PAVING the way

CHECK OUT THESE TOP TIPS FOR FLAT-OUT FABULOUS FOOTPATHS

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Whether it’s a stable platform for outdoor living, an area for lounging by the pool or an all-weather route to the compost bin, hard surfaces are essential in the modern garden. The options are numerous, so how do you decide what’s right for your place? Here are our suggestions for getting the most out of your outdoor floor.

1 MAKE A PLAN

A paving plan is essential for all but the tiniest gardens. An accurate scaled plan of your site will help you work out how much paving is required for each element: terrace, footpaths or driveway. If budget constraints mean you need to develop the garden in stages, a plan will help you decide where and when the money is best spent.

2 SPREAD THE BUDGET

It makes sense to allocate most of your paving budget to high use areas such as terraces, swimming pool surrounds and front paths. Here you might opt for sandstone, bluestone or custom-made concrete pavers, while standard concrete pavers set into gravel or pebbles can be reserved for side paths and service areas.

3 FIT FOR PURPOSE