From Slabs to Stunning, Find Patio Ideas You Won’t Be Able to Stop Staring At
Key Points
Creative paver patterns like herringbone, basketweave, and mosaic can define zones and create eye-catching designs.
Mixing materials such as stone, brick, gravel, and groundcover adds texture, contrast, and personality to outdoor spaces.
Layered layouts, from tiered terraces to circular focal points, transform patios into true outdoor living rooms.
From the Ground Floor Up: Paver Ideas That Pack a Punch
Ready to turn that plain patio into a space that actually makes you want to go outside? Curious how the shape, color, or layout of your pavers can totally change the vibe? In this post, you’ll discover fresh paver patio design ideas that blend creativity with function.
By the end, you’ll have a better idea of how you want your patio installation to look.
Paver Patio Design Ideas
Groundcover Gaps with Natural Stone
Concrete Grid with Pea Gravel
Brick Herringbone with Decorative Diamonds
Mixed Materials with Old and New
Fan and Circular Paver Patterns
Artistic Patio with Mosaic or Irregular Pavers
Multi-Level Layouts with Defined Zones
Limestone and Travertine for Poolside Patios
Diagonal and Slanted Layouts
Large Format Pavers with Turf Joints
Tiered Patio Framed by Retaining Walls
Sunken Fire Pit with Concentric Borders
Rustic Flagstone with Natural Edging
Statement Patio with Bold Color Variation
Minimalist Stack Bond with Clean Borders
Shell-Inlaid Concrete with Decomposed Granite
Pinwheel Pattern for Artistic Appeal
Brick Soldier Course Borders Around Modern Slabs
Asymmetrical Layout with Mixed Shapes
1. Groundcover Gaps with Natural Stone
One of the most relaxed and garden-friendly patio ideas pairs wide flagstone or bluestone pavers with plants like thyme or sedum growing in between.
These soft groundcover gaps blur the line between landscaping and hardscaping. They work especially well in backyards that transition into garden beds or slope into more wild areas.
This design gives your paver patio a natural, lived-in feel while keeping things low-maintenance and walkable.
2. Concrete Grid with Pea Gravel
If you’re after a clean and modern look, square concrete pavers laid in a geometric grid with pea gravel joints can create serious visual impact.
This layout brings symmetry without feeling sterile. It works beautifully in backyards where traditional architecture meets modern outdoor living, such as near historic homes like those along Columbia’s West 7th Street.
The gravel fills space without adding bulk, making this one of the most budget-friendly and scalable patio design choices.
3. Brick Herringbone with Decorative Diamonds
A herringbone layout is a go-to pattern for brick pavers, but you can level it up with Argyle-style diamond accents.
In this design, red brick zigzags across the paved area while contrasting cement bricks form larger diamond shapes at intervals. The result is a playful and unexpected patio that feels handcrafted and full of personality.
It’s ideal for coastal homes, cottage gardens, or anywhere you want classic materials with a twist.
4. Mixed Materials with Old and New
One standout idea combines concrete paths with borders or accents made from weathered brick.
This blend creates a visual dialogue between past and present, especially when used around features like a pergola, fire pit, or outdoor fireplace. It’s a great way to use materials you already have on-site while updating your backyard’s style.
This kind of layered patio plan feels curated, not just constructed.
5. Fan and Circular Paver Patterns
If your patio centers around a fire pit, dining set, or seating area, a circular paver pattern can pull everything together.
These fan designs use curved or angled concrete pavers to form radial patterns that draw the eye and create a cozy shape to gather around. They also work as standout areas within larger patios, helping to break up flat open spaces and define zones for relaxing or entertaining.
6. Artistic Patio with Mosaic or Irregular Pavers
A truly creative patio design can come from irregular paver shapes arranged in mosaic-like patterns.
These work best when combining concrete pavers in varying colors, sizes, or finishes. Think of this as a floor mural, not just a surface to walk on.
This idea suits artistic homes, garden courtyards, and outdoor rooms where every corner is designed with intention.
7. Multi-Level Layouts with Defined Zones
Tiered paver patios help organize outdoor spaces without the need for permanent walls or fences.
One level can hold a grill and dining furniture, another might wrap around a hot tub or lounge area, and a third could lead to a lower fire pit or garden path.
Use modular or slab-style pavers in the same tone to unify the levels and help the space feel cohesive from top to bottom.
8. Limestone and Travertine for Poolside Patios
For patios near a pool or water feature, limestone and travertine pavers offer both texture and traction.
These stones handle heat and water exposure well, making them ideal for lounging areas and wet zones. Paired with soft neutral palettes and minimal furniture, they create a resort-like vibe in your own backyard.
Add an outdoor fireplace or built-in bench along the edge for a bonus function.
9. Diagonal and Slanted Layouts
Instead of laying pavers parallel to the house or fence, turn the whole layout on a diagonal.
This trick creates movement and makes smaller patios feel bigger. It also helps hide imperfections or awkward shapes in your backyard layout.
Pair this with long rectangular pavers or alternating color tones for even more visual interest.
10. Large Format Pavers with Turf Joints
Oversized concrete pavers spaced widely with turf or synthetic grass in between give a lawn-meets-patio look.
This design is especially popular in modern backyards where you want a relaxing space without losing greenery. The contrast between green grass and crisp concrete makes it feel fresh, cool, and inviting year-round.
Let’s bring your patio design to life.
11. Tiered Patio Framed by Retaining Walls
A multi-tiered patio framed with block retaining walls adds structure, seating, and serious style.
This layout works especially well on sloped lots where the land naturally divides into levels. Use coordinating concrete pavers across each tier to create visual flow from one area to the next.
The retaining walls don’t just hold up the ground — they give your patio shape, function, and a built-in place to sit.
12. Sunken Fire Pit with Concentric Borders
A sunken fire pit encircled by concentric paver rings draws everyone in.
Whether you use brick, natural stone, or concrete pavers, the circular layers guide the eye and define the fire feature as the center of your outdoor room. This design thrives in larger backyards or open patios where you want to anchor the space without building permanent walls or fences.
Add curved benches or outdoor furniture that follows the shape to complete the look.
13. Rustic Flagstone with Natural Edging
For a more relaxed and organic feel, use irregular flagstone bordered by native plantings, boulders, or river rock.
This idea is perfect for a backyard that leans into natural landscaping and doesn’t need a crisp edge.
Let your flagstone settle into mulch or crushed gravel, and let creeping plants blur the lines. It’s low-key, low-maintenance, high charm.
14. Statement Patio with Bold Color Variation
Not all patios need to match perfectly.
Some of the most eye-catching designs celebrate stone variation with each paver slightly different in tone. Whether you’re using travertine, slate, or mixed concrete products, letting the color shift adds depth and texture.
Lay the pavers randomly, mixing from different pallets, and let the material do the visual work.
15. Minimalist Stack Bond with Clean Borders
A stack bond layout is as straightforward as it gets: pavers placed in a tidy grid with no staggering.
This ultra-modern pattern is ideal for square concrete pavers with smooth edges and subtle color. Add a darker border or inlaid strip using a contrasting shape to break up the grid and give it purpose.
Perfect for small patios, narrow walkways, or any spot where precision matters more than flash.
16. Shell-Inlaid Concrete with Decomposed Granite
Want to give your patio some texture and coastal flair?
Try concrete pavers embedded with crushed shell or stone, surrounded by decomposed granite paths.
This design works beautifully in dry climates or garden-style patios where water runoff matters. It’s also a smart move for anyone trying to soften the transition between paved and planted areas.
17. Pinwheel Pattern for Artistic Appeal
The pinwheel layout uses clusters of pavers rotated around a small square or rectangle, creating a subtle swirl pattern.
It’s less common than herringbone or basketweave, so it immediately feels different.
Use it in one part of your patio to highlight a dining area or grill station. The symmetry and motion give it a quiet elegance that still feels handcrafted.
18. Brick Soldier Course Borders Around Modern Slabs
Modern patios with large concrete pavers can still pull in traditional charm with a double or triple soldier course border in brick.
This look frames your paved area like a rug and provides a natural stopping point for gravel, garden beds, or mulch. It also protects the edges from crumbling over time.
If you like to mix clean lines with classic touches, this is your move.
19. Asymmetrical Layout with Mixed Shapes
If you want a truly custom look, try combining pavers of different sizes and shapes — square, rectangular, even hexagonal — in an irregular, asymmetrical layout.
This works best when your color palette is tight but your layout is loose. It’s a great way to reuse leftover pavers or blend several products into one cohesive patio.
Use it in artistic yards, cottage gardens, or anywhere you want less structure and more play.
FAQs About Paver Patio Design
What is the best pattern for patio pavers?
The best pattern for patio pavers in high-traffic areas is the herringbone pattern because it provides strong interlock and resists shifting. Use more decorative patterns like the Flemish bond in low-traffic zones to enhance visual appeal without sacrificing stability.
Will dark or natural stone pavers make my patio too hot to enjoy?
Dark pavers absorb more heat and can make patios uncomfortably hot. Lighter stones like limestone, travertine, or pale concrete stay cooler by reflecting sunlight. To reduce heat, choose lighter materials with textured or reflective finishes.
Can a paver patio safely support a hot tub or heavy outdoor fireplace?
A paver patio can safely support a hot tub or heavy fireplace if it has a reinforced base. Use at least 6 inches of compacted gravel, 1–2 inches of concrete sand, and consider a concrete slab under heavy features to prevent shifting or sinking.
Make Your Patio Pattern Perfect with Niedergeses Landscape
From bold modern layouts to rustic natural finishes, Niedergeses Landscape brings south-central Tennessee design ideas to life with precision and creativity. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy fire pit, an expansive dining zone, or a multi-level outdoor room, we’ll build a paver patio that fits your space and your style.
Ready to transform your backyard into something unforgettable? Fill out our contact form today or give us a call.
About the Author
In 1990, at just 14 years old, Jayme Niedergeses took the first step in starting his own company when he started mowing lawns around his hometown. From that one-man lawn-mowing operation grew a reliable, full-service landscaping company that serves the entire Middle Tennessee Area. Niedergeses landscapers are fully licensed, insured, highly trained, and extensively experienced. Every full-time and seasonal member of our crew is dedicated to providing excellent customer service as they create and care for beautiful landscapes.
