With schools in the country now broken up for that long six week summer holiday, many people are focusing their attention on making the most of any favourable weather. This usually raises one question to mind – is the garden ready? That answer may be followed by a manic dash to mow the lawn, get the garden furniture dusted off and assembled and tend to plants that haven't faired well recently. Or if you're really prepared, your garden will already be in tip top condition and the envy of your neighbours.

Either way, we all need a bit of inspiration sometimes to get our gardens transformed or enhanced into an attractive outdoor space. Here's how others have done that using natural stone.

1. Create a fresh, sophisticated space

There is little that compares to the tranquility of sitting in a nicely designed patio area on a beautiful day, while taking in the landscape around you. With numerous places to sit and relax, this garden is clearly a space that people like to enjoy. Placed amongst plants and outdoor accessories, such as chairs, sheds and monuments, the granite paving slabs are a compliment to the surroundings. This project has incorporated the slabs into a feature-based garden, using the paving to break up intersecting features and providing a walkway across different sections of the garden. Adding a touch of sophistication, these granite patio slabs give this outdoor space a fresh, modern feel. As warmer evenings hopefully approach, many BBQs and nights of entertaining surely beckon for this well designed outdoor space.

http://www.lantoom.co.uk/building-stone/granite/paving/granite-patio-paving

2. Blend features

With a table situated in the middle of the garden and two benches also incorporated, this space is a familiar sight to many who enjoy making the most of their garden. The type of paving you choose can have a big impact on the feel and style of your garden. This example illustrates how slate slabs can effectively blend well with outdoor furnishings, such as the beech-effect wooden fencing. The dark grey colouring hints at a touch of class and is an eye-catching feature in itself.

http://www.lantoom.co.uk/building-stone/slate/paving/slate-paving-packs-mixed

3. Be adventurous!

This project sees various sized silver grey granite setts used to create an attractive driveway. This black and white property has bags of charm and the setts simply and effectively accentuate its features. The plant features in the centre of the driveway sit well alongside the stones and the use of stone walling further along the drive is another nod to natural stone in this project. A small product with big potential, setts can be used for path edging, driveways, paving, gabion baskets and quoins to name but a few.

http://www.lantoom.co.uk/building-stone/granite/granite-setts/granite-setts-silver-grey-238

Have YOU used stone in your garden? We want to hear from you!

Have you completed a garden project that incorporates stone? Please send us your photos via e-mail or social media, with a background of the story behind it. We are always interested in seeing great spaces that people have designed.