Planning a patio should not be about functionality only. A great patio can add more visual appeal to your outdoor space while still having the necessary practical touches. However, it’s not always easy to choose from an array of garden paving slabs; one choice would give you a look you love, and another might not amaze you.
To help you get the best garden paving design, we have brought together five top garden paving ideas that match different styles and outcomes. Read through to find the one that most suits what you would like to achieve.
Achieve a Contemporary Look with Modern Textured Paving Slabs
Modern textured paving slabs are perfect garden paving ideas if you are after a fresh and contemporary look for your patio. They structure spaces in a seamless way that’s ultra-modern and add colour and texture to your garden.
Modern paving slabs are not only effortlessly stylish, but they also require minimal maintenance to look great all year. Click to see our modern textured paving slabs. For a modern look without the texture, go for smooth paving slabs.
When going with modern slabs, try minimal designs like natural stone paving slabs and smooth surfaces. If you prefer bold looks, you can go with geometric shapes and textured surfaces. Take it further with a well-structured pathway and a modern seating area for relaxation.
Get a Stunning Focal Point With a Circular Paving Design
A circular paving design creates a focal point in your garden. If you want to use your patio for more than a walkway, a circular paving design is one way to go. You can achieve this look with any of our circular patio feature kits.
With a circular layout, you get a set-aside area that can be transformed into a centrepiece with furniture and flowers, a barbecue area, or a simple relaxation spot that you can spice up with a firepit.
Before going for a circular patio, consider the space you have; small spaces might not accommodate a full circle. In that case, you can go with a half-circle like our Oxford Circle Paving.
Accentuate with Stepping Stones
Stepping stones can add colour and texture to your garden paving design. They are also functional, especially for creating borders and lines and setting aside spaces while linking different parts of your patio.
With garden stepping stones, you can create a natural, informal look that is fun, sleek, and functional. Formal looks can also be achieved depending on the stone and arrangement. If you are looking for ways to use stepping stones, consider leaving spaces between paving slabs, filling them with some pebbles and adding stepping stones in between or linking different areas in your outdoor space with stepping stones.
A Balance of Style & Functionality with Decktile Paving
Lovers of real wood in the outdoor space will hate it after a while because it rots quickly and isn’t weather resistant. However, if you love the look of wood on your garden floors, there’s a great alternative in Decktile paving slabs.
The Decktile paving slabs bring the look of natural timber without the pain that comes with using real wood outdoors, so you get lasting durability and low maintenance with a beautiful finish.
Accentuate your Paving Slabs with Light

To make the most out of your garden design, you need outdoor lighting. The right light placement transforms your space and accentuates your paving design in a stylish and subtle way when the sun sets.
If you have steps in your patio, you can install lights on each step to accentuate your garden paving. You can also use post lights and overhead bulbs.
When using lighting, you don’t have to go with a traditional security light with a strong glare; soft lights work well and are perfect for garden spaces. You can also include your security lights in the right spots for functionality.
Final Tips on Garden Paving Ideas
When considering any of the garden paving design ideas in this article, consider the size and shape of the space you have available. For example, a circular paving design might work quite well for a medium to large space but not bring that extra fantastic look to a small garden.
Think about what you want from your patio and match that to the aesthetics and practical elements that will achieve your goal. Regardless of the size of your garden, you can get eye-catching designs if you choose right.