We have dozens of different paving colours on offer here at PrimaPorcelain, and we love it when our customers combine two of those colours to create a spectacular two-tone patio.

There are many different ways to utilise contrasting colours when designing your patio, and each method produces strikingly unique results. Read on for some eye-catching examples of this 'mix and match' approach to paving your garden!

1. Checkerboard Patio Paving

One of the most popular two-tone patio designs is the 'checkerboard' style, where dark and light tiles are alternated to imitate the appearance of a chess board. This customer achieved that very look using our Henley Black and Hampton Silver paving slabs.

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Now that winter is out of the way and the spring is very much upon us, it is the perfect time to start thinking about the much-needed improvements your outdoor space has been crying out for and what better place to start than your garden's patio!?

If you don't have a patio, don't worry, this blog still applies to you! Here, we'll be taking a look at some of the very best 2021 patio trends that are sure to take gardens up and down the country by storm. 

So, what are we waiting for? Let's dive in!

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When the nights are warm and the weather is fine, enjoying the outdoors in the evening can be a popular past-time.

In fact, it’s not unusual for family barbeques to run long and a summer social can often run on long after the last chunk of charcoal has lost its glow.

Avoid a premature curfew by accessorising your outdoor space with effective patio lighting and keep your garden radiant long after the sun goes down.

Do I need patio lights?

For those that love the outdoors, appropriate patio lighting can be necessary piece or equipment. It’s also a great way to really make the most of your garden, adding hours of enjoyment to an evening.

After all, why should you have to abide by a daylight deadline? It’s your property and you should be able to enjoy it as you like.

But it’s not just a case of “any old lights will do”. The right lighting can make all the difference, especially when it comes to gardens at night.

Patio lights in particular can be the ultimate ambience enhancer. Choose wisely and your patio could become an enchanting site of visual delight the moment the sun takes a bow.

What patio lights are best for me?

There are hundreds of patio lights on the market, varying in shape, style and colour, as well as power. Here are a few of the most popular options to help get you started.

Wall lanterns

Ideal for illuminating a specific area of your patio, fixed wall lanterns can spread light into a chosen focal point of your outdoor space. They are also excellent all-weather lighting solutions that won’t let you down when the weather takes a turn.

Caged lights

Also known as coastal lights or marine lights, these caged lamps are reminiscent of the ones you would expect to see on a boat. Quirky and different, they provide a unique lighting solution that’s both stylish and memorable.

Hanging bulbs

Hanging bulbs can create somewhat of a festive ambience that’s acceptable all-year round. A popular choice among wedding decor and festivals furnishing alike, these trailing cables of colour can brighten up your patio perfectly and help add an element of fun to your outdoor space.

Table lamps

Found in a variety of styles and colours, cordless table lamps make the perfect light for a quiet night on the patio. Meanwhile, multiple lamps can be ideal for illuminating a smaller patio for a larger gathering. These are typically rechargeable, providing a reusable lighting solution that doesn’t require installation, while they can also be used indoors if desired.

Solar markers

Typically found in the form of pointed markers reminiscent of the Olympic Flame, these javelin-like stakes are the perfect solution for eco-friendly garden lighting – provided you have somewhere to plant them into the ground. They are also commonly available as spherical orbs that can simply be placed in an area of your choice, ideal for garden planters, flower pots and even window boxes.

Outdoor lighting tips

Once you’ve settled on the right light for you, there are a few other important things to keep in mind.

One of the most important things to consider is just how much lighting you’ll need. Be sure to measure the area to ensure you don’t overcompensate on lights or underestimate the space. This will allow you to buy the appropriate amount of lighting for your space.

Meanwhile, the light itself can also be a factor. If you plan on using your patio for entertaining and socialising, bright lighting can often be a bit of a mood-killer. Nobody wants a beaming spotlight in their eyeline when they’re eating, chatting or relaxing, so it’s worth opting for subtle lighting instead.

That being said, LEDs – although often bright – typically use a lot less energy than traditional bulbs, making them more energy efficient for your garden. Meanwhile, for an even more eco-friendly solution, solar-powered bulbs are obviously the king of clean green lighting.

Finally, bear in mind that lighting can also provide an effective security solution for your home. Keeping your entrances well-lit can deter intruders, while it can also make detection a lot easier, should you suspect something untoward is afoot, so it’s worth lighting your entry points well.

For more information on how to light your patio and what lights may best complement your tiles, give us a call on 029 2080 3756.

Our paving experts will be able to shed some light on your patio plight and point you in the right direction!

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2019 is just around the corner, and the big question on all of our lips here at PrimaPorcelain is, what patio trends can we expect to see in 2019?

Our PrimaPorcelain team have reviewed our most popular orders from this year and scoured the internet to bring you a forecast of patio trends we can expect to see in 2019. With rising summer temperatures, we see an increasing number of homeowners looking to expand and improve their outdoor living spaces so they can be enjoyed and used as frequently as the rest of the home.  With this comes a desire to create a space that is practical, beautiful and on trend. Continue reading if you’d like to learn more about the patio trends we expect to see in 2019.

Indoor to outdoor transition

As previously mentioned, more and more of our customers come to us requesting a way of blending their indoor and outdoor living spaces together. A well-crafted, well designed outdoor patio can add extra space that can be enjoyed as though it was part of your existing home. One way of creating a truly seamless transition from indoors to outdoors is by laying the same paving across the two spaces. Almost all of PrimaPorcelain’s tiles can be purchased in both 10mm (indoors) and 20mm (outdoors) thickness, making them suitable for creating this transitionary patio trend.

Take a look at the tiles we stock that can be used to create this trend here:

Indoor/Outdoor Transition >

Tones of Grey

This year we had a dramatic influx in orders of grey paving. It wouldn’t surprise us at all if this trend carries on into 2019. Grey tones compliment contemporary, urban patio designs and provide a neutral backdrop for any garden furniture or accessories you like. We have an extensive range of grey paving with different finishes that can be used both indoors and outdoors to create a trendy living space.

Grey Paving >

Stepping Stone Paths

Stepping stone paths aren’t by any means a new garden feature, but we have seen an increase in the number of customers asking our design teams to add this to their 3D design. Stepping stone paths are ideal if you have areas of your garden that become boggy or muddy throughout the year. They are also a great way of adding a garden feature that perfectly complements your new patio, so there’s no surprise that we expect to see requests for them rocket as we enter 2019.

We recently wrote a blog on how to lay a stepping stone garden path using PrimaPorcelain paving to show how simple this trend is to execute. Have a read here:

Stepping Stones Path Blog >

These are just a couple of the patio trends we expect to see repeatedly throughout 2019. If you’d like to enquire about implementing any of these trends into your home/garden then don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team.