It doesn’t have to cost a tonne to get your patio looking and feeling the way you want it. Above all, it needs to be an area where you feel comfortable. Your choice of paving slabs will have a large influence on that, which is why we take care to stock a wide range of Indian sandstone here at Bridge Street Stone. But once those are laid, you might decide your patio still needs a bit more character or practicality - so here are our five top affordable suggestions for how you can enhance your space.
1. Create someplace seclude
On the whole, we tend to like to be able to use our outdoor spaces to relax, reclining in our own little slice of nature that we can enjoy away from other members of the general public. So if you’re partial to heading out into your garden with a good book, a podcast, and pencil and paper, or even just to have a quiet conversation away from the hustle and bustle of the house every now and again, it can be great to make yourself a specific quiet place to relax - a cosy little nook off to one side of your patio or garden.
It doesn’t have to be anything complex or expensive. In fact, it could be something as simple as a bench under the overhanging branches of your favourite tree. Alternatively, if you don’t have any sheltering tree branches ready, you can choose a garden arch - or even install an arbour, which can range from inexpensive options to as luxurious as you like.
2. Get things cosy
While we’re on the topic of sitting down and making yourself comfortable, it’s worth noting that you can use your furniture to project the impression you want for your space. In recent years, there’s been an increasing trend of making outdoor spaces into an extension of indoor rooms. If you want that cosy indoor feel for your garden, you might want to think about armchairs, a glass table and an outdoor rug. Or if you’ve got a south facing garden, you can catch some summer sun with a deckchair or two, or place a couple of rattan chairs around if you’d prefer a more rural, traditional feel. It’s all up to you!
3. Show your true colours
As we’ve already touched on above, the type of Indian sandstone you pick for your patio will have a huge effect on not just how the space looks, but also how it feels. You can choose to balance or enhance that by adding an extra touch of colour here and there to your patio.
Autumn Brown is one example of a beautifully neutral Indian paving stone, and it can provide a great backdrop for pops of colour in the form of plants such as sunflowers, fuchsias or hardy geraniums. Alternatively, you can express yourself with colour in the form of furnishings for your outdoor furniture. Throws, blankets and cushions are all some of the best examples that spring to mind - just make sure to have them covered if the weather clouds over!
4. Lighten up
If you like watching the sun go down in your garden, maybe it’s worth having a think about how you’re going to illuminate it after dusk. Sure, bright security lights do the job from a functional point of view, but they’re not terribly inviting, are they? Instead, you might want to consider more colourful options, such as warm oranges or yellows. This can really help put an extra comfort factor if you’re planning on any al fresco dining, or having friends or family round after dark.
If you’ve got a darker option like our Kota Black Indian sandstone on the other hand, brighter and cooler tones are generally a good idea for your lights, as they can help ensure the space is properly illuminated while adding an undeniably dramatic flair, too.
Of course, these are just some basic suggestions to get your neurons firing - you might well be able to think of even more specific ideas for your own space! Whatever your plans for your Indian stone paving, you can count on us to have patio stones in plenty of colours and sizes for you right here at Bridge Street Stone, so you’ve got no shortage of choice in terms of achieving your vision. All are sourced directly from India, and we’re able to offer free delivery to most areas. To make an order, feel free to give us a call today on 01282 860571.