30 patio ideas to help you transform your outdoor space into an alfresco haven

A patio is often the focal point of a garden, commonly used as an area for social gatherings and cosy evenings spent outside. Thanks to its versatility, a few simple patio ideas can transform the look of your space – so we thought we'd round up our favourites to give you a little inspiration.

Whether you're searching for small patio ideas or looking to give a larger patio a new lease of life, there's plenty of room for creativity. And if you're starting from scratch, we've included suggestions for patio materials to suit every aesthetic, from natural stone to uniform block paving.

So, have a browse through our top patio ideas – there's something for everyone, whether you're hoping to revamp your space with some budget garden ideas or get started with a brand-new patio.

1. Block paving

We're kicking off our list of patio ideas with classic block paving. Commonly used for driveways, this paving style also works in a garden patio area. What's more? It's affordable, and it looks great.

'Block paving is a popular choice, offering an alternative to large paving slabs without sacrificing quality in the process,' says Alice Turner, garden and driveway product specialist at Marshalls Plc. 'The range of colours and finishes allows for borders and patterns to be created through different layout choices.'

Besides learning how to stop weeds growing in block paving, it's a relatively easy style to maintain, too.

2. Choose the right furniture

The right garden furniture ideas can enhance any outdoor space, and carefully selected seating is particularly good at adding atmosphere to a patio area. Consider teaming wooden benches with relaxed soft furnishing for a shabby chic patio haven.

Or, set out a vintage-style iron bistro set with slatted chairs and patterned seat covers to capture an effortless French farmhouse look for lazy Sunday lunches outdoors.

'It's important to make sure any garden furniture you choose suits your needs,' advises Lee Trethewey, design expert at Sustainable Furniture. 'If you want your patio to be an outdoor dining space primarily, then choose a large table and several comfortable chairs. If you want your patio to be a space where you can relax, then loungers or sofas are more beneficial.'

3. Opt for natural stone

If you're going for a natural look, there are stone options on the market to suit every garden.

'Indian sandstone is a great choice for a garden revamp,' says Alice from Marshalls Plc. 'Responsibly sourced options are still affordable, and the natural appearance provides a traditional feel to the space. Plus, the varying tones of the stone mean that this paving choice will suit almost any setting and aesthetic.'

You could even opt for granite for a sleek, modern finish. 'It's a hard-wearing and durable material that will leave your paving looking newer for longer,' adds Alice.

4. Mix it up with patterned tiles

When we brainstorm patio ideas, plain slabs are usually what comes to mind. If you're looking for something a little different, consider laying patterned patio tiles.

'Decorative outdoor tiles can also be a great way to enhance your space,' says Alice. 'They can add a pop of colour to your garden by being used as step-inlays or patio borders. They could also be used as a centrepiece on your patio.'

But how do you choose the right pattern for your space? 'Consider your garden and home’s aesthetic as well as the tones of other paving in your garden,' advises Alice. 'You'll want to select a design that complements and accentuates what is already there, creating a seamless and cohesive look throughout.'

5. Create a patio circle

Another brilliant way to add pattern to your patio area is by getting creative with the arrangement of your paving slabs. Create a patio circle to highlight or frame areas of your garden, or simply use the design as a decorative focal point.

'One of the best ways to make your garden look beautiful is by adding a patio circle,' says Georgina Read, director at Paving Superstore. 'The circular design is perfect for a bistro table and is especially good for those with a small patio area. Or, use it as a feature within your main patio area.'

Georgina Read

Georgina Read has a background in e-commerce and trained as a garden designer following a career change because she was frustrated by the lack of accessibility to good-quality paving and landscaping materials. Paving Superstore began with Georgina setting up the website in 2007. It's now widely recognised as the home of great paving from leading brands.

6. Go for a wood-effect patio

If decking ideas just aren't for you, but you want to achieve the same look with less maintenance, consider wood-effect paving slabs.

'Wood-effect paving slabs can bring a rustic charm to your garden, while also giving the sleek, modern look of hardwood decking,' says Georgina. 'It's a great alternative for those who want the appearance of wood, without the maintenance because, unlike real wood, these particular slabs won’t warp or rot over time like hardwood decking.'

7. Use porcelain tiles

For a hard-wearing patio that will stand the test of time, porcelain gives you the look of natural stone while being slip-resistant and easy to lay. It blends in with the natural environment and comes in a range of styles and colours to suit your interior and exterior décor.

'Homeowners often choose porcelain paving as it is a durable outdoor flooring option which is capable of handling plenty of foot traffic, helping to withstand BBQs and summer parties,' says Steven Walley, patio and paving expert from London Stone.

'With low porosity, it doesn’t absorb dirt easily and is highly water resistant, making porcelain paving a great option which allows you to enjoy your patio years after installation.'

8. Consider verandas and awnings

The best patio ideas transform your garden into an area you can enjoy even on rainy days, so consider patio cover ideas when designing your space.

'Adding a veranda or awning to your patio area can help increase the usability of the space,' says Jamie Jones, property expert and founder of Open Space Concepts. 'Whilst a veranda offers you an extended living space that can be furnished, an awning gives you the option of cover. Both are usually quite simple structures and can be decorated to match your style.

'Both options help to weatherproof your space. You're not only protected from the rain, but also from the sun and damaging UV rays on those nicer days.'

9. Use planting to create zones

It can be tempting to pave a whole small garden into a large patio space to save effort and upkeep, but you can be clever with planting to make your space work even harder.

Landscape your area with two main patios at either end and a path linking them. In the spaces between, add in luscious planting to get up close and personal with nature and add interest to the space. Plus, you've now created two zones, which are ideal for a busy family or when entertaining.

'Tall plants are perfect for creating a secluded area of your patio,' adds Tom Clifford, director at Gardenstone. 'This is especially effective if you have onlooking neighbours. Tall plants are particularly effective when placed around your patio seating area to achieve the ultimate private space for relaxation.'

Tom Clifford

Tom Clifford is a director of Gardenstone, a leading garden landscaping supplier that specialises in garden edging, patio paving, gravel and walling materials. Tom has been in the garden landscaping business for over 13 years, making him an expert in garden design and maintenance. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with readers to help them create the most sustainable and visually appealing gardens possible.

10. Build a garden room

If you're looking to invest in your outdoor space, it's worth considering adding a garden room to your patio area.

'A garden room installation on your patio, right outside your back door will extend the main functions of the home and add significant value to the property,' says Tony Higginson, co-founder of Vivid Green. 'A garden room can be used for many functions, and as you and your family grow, the use of the room can change to suit the needs of the family.

Plus, garden room ideas are a great way to transform your patio into a space you can use all year round. 'Having your garden room on your patio also means you won’t have to risk getting wet during the winter months,' says Tony. 'Close proximity to your main home can be a real asset, and one which is also far more affordable than a traditional extension.

'It can also be built in a matter of weeks over several months and, if not slept in, can be built under permitted development.'

11. Mix up the materials

One of the benefits of using a patio as part of your garden landscape is the versatility of the materials that can be used. From concrete to pavers, stone, tile, brick and gravel, changing materials can create separate zones within your patio, which is ideal if you want to use your patio for multiple things such as a dining zone or a reading corner.

‘When choosing the right materials for your patio, it’s a good idea to mix up materials to help add some interest and break up a large area,' says Thomas Goodman, property expert at MyJobQuote. 'Using multiple materials can help to make a smaller space feel larger if used correctly. Hiring a landscape designer can be helpful when coming up with the right patio design for your garden space.’

You could lay bricks in a herringbone pattern under your dining area similar to the flooring you would find in indoor dining spaces. This would work well contrasted with concrete or paving slabs for the rest of the patio.

12. Create a herb area

The patio is the perfect place for herb garden ideas because herbs thrive well in containers and are easy to get started. A patio near the home makes popping out to your herb garden super easy for last-minute touches of parsley or coriander. Mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme and sage can stay outdoors all year round once they have been established.

The best time to buy and plant herbs is later in spring because herbs planted in winter are susceptible to root damage in cold and wet environments. Be careful about buying pot-grown herbs from supermarkets because they are often too stressed to adapt to growing outdoors; instead, buy your herbs from nurseries or garden centres.

Choose containers which will give your herbs space to grow deep roots so they can be left undisturbed. Use gritty moist compost and balanced fertiliser to encourage leafy growth, rather than a potassium-rich fertiliser which promotes flowering.

13. Add a calming water feature

Water feature ideas are a beautiful way to provide a living and moving piece of artwork that's eye-catching and adds sound and movement to your space.

Water features can be a striking design element for your patio décor ideas and allow you to have a wider variety of planting. If you suffer from noisy neighbours or traffic, a water feature provides calming sounds of running water to minimize annoying background noise.

There are plenty of designs to choose from. Watertight troughs and containers create a strong focal point that can take pride of place on your patio. A garden water bowl, like the Outdoor Contemporary Reflective Water Bowl from B&Q, is also a clever way to bounce light around your patio. Choose sleek metal for a modern garden or stone for a more rustic look.

14. Install a sustainable patio

Create a sustainable garden with patio ideas by choosing natural materials such as local stone for your patio. Using a permeable material is also important to allow groundwater to flow between open spaces and filter pollutants as the water seeps through the surface.

‘Choosing patio materials that are recycled or reclaimed helps to reduce the use of natural resources. Gravel patios and other permeable surfaces will allow rainwater to soak into the ground rather than contributing towards flooding,’ says Thomas Goodman from MyJobQuote.

‘If you are creating a patio as part of a larger gardening project, you could re-use things like stone, bricks, or gravel that are removed from other areas. Look to source local materials as a way to reduce your carbon footprint. Nearby salvage yards or quarries are great sources for materials.’

15. Focus on the lighting

Adding extra illumination with garden lighting ideas brightens up any closed-off corners and gives the patio a welcoming glow. Solar lights are a great option that the environment and your wallet will thank you for. To give your patio lighting ideas a cosy feeling, warm lighting is the most flattering and creates a relaxing space.

'We recommend choosing a style that suits the architecture of your home as well as your personal style, as this will aid longevity,' says David Amos, founder of Amos Lighting and Home. 'Outdoor lighting perfect for creating a subtle ambience, allowing you to entertain guests later into the evening during the warmer months.'

We love the 4lite Outdoor Festoon Lighting, available at Amazon, which is perfect for lighting up fences or gazebos.

16. Incorporate a parasol

A patio is the best place to sit out and enjoy the sun and immerse yourself in the garden. However, with the unpredictable British weather, your garden can experience blazing sun one day and torrential rain the next. Adding a parasol to your garden allows you to enjoy your garden all year round and be protected from the elements.

‘If you plan on sitting out in the sunshine, a parasol is a must, especially if you have young children,’ says Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World.

A parasol is also a good way to offer some privacy from nosy neighbours if your patio is overlooked. You can pick up parasols from various garden centres and online retailers, like the VonHaus Parasol from B&Q.

17. Add pops of colour with container planting

Potted plants provide a pop of colour, thanks to both the blooms you choose to grow and the pattern and colour of the container itself. Consider growing the best evergreen plants for pots for year-round interest.

Plus, pots are ideal for growing vegetables. Loose-leaf and romaine lettuce work well in planters because they require less room to grow. Tomatoes also work well in pots that are at least 12 inches deep.

‘Group together pots of different sizes and styles for a fuller look and inject some vibrancy with new-season plants for instant colour,' says Lynsey Abbott, senior buyer at Dobbies. 'If you favour a minimalistic design, a few ferns styled in neutral pots will breathe life into your patio, or if you prefer a more relaxed country garden feel, you can have fun planting your favourite perennials in terracotta pots of different sizes.’

You can also use pots to line your garden border ideas and create interest along pathways or the boundaries of your space.

18. Top with a pergola

Turn your patio into an outdoor room with garden pergola ideas. Even the most simple designs can look incredibly effective with a lick of paint and some clever styling.

Situate your furniture and accessories under the pergola so everything is neatly zoned. You can also train fast-growing climbing plants along the structure and drape festoon lights across the top. And voila – your patio is now a miniature outdoor living room!

19. Build in seating

Patios can often be lacking in space, but that doesn't mean you can't use them to their full potential. Think about what you need from your space and prioritise it. For example, every patio needs some form of seating.

As an alternative to adding some of this year's best garden furniture or investing in garden chairs, you can save space by adding built-in bench seats to the sides of raised beds. You'll save precious space while enjoying ample seating.

20. Create an outdoor kitchen

Outdoor kitchen ideas are having something of a moment right now, and they happily pair up perfectly with patio ideas. There are outdoor kitchen ideas to suit every size of patio, from a full-blown chef's paradise to a pizza oven or a barbecue.

One patio consideration to make is that some flooring materials are better suited to this job than others, so confirm with your supplier before installing.

21. Create cohesion with stepping stones

It can sometimes feel a bit jarring having your patio suddenly end and the lawn begin. Make this transition feel so much more natural by using excess paving material from your patio ideas and turning them into a stepping stone pathway for a brilliant garden path idea. Both areas will feel linked and there won't be any hard divisions between the patio and the lawn.

22. Add a pretty border

If you're looking for easy garden ideas to add impact to a patio, then upgrade your borders. Even small lawns can benefit from offering up some of their space to be turned into borders. These will add pretty interest and neatly separate out lawn and patio ideas.

Use this extra planting space cleverly by turning it into a haven for wildlife by opting for a herbaceous border, or creating a mini kitchen garden so sweet-smelling herbs are readily available.

23. Save space with a hanging chair

Square footage is lacking in many of our outdoor spaces, but you can still create pretty patio ideas. Use a hanging chair for your seating element, to free up ground space. Then, layer in pots a plenty to add colour and interest. You'll love it so much you'll start to wonder how you ever sat on a normal chair.

24. Create a seamless flow with matching materials

Blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoor aesthetics. Make the patio feel like an extension of the immediate indoor living space by coordinating the flooring material. 'Merge your kitchen and garden by extending your indoor flooring out onto courtyards and patios,' says Isabel Fernandez, director at Quorn Stone.

'To give the illusion of more space, we recommend going with a larger paver size such as 900 x 600 or 800 x 800. The larger the paver, the less grout and therefore it helps to create a seamless space that isn’t broken up by numerous grout lines. We also recommend choosing a grout colour that is a close colour match to the paver itself – again, this helps the grout to blend in with the pavers and gives the illusion of a larger area.'

25. Create a focal point with a warming fire pit

Fire pits are the garden must-have right now, as we look to use out outside spaces more – whatever the weather. Build your own design incorporated into the patio paving to get the exact size and shape to suit.

No matter how big or small your patio, it's always good to create a focal point to give the space a sense of purpose. Benches either side of a warming fire pit help to create an inviting place to relax and spend some downtime in the garden, however chilly it gets.

26. Make your space feel bigger with a garden mirror

Make the most of a compact outdoor space that adjoins a flat or house by creating your very own modern secret garden. Run floor tiles out from the interior space to give a sense of continuity and create the illusion of a larger area. Add clusters of large pots holding lush plants to create a tropical feeling and a sense of being in nature.

Remember that garden mirror ideas such as mirrored panels can double the space – visually, at least – making it feel light and full of energy for a meal or casual drinks.

27. Take interiors outside with homely accessories

In addition to considering aesthetics such as wood panelling on walls and floor tiles, think about taking indoor accessories outside to create a more homely feel. Outdoor rugs and cushions are both becoming increasingly popular, as a great way to inject an artistic flare into garden spaces.

There's no harm in taking your existing accessories outside, provided the weather stays fair to prevent damage. However, you can purchase accessories specially made for outdoor purposes, which is preferable.

28. Make it modern with contemporary colours

Grey is still one of the most popular colours in all aspects of interior design. Take the colour into your patio ideas by way of polished concrete or grey porcelain tiles. You could even go one step further and coordinate the colour scheme with grey shutters and doors.

Add a glass-topped table and finely woven chairs to achieve an almost weightless feel, and look crisp and fresh against all the garden's greenery. Finish with a large, modern white parasol to both visually zone the dining space and provide shade on sunny summer days.

29. Plot a pretty potting area onto the patio

A patio needn't be used solely for summer dining. Set up your practical plant potting area outside your back door with a vintage workbench for storing gardening tools and housing the season's prettiest plants.

A neat stool doubles up as a lovely spot to have a tea break and take in the scene.

30. Opt for a ski-chalet-style garden

Patio ideas don't come much better than this! You don't have to hit the slopes to enjoy the benefits of an apres-ski style terrace. A fresh take on the functional garden patio, this idea takes the outdoor social space into winter – with the help of one of the best patio heaters, plenty of faux-fur blankets, woven textures and flickering candles housed in glass lanterns.

Romantic, super stylish and a little bit hygge? We think so.

FAQs

What is the cheapest patio to install?

If you're on a budget but want to install a new patio, you might be wondering what the cheapest options are.

'If you’re set on the traditional slab paving, concrete slabs are the cheapest option,' says Tom Clifford from Gardenstone. 'Concrete slabs can imitate stone paving perfectly while costing significantly less. Plus, if they’re installed and maintained correctly then they will last just as long, if not longer, than stone slabs.'

Gravel is also a low-cost option, especially if you want to quickly fill a space in your garden.

What is the easiest type of patio to put in?

Laying a new patio doesn't have to be a lengthy job. Luckily, certain styles take less time to install.

'Slab paving offers the most straightforward installation process and can easily be done by a DIY beginner, especially for a square or rectangular shaped patio,' says Tom from Gardenstone. 'It involves simply measuring out your area and laying the slabs level across a mixture of sand and concrete mortar. Although it may seem like a daunting task, once you have laid the first slab the hard work is over and it can actually be a satisfying and rewarding process.

'If you’re worried about precision when laying your patio then flagstones offer the easiest installation option. Flagstones have irregular shapes, meaning you don’t have to worry about aligning them perfectly. In fact, their imperfect nature adds character, so the less regimented, the better.'

With so many patio ideas to choose from, how will you be revamping your space?