Whether you’re working with a tiny garden or sprawling patio area, there are plenty of ways to create a stunning outdoor area. A beautiful patio will make you want to spend more time outdoors and can really tie all your garden features together. Still, getting the ball rolling with design plans can be tricky. As your resident patio experts, we’re here to offer our advice.

In this article, we’ll focus on five design ideas to help you define your garden. Let’s get started!

Choose a natural stone that complements your garden’s features

Natural stone is a popular material choice for patios. As lots of stone types are aesthetically pleasing, frost-resistant, and durable, they offer the key qualities that are important for an outdoor surface. Still, natural stone is a broad category and there are lots of different types to choose from.

Opt for a natural stone with colour and texture that works with the furniture, features, and plants in your garden. This could be limestone, sandstone, or granite. Take a look at all your stone options and finishes — see what stands out to you!

Use gravel for a softer patio feel

Defining your garden doesn’t mean you need to use paving slabs. Creating a patio area with gravel can result in a softer, more organic feel. Without sharp slab lines, you can still separate your grass and patio areas, just in a more subtle way. As you can also add smaller gravelled areas around your garden, for example, near your flower beds or shed, you can use the material to naturally shape and define your space.

Go bold with block paving

If you’d rather take the opposite approach to your patio and go for a striking, bold design, then consider block paving. Perfect for contemporary or traditional patios, block paving can help you achieve a neat, classic look. Block paving also offers excellent strength and durability, making it one of our favourite materials to work with.

Achieve a modern feel with concrete paving

Concrete patios are a great choice for those hoping to create a sleek, chic outdoor area for relaxing and hosting in their garden. As concrete paving can be custom made to precise specifications, there’s a world of textures, colours, patterns, and shapes to choose from — meaning lots of ways you can use it to define your garden.

Opt for large panels fitted flush together for an ultra-modern look, or medium-sized square slabs fitted in a grid for a polished, uniform appearance.

Focus on all aspects of your garden for a cohesive feel

If you’re hoping to use your new patio to define your garden, think about what you want to define. If the rest of your garden needs some TLC, your patio won’t change that. Design your patio alongside the rest of your garden to create an outdoor space to be proud of.

Once you have an idea of how you’d like the layout to look, which plants and flowers you’re going to plant, and whether you want a garden shed or outdoor office, it will be easier to plan the perfect patio.

ELT patios Cambridge

At ELT Landscapes, we have a wealth of experience creating beautiful patios for residents in the Cambridge area. Whether you’re specifically looking for block paving, natural stone, concrete paving, or porcelain, we have a wide range of materials available.

We’ll work with you to create a design that complements your home. And when it comes to laying the paving, our professionals work efficiently to achieve a fantastic result. Contact us to learn more about our services.

ELT Home Improvements | Roofing, Driveways & Patio Specialists in Cambridge