Paving Patterns: All the Designs

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Laying pavers seems so easy and fun that anyone could do it. While that is somewhat true, there’s more to laying paving than ‘putting the pieces together’. If you’re redesigning or adding paving around your home, first you have to pick from a plethora of paving patterns. There are plenty of options, and each has its own defining characteristics and challenges. You just need to pick the right finish for your property.

Flagstone

With a flagstone pattern you can include designs that are created using irregular shaped stones arranged randomly. Stones can range in size, and you have a lot of freedom in this design because there are no defined patterns or shapes to follow. Opt for a flagstone walkway if you want to create an authentic and beautiful look. This design works best in rustic settings because of the inconsistent styling. The flagstone and grass combination is popular and always beautiful. The downside is that you have to constantly care for the grass and to make sure it stays healthy and trimmed, which is not easy during droughts! The plus side is that grassed areas help to define the shape and beauty of stone.

Circular patterns

You will have seen this pattern on large driveways or patios. To create this pattern you layer the paver in a circular pattern, starting from the centre. You can even combine this pattern with a herringbone finish or basket weave. Go for a circular pattern if you have a round seating area in the garden, or you can even use your circular paving as a starting point before you design the rest of your outside spaces.

Basket weave

This is ideal for those who want to create a vintage or historic look, and is also easy to get right as it is a simple pattern where you alternate the pavers between vertical and horizontal pairs. When using the basket weave pattern you can get creative and use different colours, or stick with one colour to achieve an old, worn look.

The European fan

Popular across Europe, this pattern is one of the most challenging, although a kit can be used when laying this pattern for an easier approach. Despite its challenging design it offers some flexibility in terms of fan size and colour.

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Checkered

This is a classic and very popular among paving patterns. It’s usually created using large square-shaped stones, and most often with two different colours to highlight the pattern. An interesting idea is to combine pavers with artificial grass squares to obtain a simple pattern with a modern twist. You can also try using different sized and shaped pavers for an alternative finish.

Herringbone

In this design, which originates from old English landscapes, pavers are organised in alternate directions to form a V shape. Herringbone is known for being durable and has therefore become a classic paving style. The herringbone pattern has a strong visual impact and is most often seen in driveways, patios and walkways. When creating a herringbone pattern the pavers can be laid at either 45° or 90° . The angle you choose will determine the overall pattern and design.

Running bond

The running bond pattern is the most commonly used, simply because it’s really easy to lay. In addition, it’s also the most efficient one, producing the least amount of waste compared to other designs. This is a pattern that is ideal for small patios and which can make a small area seem bigger thanks to its simple, linear lines.

Cobblestone

Originally cobblestones were small stones rounded by the flow of water, gathered from stream beds and used to pave the streets of old England. Today setts are also often referred to as cobbles, even though they have a regular shape. Given the irregularities and organic shapes, you can use cobblestones with flagstone finishes and similar designs if you choose this from the range of paving patterns.