Nothing compliments the pitter-patter of happy feet on a patio like a fun, interesting paver pattern! Your patio’s paver pattern isn’t just about looking pretty, though.
Every paver design has a different level of strength, so some are better for patios, walkways, pools, and driveway spaces than others. And some are just too weak for patio furniture, firepits, and frequent footsteps!
The best paver pattern for a patio is generally a strong one, such as a running bond, stacked bond, herringbone, or basketweave pattern. Random and geometric patterns are also perfect for patio spaces that need some visual intrigue.
Let’s explore each different design and determine the ideal patio space for each one. Then, we’ll weigh out the pros and cons to figure out which paver pattern is best for you and your patio.
Let’s Find the Best Paver Pattern for You!
There are several paver patterns that work well in patio spaces, but each one comes with some unique advantages and disadvantages.
These differences in appearance and durability matter a lot, so it’s important to keep your personal patio space in mind when sorting through the options.
Herringbone
Best Paver Pattern For: Medium-sized patio spaces, patios that must be durable enough for heavy furniture, pool areas, and multi-pattern combinations.
Herringbone is one of the best paver patterns for a patio due to its balance of strength and aesthetics.
You can’t deny the visual appeal of this tesselating v-shaped design, whether the pavers are large or small. Herringbone not only offers an alternative to the straight lines of traditional patterns like running bond, but it creates fluidity and movement in a patio, extending the space and making it feel much roomier.
Herringbone patterns can follow the traditional design, which is called a single herringbone. However, there are double, triple, and quadruple herringbone patterns, too, which use sections of multiple bricks to offset each v-shaped motif.
Design aside, this paving pattern is one of the very strongest, and we often recommend it for driveways, walkways, and other heavy-duty surfaces. Even if you aren’t planning on putting a ton of weight onto your patio, that durability will translate into a longer-lasting paved surface.
Another great part about herringbone is how well it works with other patterns. For example, you can combine herringbone with circular elements and running bond for a strong yet visually interesting paver pattern:
And speaking of running bond, let’s get into the next-best paving pattern for patios!
Running Bond
Best Paver Pattern For: Small or cramped patio spaces, patios that must be extremely durable, walkways, driveways
Also known as stretcher bond, running bond looks just like a typical brick wall. With this paver pattern, each paver is staggered a bit to add tons of strength to any surface.
As such, running bond is one of the strongest—and easiest to lay—paving patterns you can select.
When installed either vertically or at an angle, the dynamic lines of running bond can also create the illusion of extra space. To see that in action, check out this poolside paradise in Techo-Bloc’s Aberdeen pavers:
This design’s ability to transform a space makes this paving pattern one of the best for people with smaller rectangular patios. Additionally, with the option to choose from large 24×24 pavers or smaller ones like the Techo-Bloc Squadra, you can fill any space with either intricate detail or clean, wide lines.
It may seem like a rather plain pattern at face value, but if you select an interesting-looking stone, like Hardscape’s Perfido porcelain pavers, and play with the angle you lay it at, you can add plenty of sophistication and lasting strength to your patio space.
Add in a few more paving patterns like the stacked bond, and you’ve got yourself a masonry masterpiece:
Stacked Bond
Best Paver Pattern For: Small rectangular or square patios that could use more visual appeal
Stacked bond, also known as checkboard or checkerboard, is a grid-like paver pattern that is best for rectangular spaces and walkways.
This easy-to-lay, modular pattern is not as strong as herringbone or running bond, but it is perfect for smaller spaces that don’t need to take on any heavy furniture, cars, or pools.
Use this paver pattern to create classic designs, like in this checkerboard-style backyard haven:
Basketweave
Best Paver Pattern For: Large, open spaces that could use more visual intrigue, areas that won’t bear a load (not suitable for driveways)
The basket weave pattern, also called parquet, looks just like a woven basket, with alternating sections of bricks facing in different directions. However, this pattern has many variants, some of which offset each “woven” section by one or two pavers.
While this pattern is very pretty, it takes more time to lay than other patterns, such as the running bond.
Additionally, when you lay this pattern, fitting all the pavers together perfectly can be tricky. That means this paver pattern is a bit weaker than other patterns like the herringbone and can cost slightly more in labor to lay.
Still, this pattern is stunning, and its modular design is perfect for larger spaces that could use a bit of sophistication. In smaller spaces, this pattern may be too busy and could create the feeling of clutter.
Random
Best Paver Pattern For: Any patio, driveway, or pool space
Despite the name of this paver pattern, random designs aren’t random at all. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
Random paver patterns include many pavers of different shapes and sizes, all of which lock together to create the illusion of randomness. Usually, these pavers are sold in kits such as the Cambridge Natural Stone 7-Pc. Pattern Design Kit or the Cambridge Ledgestone 3-Pc. Design Kit.
These kits, which usually include sets of three to seven pieces, include modular blocks of pavers, all of which connect to create repeatable sections that interlock with one another.
With so many different ways to be random, this paver pattern is perfect for almost any space at all. There are different random designs for everyone, whether your patio space is small, large, or anywhere in between.
Still, some random patterns may be better for your patio than others. To help you decide on a pattern perfect for your space, reach out to us anytime.
Geometric
Best Paver Pattern For: Open patio, pool, driveway, or walkway spaces that could use some visual appeal
Geometric paver patterns are pavers that have a tessellating geometric shape. These pavers can come in hexagons, diamonds, triangles, pentagons, or any other shapes that tessellate well.
Geometric designs are perfect for almost any space depending on the number of colors you use in the pattern. Paver layouts with multiple colors are perfect for open, roomy spaces, but they can add clutter to smaller patios or pool areas.
However, when you only use one or two similar colors in this paving pattern, you can add subtle interest, movement, and the illusion of space in smaller areas:
Additionally, if you are worried about the strength of this paver pattern, don’t fret. Geometric patterns are some of the strongest, which is why we recommend them for driveways, poolscapes, and other load-bearing surfaces.
Final Thoughts
If you need materials or advice for your Long Island patio paving project, Astro is here to help! Request a quote online or stop by our showroom to pick up pavers, base materials, and more. We also deliver!