How to Choose the Right Patio for Your Garden
A new patio is one of the biggest investments you can make in your garden. Get it right and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Get it wrong and you’ll be reminded of it every time you step outside.
Choosing a patio isn’t just about picking the colour you like best. It needs to suit your home, your lifestyle and how you actually use your garden. After all, there’s no point creating a beautiful entertaining space if it constantly needs cleaning or doesn’t cope well with the British weather.
At a Glance
Best for: Homeowners planning a new patio or garden renovation
Read time: 7 minutes
Key takeaway: The best patio isn’t simply the one that looks good. It’s the one that suits your lifestyle, complements your home and is installed correctly.
So, how do you choose the right patio? Let’s look at the three most popular options and what each one offers.
What Is the Best Patio Material?
The best patio material depends on your priorities.
- Porcelain is ideal if you want a contemporary look with very little maintenance.
- Natural sandstone offers timeless character and blends beautifully with traditional gardens.
- Block paving is incredibly versatile and works well for both patios and driveways.
The most important decision, however, isn’t just the material. It’s choosing an experienced installer who can make sure your patio is built to last.
Patio Materials at a Glance
Porcelain
- Maintenance: Very low
- Style: Contemporary
- Durability: Excellent
- Slip resistance: Excellent (when the correct finish is chosen)
- Best for: Modern gardens and low-maintenance lifestyles
Sandstone
- Maintenance: Moderate
- Style: Traditional
- Durability: Excellent
- Slip resistance: Good
- Best for: Traditional, cottage and period homes
Block Paving
- Maintenance: Low to moderate
- Style: Versatile
- Durability: Excellent
- Slip resistance: Good
- Best for: Patios, driveways and versatile outdoor spaces
Why Does Your Patio Choice Matter?
Your patio is often the heart of the garden. It’s where summer barbecues happen, where the grandchildren play with bubbles, where friends gather for a catch-up and where you enjoy that first cup of tea on a sunny morning.
Therefore, it needs to do much more than simply look attractive. A well-designed patio should:
- complement your home
- suit the size of your garden
- cope with everyday use
- remain attractive for years to come
- require a level of maintenance you’re happy with
Planning these things now will save disappointment later.
Is Porcelain the Right Choice for You?
Porcelain paving has become one of the most popular choices in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. It offers clean lines, consistent colouring and a modern finish that suits contemporary gardens particularly well.
Benefits of porcelain paving
- Extremely low maintenance
- Resistant to staining
- Doesn’t fade easily
- Available in a wide range of colours and finishes
- Easy to keep clean
Even better, porcelain is less porous than many natural materials, making it particularly practical for busy family gardens. However, quality installation is essential. Precision cutting, correct preparation and proper drainage all play a significant part in achieving a long-lasting finish.
Pro Tip
When choosing porcelain paving, don’t just focus on the colour or finish. Ask your landscaper about the slip resistance rating too. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference, particularly if your patio is shaded or regularly used by children and pets.
Should You Choose Natural Sandstone?
If you’re looking for something with character, sandstone is hard to beat. Unlike manufactured products, every slab has its own variation in colour and texture, giving each patio a unique appearance.
Sandstone works especially well with:
- cottage gardens
- traditional properties
- country homes
- established planting schemes
Over time, natural stone develops even more character, which many homeowners love. However, because it’s a natural product, some maintenance is required to keep it looking its best.
If you’re planning a complete garden transformation rather than just replacing a patio, the RHS Garden Design advice offers plenty of inspiration to help you think about layout, planting and making the most of your outdoor space.
When Is Block Paving the Better Option?
Block paving is often associated with driveways, but it can also create attractive patios. It’s a particularly good choice if you want:
- decorative patterns
- flexibility in design
- easy future repairs
- seamless transitions between driveways and patios
Because individual blocks can be replaced if damaged, maintenance can often be simpler than replacing larger paving slabs.
Which Patio Is Best for Busy Families?
If your garden sees plenty of activity, practicality becomes just as important as appearance.
Ask yourself:
- Will children be using the space?
- Do you enjoy entertaining?
- Are pets likely to use the patio?
- How much time do you realistically want to spend maintaining it?
For many busy households, porcelain provides the best balance between appearance and practicality. However, every garden is different, so there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer.
Why Does Installation Matter More Than the Material?
This is probably the biggest misconception homeowners have. People often spend weeks choosing paving but give very little thought to who’s installing it, and as the saying goes, ‘The cheapest isn’t always (or usually) the best.’
Honestly, even premium paving can fail if the groundwork isn’t carried out correctly. A professionally installed patio should include:
- proper excavation
- suitable foundations
- correct drainage
- accurate levels
- quality jointing
In other words, what sits underneath the patio is every bit as important as what you see on top.
Why Choose an Award-Winning Landscaping Team?
Choosing the right installer gives you confidence that your investment will stand the test of time. ALS Landscaping is proud to have been named Brett Approved Installers National Contractor of the Year 2025, as well as winning Best Patio Above 50sqm in the same awards.
These awards aren’t simply about creating attractive patios. They recognise consistent workmanship, technical expertise and exceptional customer service across every project.
If you’d like to learn more about what this national recognition means for homeowners, you can read our article, What Winning Brett National Contractor of the Year 2025 Means for Our Customers, on the ALS blog.
How Can You Choose the Right Patio with Confidence?
Before making any decisions:
- think about how you’ll use the space
- consider the style of your property
- be realistic about maintenance
- choose materials that suit your lifestyle
- work with an experienced landscaper
Most importantly, don’t rush. A patio should last for many years, so it’s worth taking the time to get every detail right, and the ‘right’ installer is likely to be busy, but with ALS we promise it’ll be worth the wait!
Conclusion
The best patio is one you’ll enjoy for years to come. Whether that’s a sleek porcelain space for entertaining, a characterful sandstone terrace or a practical block paving design, choosing the right materials and the right installer will make all the difference.
If you’re planning a new patio, we’d love to help. Take a look at our recent projects or get in touch with ALS Landscaping to start turning your ideas into reality.
FAQs
Which patio material needs the least maintenance?
Porcelain paving is generally the easiest to maintain because it is highly resistant to staining, algae and moisture.
Is natural sandstone suitable for modern gardens?
Yes. Although sandstone is often associated with traditional gardens, the right colours and laying patterns can work beautifully in contemporary designs.
How long should a professionally installed patio last?
With quality materials and correct installation, a patio should provide decades of reliable use with appropriate maintenance.