I remember walking into my tiny back garden around mid winter to hang out a few bits of washing. I couldn’t believe what I saw! The rear of my house resembled a derelict and neglected building. There was green moss growing up the walls, chipped brickwork, rotting sills, a patch of grass that looked as hopeless as only they dying could, and a broken patio tile.

I often meant to get stuck in and do something with the garden, but there always seemed to be something more important going on, and the rear of the house got pushed to the bottom of the priority list every time. Well, not any more! After the shock of what I’d just seen, I was going to start looking as some smart patio tile designs and get a plan of action ready for the spring.

I love gardens, namely other peoples, but I’m no gardener myself. However, a good friend of mine explained that with patio tile and some strategically placed large potted plants I could not only smarten up the rear of the house, but I would also be able to have a beautiful low maintenance garden that would always look nice despite myself.

That was it, a perfect solution to a neglected problem. I would do a one-off investment and get all my brickwork cleaned up and protected with a waterproof acrylic wash, and lay down some decorative patio tile designs and potted plants, just as my friend suggested. It could only help to enhance the value of your property too, which is an added bonus.

I couldn’t believe the variety of styles there were to choose from with patio tiles. It was really exciting having the landscape gardener come over and show me some designs he’s drawn up on his computer. It was hard to make a decision as each patio style gave a completely different look to the finish.

I eventually went for some pastel shades with a few hexagon ones worked into the layout. The landscape gardener also convinced me to have a tiny border with a maintenance free ground cover shrub to add a bit of greenery at ground level. For this he was to use what is called bullet nosed tiles. Now for those of you that dont know, bullet nosed tiles, are to a garden what a frame is to a picture and give the surround a very nice finish.

In addition to some large pots, and plants, I have placed a large rock on the shopping list too. It’s hard to explain how a rock sitting on a patio can look nice, but if you saw the designs, you would know where I’m coming from.

And that’s basically it. I can hardly wait. Never again with my back garden look drab and desperate, and it’ll be virtually maintenance free too. It will be a joy to sit out with friends and family this summer whereas we always used to congregate indoors as the backyard was both a shambles and an embarrassment.

Now we will be able to have BBQ’s and morning tea, and it’s all thanks to my friend’s suggestion to pave with patio tile. Thanks Jim.