Why Indian Sandstone Remains a Favourite in the UK
For many British homeowners, landscapers and garden designers, Indian sandstone has become the natural first choice for patios and pathways. It offers the charm of genuine quarried stone, a reassuringly solid feel underfoot, and a wide palette of colours that sit comfortably alongside traditional brickwork, stone cottages and more modern extensions alike. Unlike highly manufactured finishes, sandstone settles into a garden with age, taking on a soft, weathered character that cannot be copied by concrete imitations.
At the same time, Indian sandstone is practical. It is strong enough for everyday family life, responds well to careful installation, and can be maintained with modest effort. However, the range of options is now so broad that many customers feel overwhelmed: different colours, riven or smooth finishes, single-size or mixed-size packs, various thicknesses and edging choices. This guide is written to bring some order to that choice and help you select the most suitable sandstone for your own project.
Understanding the Main Colour Families
The colour of your paving is usually the first and most important decision. Indian sandstone covers a spectrum from cool modern greys through to warm, traditional browns and delicate creams. Each colour range has its own character and works best in particular types of setting.
If you are drawn to contemporary, understated designs with crisp lines, Kandla Grey sandstone paving is a natural starting point. Its blend of light and mid greys feels calm and composed, yet still unmistakably natural rather than flat or artificial. It pairs very well with aluminium and anthracite window frames, rendered walls and modern garden furniture, and it helps to brighten smaller courtyards without shouting for attention.
For those who prefer a softer, more traditional look, Raj Green sandstone paving brings together gentle greens, browns and muted greys that echo old York stone flags. It sits beautifully beside stone cottages, older brickwork and mature planting. The colour blend is forgiving: leaves, soil and everyday marks are less obvious than on very pale or very dark paving, which is reassuring in busy family gardens.
If you imagine a cosy, rustic garden with timber sleepers, cottage-style planting and perhaps a pergola, Autumn Brown sandstone paving deserves close attention. Its rich chocolate and walnut tones, sometimes lifted by a hint of copper or rust, make it particularly effective in shaded gardens where lighter stones might appear washed out. It blends seamlessly with older brick boundaries and gives a sense that the paving has been in place for many years.
A more decorative, lively option is Rippon Buff sandstone paving. Here you see warm honey, buff and amber tones with natural veining and banding. When laid across a larger patio, the movement in the stone catches the light and adds interest without looking busy. It suits gardens that feel open and sunny and can act as a bridge between lighter house walls and greener planting around the edges.
Where brightness is the priority, especially in north-facing spaces or enclosed city gardens, Mint sandstone paving is an elegant solution. Its pale creams and ivory tones reflect available light and make smaller spaces feel more generous. It works particularly well with white or cream-painted render, pale fencing and a restrained planting palette. Because of its light colour, it rewards regular sweeping and occasional gentle cleaning to keep the surface looking fresh.
Riven or Smooth – Choosing the Right Surface Texture
Once you have a sense of the colour family you prefer, the next decision is surface texture. Indian sandstone is traditionally supplied in a hand-split riven finish, but precision sawn and smooth-honed surfaces are now widely available and popular, especially around newer homes and extensions.
Riven slabs have a slightly undulating face created by splitting the stone along its natural layers. This gives a distinctly traditional appearance, with small variations from slab to slab that catch the light differently and provide good slip resistance. Riven stone is particularly suited to relaxed, informal gardens where a perfectly level, ultra-modern finish is not required. Colours such as greys, greens, browns and buffs all look at home in this format, and the texture helps disguise minor marks and everyday wear.
For a sharper, more architectural look, many homeowners now choose sawn and honed sandstone. The slabs are machine-cut on all sides and then lightly honed to create a smoother, flatter surface while still retaining the subtle texture of natural stone. This type of paving works extremely well where large bi-fold or sliding doors open from a kitchen or living space onto a terrace, as the paving can be laid with tight joint lines and an almost tile-like precision.
If you like the cool contemporary aesthetic, Kandla Grey smooth sandstone delivers a refined grey surface that coordinates neatly with modern interior flooring. Those who want warmth and gentle movement in a more modern format often turn to Rippon Buff smooth sandstone, which preserves the colour interest of the riven version but in a sleeker finish. Meanwhile, Raj Green smooth sandstone offers a quieter, heritage-inspired palette in a contemporary cut, ideal for period homes that have been extended in a modern style.
Slab Sizes, Layout Patterns and How They Affect the Look
The overall impression of a paved area is shaped not only by colour and texture but also by slab size and layout pattern. Larger slabs tend to create a calmer, more expansive feel, while mixed sizes introduce rhythm and variety. Choosing the right combination for your space can make the difference between a patio that feels “bitty” and one that feels intentional and well designed.
For a generously scaled, modern look, many designers favour larger rectangles such as 900 x 600 sandstone paving. These slabs minimise the number of joints, allow for long, linear patterns and help smaller patios feel less cluttered. They work especially well alongside contemporary homes and in gardens where you want clean sightlines and simple geometry.
Square formats provide another versatile option. Using 600 x 600 sandstone paving creates a balanced, harmonious grid that can shift between traditional and modern depending on the colour and joint width you choose. It is also practical for installers, as the repeated size simplifies setting-out and cutting.
For a more traditional appearance, mixed-size layouts are still very popular. They echo the random feel of old stone courtyards and village paths. The simplest way to achieve this is to use sandstone paving patio packs, which include a planned blend of sizes designed to repeat in a regular pattern across the area. When laid carefully, these packs produce a natural-looking surface that avoids obvious repetition and works particularly well with multi-tonal colours.
Using Sandstone Setts for Edging, Detail and Driveways
Beyond the main patio or terrace, smaller elements of stone can be used to add structure and refinement. Sandstone setts are particularly useful for this purpose. They can edge a larger paved area, define planting beds, form decorative bands across a terrace or create attractive pathways and transitions between different surfaces.
A simple brick-style border in sandstone setts around a patio instantly gives it a finished, framed look. Setts can also be laid on edge to create low retaining details or used in fan or radial patterns to draw the eye to a feature such as a seating area, water feature or small tree. Because they are thicker and smaller, setts are also a practical option for certain light driveway applications when laid on a suitable sub-base and bedding.
Technical Considerations – Thickness, Calibration and Sub-base
Good design decisions are only half the story; the technical side of paving is equally important. Indian sandstone performs best when specified and installed correctly. Most quality sandstone for domestic patios is supplied in a calibrated thickness of around 22 mm, which makes it easier for installers to achieve a consistent, even surface. Calibrated slabs require less bedding material and reduce the amount of time spent adjusting each piece.
Beneath the stone, the ground should be excavated to allow for a compacted granular sub-base and a full mortar bed. For typical garden patios, this often means removing around 150–160 mm of soil, depending on the finished height required. The sub-base should be well compacted in layers using suitable aggregate to avoid settlement later. Slabs are then laid on a continuous mortar bed; spot-bedding or “dot and dab” methods are not recommended, as they create voids where water can collect and freeze, leading to rocking slabs and potential breakage.
Given the British climate, allowance for surface water drainage is essential. A gentle fall away from the house, usually 1:60 or similar, directs water off the paving towards gravel borders, lawn or drainage channels. Taking time to plan this at the beginning prevents standing water and slippery patches in future years.
How Indian Sandstone Weathers and How to Care for It
One of the most appealing qualities of Indian sandstone is the way it matures outdoors. Freshly laid paving can look quite bold; over time, the combination of sunlight, rain and gentle wear softens the tones and brings the whole area together. Colours within a single patio begin to relate more closely, and the stone starts to feel as though it has always belonged to the garden.
Basic maintenance is straightforward. Regular sweeping keeps leaves and dirt from building up and helps reduce algae and lichen. Where a deeper clean is needed, a stone-safe patio cleaner and a stiff brush are usually sufficient. Pressure washers should be used with care and at sensible distances to avoid damaging joints or the stone surface.
Some homeowners choose to apply a breathable impregnating sealer, particularly on very pale stones or in areas prone to staining, such as near a barbecue or driveway. A good sealer does not create a shiny film; instead, it reduces the rate at which liquids soak in, giving more time to wipe up spills and making general cleaning easier. This is optional rather than compulsory, and many people prefer to allow their stone to age naturally without any treatment.
Designing Your Space – Matching Stone to House and Garden
When planning a new patio or path, it is helpful to step back and view the garden and house as a whole composition. Ask yourself what you want the paving to do visually. Should it act as a quiet, neutral platform for planting and furniture, or do you want it to become a focal feature in its own right? Do you want strong contrast with the house walls, or a smooth, harmonious transition?
Cooler grey or green palettes typically feel more contemporary and restrained, particularly when paired with simple planting in whites, blues and structural evergreens. Warmer tones, including buffs and browns, often feel more welcoming and informal, and work well with classic English planting schemes of roses, lavender and herbaceous perennials. Pale creams make spaces feel larger and brighter but will show marks more readily, whereas mid-toned blends are often the most forgiving over time.
It can also be useful to vary the treatment of different areas. For example, a main dining terrace might use large rectangular slabs in a simple pattern, while a secondary seating corner under a tree could be defined with smaller units or setts in a slightly different tone. These subtle changes help the garden feel layered and intentional without becoming fussy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Indian Sandstone
Although Indian sandstone is a robust and reliable material, there are a few pitfalls that buyers should avoid:
- Choosing purely from a small photograph without seeing a representative sample or understanding the range of natural variation.
- Selecting a very pale stone for a heavily shaded, damp or tree-covered area where organic staining will be frequent, and then being surprised at the maintenance required.
- Underestimating the importance of correct sub-base preparation and full-bed mortar installation, leading to rocking slabs and premature failure.
- Mixing products from different suppliers or batches without checking that thickness, calibration and colour tone are compatible.
- Assuming that all sandstone labelled with a familiar colour name is of the same quality; quarry source, density and selection standards make a significant difference.
By taking time to understand these issues in advance, you can avoid disappointment and invest in paving that will perform well for many years.
A Simple Checklist Before You Place Your Order
Before committing to a particular sandstone, it is worth running through a short checklist:
- Have you looked at the colour both in shade and in sunlight, and ideally on a dry and a wet day?
- Does the overall tone suit your house walls, window frames and existing hard landscaping?
- Have you decided whether a riven or smooth surface better matches the style and use of the space?
- Is the slab size and pattern appropriate to the scale of your garden and the furniture you intend to use?
- Are you confident that the thickness and calibration are suitable for your intended use (patio, path, light driveway)?
- Do you have a clear plan for sub-base depth, drainage and jointing to ensure long-term stability?
- Have you allowed a sensible percentage for cuts, wastage and future repairs?
Conclusion – Choosing Indian Sandstone with Confidence
Indian sandstone has earned its place as a mainstay of British garden design. Whether you favour cool, understated greys, gentle heritage greens, rich autumnal browns, lively buff tones or refined pale creams, there is a sandstone to suit almost every style of home and garden. By understanding how colour, texture, size and layout affect the finished space – and by paying attention to the practicalities of installation and maintenance – you can choose with confidence rather than guesswork.
Investing a little more thought at the planning stage will reward you with a patio or pathway that feels timeless, settles naturally into its surroundings and continues to give pleasure year after year. With careful selection and proper laying, Indian sandstone remains one of the most honest, reliable and characterful ways to bring real stone into your outdoor life.
