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Project Planning Outdoor
If you are a homeowner, renovating, or building a new house, there are many aspects of any outdoor living project to consider when starting a new project. Whether you love looking at home design magazines or watching home renovation shows, it can get you thinking about what you want in your home's curb appeal or backyard oasis.
With Garden State Porcelain Pavers, we want to offer our customers not only high-quality and beautifully designed porcelain pavers, but we also want to educate you on what important things to consider when starting a driveway renovation, patio, outdoor kitchen, or pool deck.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DESIGN
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
Before diving into your outdoor project, take the time to gather inspiration and develop a clear vision for your space. Start by exploring outdoor living and landscape design magazines, home improvement websites, and social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. Focus on identifying porcelain paver designs, color palettes, and layout patterns that resonate with your personal style and suit the functionality of your outdoor area—whether it’s a patio, poolside, walkway, or garden path.
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Look closely at how different textures and finishes interact with natural elements like sunlight, greenery, and water features. Consider how various shades of porcelain pavers coordinate with existing exterior elements such as siding, fencing, or outdoor furniture. Save images and create a mood board or digital collection of ideas that capture your preferred aesthetic.
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Research not only the look but also the practical aspects of porcelain pavers—such as slip resistance, durability, and how different styles perform in various climates. Having a strong foundation of knowledge and visual examples will help you make more confident decisions when it’s time to choose products, work with professionals, or plan the layout of your new outdoor space.
2. CHOOSING A COLOR PALETTE
Selecting the right color palette is a key step in creating a cohesive and visually appealing outdoor space. Begin by choosing one dominant color that will serve as the foundation for your design. For porcelain pavers, this primary tone is typically a neutral—such as soft beige, crisp white, sleek silver, deep black, or versatile grey. These timeless hues not only offer flexibility in design but also help ensure your space maintains a classic look for years to come.
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Next, add up to two accent colors to enhance visual interest and reflect your personal style. Popular and enduring accent choices include rich golds, vibrant turquoise, bold reds, deep blues, and warm oranges. These colors can be introduced through accessories, furnishings, planters, or even outdoor textiles to add contrast and dimension to the space without overwhelming it.
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When planning around a pool or water feature, make sure to factor in the color of your pool tile. It should harmonize with your paver selection rather than compete with it—ideally acting as a subtle complement that ties the whole palette together. A thoughtful color strategy will help bring unity to your design while elevating the beauty of your porcelain pavers.
3. MATCH YOUR PAVER TO THE MAIN COLOR PALETTE
Once you’ve defined your color palette, it’s time to choose porcelain pavers that align seamlessly with your primary hue. The paver you select will serve as the visual anchor of your outdoor space, so it should reflect the tone and mood you want to create—whether that’s warm and inviting, cool and modern, or bold and expressive.
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If your main color is a soft beige or warm neutral, consider options like our 2cm Shellstone or Sandstone. These choices offer a natural, sun-washed look that pairs beautifully with greenery, wood accents, and traditional landscaping. For cooler color schemes centered around greys or silvers, explore selections such as Quartz Gris, Sandstone Grey, or Tuscany Silver—each offering a sleek, contemporary feel with subtle texture and tone variations that add depth without overpowering the space.
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For those looking to make a statement, our DaVinci collection is an excellent choice. Available in both 2cm and 3cm thicknesses, DaVinci combines striking patterning with modern sophistication, making it ideal for feature areas like patios, walkways, or entryways where you want to draw the eye and express a unique design perspective.
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No matter which style you choose, selecting a paver that complements your color palette ensures a polished, intentional look and lays the groundwork for a cohesive outdoor environment.
HOW TO CHOOSE SHAPES & PATTERNS
1. CHOOSING A PATTERN
The most common is the straight lay pattern, which will create an overall grid pattern. The running brick pattern is a pattern consistently used on walkways that creates an offset design for each row. The herringbone pattern is booming back into popularity and mostly seen on home design shows. This beautiful design features 45-degree angles with a "v"-shape.
2. MAKE A UNIQUE DESIGN
Some of our porcelain pavers come in multiple sizes allowing for unique design opportunities. With some Porcelain Pavers available in both 24"x24" and 16"x32". If you have a talented install team, you may be able to create a unique look.
3. PLANK VS. SQUARE PORCELAIN PAVERS
We offer plank porcelain pavers that are a favorite among commercial contractors and builders. Our Cadore Rover and Cadore Frassino plank porcelain pavers come in 8"x32" size, resembling wood planks. These are great for a rustic or Italian Villa design. Square porcelain pavers are more traditional and transcend time in 24"x24" and 12"x12" sizes.
4. THINK ABOUT YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE
When choosing a shape and pattern, think about the space you are designing. If you need to elongate your surface area, it could be good to go with a longer rectangle or plank shaped porcelain paver opposed to a traditional square shape.