Take time to design

Whether starting from scratch or modifying an existing garden, it's far better to get it right the first time round, so allow yourself plenty of time to mull over materials and design. Aim for your path to be functional but at the same time ensure that your route through the garden leads to an attractive focal point too. And whether you prefer your patio in the sun or shade, keep it in proportion to its setting and link it with the line and materials of the path.

Formal or informal shape?

Designs can be either straight or curved, but avoid a mixture of informal and formal (ie geometric) outlines, which don't work very well together. Paving manufacturer's brochures are inspirational, packed with ideas for using their products, and containing step-by-step installation instructions, so visit a few builders' yards and garden centres to pick up some catalogues and study the displays.

Colour?

Apart from shape and size of paving, colour is also an important aspect to consider, especially if you intend to link your paths with hard surfaces at the front of the house. Choose colours to harmonise or contrast with your house walls (matching colours overwhelm), but beware of extending very pale surfaces, which produce glare when the sun shines brightly.