Beige often isn’t the first colour you think of when you start to design your outdoor space. We take a look at why it deserves to be used more often.

Beige porcelain patio with steps descends to lawn in large fenced garden with mature trees.
Here Austin Landscapes have chosen Golden Stone Porcelain paving. Its beige colour really complements the warmth of late afternoon sunshine.

Grey paving is so popular, it can be difficult to think past it. Its popularity explains why it comes in so many different shades. The tonal options of beige porcelain paving slabs may be fewer, but there are certainly times when it will suit your needs and outdoor space better.

A warm foundation

If your garden would benefit from an injection of warmth—perhaps it’s north-facing or shaded—beige porcelain paving is an easy way to add it. In paler shades, it offers that “white not quite” tonality which draws light into a space but avoids looking stark. This also has a practical side; in a sunny spot, where cream or white might reflect sunlight too strongly, beige will draw in the sunshine without dazzling.

Florence Beige porcelain patio with grey cushioned bench seats attached to white rendered raised beds in garden corner.
The light, warm neutral tone of Florence Beige porcelain paving slabs softens the feel of this modern patio by Floral and Hardy.

Soft neutrals

No need to avoid white or cream, though. Colour schemes of beige and cream or white never fail to please, with white emphasising the warmer hue. Beige is a neutral colour that will soften a monotonal design, without overpowering it. In the beige porcelain patio pictured, beige and white create a more relaxed ambiance than you might find with an all grey/white combination. The colour adds a warm foundation to the clean, monotonal lines.

Florence Beige porcelain paving, featured above, is part of our very popular Premium range, which focuses on a natural paving look and includes Jura Beige, a porcelain limestone, exclusive to London Stone.

Right-angled patio of Ash Beige porcelain paving slabs with lawn and stained wooden garden room and fence.
Ash Beige porcelain paving, from our value-for-money Project range, supports the rich tans and browns of the garden office and fence in this design by Millscape.

A natural match

Beige outdoor tiles are a particularly good fit with natural materials. Wooden fencing, facing bricks and brick pavers, gravel—so many come in an array of beige, brown and buff. Beige porcelain paving slabs will blend with these elements to support and unite a garden design.

Rattan furniture sits on beige porcelain paving slabs edged with London brick raised beds.
Gea Porcelain paving is beige with a hint of grey, This makes it a shoo-in for matching the classic London brick colours that surround this urban garden Hampstead Garden Design.

And of course, the best garden design takes surrounding architecture into account. With the vast majority of suburban houses built in brick, a toning colour that picks up on clay browns may well be the best fit. Beige also responds well to brick detailing in dark toning colours, and combining paving with brick step risers or edging helps to unite the garden design with the house it complements.

Check out more inspiring images of beige porcelain paving slabs, available across our Project and Italian paving ranges.