Find out how to style wood-effect porcelain patio tiles to create impressive designs in your garden.

Back garden designed by Floral and Hardy, with lots of landscaping materials, pergola and water feature.
In this design by Floral & Hardy, Nuage plank porcelain adds a depth of texture and colour to match the wooden bench.

4 reasons why wood-effect patio tiles are better than real wood

  1. Lower maintenance.
  2. Fade-proof.
  3. Warp-proof.
  4. Rot-proof.

Real wood is lovely in many ways, but it is an organic material that is prey to natural processes. It absorbs water, making it liable to rot and warp. It also fades. This can be an advantage, if you want a weathered look. But if you want to maintain colour in timber, it needs staining. This adds to the on-going maintenance needs, as wood should be stained every few years. With wood-effect porcelain paving you know the colour you lay is the colour that stays.

Grey Wood Effect Porcelain Tiles under a metal pergola with grey metal garden furniture.
This impressive scheme from Karen McClure and Esse Landscapes is the perfect example of sleek, contemporary style. Using our Cinder Porcelain Paving.

Styling Wood-Effect Patio Tiles

Modern & minimalist

If you are looking for a clean and crisp style, minimalist is for you. Keep the colour palette simple. Use a wood-effect tile with a greyer tone and pair it with metal furniture. Sleek and simple, this style requires minimal accessories and it a great choice for a chic, modern home.

Traditional

A traditional style needs plenty of rich tones. Use a darker wooden tile and mix it with a variety of textures and patterns. Use wooden furniture and make sure that there is plenty of planting around the garden. You can also think of adding a beautiful arch or arbour to really inject some traditional style.

Wood-effect and plain porcelain tiles in stripes on patio across back of house.
PC Landscapes and Caroline Davy Studio demonstrate just how well wood effect tiles complement a range of textures and tones with our Rovere Porcelain Paving. 

Rustic

Use distressed wood-effect tiles for rustic charm. Draw inspiration from natural materials and raw, unfinished elements and use plenty of wood and stone around the wood-effect tiles. A brick firepit would really bring the look together.

Industrial

An industrial feel is a unique but popular style in itself. Using materials like wood and metals creates a sense of unfinished rawness. Pair with a wood-effect tile with a vintage feel; smoky tones are the perfect choice.

Think about laying patterns

Cinder wood-effect planks laid in herringbone pattern next to raised bed and Cement porcelain tiles.
The striking herringbone pattern of these Cinder wood-effect porcelain planks clearly delineates part of this paved back garden, built by CIJ Landscapes.

As you can see from the pictures, planks can create a different feel, depending on the way they are laid. Lining up the edges creates a more static, architectural feel; staggering the planks adds movement. Perhaps the most dramatic is herringbone, creating a dynamic feel that is a good way to help zone areas of your patio.

Wood-effect porcelain patio tiles are such a versatile product that they will look at home in any garden. Lay them in different patterns and pair them with different materials to create a design that is unique to you. View our wood-effect paving slabs to quickly discover more of the beauty of these tiles.

Post updated: September 2023