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.

This is PrimaPorcelain’s guide to installing a 'Loose Lay' stepping stone path in your garden. It is quick, easy and will enhance any outdoor space visually and practically, giving you year-round access to areas that may get muddy in the winter.

Your stepping stone garden path can be made using porcelain paving slabs you have left over from a bigger project, or you can order PrimaPorcelain outdoor paving specifically for this purpose – either way, it is easily achievable even for a novice and your finished path will be truly stunning.

What you’ll need:

• Straight edge spade
• Rubber mallet
• Straight edge or spirit level
• Brush
• Gloves (optional)
• Small bags of sharp sand

STEP ONE – Setting Out:

Plan your path before digging. Lay out your porcelain slabs to determine the ideal spacing and curve if needed.

STEP TWO – Digging Out:

Using the slab as a template, use the spade to cut around the slab.

The slabs are 20mm thick so you will need to cut down into the ground by around 50mm.  This will create a thin sand bed and will help ensure the slab sits slightly below the level of the grass to allow a lawn mower to pass over safely.   Please note: If laying the slabs in gravel or shingle, dig a shallower hole to allow the slab to sit slightly proud of the loose material.

STEP THREE – Laying Out:

Pour a thin bed of sharp sand into the hole making sure you spread it into all corners evenly, leaving a fairly flat surface.

Carefully place the slab in the hole, gently tap with the rubber mallet to ensure the slab is settled on the sand.  Then use a straight edge or spirit level to determine the slab is laid perfectly flat. Fill the gaps around the edges with sand, and finally brush the slab clear of sand. This process can be repeated if movement occurs once the path is finished.

STEP FOUR – Enjoyment and Maintenance:

Your pathway should be very low-maintenance but occasionally a slab may work its way loose, especially in areas of the garden that hold water, step three can be repeated here. 

Laying your path into a cement bed:

The PrimaPorcelain installation team recommend that if you want to lay these stepping stones into a cement bed you need to follow these steps but dig out approximately 50mm deeper to allow for the sand cement bed and use an SBR Bonding agent in the cement mix. They also recommend covering the back of the tile fully with the cement mix rather than the dot/dab method.

To view our range of porcelain paving, click here. Or if you’d like to speak to a member of our team about having a stepping stone path installed as part of your garden project, click here.

Did you know, we now offer large and small porcelain tile samples? Once you've picked your favourite porcelain paving, use our paving calculator to work out how many pavers you need & order directly through the website. We can't wait to help you transform your garden!