As the final weeks of summer approach, there’s still plenty of time to update your outdoor space before autumn sets in. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy nook for crisp evenings or an elegant dining area for entertaining, look no further than outdoor porcelain paving to enhance your garden’s appeal.
Why choose porcelain paving for your patio?
Durable and easy to maintain, porcelain slabs make an excellent choice for your outdoor patio. Not only does porcelain offer a smooth, flawless finish, but it’s also perfect for giving your garden an elegant feel while blending perfectly with other natural elements. As well as looking great, it’s also easy to clean and maintain meaning its beauty wonderfully stands the test of time thanks to its ability to withstand rain, frost, and UV rays. Its non-porous surface also prevents the likelihood of troublesome natural growths such as moss, algae and mould. Of course, if you plan on using porcelain paving in your garden, you’re probably already starting to envision the finished result and how to style your new space. Read on to discover our top porcelain paving patio ideas and learn how to incorporate this much-loved patio material into your outdoor space.
1. Material-effect porcelain patio ideas
Available in a wealth of designs and textures, you can find porcelain patio options replicating all kinds of sought-after materials. From stylish concrete-effect tiles to antique-effect tiles, material-effect porcelain paving slabs are an ideal way to add a raw and organic feel to your garden with ease.
Limestone-effect porcelain
Limestone-effect porcelain paving holds an aged, earthy appearance that’s in keeping with the natural surroundings. Meanwhile, choosing a light shade of limestone-effect porcelain paving can achieve an ultra-chic patio design reminiscent of the lavish outdoor spaces in high-end hotels.
Montpellier Stone White Antiqued Porcelain
Stone-effect porcelain
For a sleek and modern outdoor space that wows, opt for grey stone-effect tiles. This type of porcelain paving is incredibly versatile, beautifully complementing both traditional properties and modern extensions, while providing a neutral base for flowers, greenery and furniture to really pop against.
2. Choose coloured porcelain paving
Alternatively, you can create a stand-out outdoor space by choosing porcelain paving in bold hues.
Monochromatic patio finish
Combine black or grey and white porcelain paving slabs in a captivating checkerboard-layout for an eye-catching monochrome design. Not only does this instantly add undeniable character to your outdoor space, but it provides a jaw-dropping backdrop for colourful accessories and florals to give an eclectic overall look that is utterly timeless.
Soft-shaded porcelain paving
For a more subtle and serene appearance, opt for porcelain paving slabs in soft shades such as ash grey, pale beige and antique white. You can then create a striking contrast by pairing these with black elements, such as outdoor tables and chairs with black legs or glass patio and bi-folding doors with bold black trims. Incorporating focused black accents across your patio space will help to punctuate the overall design.
Tonal patio design
Consider creating a gradient effect with your porcelain patio design for a striking finish that lends a feeling of grandeur. For instance, using porcelain tiles in varying shades of sandstone is an excellent way to embrace the two-tone tile trend. You can even choose tiles of varying sizes, such as our popular paving packs, to accentuate the effect.
Use our 600x600 paving tiles to create stylish chequerboard outdoor tile design
3. Indoor/outdoor porcelain patio ideas
Treating your outdoor space as an extension of your indoor living space has become an increasingly popular movement in recent years, encouraging us to maximise all areas of the home. A brilliant way to adopt this trend is by coordinating your outdoor porcelain paving with your indoor porcelain tiles, achieving a sense of flow between the two areas.
Featured: Combined Rockslate Grigio Indoor Porcelain with Rockslate Grigio Outdoor Porcelain
This ingenious indoor/outdoor porcelain design concept can also create the illusion of increased space by blurring the boundaries between inside and out, making it feel better connected. Light-shaded porcelain slabs are particularly effective at lending a sense of cohesion, as they will reflect light while bringing an opulent feel to your patio and adjoining interior.
Incorporating identical tiles across both indoor and out works especially well in homes with kitchen diners or large, bi-folding doors that open right out onto the patio, as they will create continuous visual flow.
Charterhouse Bianco Antique Porcelain
4. Opt for patterned outdoor tiles
Porcelain paving tiles offer a versatile range of styles, making them an excellent choice for those looking to elevate their outdoor space with a distinct character and visual appeal.
Choosing patterned porcelain paving can create a captivating sense of escapism while maintaining a chic, eye-catching aesthetic, inspired by eclectic Mediterranean design. These tiles are also ideal for spatial zoning, allowing you to break up your patio space into distinct areas - a particularly effective approach in larger gardens where there’s more room for creative layouts.
For a balanced and impactful look, strategically place patterned porcelain tiles in specific areas, such as seating zones, pathways, or around a firepit. Pair with plain tiles in the surrounding spaces to create a balanced, yet impactful design.
Featured: Noho Silver Victoria Decor & Noho Silver Plain
5. Consider different-sized porcelain patio tiles
When browsing porcelain paving ideas for your patio, it's important to consider the size of your outdoor area. While there are no strict rules, generally speaking, smaller slabs tend to be more suitable for compact spaces, whereas larger slabs work best in more expansive designs. This approach helps maintain a sense of proportion and balance.
Opting for larger porcelain slabs results in a cleaner, more cohesive look by minimizing grout lines, which enhances the overall unity of the space. On the other hand, smaller slabs are ideal for smaller patios, offering a more intricate and detailed aesthetic without overwhelming the area.
You can find out more about how to design a patio for a smaller garden over on our blog on patio ideas for small gardens.
Harlem Ash Concrete Large-format Porcelain
Create your ideal patio with Stone Superstore
These are just some of our favourite suggestions for creating a brand-new patio space. From porcelain tiles of all kinds to natural stone tiles for indoors and outside, we have plenty on offer in our collections. Get in touch today to find out more about what we have on offer or order your free samples so you can compare your favourite tiles in person.
And for more porcelain paving ideas, check out our article on improving your garden with porcelain paving. Or, if you’re looking for tips on how to look after your porcelain paving, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know in our guide on how to care for porcelain paving.
