11. Herringbone paver patio
The 45° herringbone is the classic for a reason: the interlocking zigzag looks handcrafted and is the strongest pattern for furniture-heavy patios.
≈ 908 pavers · $768 in materials for a 16 × 12 ft patio
Section 01 · 4 ideas
Classic layouts & patterns
The four patterns that never go out of style.
1
22. Running bond layout
Offset rows like brickwork make the simplest, most forgiving pattern to lay. Run the bond across the narrow dimension to make a small patio feel wider.
≈ 794 pavers · $672 in materials for a 14 × 12 ft patio
33. Large-format slab patio
Oversized 24-inch slabs mean fewer joints and a calm, high-end surface. Fewer pieces to lay, too, which DIYers appreciate by mid-afternoon.
≈ 1,059 pavers · $896 in materials for a 16 × 14 ft patio
44. Circular paver patio
A circle kit spirals out from a center stone into a natural gathering spot. It reads intentional and formal, especially framed by planting beds.
≈ 927 pavers · $784 in materials for a 14 × 14 ft patio
Section 02 · 3 ideas
Small-space patios
Big impact in a compact footprint.
55. Compact courtyard bistro patio
A 10 × 10 pad fits a bistro set and two planters with room to breathe. In a walled courtyard, one clean pattern keeps the space from feeling busy.
≈ 473 pavers · $400 in materials for a 10 × 10 ft patio
66. Side-yard paver landing
Turn the forgotten strip beside the house into a usable landing with a narrow run of pavers, a bench and some tall grasses along the fence.
≈ 341 pavers · $288 in materials for a 12 × 6 ft patio
77. Corner patio nook
Tuck a small paver pad into a fence corner for a reading chair and a side table. Two walls of planting instantly make it feel like a destination.
≈ 378 pavers · $320 in materials for a 10 × 8 ft patio
Section 03 · 4 ideas
Fire pit & outdoor living
Patios built around how you actually use them.
88. Fire pit circle with built-in seating
A round paver terrace with a stone fire pit at center and a curved seat wall is the backyard hangout everyone gravitates to after dark.
≈ 1,210 pavers · $1,024 in materials for a 16 × 16 ft patio
99. Outdoor dining terrace
Size the pavers to the table: an 18 × 14 terrace gives a dining set with pulled-out chairs a comfortable 3 feet of clearance on every side.
≈ 1,191 pavers · $1,008 in materials for a 18 × 14 ft patio
1010. Outdoor kitchen pad
Pavers make a durable, grease-forgiving floor for a grill island and prep counter. A darker blend hides the inevitable spills.
≈ 908 pavers · $768 in materials for a 16 × 12 ft patio
1111. Lounge zone with sectional
A generous paver pad devoted to a deep outdoor sectional and coffee table turns the patio into a true second living room.
≈ 1,059 pavers · $896 in materials for a 16 × 14 ft patio
Section 04 · 4 ideas
Modern & contemporary
Crisp lines, tight joints, muted tones.
1212. Porcelain-look smooth pavers
Smooth, rectified pavers laid with tight joints give the seamless look of indoor tile outdoors, the go-to for modern architecture.
≈ 908 pavers · $768 in materials for a 16 × 12 ft patio
1313. Linear plank pavers
Long, narrow plank pavers laid in one direction stretch the eye across the yard, the paver equivalent of wide-plank flooring.
≈ 1,021 pavers · $864 in materials for a 18 × 12 ft patio
1414. Two-tone banded patio
Break a large field of light pavers with charcoal bands or an inset border. One contrasting color, used sparingly, is all it takes.
≈ 794 pavers · $672 in materials for a 14 × 12 ft patio
1515. Floating paver pads
Oversized square pavers set apart over crushed stone read sculptural and modern, and lead the eye from door to patio.
≈ 567 pavers · $480 in materials for a 12 × 10 ft patio
Section 05 · 3 ideas
Borders, edging & mixed materials
Pavers plus one more material.
1616. Paver and gravel mix
A paver grid infilled with pea gravel gives structure where you walk and cheap, fast-draining texture everywhere else, and cuts the paver count roughly in half.
≈ 794 pavers · $672 in materials for a 14 × 12 ft patio
1717. Grass-joint pavers
Wide turf joints between square pavers soften all that hardscape and let rain soak in where it falls. A modern look that stays green.
≈ 662 pavers · $560 in materials for a 14 × 10 ft patio
1818. Contrasting soldier-course border
A single perimeter row of darker pavers set on end frames the field like a picture frame and hides the cut edges. The cheapest upgrade in paving.
≈ 908 pavers · $768 in materials for a 16 × 12 ft patio
How to build a paver patio that stays flat
1
Excavate 7 to 9 inches: 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel base, 1 inch of bedding sand, then the pavers. The base is what keeps the pattern flat for decades.
2
Slope the patio about 1 inch per 8 feet away from the house so rain drains off instead of pooling.
3
Order 5 to 10% extra pavers for cuts and breakage; patterns like herringbone eat more at the edges.
4
Restrain every edge with paver edging spiked into the base, or the outer rows will creep and the joints will open up.
5
Sweep polymeric sand into the joints and mist it; it hardens to lock the pavers and keep weeds out.
6
Sizing your own patio? The paver calculator turns your dimensions into paver count, base, sand and cost.
How many pavers will you need?
Get the exact paver count, gravel base, sand and cost for your patio size and paver format.
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