As a landscape designer I often have to help clients choose the flooring for their project, what suits one site and person certainly doesn't suit every site or family. Choosing between paving and decking isn’t just a design decision. It’s about how you want your garden to feel.

Paving has a certain permanence. Stone, brick or concrete pavers feel solid and grounded — perfect for homes with a classic, coastal or Mediterranean edge. It’s incredibly durable and ideal for high-traffic zones like outdoor dining areas or spots that get a daily workout from kids, pets and furniture. Once laid properly, and sealed with a penetrating sealer paving is fairly low maintenance. A sweep, the occasional pressure wash, and you’re good to go.

But it can get hot underfoot in full Australian sun, especially darker tones. And if the base isn’t prepared properly, you might see movement or weeds popping up in joints over time.

Decking, on the other hand, brings warmth instantly. Timber softens a space and makes it feel like an outdoor room — relaxed, welcoming, perfect for entertaining. It’s often the hero on sloping blocks where paving would mean major excavation. And visually, it connects beautifully with planting, especially in leafy gardens.

The trade-off? Maintenance. Natural timber needs oiling and care to keep it looking its best. Composite options reduce that upkeep but come with a higher upfront investment. And while decking is generally cooler than paving, it still needs consideration in full sun.

So which suits you?

If you want something solid, long-lasting and lower maintenance — particularly on a flat site — paving might be the answer. If you’re craving warmth, elevation or that resort-style flow from indoors to out, decking could win.

The real test is this: picture yourself outside at the end of a long day. Are you drawn to the cool solidity of stone beneath your feet? Or the gentle give and warmth of timber?

Because in the end, what’s underfoot changes everything.