Adding potted plants to your patio is a great way to bring your outdoor space to life. Sure, most plants are at their best during the spring and summer months, but that doesn't mean your patio should look bare through the autumn and winter months. If you're lucky, some of your spring/summer bloomers will continue to produce flowers as we head into the colder seasons, but most flowers will die back within a matter of weeks.

If you're looking for some patio plant suggestions that will look good through autumn and winter, look no further. We've rounded up a selection of our favourite autumn patio plants so that you can enjoy your patio all year round. 

Don't forget to check out our wide range of porcelain paving if you want to add a new patio to your home for winter!

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Autumn Flowers

Looking at pretty flowers can trigger chemicals in your brain like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin (otherwise known as the happy chemicals). Looking at flowers can make you feel less depressed and anxious, so there's a real mental health benefit if you can encourage some flowers to grow on your patio this autumn.

Hardy Fuchsia

Looking for something that will add an instant pop of colour to your patio? The hardy fuchsia (or fuchsia magellanica) are known for their gorgeous 'ballerina' flowers which are capable of surviving throughout the autumn and the winter. 

Amaranthus

With tassle-like flowers, amaranthus species are a great option if you're looking for a more unusual patio plant. These flowers bloom in autumn and stick around for a few weeks into winter. When cut, they can be used in gorgeous autumnal flower arrangements. 

Cosmos

One of our all-time favourite autumn patio plants is cosmos! Blooming from spring right up until the first frost of the year, these delicate flowers are sure to put a smile on anyone's face. At the end of the season, cosmos will die back, self-seed and create even more beautiful blooms in your garden for the following year!

Autumn Herbs

Another great way to bring your patio to live during the autumn and winter months is to add a herb garden. Unlike most flowers, herbs are hardy enough to withstand the pressure of autumn and winter - plus they can be very helpful in the kitchen. Summer herbs like basil and chives won't make it through the winter, so it's important that you harvest these before the first frost. 

Herbs that will last well through autumn and into winter include sage, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme. It's no surprise that these are often additions in our favourite autumn/winter meals. Creating a herb garden on your patio is really easy and you can enjoy the fruits of your labour all year round.

We hope that this gives you a few autumn patio plant ideas. A quick reminder that the clocks go back on Sunday 25th October, giving us an all-important extra hour in the day. Perhaps you could utilise this to give your patio planters some TLC!

Thinking about redesigning your back garden, but don't want to deal with a lawn? If so, you've come to the right place!

Here we have a few no-grass garden ideas that are sure to make a statement and impress your guests. From decks and patios to pools and flowerbeds, there are many ways to add some much-needed life and va-va-voom to your outdoor space without so much as a single blade of grass!

So, let's take a look at what options are available to you...

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The porcelain slabs that we supply here at PrimaPorcelain come in a range of standard sizes including, 40cm x 80cm, 60cm x 60cm and 20cm x 120cm. However, when it comes to laying your new porcelain paving in your home or garden, you may need to cut the slabs down to fit in a certain gap or around an existing feature. In this blog, we'll talk you through the equipment you'll need and the method you should use to cut your porcelain slabs up safely. Our full installation resource can be found here. 

To cut porcelain slabs, you will need:

• A circular saw
• Durable cutting blade
• Gloves
• Safety goggles
• Mask

1. Safety precautions

Before you start cutting your porcelain slabs, it's paramount that you take the necessary safety precautions. While cutting your porcelain slabs, you may see flecks of stone and dust in the air. These can be dangerous because they might a) hit you at force and cause an injury or b) enter your lungs and cause irritation. Therefore, you should make sure that you have and use appropriate personal protective equipment (listed above) before cutting your porcelain slabs. 

2. Choosing a circular saw

Here at PrimaPorcelain, we recommend the Rubi TC-180 circular saw which is designed for cutting porcelain. This comes with two different blade options, the dry blade (model number Rubi TCR31975 180mm), or the wet blade (model number Rubi CPC230955 180mm).

3. Choosing the right blades

Porcelain slabs are notoriously hard and dense, which means a regular circular saw might not be capable of slicing through them. Cheap blades will wear down very quickly and are far more likely to chip or shatter your porcelain slabs as you make your cuts. We'd recommend investing in a high-quality diamond blade for your circular saw. This will ensure that the cuts are clean and will reduce the likelihood of broken or damaged tiles.

We often recommend that our clients use a wet blade to cut their porcelain slabs because this method allows the most precise cuts. The water keeps the blade cool while it cuts through the tough material, this means there's less friction which means less chance of a crack or split. 

Cutting the tiles

To cut your porcelain slabs accurately, we'd recommend marking where you need to cut. This ensures that you get a straight and precise finish. Line the circular saw up with your pre-drawn mark and begin to cut down into the tile, applying light pressure.

One of the biggest tips we can give you is to take your time! Porcelain slabs are notoriously hard and brittle and will begin to chip if you cut too deep too quickly. Ideally, you'll be using a wet blade which, as we've previously mentioned, will help to keep the blade cool as well as making for a cleaner cut. 

If you want to cut your porcelain tiles along a curve or radius, you may need to use a hand-held circular saw rather than a fixed one, to allow you to create a contour as you cut. This method is perfect if you have garden features that you need to work around. 

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Hopefully, this guide will help you cut your porcelain tiles in a safe and accurate manner. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about installation - 029 2080 3756.

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.

Our porcelain 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

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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!

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