A garden acts as an extension of your home: your own little piece of nature. Linking your indoor and outdoor spaces through clever design can really make your home feel bigger, and enjoying time outdoors has a wealth of benefits, improving both physical and mental wellbeing. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that we value our outdoor spaces so highly.
In 2023, architectural simplicity will be a key theme for both the home and garden. Many will be looking to prioritise neutral colour palettes and clean lines, creating a European look and feel. These calming design choices beautifully complement the organic shapes and colours found in nature, creating a clean, pure and timeless sanctuary in which you can both relax and entertain.
Some aspects of your garden design can be easily switched up for a low cost, such as changing some potted plants or incorporating a new colour scheme with throw cushions or a fresh coat of paint for the fence. Others can become more costly to replace, and therefore many homeowners are less likely to change them regularly, such as garden furniture suites or decking. These aspects require more thought and consideration, as once you’ve made the initial purchase, you want them to stand the test of time, whilst continuing to complement the overall aesthetic no matter how you decide to modify the space.
Porcelain decking and its perks
When you think of garden decking, traditional timber planks are most commonly what comes to mind. Timber has been a go-to material for decking boards since the early 1990s, however, it has a number of disadvantages, such as the requirement for regular maintenance, the risk of both UV and water damage from exposure to the elements and the high slip risk in wet and cold conditions.
These problems aren’t exactly deal-breakers, as many homeowners will purchase specialist products to keep their decking maintained, but there is an attractive solution that can combat these obstacles, meaning less time is spent on upkeep, leaving more time to enjoy your garden space.
Porcelain decking is expertly crafted to mimic both the look and feel of timber, but the qualities of porcelain combat the downsides presented with the traditional material. This luxury material remains unaffected by wet weather conditions; it absorbs little-to-no water, whilst maintaining a very low slip risk. This means that even after heavy rain, the decking boards remain safe to walk on, and will not warp or rot. With opposing extremes in weather conditions, porcelain has no risk of fading or changing colour after heavy UV exposure. This immunity from the elements, along with very minimal maintenance requirements makes porcelain decking an ideal choice for garden applications.
The composition of porcelain means that the material is very strong, with no risk of scratching or scuffing the boards, and can bear a heavy load. This is ideal for gardens where furniture and other amenities sit on the decking, such as fire pits and BBQs.
On top of these perks, porcelain boasts an A1 fire rating – the highest rating in the classification meaning it is completely resistant to fire and flames. You can light your fire pit or BBQ and sit back and relax without any worry of spitting coals and wood burning your decking. This is a huge contrast to traditional timber decking, which notoriously is not fire-resistant.
Styling porcelain decking
Porcelain decking is beautifully simplistic and clean-cut so any design style can complement it, making it the perfect investment for your garden space. Such a versatile base allows you to modify your garden design as and when you please without the requirement of a whole new set of decking.
With a large decked area, creating a focal point is a great way to centre the attention of the space. Adding a fire pit, BBQ or water feature will create a point of interest, and will also act as a great starting point for the rest of your designing.
Decorating with furniture will elevate the space, providing both style and functionality. By adding a lounge set or outdoor sofa, you can begin framing the focal point whilst allowing for further enhancement with throw pillows and rugs, which can add both colour and texture to the area.
To maintain the natural feel of your garden space, add various pots and planters with your favourite foliage. If you consider yourself green-fingered, growing fruit, veg and herbs will further enhance the organic space. For those who prefer a low-maintenance garden, opting for flowers such as geraniums that require very little upkeep is a great way to incorporate natural elements with minimal effort.
Installing lighting in and around the space will create a warm ambience when the evening sets and the natural light begins to fade. Experiment with different lighting, such as string lights, festoon lights, lanterns and floor lamps to see what best fits your space, creating a multifunctional area that can be used both day and night. If you plan to use your decking area at varying points of the year, constructing a canopy to protect from light showers and placing a heater in a central area will assist with the enjoyment of your garden despite the weather.
Porcelain decking is a luxury product that builds a perfect base for styling your garden. Create the garden of your dreams in 2023.
