Knowing how to make your patio look expensive is all in the planning. Designers agree that getting design fundamentals like the paving and layout right from the start is key to achieving a space that is functional, stylish and has a high-end look.
Sticking to a limited selection when it comes to items like hardscaping choices, furniture and paint colours is a simple but effective method that can help to elevate the overall look and feel of your patio. Plus, this simple approach can help to keep down costs.
"It can be easier than you think to make a patio look expensive," says Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA. "And the good news is you don’t necessarily have to make a big investment to achieve the effect." With a little insider know-how, there are plenty of ways to give your budget patio ideas a designer look.
1. Use patio paving to create a high-end finish
When it comes to enhancing a patio, the choice of pavers and the shape of the layout will have a significant impact on the overall look of your space. These are two of the most important considerations when it comes to designing a patio, especially if you're searching for ways to make a patio look expensive.
Stick to a simple layout to keep down costs rather than introducing a complicated design then you can go for more luxe-looking materials. For a truly seamless effect, consider continuing the same tiles from an interior space out onto the patio. This blurs the boundary between indoors and out for a more cohesive, "designed" look.
"Choosing the right patio paving is key to creating a harmonious connection with your home’s interior too," says Molly Woodward-Moor, interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore. "Bold tiles can be an effective way to infuse colour and contrast, creating a sense of depth and personality."
Alternatively, opt for large-format tiles or natural stone tiles in light, neutral hues to create a sense of openness and flow. It's also a clever way to make a small patio look bigger. Always match your grout to the tile as closely as possible to reduce visual breaks and create a seamless, expensive-looking feel.
Molly Woodward-Moor is creative director at Stone Superstore. She has a wealth of design and home development expertise alongside her degree in interior design. Molly has been instrumental in crafting visuals and innovative, trend-led marketing content for the likes of John Lewis, The White Company, Magnet Kitchens and Wickes. She has a keen eye for trends along with a passion for interior design, and can offer insight and expert advice to transform spaces.
2. Add a pergola for a designer look
Making your patio look high-end doesn’t have to mean completely renovating it from scratch. There are lots of pergola ideas that will instantly elevate the space, providing a sleek structure that frames the patio and makes it look more designed. It's an easy way to upgrade your patio that doesn't have to involve a major overhaul of the existing space yet adds a touch of luxe to the look.
“One of the most effective ways to breathe new life into a tired patio is by adding a pergola," says John Foster, exteriors installation manager at Hillarys. "A pergola not only provides shade and structure, but it also creates a clear focal point that draws the eye away from any other patio imperfections."
To make your patio feel new, choose a simple, contemporary pergola design that complements your home’s architecture. Aluminium pergolas have an especially luxurious appearance thanks to their sleek, contemporary profiles and high-quality powder-coated finishes.
"When fitted with smart electric louvres and integrated side screens, a pergola offers a sophisticated, hi-tech edge," says John. "This creates a striking focal point that instantly elevates the look and feel of any patio.”
Before you add a pergola to your space, make sure you look into whether your pergola will need planning permission as rules can vary depending on your home and where you live.
This great-value metal pergola has a retractable canopy roof so you can control how much sunlight reaches your patio space. The material is SPF15 UV-resistant for extra sun protection too. It can be built on grass or on a patio.
Made from a sturdy aluminium and steel frame, this contemporary 3x3m square pergola has a Textilene slatted roof so you can open and close it as desired. Self assembly is required and it comes with a one-year guarantee.
Measuring 3.5x3.5m, this pergola is made from powder coated aluminium with a weatherproof, adjustable textile roof, which has UV protection so it doesn't fade in the sun. Comes with a three-year manufacturing warranty.
John Foster oversees the national installation team for Hillarys. With a construction background and specialist product knowledge, John has a hands-on approach, dismantling each product down to component level and rebuilding it to truly understand how every part functions.
3. Use paint for an instant patio upgrade
One of the simplest and most effective ways to make a patio look expensive is with a colour refresh. This can be as easy as highlighting one feature wall with an accent colour that brings it bang up to date. A paint makeover like this adds a focal point with personality to your patio, and elevates garden wall ideas to the level of your interior. Alternatively, you could consider painting patio slabs to give dated designs a modern facelift.
"A simple update such as painting an exterior wall to offset patio furniture can make the space feel renewed," says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. "I love to use colour in unexpected ways to update an outside area. Even the smallest outdoor space can be transformed with a splash of colour into a place where you can escape and retreat to at the end of the day."
4. Disguise tired pavers with a designer rug
Patterned and textured outdoor rugs are an easy fix for covering discoloured, cracked or cheap patio paving, plus they're one of our favourite ways to make a patio look expensive. They create an instant focal point and help to define a patio space. There are plenty of affordable outdoor rugs to choose from that will see you through the summer as a quick lift for your garden paving ideas and then they can be rolled up and stored when not in use.
"If your patio paving stones are looking a little tired, but you’re not quite ready for a complete overhaul, look for an outdoor rug for an easy fix," says Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA. "A rug has the power to change the aesthetic and mood in an instant, and alfresco areas are no different. Lay a rug on your patio and just watch the space transform."
Made from recycled plastic, this hardwearing outdoor rug is an inexpensive way to add a splash of colour to your patio. It's fully waterproof and can be wiped clean with a brush or washed with mild soap and water. Available in a range of sizes.
With its timeless colour combination of blue and cream, this outdoor design has caught our eye. With its subtle pattern and durable materials, it's guaranteed to instantly smarten up a tired patio space.
With its chic grey and off-white colourway, this indoor-outdoor rug would be the perfect addition to a Scandi-inspired patio space. It's available in a choice of three different sizes and there are other colour options too, including black/white and blue/beige.
Sue Jones began her design career at Colefax and Fowler before going on to work for Jasper Conran for 10 years. She founded OKA in early 1999 with friends Annabel Astor and Lucinda Waterhouse. Today, Sue holds the role of creative director, continuing to play a crucial role in the development of the brand.
5. Stick with neutral colours for an expensive-looking patio
A classic neutral colour palette of cream, sand and taupe, with the introduction of soft greys and earth tones here and there, is a simple trick designers use to make a patio look expensive.
Stick with these colours when you're on the hunt for affordable pieces and they will look so much more expensive than harsh brights when it comes to mixing and matching them.
"Applying a fresh coat of paint, especially in lighter shades like soft whites or pastels can enhance the perception of space and brightness. Buttercream yellow has been particularly popular this season too," says Edith Langford, a stylist and set designer at Corston Architectural Detail. "This technique also reflects natural light, creating an inviting and airy atmosphere."
6. Enhance the night-time patio with subtle lighting
"Transform your patio into a beautiful and inviting retreat with the right garden lighting," says Sally Storey, creative director at John Cullen Lighting. "As dusk falls, thoughtful lighting can unveil a wonderful new perspective, turning your patio into a stunning extra room that's perfect for every season."
Using lighting to improve the ambience and highlight the best features will make a patio look expensive. It's a good idea to layer up the lights, pushing solar stake lights into containers and surrounding flowerbeds, arranging lanterns and candles on table tops and stringing festoon lights up high to add a magical touch. Alternatively you can add a pendant light overhead for a luxe look.
When it comes to where to position landscape lighting, Sally has this advice: "Add a wash of light to the planting surrounding your patio dining area to show off the plants when it gets dark," she says. "This is best achieved with a selection of spiked spotlights and floodlights for the front of flower beds or paths."
Sally is considered one of the world’s leading lighting experts. In 2021 Sally received the highest award in lighting, the LIT Lifetime Achievement Recipient for her contribution to lighting. She has written four books on the subject of lighting. Her fourth book Inspired by Light was published by RIBA (Royal Association of British Architects) in 2022.
FAQs
How can I make my patio look new again?
It's easy to make your patio look new again if it feels a little tired and unloved. So if an unkempt space with discoloured patio pavers and an unloved feel sounds familiar here's what to do.
"Regular sweeping, power washing and treating stains promptly makes even older patio paving look fresher and more uniform," says Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors. "Neglecting this can undo all the effort put into furniture or decor, so it’s always the first thing I recommend."
A grubby patio is always going to look drab and unloved, so find out how to clean patio slabs to keep them looking good and give the space a lift. "Use a weeding knife to remove weeds from the joints, and clean the slabs with a stiff brush and a suitable patio cleaning solution," says property and construction expert Thomas Goodman.
"To speed things up, you can use a pressure washer on most surfaces. Just be sure to use a low pressure and hold nozzles away from the surface to prevent damage." Find out how to remove algae from patio slabs too, if that's also an issue.
Once the surface has been cleaned, it might be worth renewing the joints to help smarten up the patio area and keep weeds at bay. "You can do this yourself with a polymeric paving sand or jointing compound," explains Thomas. "Polymeric sand just needs brushing into the gaps and tamping down. Then you will need to mist it with water to set it."
"My final piece of advice for making a patio look expensive? The secret is to consider the space an extension of your home, and decorate it as you would any other room in the house," says OKA's Sue Jones.
"Think about those finishing touches you’d use to make your indoor spaces feel elevated, and copy these outside: portable table lamps for ambience, showerproof cushions, and terracotta pots and planters will make your space feel inviting.
"Finally, everything and everyone looks better by candlelight, so I’d also recommend adding a few patio lighting ideas such as hurricane lamps for a luxuriously flattering glow."
