How to Choose the Right Paving Slabs for Your Garden or Patio

Choosing paving slabs sounds simple… until you actually start looking. Suddenly you’re hit with a hundred materials, colours, textures, and price points. Don’t worry — picking the right slabs is easier when you break it down into the basics. Here’s a helpful guide to make sure your patio or garden ends up looking exactly the way you imagine.

1. Start by Deciding the Overall Look You Want

Before you compare materials or prices, get clear on the style you want. Are you going for something modern and minimal? Or warm and rustic? Maybe you want a sleek outdoor dining area or a cosy garden corner.

• Modern spaces look great with smooth, large-format slabs in greys or charcoal tones.
• Traditional gardens pair beautifully with natural stone and warm earth colours.
• Cottage or rustic styles work well with textured finishes and irregular edges.

Once you know the look, it becomes much easier to filter out the slabs that don’t match your vision.

2. Compare the Most Common Paving Slab Materials

Different materials behave differently outdoors, so the right choice depends on how you plan to use the space.

Concrete Slabs

A popular budget-friendly option. Concrete slabs come in plenty of colours and textures, and they’re strong enough for everyday use. They’re not as fancy as natural stone, but they get the job done without blowing your budget.

Natural Stone

This includes sandstone, limestone, granite, and slate. Natural stone has unique patterns and colours that give your garden a high-end look. It’s durable, long-lasting, and ages beautifully. The only downside? The price can stretch your budget.

Porcelain Paving

These are the sleek newcomers. Porcelain slabs are low-porosity, meaning they don’t absorb much water. They’re resistant to stains, moss, fading — basically everything. They’re a bit pricier and heavier to install, but their low maintenance is a big win.

3. Think About Slip Resistance and Durability

Outdoor spaces deal with rain, dirt, foot traffic, and sometimes kids running around like they’re in an action movie. So, safety and durability matter.

• Textured or riven surfaces offer better grip, especially useful around pools or wet spots.
• Thicker slabs are more durable and suitable for driveways or heavy use areas.
• Porcelain is extremely resistant to scratches and stains.
• Natural stone is strong but may need sealing to protect it.

If your garden gets a lot of shade or stays damp, avoid surfaces that get slippery. You'll thank yourself later.

4. Choose Colours That Work With Your Home and Garden

The colour of your slabs can completely change the mood of your outdoor space. Lighter shades like cream or light grey make areas feel bigger and brighter. Darker tones like charcoal create a bold, modern look but may show dust or scratches more easily.

A simple rule that never fails: Match the paving colour to the tone of your home’s exterior. Neutral house? Almost anything works. Brick or stone home? Go for tones that complement rather than compete.

5. Set a Budget — and Don’t Forget Installation Costs

It’s easy to fall in love with premium stone and then realise it costs more than the patio furniture you planned to put on it. Before choosing slabs, set a realistic budget that includes:

• The cost of the slabs
• Sand, cement, and other base materials
• Labour, if you’re hiring a professional
• Sealing or maintenance, if needed

If your budget is tight, mix materials — for example, use natural stone only in the main seating area and concrete elsewhere. You still get a premium look without overspending.