How to choose a patio stone colour

Grey, buff, brown or black? A short guide to picking a paving colour you will still like in ten years.

Start with the house and garden

Look at the brick, render and roof colours and the planting. Cool greys such as Kandla Grey suit modern houses. Warm browns such as Autumn Brown suit older brick. Mixed tones such as Raj Green blend easily with planting.

Think about light and heat

Dark stone looks dramatic but shows dust and water marks, and it can get warm in direct sun. Light stone brightens shady gardens.

Plan for variation

Natural stone changes from slab to slab. Mix slabs from several packs while laying and view a full-size sample before you order.

Check the samples outside

Look at samples in your garden at different times of day, wet and dry. Wet stone is darker. Sealing also deepens colour, so test on an offcut.

For a deeper guide on sun direction, layout and trees, read how to choose the right sandstone colour, or try the stone visualiser.

Browse all stones or read about sandstone and limestone.