Pathway to Pavers

San Francisco-based Envision Landscape Studio designed a stairway on a slope with graceful curves that create a sense of intrigue and mystery rather than a straight up-and-down path. Concrete steps are aligned with a low retaining wall to create a clean line before the steps take a curve and switch materials to ipe wood risers. The pavers are simple concrete squares, evenly spaced for a modern look and placed evenly into a bed of pea gravel. The ipe is finished with a mahogany wood stain for a rich warm hue.

Grid Pattern

A Philadelphia area backyard patio is set on a grid of 2 x 3-foot full-color flagstone in a bond pattern, which keeps the installation and looks simple, according to landscape designer ​Donald Pell.

“I love the simplicity of a grid in a juxtaposition of sweeping drifts of perennials,” explains Pell. “I prefer simple paving details and the timelessness of using regional stone. I also always try to push patios and terraces out into the landscape so we can immerse the space in the romantic experience of a garden. The last thing I want is a patio set right up against the architecture of a house.”

Contemporary Cement Patio Pavers

This sleek patio from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has cement pavers that create a nearly seamless look, keeping the focus on the minimal lines and organic shapes of the planters.

Seattle Zen

Seattle-based landscape design/build firm Avalon Northwest excavated 6 inches, then installed and compacted a crushed rock subbase. From there, they added a sand setting bed, into which they laid the pavers and finished with concrete edging. The pavers that form the circle pattern are Old Dominion and the path is Roman Dominion from Mutual Materials. Blue star creeper edges the path and circular patio.

Patio With a View of the Pacific

What once was an unkempt lawn in the hills of Malibu overlooking the Pacific was transformed into a lounge and entertaining space by Gregory Davis & Associates by laying Chocolate Flagstone with pea gravel to fill in the gaps.

Mixed Materials

The rust-colored pavers on this outdoor patio from Urbanology Designs adds contrast with the whitewashed stone chimney and taupe-colored brick facade of the home.

Memories of a Beautiful Design

A peaceful, exquisite patio and yard in the wine country city of Glen Ellen, California, featured select bluestone rectangles mortared over a concrete base. Heuttl Landscape Architecture designed the entire landscape, including the formed concrete water feature, low walls, and garden. Tragically, this property was destroyed in the devastating wildfires that struck the region in October of 2017.

Bluestone Bands

The unique shape of this San Francisco area patio was created by Shades of Green Landscape Architecture using bands of bluestone with black pebbles. Grasses, succulents, and drought-tolerant perennials were planted around the perimeter for year-round beauty in the California climate.

Portland Modern

Charcoal-hued pavers called Vancouver Bay are tightly laid to form a clean, modern surface for a Tudor-style house in Portland, Oregon. Architect Risa Boyer designed the 2 x 4.5-foot fire pit herself, which is connected to an underground gas line. A vintage Mid-Century Modern child’s chair and two butterfly chairs help modernize the outdoor space, along with a neutral grey-white-black color palette.

Sandy Desert Patio Pavers

The sandy tone of the patio pavers in this outdoor space in Paradise Valley, AZ from Living With Lolo perfectly reflects the desert landscape.

Petite Plot in Minneapolis

A yard in Minneapolis is on a corner lot with limited space, creating a challenge for Southview Designs to maximize its potential. The solution: concrete pavers in walnut by Anchor, which are no longer available but similar to their current Charleston line. In addition to a garden, and dining set, there’s also room for a mobile fire pit.

Two-Tone Patio Pavers

This outdoor patio from Calimia Home features a mix of pale-toned patio pavers that create subtle variation in the transition between the inside and the outdoor dining area.

Bluestone in Blue Ridge

A front yard entry garden in Seattle’s Blue Ridge neighborhood features bluestone pavers with granite cobble accents laid over a concrete base. Designer Kate Martin randomly inserted 4 x 4-inch granite cobblestones with 24-inch square variegated bluestones, set over a rough slab of concrete.

Add Contrast

Vintage-style table and French bistro chairs in shades of white, black, and wicker add contrast with interlocking pavers on this cottage patio from Kate Marker Interiors.

Vancouver Retreat

That bright green ground cover growing between the square concrete pavers of this patio designed by Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture is a blend of Leptinella Gruveri and mossy Saxifraga.

Modern Zen

Ipe wood decking and accent walls, a raked stone garden, a brass sheer-descent water feature, and concrete stepping pads transform an Irvine, California backyard into a peaceful space that designer Studio H dubs Zen Modern. That bright green grass growing between the Stepstone Inc. pavers is artificial turf.

Warm Bricks

Closely laid brick pavers in different sizes create a smooth, even surface for a patio that doesn’t compete with the rest of the landscape.

Vary the Proportions

Gray patio pavers in a range of sizes adds interest to this modern backyard patio floor from Mary Patton Design that is decorated with contemporary outdoor furnishings and equipped with modern comforts like a flat screen TV and outdoor kitchen.

Corner Patio

The corner of a new yard in Portland, Oregon is accessible from the main patio via flagstone pavers placed across the lawn. The fire pit patio surface is also flagstone, which is available in colors ranging from white sandstone to Southwest pink/orange to black slate.

Rustic Stone Pavers

Bright yellow folding metal garden chairs add contrast with this rustic stone paver patio from Mary Patton Design.

Tucson Saltillo

The small patio of a Tucson, Arizona, condo blends in with the surrounding landscape. Designed by Kathryn Prideaux, the surface is Saltillo, which is fired clay that is sealed for protection and longevity.

Terracotta Pavers

Terracotta pavers preserve the authentic look of this Spanish style home in Coral Gables, FL from Calimia Home. A neutral toned rug anchoring the dining table adds a modern touch.

Flagstone Patio

Widely space flagstone is interspersed with smaller stones to create an intriguing effect for an outdoor living room in Montecito, California, designed by Jodi G Designs.

Southwest Stone

Cut stone with a slightly rough texture complements the architectural style of this Southwestern patio dining room designed by Forte Homes in Phoenix, Arizona.

Interlocking Pavers

Interlocking pavers are becoming increasingly more popular because they are non-slip, easy to remove for repairs, and permeable, which allows the release of rainfall. They are made to resemble brick, stone, and other paving materials.

Barbecue and Dining Patio

Stone tile, or cut stone in different sizes and colors coordinates with the custom-built barbecue and fireplace designed by B&B Pools and Spas in Eastern Michigan.

In the Round

A round 3-foot fire pit fits perfectly on a circular 7-foot-diameter patio in Minneapolis designed by Nor-Sun.

Private Patio

A Seattle backyard designed by Scot Eckley features an ashlar-pattern bluestone paver patio. The fireplace wall is covered with Boston ivy.

Aggregate Pavers

Round aggregate pavers were popular and readily available at hardware stores and nurseries in the 1950s and have been rediscovered by fans of midcentury modern architecture and design. This Venice, CA patio features mixed sizes of circular pavers embedded in a sea of pea gravel.

Modern Mix

The architectural firm Coates Design oversaw the interior and exterior remodel of a modern Washington home that features square concrete pavers with a trowel skim coat finish. Coates also made the cast-in-place concrete fire pit. The filler between the pavers is colored crushed marble.

Pavers and Pergola

Chicago-based Rolling Landscapes used patterned bluestone in a range of sizes for this Illinois patio. The patio is dry-set on compacted gravel and sand and replaced an old “builder’s special” deck that was long and narrow.

Bluestone Paver Circle

A circular conversation patio created by Heffernan Landscape Design is made using bluestone pavers, which are repeated throughout the landscape in paths and other areas that require hardscape.

Flagstone Patio and Wall Seating

Kate Martin Design used flagstone in various colors on this patio surface, steps, and on top of the low wall, which also serves as extra seating.

Brick Patio Pavers

Brick pavers with a weathered look add rustic charm to this backyard patio and indoor outdoor bar from Mindy Gayer Design Co.

Patio Pavers With a Grass Border

This Florida stone paver patio from Calimia Home has a contemporary feel, with strips of grass adding an energizing shot of greenery to the outdoor seating area.