Our Guide To Patio Paving

In Britain, a patio is an integral part of a garden design, usually forming a transition between the rear of the house and the garden beyond. The current trend is for larger paved areas than previously, as entertaining and relaxing outdoors has become so popular in the summer months. There is also the recognition that different parts of the garden are more attractive at different times of day, and home-owners are increasingly comfortable with adding smaller paved areas where, for example, the sun soaks in in the morning, to enjoy the garden at specific times.

The overall style that you want in your garden should be the first thing to consider. This will guide your choice of paving. Are you trying to match your outdoor patio area to your country cottage? Then riven sandstone could be ideal. Or do you want a traditional look alongside a modern home? You could look at a traditional material with more modern lines, such as one of our sawn sandstones. Or are you looking for a contemporary, modern look with very narrow joints and crisp edges? Then, porcelain paving will fit the bill. Even when trying to recreate a specific style, such as a Japanese garden, there are different routes you can take. Deciding at the start whether you'd like a minimalist aesthetic or a more textured and rustic feel within your chosen style will help you select the paving to suit.

There are so many materials we stock at London Stone that it can feel overwhelming. This will help you get a feel for which material will best suit your design requirements. But don't forget our showrooms. Our trained staff are experts in our products and are always happy to help you compare and contrast, with no pressure.

The choice of naturally riven or sawn surfaces, wide variety of colours and range of prices make Indian sandstone paving is one of our most popular patio paving options for both small and large paved areas in urban or rural areas. Some ‌colours lend themselves more readily to particular locations. For example, Autumn Brown and Raj Green are often chosen for traditional settings; Mint and, especially, Kandla Grey can suit more modern surroundings. Find out more about sandstone paving and its colours.

Yorkstone has been used as a paving material in the UK for centuries. It’s a tried and trusted natural stone with a character that improves with age. Yorkstone is generally supplied in three different formats: Sawn Yorkstone Paving, Reclaimed Yorkstone Paving and New Riven Yorkstone. The one drawback with Yorkstone, and with the majority of native stones, is the cost. With such a wide choice of cheaper imported natural stones available, native stones are getting increasingly pushed down the pecking order.

Reclaimed Yorkstone is ideal for areas that will see heavy foot traffic, which is why it is used in pavement construction across London. Constant foot traffic weathers and smooths the surface of the Yorkstone and gives it a beautiful antique look, offering better durability over a longer period of time. It is also very popular when people are trying to match paving to existing materials. Most importantly, Yorkstone has a proven track record of suitability for the climate in Great Britain.

One of the toughest paving materials available, granite paving provides a modern look to any garden or commercial space with a tight grain, even texture and consistent colouring for that flawless finish you’re after. It is, however, harder to cut than other natural stones - something to be aware of if you’re installing it yourself.

Low maintenance and the ability to stand up to the test of British weather makes this a popular choice for some designers. Plus, there are a range of colours and textures in limestone paving - including Midnight Black, Antique Yellow and Graphite Grey - and something to suit nearly every budget.

Suited to contemporary designs or for contrasting with period buildings, slate paving is famed for its ability to create a flat surface. With natural texture, density and low porosity, it not only looks great but it’s stain-resistant too. A low maintenance option with a high-end, luxury feel, our Brazilian slate range is best suited for areas that will catch the sunlight in your garden.

In a category all of its own, porcelain provides a touch of luxury to any garden but is better suited to modern designs where clean, minimalist lines are required. With consistent colouring and texture, you can achieve a high-end finish that looks effortless. We source our porcelain range from Italy and India, with luxury and budget ranges both covered by our 10-Year Homeowner's Guarantee.

On first impressions, it may seem that natural stone is a hard and inflexible material, but this is certainly not the case. With the right tools and skills, natural stone can be crafted and then utilised in a wide variety of applications. The size and shape of the paving you opt for will likely influence how they are laid, too. Many prefer to randomise this aspect of the design to create unique patterns and shapes. However, if you want to incorporate a focal piece, such as a circle-cut stone, or if you want to lead the eye through a space, then careful consideration should be given to how you’ll lay the paving. This, in turn, will mean choosing a size and shape to suit. Contemporary designs, as mentioned previously, also require more careful planning to ensure a sense of symmetry and control, an aesthetic you can direct with your paving.

The all-important colour comes from the type of sandstone, limestone, slate or granite and ranges from the palest cream of travertine through to black basalt, with shades of grey, beige and brown in between. The selection of stones on offer means there are colours to suit every situation. Our tumbled paving, which when tumbled takes on an aged look, is perfect for an informal patio in a country or traditional setting, as is the range of setts that resemble cobblestones. Consider the following in relation to paving colours: * Do you want a consistent colour or mixed shades? * Do you want to match or contrast with the rest of your property? * Do you need to match it with existing garden furniture? * Will the paving be exposed to consistent sunlight? * How will the colour look when wet and when dry? * Will the colour complement any walls or steps?

The first time we heard about ethically sourced sandstone paving was back in 2006. We had just started out in the natural stone business and were more focused on surviving our first year in business than what was happening in our foreign supply chains. As the business stabilised, and after hearing stories of poor working conditions in India, we resolved, as a business, that we would make it our business to understand what was happening in our supply chains and to ‌work with our suppliers to improve conditions for the people that were part of our success. Nothing happens quickly when working with overseas suppliers to implement positive changes. After our first 18 months, ethical trading began to have a real impact on the way we ran our business, particularly in how we procured our sandstone and limestone paving from India. You can find out more about London Stone’s ethical trading policy. Browse our paving selection online today or visit your nearest showroom in the UK. Alternatively, you are welcome to call us - information on our contact page. Post updated: December 2026