35 Paver Patio Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space

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

patio and seating area in Hagerty Organic Garden area
Photo:

Jessica Sample

From stone to concrete, brick, or even tile, pavers blend form and function in any outdoor living space. This material also has a ton of flexibility; it can be used in a small space or to cover an entire patio or backyard. It even suits a variety of budgets. At once graphic, textural, and sometimes colorful, these paver patio ideas will help you make over your outdoor space.

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Showcase a Fire Pit

custom firepit surrounded by gravel and patio blocks with seating area

Holly Lepere

Showcase the ultimate backyard fire pit by creating a border from thick paver stone. For this paver patio idea, the inset was filled with crushed gravel and topped with a wide fire table to help spread warmth during chilly evenings with friends. Add comfortable seating and decorative pillows to create a room-like atmosphere you'll never want to leave.

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Carve a Paver Pathway

Outdoor seating area.

Edmund Barr

On a gravel patio, pavers make a sturdy walkway from the house to your outdoor dining or living space. This allows easy access from the indoors to bring snacks and drinks without stumbling over the gravel. Plus, the pavers add contrast in both color and texture.

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Cover a Paver Patio Idea

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.

Dominique Vorillon

In a covered patio or an enclosed sunroom, pavers in a single light color create the illusion that the room is bigger and brighter. Install them in a classic running bond pattern for a traditional look that doesn't distract from outdoor decor. The pavers will stay cool in the summer heat since the overhead covering protects them.

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Keep It Cohesive

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

Lisa Romerein

To integrate this lounge space into an edible garden, the owners simply topped pea gravel with pavers. Wooden patio furniture complements the nearby wood planter boxes and connects the two spaces. Enjoy gardening and picking fruits and vegetables for your dinner while taking breaks to relax on the comfortable seating and enjoy the view.

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Rely on a Classic

Riordan Garden/towards potted plants on exterior wall

Bob Stefko

Not only is brick fairly inexpensive, but its iconic red hue creates a striking surface for an outdoor dining or living area. What’s more, brick can be laid in endless combinations of patterns, including checkered, basketweave, herringbone, and more. Brick is available in many styles and will add a timeless look to any outdoor space, whether your home is cottage-style or contemporary.

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Vary the Scale

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

Chad Mellon

In addition to a variety of shapes and colors, pavers come in many sizes, too. Vary the scale of the pavers in your patio for added interest. For this paver patio idea, a large-scale paver-tiled floor is topped with a fire table in small brick, which is topped with more stone pavers. The combination of a fountain and firepit creates a natural atmosphere of calm and serenity.

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Finish a Deck

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

Jason Donnelly

Natural materials like brick, stone, and wood mix well together, as with this wood deck wrapped with a landing made of stone pavers. Wood planks wrapped around the paver patio finish the look and connect to the wood deck above. The white spindles on the railings connect the stairs to the house for a feeling of continuity.

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Go Graphic

Stenciled pattern patio with seating under string lighting

Hector Sanchez

If plain and simple won't do, choose a patterned tile or paver patio idea. You can also stencil a pattern onto a concrete patio to 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's exterior palette and style for a harmonious, not jarring look.

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Build a Paver Patio Walkway

square block path through raised plant beds going toward house

Edmund Barr 

Hardscaping creates a functional and beautiful backyard, but the sand and gravel that come along with it aren’t always ideal for traversing through. Provide a smooth surface for getting around your yard by topping the sandy surface with stone or concrete pavers

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Vary Paver Shapes

outdoor lounge area on patio with cantilever umbrella

Anne D. Schlechter

Pavers come in all shapes and sizes; mix squares and rectangles to add character to your paver patio. Lay out your pattern before you start installing your pavers to make sure you're happy with the look, adjusting the positioning of the pavers until you find the right design. A paver patio idea that adds warmth is to top the stone with a cozy, complementary rug

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Create Zones in a Paver Patio

patio and seating area in Hagerty Organic Garden area

Jessica Sample

Even in small outdoor spaces, the right paver patio idea can help draw distinctions from one area to the next. In this case, a dining table set over large pavers and slate rocks feels separate from a fire table and lounge area surrounded by grass and hardscaping. Overhead lights add ambiance in the evenings and allow guests and family to linger over dinner after dark.

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Incorporate a Herringbone Pattern

Porch with brick pavers and hanging seating.

Julie Soefer

The beauty of brick is that it ages well. Here, faded antique bricks set in a herringbone pattern complement the covered patio's neutral, traditional decor. Hanging egg chairs and a teak swing are inviting places to sit for a while. The classic blue and white, paired with a bright touch of orange, reinforces the timeless style.

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Incorporate Multiple Paver Colors

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

Edmund Barr 

Combine textures to add dynamic interest to a small space. Here, the gray flagstone is subtle and acts as a base for the more detailed stacked stone on the planter wall and firepit. The wood furniture reflects the brown in the stone, and bright pink, yellow, and turquoise, introduced with pillows and woven chairs, add life to an otherwise neutral space.

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Design a Front Yard Paver Walkway

Farmhouse with wide stones leading up to the entrance.

Nathan Schroder 

A front yard walkway featuring pea gravel steps contrasts with white rectangular pavers. The large-scale paver patio idea creates a modern look that coordinates with the concrete slab front porch. Brown borders and planters add warmth, and the green door cheerfully welcomes visitors.

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Use Modern Concrete Pavers

Patio with two chairs and a dog sitting on one.

Kim Cornelison

Pavers can also modernize an outdoor space. Keep the pattern on your modern paver patio clean and geometric for a fresh look. Opt for a sleek gray stone for a contemporary color palette. Add rattan and woven furnishings and accessories to bring visual interest to your seating area.

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Incorporate Flagstone Pavers

white chair and small table sitting on flagstone patio

Matthew Benson 

Consider irregular paver stones, like those featured in this flagstone paver patio idea, to create a space with a more organic shape. Although it may come together like a puzzle, the cumulative pieces will ultimately create a unified, graphic moment. This patio paver idea works well in curved rather than geometric spaces to reflect the landscaping layout.

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Make Room for Natural Borders

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

Matthew Benson

Create an outdoor room surrounded by nature by centering pavers in the middle of your yard and leaving borders around the fence for shrubs, flowers, and climbing vines. This outdoor area will become a favorite spot for summer afternoons and evenings when you can enjoy a meal or take a brief nap.

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Add a Fun Brick Paver Patio

Table and seats at patio in lawn

Buff Strickland

Brick is a classic paver choice, but why not incorporate both if you’re struggling to choose between traditional gray or red? Here, a red brick patio gets a playful twist dotted with gray to form a subtle checkerboard pattern

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Have Fun with Paver Patterns

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

Caitlin Atkinson

Sure, a single-colored paver patio idea is beautiful, but don’t be afraid to add some personality. To spice it up, play with different colors, textures, and patterns for a fun and graphic finish. Here, polished gray beach pebbles contrast with white pavers for a modern twist, bringing a definite coastal feel to this outdoor space.

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Install a Stone Paver Patio

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

Emily Followill

Stone pavers are both beautiful and highly functional. Here, a cohesive scheme of gray flagstones seamlessly blends a sunken paver patio and a sculptural stairway that leads to a lush garden. 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.

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Match Your Home's Exterior

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

Annie Schlechter

Select a patio paver idea in a color similar to your home's exterior for a monochromatic look. Choosing shades from the same color family creates a calming and cohesive palette. The pastels of this home's exterior are reflected in the soft tones of the smooth pavers.

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Unify Materials

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

Edmund Barr 

Pavers can also be utilized to merge distinct zones within a backyard. In this case, concrete squares in identical shapes and colors connect a cool grassy lawn, succulent garden, and wood deck area. Using pavers this way creates a cohesive feel to the landscaping, so it doesn't look broken up or disjointed.

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Go Wall to Wall

Seating area with fire pit in garden by house

Edmund Barr

Laying pavers across an entire backyard creates a seamless flow. Consider a minimal pattern in a medium to light hue. Planting moss between pavers is an easy way to tie the paver patio to the lawn or landscaping if you live in a particularly verdant area. It makes the patio look like it's been there for a long time, giving a sense of history, perfect for this traditional, shingle-sided home.

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Meditate with a Modern Paver Patio Idea

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

William Wright 

Want to get away from it all? Find a quiet spot beneath a canopy of trees or amongst shrubs and plants to read, do yoga, or meditate. This modern patio is formed by a simple grid of concrete pavers that's minimalistic and simple, allowing the greenery to shine and the bright orange chairs to make a bold statement.

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Pair Pavers with River Rocks

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

Adam Albright 

Put a fun spin on a classic grid paver patio by staggering square or rectangular pavers with plenty of space in between. Mexican beach pebbles in various colors fill in the gaps for texture and contrast. The combination is a laid-back and easy design, great for sitting and reading a book or enjoying the breeze.

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Go Green

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

Nathan Schroder

There’s no hard and fast rule about where pavers can and cannot be placed. That applies to the grass, too. When deciding on your paver patio idea, plan to add durable grass that can withstand high-traffic areas to incorporate some greenery. Here, grass grows slightly wild for an exciting juxtaposition to the simple pavers.

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Anchor Your Outdoor Space

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

Robert Peterson

Carve out a small, paved area for lounging or dining in a yard dominated by grass and trees. This small patio is formed by a mix of beige and gray pavers, and the colors coordinate with the surrounding undulating landscape and dark-painted garden shed.

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Bring Cottage-Style

outdoor sitting area set with games and food on patio

Anne D. Schlechter

Consider planting moss or grass between stones rather than sand or rocks for a paver patio idea that gives a cottage look. The not-so-perfectly-perfect design creates a laid-back atmosphere. The distressed furniture and abundance of pillows add to the casual, welcoming feel of the backyard.

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Re-Create Your Favorite Getaway

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

Jay Wilde

Dream up a resort feel by surrounding an outdoor bar with sand-hued brick pavers that replicate the look of soft beach sand. The blue roof suggests a tropical ocean view, and the plentiful bar seating practically demands a party.

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Connect to Your Home's Interior

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

Carson Downing

Repeat a stone-tiled floor for an indoor-outdoor patio paver idea that seamlessly transitions from a kitchen or dining room to your outdoor room. A charcoal grout indoors is easy to clean and hides dirt, while the dark seams are replicated outside with deep gray crushed granite between the pavers.

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Make It Match

Chairs around firepit at patio in garden

Christina Schmidhofer

If you’re working with a large patio, incorporate oversized pavers, which help balance the scale of the outdoor room. Here, the beige hues featured on the paver patio repeat on the stone fire pit. The patio is surrounded by hedges and grass that give a sense of privacy and coziness, while wicker furniture adds a relaxing touch.

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Add Some Polish

Covered stone paver patio with seating in striped fabric

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

A covered courtyard feels classic yet modern thanks to alternating stone hues in a tonal palette of cool grays. A black-and-white color palette continues the timeless look. The arched openings add a sense of grandeur, and perfectly scaled oversized lanterns light the area after dark.

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Connect to Landscaping

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

Marion Brenner

A mixture of irregular stone pavers correlates to the slope that hugs this courtyard, connecting the areas. The stone stairway adds interest and a pathway to and from the space. Soft blue furnishings create a relaxing retreat.

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Showcase a Color Palette

Seating area around fire pit

Matthew Benson 

If a single style or color patio paver idea reads too one-note for your taste, mix it up but keep the look unified by choosing stones with similar textures and finishes. Continue the color palette on outdoor furniture upholstery and pillows. Here, the constant is the orange hue found in the pavers, stacked stone, furniture, and pillows.

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Choose Warm Tones

patio with fire and four chairs

Edmund Barr 

The natural variations in these terra-cotta pavers create an inviting, vibrant backdrop for outdoor living. The flooring warms up the bright blue tile featured on the outdoor kitchen walls, with the colorful tile surround of the fireplace adding to the Mediterranean style.

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