From classic brick to modern stone, pavers add polish to any outdoor space.

Looking for a DIY option?

You canadd pavers or bricks yourselfsearch for recycled material for sale via online marketplaces.

patio and seating area in Hagerty Organic Garden area

Credit:Jessica Sample

Instead of using grout between slabs, use low-growing plants such asthymeor Corsican mint.

Whatever you decide, pavers can add texture and even color to asmall spaceor an entire patio or backyard.

Addcomfortable seatingand decorative pillows to create a room-like atmosphere you’ll never want to leave.

custom firepit surrounded by gravel and patio blocks with seating area

Credit:Holly Lepere

This allows easy access from the indoors tobring snacksand drinks without stumbling over the gravel.

Plus, the pavers add contrast in both color and texture.

Install them in a classic running bond pattern for a traditional look that doesn’t distract fromoutdoor decor.

Outdoor seating area.

Credit:Edmund Barr

The pavers will stay cool in the summer heat since the overhead covering protects them.

Wooden patio furniture complements the nearby wood planter boxes and connects the two spaces.

Vary the scale of the pavers in your patio for added interest.

outdoorpatio with director chairs and benches around dining table; seating area with rectangular stone firepit and built-in bench seating in front of raised hot tub.

Credit:Dominique Vorillon

Thecombination of a fountainand firepit creates a natural atmosphere of calm and serenity.

Wood planks wrapped around the paver patio finish the look and connect to the wood deck above.

The white spindleson the railingsconnect the stairs to the house for a feeling of continuity.

backyard with raised bed gardens and block patio with sitting area and gravel paths

Credit:Lisa Romerein

you might alsostencil a pattern onto a concrete patioto mimic the look.

Graphic tiles are ideal for an outdoor fireplace or a backsplash in an outdoor kitchen.

Choose colors and patterns that reflect your home’sexterior palette and stylefor a harmonious, not jarring look.

Riordan Garden/towards potted plants on exterior wall

Credit:Bob Stefko

Provide a smooth surface for getting around your yard by topping the sandy surface withstone or concrete pavers.

A paver patio idea that adds warmth is to top the stone with a cozy,complementary rug.

Overhead lights add ambiance in the evenings and allow guests and family to linger over dinner after dark.

Large patio pavers with a small brick fireplace in the center of seating.

Credit:Chad Mellon

Incorporate a Herringbone Pattern

Julie Soefer

The beauty of brick is that it ages well.

The classic blue and white, paired with a bright touch of orange, reinforces the timeless style.

Incorporate Multiple Paver Colors

Combine texturesto add dynamic interest to a small space.

Back patio with pavers around a set of wooden stairs and deck.

Credit:Jason Donnelly

The large-scale paver patio idea creates a modern look that coordinates with the concrete slab front porch.

Brown borders andplanters add warmth, and the green door cheerfully welcomes visitors.

Use Modern Concrete Pavers

Kim Cornelison

Pavers can also modernize an outdoor space.

Stenciled pattern patio with seating under string lighting

Credit:Hector Sanchez

Keep the pattern on your modern paver patio clean and geometric for a fresh look.

Opt for a sleek gray stone for acontemporary color palette.

Add rattan and woven furnishings and accessories to bring visual interest to your seating area.

square block path through raised plant beds going toward house

Credit:Edmund Barr

This patio paver idea works well in curved rather than geometric spaces to reflect thelandscaping layout.

Here, a redbrick patiogets a playful twist dotted with gray to form a subtlecheckerboard pattern.

Install a Stone Paver Patio

Stone pavers are both beautiful and highly functional.

outdoor lounge area on patio with cantilever umbrella

Credit:Anne D. Schlechter

Trees overhang the seating area to create a naturally shady spot.

The black-painted house seems to fade into the landscape, allowing the foliage to be the focal point.

Choosing shades from the same color family creates a calming and cohesive palette.

Porch with brick pavers and hanging seating.

Credit:Julie Soefer

Thepastels of this home’s exteriorare reflected in the soft tones of the smooth pavers.

Unify Materials

Pavers can also be utilized to merge distinct zones within a backyard.

Go Wall to Wall

Laying pavers across an entire backyard creates a seamless flow.

Fire pit area with bench, pillows and two aqua chairs and umbrella

Credit:Edmund Barr

Meditate with a Modern Paver Patio Idea

William Wright

Want to get away from it all?

Find a quiet spot beneath acanopy of treesor among shrubs and plants toread, do yoga, or meditate.

Mexican beach pebbles in various colors fill in the gaps for texture and contrast.

Farmhouse with wide stones leading up to the entrance.

Credit:Nathan Schroder

Go Green

Theres no hard-and-fast rule about where pavers can and cannot be placed.

That applies to the grass, too.

you’ve got the option to adddurable grassthat can withstand high-traffic areas to incorporate some greenery.

Patio with two chairs and a dog sitting on one.

Credit:Kim Cornelison

Here, grass grows slightly wild for an exciting juxtaposition to the simple pavers.

Bring Cottage-Style

Consider planting moss or grass between stones rather than sand or rocks for acottage look.

The not-so-perfectly-perfect design creates a laid-back atmosphere.

white chair and small table sitting on flagstone patio

Credit:Matthew Benson

Thedistressed furnitureand an abundance of pillows add to the casual, welcoming feel of the backyard.

The blue roof suggests a tropical ocean view, and the plentiful bar seating practically demands a party.

Here, thebeige huesfeatured on the paver patio repeat on the stone fire pit.

Overall view of a patio with many types of furniture and plants bordering the space

Credit:Matthew Benson

Ablack-and-whitecolor palette continues the timeless look.

The arched openings add a sense of grandeur, and perfectly scaled oversized lanternslight the areaafter dark.

Thestone stairwayadds interest and a pathway to and from the space.

Table and seats at patio in lawn

Credit:Buff Strickland

Soft blue furnishings create a relaxing retreat.

Continue the color palette on outdoor furniture upholstery and pillows.

Here, the constant is theorange huefound in the pavers, stacked stone, furniture, and pillows.

limestone stairs with succulents and perennials leading down to limestone and smooth black pebble walkway

Credit:Caitlin Atkinson

Garden patio ideas.BBC Gardeners World.

Rainscaping Guide: Permeable Pavement.

White, Lee Anne.

nteriors, exteriors - back patio with round dining table and black metal chairs, string lights and concrete stairs

Credit:Emily Followill

Pave the Way, Creatively.Fine Gardening.

Light blue house with white trim and a patio with seating.

Credit:Annie Schlechter

one agave plant in corner of green turf with square tile and other cactus around it

Credit:Edmund Barr

Seating area with fire pit in garden by house

Credit:Edmund Barr

blocked patio with red modern chairs, concrete side table and stone wall surrounded by differing foliage

Credit:William Wright

High angle view of hat on deck chair by table and potted plant in yard

Credit:Adam Albright

Cushion and pillow on bench by wall at patio with grass growing around paver tiles.

Credit:Nathan Schroder

white patio furniture with green cushions and pillows on patio with small black shed in background with large potted plants by entry

Credit:Robert Peterson

outdoor sitting area set with games and food on patio

Credit:Anne D. Schlechter

Outdoor Living area with a patio and small shack made of tin and wood.

Credit:Jay Wilde

Modern outdoor living patio with Eucalyptus wood sofa and coffee table, yellow fringe pillows, ceramic pots on shelf

Credit:Carson Downing

Chairs around firepit at patio in garden

Credit:Christina Schmidhofer

Covered stone paver patio with seating in striped fabric

Credit:Stacy Zarin Goldberg

one and globe boxwood in containers in a Denler Hobart-designed garden

Credit:Marion Brenner

Seating area around fire pit

Credit:Matthew Benson

patio with fire and four chairs

Credit:Edmund Barr