Doing up your house involves plenty of decisions. Should you go for an open plan or a more traditional layout? Classic or modern look? What about the colour palette? Moreover, you want to achieve that delicate balance between making your space as personal as possible, but without making it too individual as this will affect its resale value.

That’s just your indoor space. When planning your courtyard, terrace or garden, there are other considerations to take into account.

Decking gives your outdoor space a contemporary feel. The good thing about decking is that it is available in a variety of styles, designs and materials – the choice depends on personal tastes and budget. When looking around for quotes, don’t forget to add up the building costs – if you’re not DIY-literate, you will have to hire a professional to lay the decking for you.

Outdoor decking has a long life expectancy and is manufactured to withstand sun and rain. However, maintenance levels depend on the material. Timber decking is a popular option, mostly because of its durability, natural appearance and variety of colours and stains available. Teak and cedar are especially hardwearing – however, all timber should be treated to make it resistant to the elements and to infesting insects.

Another option is polyethylene, a mixture of recycled plastic and wood. Safe and slip resistant, it is ideal for pool areas. Moreover, it looks just like timber – the only difference is that it costs less.

If you’re not keen on decking, you can opt for tiles, which look good around pools, on walkways and terraces. The choice is endless, from sleek and modern to rustic. The main advantages to tiles are durability and low maintenance. Outdoor tiles can withstand whatever the weatherman decides to throw at them. Moreover, tiles are easy to clean.

The most important consideration to make when choosing tiles is slippage. Most tiles are slip resistant – some manufacturers incorporate coarse sand into the glaze to make them less slippery. Just make sure that these still have a good feel on bare feet. Tiles must also have good heat absorption so that they can provide a cool walking surface.

Also, if tiles are being laid adjacent to swimming pools or fountains, make sure that they can withstand long-term exposure to chemicals. The denser a tile is, the less effect chemicals will have.

With regards to styles, there are two basic styles – sleek or rough. While the former, such as gres tiles, give your outdoor space a modern look, the latter are more rustic. Tiles made of unglazed clay are very popular and come in various colours. They are dense, which makes them hardwearing. Sometimes, unglazed tiles are used with glazed ones to create an attractive pattern.