to create a linear feel in a clean, modern outdoor area, regardless of the area you’re working with. Using a mix of paving block sizes helps create an extra sense of space and an interesting design concept.

With small backyard patio ideas, it’s important you optimise every corner of your garden.

Simple but stylish, our bestselling Fairstone Tumbled Walling gives you the opportunity to vary height throughout the garden design and create sections within your patio – from here, you can look to create a stunning central focal point or incorporate furniture to diversify your layout.

Focus on selecting the right style and size of items to suit your layout, from smaller planters to adaptable corner furniture, and you can make the most of the space you have.

10. Create a hybrid from any outdoor patio idea

If you’re finding it hard to choose a singular garden patio design, don’t worry – you may not have to.

Combining a couple or more of the different design concepts from our patio ideas can give you the best of all worlds and produce a garden patio that’s a personalised patchwork of every pattern and material you love.

Indeed, most patio designs will incorporate at least a few fundamental styles, from multi-level patterning to natural and bold contrast paving.

Perhaps you fancy a brickwork perimeter to surround your concrete paving slabs, but you also want a rounded design that makes your barbecue area a focal point.

On top of that, how about a mosaic-style patio floor? Thanks to the wide range of premium Fairstone products, you can achieve all of these patio ideas within one design while always maintaining a high-quality and practical build.

Tips for enhancing your outdoor space

There are countless ways to keep your patio space looking fresh and appealing year-round, from creating an outdoor living room with patio furniture to installing a fire pit for that perfect dining area.

You could enhance the entire space with bedding plants, too.

Planting annual flowers and hardy perennials in raised beds can make a huge difference to your outdoor appeal and should form part of your patio planning. Consider the vivid colours offered by caladiums, heuchera and hyacinth bean vines in your patio planter ideas to help break up your palette and give you refreshing flora throughout the seasons.

Further to these additions, consider the type of materials you want in your garden.

Create an inviting space with help from Marshalls

At Marshalls, we know your garden is unique; that’s why we offer a range of block paving, stepping stones and patterned porcelain tiles to suit different outdoor patio designs. So, whether you’re after a contemporary design or a more traditional patio layout, you’re sure to find the perfect patio materials to suit your outdoor space.

Our team go above and beyond to ensure you are provided with world-class products and services to deliver complete peace of mind from purchase to installation. Whether designing your patio on a budget or going all out with your patio space, you can find outdoor patio ideas and inspiration at Marshalls.

If you need a bit of extra technical support, step-by-step installation guidance, or some inspiration to start designing, the Marshalls team are here to help.

FAQs about designing a patio

How do I make my patio look nice?

Making your patio look appealing involves a blend of design, decor, and landscaping. Start by selecting a cohesive colour scheme for your furniture, cushions, and accessories. Incorporate greenery with potted plants or a garden bed to add freshness. 

Lighting plays a crucial role; consider string lights or lanterns for a cosy ambience. Adding outdoor rugs and throw pillows can inject personality and comfort. 

Finally, you may want to consider focal points like a fire pit, fountain, or sculpture to elevate the visual appeal.

How do I plan a patio layout?

Planning your patio layout involves careful consideration of space, function, and aesthetics.

Start by assessing the dimensions and shape of your patio area. Determine the primary uses, whether alfresco dining, lounging, or entertaining - you'll want to allocate the space accordingly. Create zones for different activities, such as cooking, seating, and relaxation. Take into account traffic flow and ensure there's ample room for movement. 

Before finalising your layout, experiment with furniture arrangements using sketches or online design tools. 

Don't forget to factor in features like shade, privacy, and access to utilities during the planning process.

Written By

Viki Harris

Viki Harris is Head of PR & Content at Marshalls, and has worked for the company since the start of 2019.
 
Read Viki's full profile here.