If you're someone who likes to change your home and garden decor to match the seasons, you're probably already thinking about ways to add a touch of autumn. Well, here at PrimaPorcelain, we believe that any outdoor space can be transformed with a little imagination.

Once you've got your gorgeous, winter-proof porcelain pavers in place, you can focus on accessorising to create a truly autumnal space. Here are some of our suggestions for autumn patio decor that will have your neighbours looking green with envy.

1. Weatherproofing

During autumn the weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes, we'll have a really crisp, cold but sunny day, and before you know it it'll be pouring it down with rain. As such, it's important that you think about weatherproofing your patio. This means protecting, replacing or removing anything that could be damaged by the changing weather.

If you've got PrimaPorcelain paving installed, you can rest assured that the patio itself will withstand whatever autumn throws at it. As well as being non-porous, our porcelain paving features a rough texture that will help prevent slips and falls - perfect as we start to see more wet leaves and morning frosts.

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A great way to make sure you and your guests aren't caught out by a sudden downpour is to install an awning, veranda or sunroom. These provide overhead cover and, in some cases, come with optional sides that can provide protection from the wind too. Enclosing your patio area will also give it a cosier feel (just be careful if you plan to add a fire pit, not all structures are suitable to be installed over a fire).

Other things that may need to be weatherproofed include:

• Your garden sofa/chairs (we'd recommend waterproof cushion covers)
• Your outdoor steps (add a handrail for extra security)

2. Add Autumnal Colours

One of the easiest ways to make your patio look fit for autumn is to add earthy, deep tones and remove bright summer colours. Now we're not suggesting that you paint all your of your outdoor furniture a new colour (unless you want to), but adding autumnal accents of colour like rust, mustard and brown will really set the tone for the months ahead. Why not try:

• Changing your seat covers
• Buying new plant pots 
• Choosing a new throw
• Adding dried flowers or pumpkins

3. Make it Warm and Cosy

If you want to make the most of your patio on cold autumn nights, it's important that you invest in things to make it feel extra warm and cosy. Adding a fire pit or patio heater will keep you warm so you can spend longer outside.

You can't beat sitting around a fire with a cup of hot chocolate and some marshmallows for toasting! This is one of those autumnal patio decor ideas that's as charming as it is functional.  As well as a fire pit, you might want to invest in some additional throws and blankets that you can take outside on the patio with you for a little extra warmth. 

4. Add Autumnal Lights

In the summer there isn't much need for fairy lights, tea lights or lanterns. The light nights and warm temperatures mean you can happily sit on your patio until 9 or 10pm, no problem. As we move into September and October, you'll notice the dark nights drawing in all of a sudden, do you'll need to add some lights. 

There are so many different outdoor lighting options for you to choose from, but we personally love the look of tea lights (like those pictured above). They twinkle, they can be moved around your patio to add light wherever you need it!

5. Make it Child Friendly

One of the great joys of autumn is Halloween. Every year, children and their parents get dressed up and head out trick or treating, so, if your patio is at the front of your house, you might need to so some child-proofing. 

Removing sharp objects, breakables and precious items can help ensure that your patio is kept in good condition throughout autumn. Children with sheets over their heads  (also known as ghosts) could be stumbling around in the dark and easily fall over and hurt themselves. Being conscious of the little ones that might visit your patio this autumn is a great way to avoid accidental injuries. 

Hopefully, these autumn patio decor ideas will help you make the most of your garden patio this autumn. If you decide to make your patio look more autumnal, feel free to tag us in your pictures over on Instagram @primaporcelain or email us at info@primaporcelain.co.uk.

Order Your Free Samples 

Our outdoor tiles come in a wide variety of different colours, but if you want your outdoor space to be as bright and as beautiful as possible, there's only one way to go. We offer a stunning selection of white outdoor tiles that are sure to bring your garden to life!

Pictured: 20mm Tirolo White Paving

Our white outdoor tiles are:

• Highly durable
• Low maintenance
• Easy to clean
• Weather resistant
• Rectified for a flawless finish

Browse White Tiles >

Case Study: White Outdoor Tiles in South Wales

Our white porcelain pavers were used to create a truly spectacular raised patio on the South Wales coast. Read more here or watch the video below!

If you think our white outdoor tiles would be a perfect fit for your property, call PrimaPorcelain on 029 2080 3756 or order your FREE tile samples to take a closer look! We now offer both large and small samples so that you can get a real feel for your chosen range.

Once you've found the tiles you love, use our paving calculator to work out how much you need. Then place your order directly through our website, it's so simple!

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For centuries, natural materials have been used in interior and exterior designs to create a traditional, rustic feel. Incorporating nature into your living space undoubtedly creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, but the problems start to arise when you learn how much maintenance natural materials require.

Whether it's, real wood flooring or natural stone paving, anything that you bring into your home from the outside world will need care and attention. We're sure, like most people, you live a very hectic, busy life where finding time to water the plants can sometimes be a struggle! So trying to avoid accidental spills and spending hours applying a sealant to your new floor probably doesn't sound very appealing. 

Luckily, there are alternative options that allow you to bring the natural charm of the outdoors into your home without demanding constant care and maintenance. Today we explore some of the ways you can use our natural-looking porcelain tiles to create a beautiful, natural, fuss-free space in your home!

All Natural

There's no denying that real wood makes a room look instantly warmer and cosier. Clean, all-white rooms can look really chic (but can also look a bit clinical). Thankfully, there are ways to achieve a real-wood appearance without worrying about potential drawbacks. In normal circumstances, it would be a terrible idea to use wood flooring for a bathroom. Just think about it, it would absorb water, warp out of shape and rot and eventually need completely replacing. 

Here you can see how this homeowner was able to create a cosy, wood-effect bathroom without the potential hazards of real-wood. To create this look, they used our Forest Grey Larch paving, some floating wooden cabinets and some soft grey furnishings to create a minimal, natural space that will last for years to come. 

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Combine Natural & Contemporary

Here you can see how our real-stone effect Quartz Twilight paving has been used to create an ultra-modern kitchen space. The homeowner has added lots of natural touches like the wooden worktops, the organic-shaped glass lampshades and (of course) the flooring. To contrast this, they've gone for bold black patio doors, floor level LED's and a cool grey feature wall. 

This looks like the perfect place to host parties and, luckily, with PrimaPorcelain paving this homeowner won't need to worry about red wine stains or muddy footprints. All that our Quartz Twilight paving needs is a quick wipe over with warm soapy water and any remnants of the night before will lift right off!

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Add a Splash of Colour

Another way that you can use natural-looking materials in your home, is as a neutral base for brighter pops of colour and pattern. You can see how the homeowner above combined our effortlessly elegant Richmond Silver paving with a bold, low-level yellow sofa and an assortment of naturally patterned cushions. The finished outdoor space is lively, vibrant and appealing - the perfect place to entertain guests or enjoy a summers evening at home.

The soft natural grey tones and real-stone texture contrast with the soft, sunshine yellow sofa work together wonderfully, but we're sure you could add whatever splash of colour you prefer. The benefit of choosing our natural-looking Richmond range for this bright outdoor space is that, unlike natural stone, it has a very low and consistent porosity level. This helps prevent the paving from taking on water and becoming cracked & damaged over time. 

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We hope you found our suggestions about how to use natural-looking materials in your home helpful. There are so many benefits to choosing manmade over natural, especially when it comes to care and longevity. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about our natural-looking paving, then don't hesitate to get in touch 029 2080 3756. 

So, you've got your new design plans sorted and bought all of the materials that you need for your new floor, all that's left is to lay your slabs. Of course, the easiest option to choose is to hire an installer to lay them for you, but if you're running on a tighter budget and want to install them yourself, there may be some questions you're asking yourself. How long does it take? What do you lay patio slabs on? Well, here's what you're going to need to do! 

First things first, you're going to want to make sure that you have all the tools and materials sorted. Here's a list to double-check you have everything in place.

Tools Needed to Lay Patio Tiles

• Trowel 
• Rake
• Wheelbarrow 
• Rubber mallet
• Shovel 
• Tape measure 
• String line and pegs (optional)
• Cement mixer (optional) 

Materials 

• Paving slabs 
• Sand (sharp) 
• Cement 
• Sub-base aggregate 

Step-by-Step Guide to Laying Patio Tiles  

Prepping the area

Before you can even think about laying your new paving slabs, you will first need to prepare your patio area. Here, you will need to dig a depth of around 150mm across the whole area where your patio will be, ensuring the soil is evenly compacted. Once this has been done, you can begin to tip the sub-base in, raking it into a consistent depth of 100mm. You need to make sure that it is smooth, flat and firm. 

Getting the concrete ready 

Next, you'll need to create a concrete mix of three parts sand and one part cement, adding water to create a dough-like consistency. To do this, you can either use a cement mixer or a target bucket. Once done, to check that the mix is thick enough, pick some up and mould into a ball. When you let go, it should keep its shape without water oozing out of it or falling apart. Ensure you have mixed enough concrete to make an even 40mm layer in the patio bed. 

Laying the patio slabs

Before you can begin to lay your slabs, it's important to dampen them so they don't dry out your concrete too quickly. Once this is done, you can lay your first slab. Slowly lower your slab in position into the concrete mix and gently tap it with a rubber mallet in order to fix it into place. In ideal terms, you'll want your slabs to sit around 15mm into the mortar. Repeat this process with the remaining slabs, leaving a 10-15mm gap between each one until your patio bed is covered. After all of your slabs are laid, spray the entire areas with water until it's completely saturated and leave it to set for a minimum of 24 hours. 

Finishing touches 

The last part of laying your slabs involves applying the finishing touches. Here, use a trowel to fill the gaps between your slabs with a suitable grout, ensuring that no residue is left on the patio's surface. Clean away any other mess that may be laying on top of your slabs and leave to set.

Dry-Installing Your Paving Slabs 

The above method is what is traditionally used by the majority of patio installers. However, thanks to PrimaPorcelain's revolutionary pedestal support system, you are able to make the installation process even easier, with no mess whatsoever - laying patio tiles has never been easier! Eliminate the need for traditional adhesives and mortar such as cement and lay your slabs onto our state-of-the-art pedestals.

Here, your slabs can be laid immediately, with absolutely no drying-out time needed! You can even run any necessary cables and wires underneath if you have any special features in your garden - perfect! One of the great things about our pedestal supports is that if you ever feel like moving your slabs, all you need to do is simply lift them up and relocate without having to dig them up. You can find out more about our pedestal support system below. 

Pedestal Support System >

For more information on how to lay patio tiles or what you should lay your patio slabs on, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of the PrimaPorcelain team today by calling 02920 803756 or emailing us at info@primaporcelain.co.uk. 

Here at PrimaPorcelain, we know that real wood is a highly desirable and stylish flooring option. It's traditional, it creates a cosy atmosphere and it's been a firm favourite of interior designers for years. But, there's a catch. It can be a real nightmare to take care of! 

No matter how hard you try to avoid those accidental spills, muddy shoe stains (that could have been avoided if someone remembered to take their shoes off at the door), and scratches from heavy furniture, these things happen. But if you choose a tile floor, they won't leave a lasting impression on your newly renovated living space. 

Still not convinced that a tile floor that looks like wood is the way to go? Let's talk through some of the benefits of choosing tiles over trees...

1. Stain-resistant

With real wood flooring, it's absolutely vital that spills are cleaned up as soon as they occur, otherwise (you guessed it) you'll find yourself with an unsightly stain on your hands.  Be careful though, taking a wet mop (or anything too wet) to your wood floor can cause it to swell and bow. Now you've got two problems to contend with! Only a damp or a dry cloth should be used to tackle stains on wood floors.

On the other hand, our wood effect porcelain tiles can be wiped clean with no fuss. Spilt liquids will sit on the surface of our porcelain tiles where they can be lifted away with minimal effort leaving nothing but the beautiful wood effect behind. Don't worry, our non-porous tiles won't absorb moisture so you can grab your mop and get the job done without clambering around on your hands and knees. 

2. Scratch-resistant

Alongside your real-wood flooring order, you should probably invest in some furniture pads to prevent the inevitable scratching. Whether it's the TV cabinet, the sofa or the chairs around your dining table, your wood floors will let you know if things have been moved around too forcefully. Without furniture pads, you can expect to see deep grooves, scuffs and scrapes that are incredibly difficult to remove. 

Our porcelain tiles, however, have been put through a rigorous deep abrasion resistance test to ensure that no visible scratching occurs. Even if you do spot a little scuff, we're confident that it can be brushed away. 

Whether you're renovating a home before you move in, or you're sprucing up a room in your existing home, your furniture will need to be moved in after the floor's been laid. Avoid scuffing it from day one by choosing tiles that look like wood.

3. Low maintenance

When it comes to maintaining real wood flooring, you'll be popping out to buy floor cleaner and varnish at least once a year. Without it, your wood floor will start to look dull, worn and lack-lustre. Not ideal if you've just forked out thousands of pounds to have it installed, right? 

PrimaPorcelain wood effect tiles are notorious for requiring minimal maintenance. With a porosity level of less than 0.05%, you'll never need to seal or varnish them. Instead, you'll need to take a warm soapy cloth or mop and give them a quick rinse every now and again, that's all!

 4. Environmentally-friendly

Although the look and feel of nature in your home is appealing, the impact this can have on the environment is less so. In order for you to bring nature indoors, it has to be cut down outdoors. For the environmentally-friendly homeowners amongst you, this idea might not appeal. Luckily for you, our tiles that look like wood might be a great, eco-friendly alternative. 

We source all of our materials in an environmentally way, limiting transportation wherever we can. Once our tiles go into production, we make sure we recoup our waste materials and include information about using them in an environmentally friendly manner in our packaging. Perfect if you're looking to renovate your home without damaging our precious earth.

Our Forest Range

If you've made it this far, we're fairly sure you'll be ready to consider some of our wood-effect porcelain tiles for your home. Our Forest tiles come in four shades, so whether you want to go for a pale pine effect or a deeper oak finish, we've got you covered. Each shade offers a fine texture as well as the charming swirls and knots you expect to see in real wood. Select one of our shades below to find out more. 

• Forest White Pine
• Forest Grey Larch
• Forest Oak
• Forest Lignum

For more information about our range of tiles that look like wood, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to help!