Whether working solo or with a landscape architect or contractor, the budget, size of the space, color, and architectural style of your home are going to influence the choice of materials. So is availability: local stones blend in with the surrounding environment and don’t cost as much as harder-to-find materials that have to be shipped.
Safety and Surface Texture
Think about what the patio will be used for and who will use it when looking at materials. Flat, smooth, even surfaces are necessary for dining areas, living rooms, and for accessibility. Rough cobblestones and bumpy aggregate concrete pavers could cause someone to trip or impede the mobility of a person who uses a cane, walker, or wheelchair. Conversely, ultra-smooth surfaces like concrete or polished granite can become slippery when wet. Apply slip-resistant coatings to high-traffic surfaces that have the potential for becoming slick.
Consider Concrete
An attractive, cost-saving option is to use concrete pavers, which can be cast into a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Different textures and finishes can be applied to concrete, like rock salt, aggregate, faux finishes, etchings, stamping, and hand carving. Even objects as simple as brooms or rakes can create attractive textural surfaces.
Stone Options
Visit a local stone yard or supplier to discover what’s available in your area; this is one of those things you need to see and touch up close to make a smart decision. Popular types of stone include:
Flagstone Cobblestones Veneer Stone Cut Stone
Both stone and concrete pavers are often spaced apart, with loose materials like pea gravel or sand or ground covers like thyme or Irish moss to fill the gaps. Take a look at our favorite 25 stunning and very different examples of patio pavers. “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.”
