As one of the most popular types of natural stone paving material out there, there are many reasons why sandstone slabs continue to be such a sought-after choice when it comes to creating garden patio spaces.
Why choose sandstone paving?
For one thing, not only do sandstone pavers hold an unmatched sense of natural beauty, with plenty of different shades available thanks to the numerous types on the market, but its innate durability ensures that you’ll have a robust patio that looks amazing all year round and lasts for many years to come.
With such a stellar reputation and range of options, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed when planning a new sandstone patio. You might even be unsure where to begin or completely stuck for sandstone patio ideas – so be sure to continue reading our guide below.
From planning out the perfect focal point within your sandstone paving layout to suggestions on how to connect your garden through with pathways, we’ve collected a variety of standard sandstone and India sandstone patio ideas to help get your creative juices flowing!
Our top sandstone patio ideas
Ready to dive in? Discover our favourite sandstone paving ideas and features below:
1. Turn your patio into a garden focal point
By far the most popular options for patio designs, natural stone paving is an iconic garden feature that is, of course, well-suited to a natural environment.
However, to create a well-designed, eye-catching patio, think beyond simply placing a large rectangle in the middle of your lawn. Create something truly spectacular by investing time and thought into the spatial planning of your garden, the finishing details as well as thinking outside the box when it comes to your outdoor tiles.
Curved shaping
One of the most classic Indian sandstone patio ideas is to incorporate gentle curved forms into your design, creating large, sweeping shapes that flow with the landscape. These softer shapes beautifully complement more natural garden styles, where sharp, angular tiles could feel quite jarring.
Opus layout patterns
Create with a traditional sandstone patio aesthetic with one of our mixed paving packs, using tiles and slabs of varied sizes to form a stylish patterned layout that’s beautifully catches the eye.
Best of all, this timeless design feature can work in any garden! So long as you have room for even a small patio, you’ll be able to create a focal point with your design.
Classic Autumn Umber Sandstone
2. Leave space for a water feature
While not on everyone’s radar, if you do have space in your plans and budget for a water feature, then it’s certainly something worth considering.
However, a ‘water feature’ doesn't have to mean finding the space or budget for a fountain. If you’re working with a particularly large garden, consider creating your very own pond as a wonderful way to encourage natural wildlife to thrive within your garden. Sandstone slabs perfectly complement these more natural elements of a garden, and are also perfect for connecting parts of your exterior space through pathways or stepping stones.
Classic Silver Grey Natural Sandstone Paving
3. Create a two-tiered garden
Another popular choice when exploring Indian sandstone paving ideas is to build your new patio with different levels, creating a raised or lowered seating area that’s bordered by low walls or steps. Designing a dual-height garden can actually help to make your space feel more expansive by creating different zoned areas for hosting, play, or relaxation.
Tiered paving for gardens of all sizes
This type of patio design tends to be particularly well-suited to larger garden spaces that have an uneven terrain or steep areas that you’re looking to connect with the rest of your garden without re-landscaping the whole area. However, it can also work very well for smaller, gardens where space is very limited, and you want to make the most of it.
Create a practical seating space
And as an added bonus to this feature, if you do choose to add in knee high walls or tiered steps to a space like this, then you’ll have automatically created additional seating spots to enjoy on those warm summer days. It’s a win-win situation.
4. Blend your sandstone with other materials
With sandstone paving being the core material of your new patio space, laying your natural stone tiles next to a different material or border is a great way to create an eye-catching patio.
For example, if you want to create an edge of contrast with a lighter sandstone, lining your border with shale, pebbles or even a dark brick forms a visual frame around your patio creating a neatly finished look.
Classic Silver Grey Natural Sandstone Paving
Just remember that, while these combinations can look great, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm your patio with too many contrasting colours or clashing materials.
5. Create distinctive garden borders
If you're planning to install patio that spans the width of your garden, consider incorporating planter borders around the edges to enhance your space with vibrant flowers or fresh planting, helping to soften the overall visual impact of your sandstone paving.
If you have large, bordering flower beds, a centrally located tree, or some interesting topiary clusters, highlight these areas further by surrounding them with a single sandstone slab ring to draw the eye and create a focal point.
6. Link your garden with pathways
Another way to make the most of your garden landscaping is by connecting your patio to other areas of your garden, using sandstone flagstones to form walkways or stepping stones.
Naturally, pathway designs tend to be better suited to larger garden spaces with separate, zoned areas. However, even a small garden can benefit from a single path connecting your sandstone patio to either a shed, greenhouse or rear gate at the end of your garden, by providing walkway that doesn’t require you to step on your lawn.
Classic Silver Grey Natural Sandstone Paving
Tips on how to maintain a sandstone patio
While the traditional and Indian sandstone paving ideas, we've shared can help to inspire your garden and patio transformation, the lasting beauty of sandstone lies in proper care and maintenance. To ensure your new paving retains its stunning appearance, it's essential to follow a few key steps.
Below, we've outlined some recommended practices to help your sandstone paving maintain its natural beauty:
- Regular brushing – by regularly brushing your patio, you can keep it clear of the typical debris, dirt and mud that can build up on outdoor tiles, reducing the likelihood of mould and lichen spots developing.
- Soap washes – even with regular brushing, sometimes your patio will simply get dirty and require washing. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to give your pavers a wash every month or so with a non-acidic soapy mix to clear away any ingrained muck.
- Lichen washes – as much as brushing and washing can reduce the build-up of mould and lichen spots, eventually, you may notice patches developing. Fortunately, by giving your patio an anti-lichen wash once a year, you can keep any budding patches in check before they spread.
- Regular sealing – sealing your sandstone tiles during installation, and every few years thereafter, will provide a protective, waterproof surface for your tiles, mitigating any issues posed by the porous nature of sandstone.
Find your ideal sandstone paving with Stone Superstore
These are just some of our top sandstone paving ideas to help bring your dream garden space to life. Pick up your sandstone outdoor tiles from the Stone Superstore range, from classic and darker umber sandstone tiles to lighter and highly vaunted Raj imperial sandstone pavers, we have a tried and tested range of sandstone outdoor tile options for you to choose from in our outdoor tile collection.
Spend some time browsing the full range of options and don’t hesitate to get in touch to talk to our team if you require further assistance. And don’t forget that you can visit our inspiration blog as well for more helpful pieces on tiling ideas and maintenance.
