Beautifully designed, functional patios – Edinburgh & the Lothians

From providing a space for al fresco dining to adding structure and reducing maintenance in your garden, adding a patio can transform your property. A patio will extend your space, take a part of your ‘’inside’’ outside, and open up new ways of living.

When considering patio designs, it makes sense to take into account your needs as well as your circumstances. Do you want your patio to be primarily an outdoor dining room? A space for your children to play? A secluded area for quiet relaxation? Is your space adjacent to the house or further out in the garden? What is the aspect of the property – is the patio going to have sun in the afternoon, evening or morning? Would timber decking or a paved patio be a better choice?

Wooden decking has several advantages: it is warm underfoot, it creates a raised platform above ground and it is cheaper to instal, but it needs frequent maintenance and is subject to rot in the longer term. A paved patio, although requiring a higher initial outlay, will last for a long time, has more potential for making a striking visual statement, can bear bigger loads, and is an investment that can add value to your property.

Patios (and other paved areas such as pathways) are a great way to divide your garden into different sections. This often creates an impression of a larger and more interesting space, as well as providing structure that makes the whole garden more usable.

In smaller, confined or shady gardens, a professionally constructed patio can turn a sad patch of neglected ground into a beautiful outdoor extension of your living space. In larger gardens, a patio can also reduce the time spent cutting grass and looking after the lawn.

A patio is by no means just paving: larger and smaller planters or planted borders can add colour or provide a handy space for your herb garden, while making the maintenance easier. What about fixed outdoor furniture? Or a fire pit? Tell us what you see with your mind’s eye and we will help you turn the ideas into a reality.

At Lothian Paving we take great pride in creating bespoke garden patios for customers in Edinburgh & the Lothians. Browse our gallery to see more garden patio ideas for inspiration, and when we start working together on your dream patio, we will talk you through the whole process and help you develop your design.

In addition to aesthetic and functional considerations, we will also use our experience and professional expertise to choose the best materials and the best construction methods for your particular property, so your patio is built quickly and with a minimum mess and inconvenience, but to a standard that will ensure years of service. Depending on the type of patio, we can use a product called geo-fix – a jointing compound that doesn’t require water or cement so there is less mess in your garden while the patio installation is going on.

We can also help you choose the right materials to minimise maintenance and keep your patio looking great for longer, for example reducing unsightly efflorescence.

From preparing the ground and substrate, ensuring adequate drainage, and choosing the best patio slabs or patio tiles, to all the finishing touches for the final wow effect, Lothian Paving will make sure you get a patio perfect for your needs.

Edinburgh weather is not known for its year-round balminess and on many a chilly evening, a fire pit will provide a welcome warmth, as well as a visual and social focus for your patio – without the mess or effort involved in building a bonfire. And we don’t  need to tell you that nothing matches a taste of sausages (or marshmallows!) grilled over open fire.

Lothian Paving will build you a beautiful, functional fire pit or outdoor fireplace designed to fit and match the rest of your outdoor space.

If your existing patio is looking a bit worse for wear, our pressure washing will freshen up the patio stones and bring them back to life. After years of use, your patio, walls, steps and edgings may be worn or unstable, creating safety hazards and unsightly impression. Our repointing and repair service will put this right to make your garden a better looking and safer environment for you and your family.