Spring is here, and just as your landscape is waking up from its winter slumber, you are probably looking at some outdoor renovations that will give you a more attractive and functional living space. To inspire your project, here are 9 unique design ideas that utilize patio pavers in Sussex County, NJ.
1. A Bluestone-Inspired Patio with a Brick Border
This striking combination can work with any design theme. Both bluestone-inspired patio pavers and clay or concrete bricks add richness of color and texture to your outdoor living space. Marrying the two is an opportunity to make the space more interesting, but also to define various activity zones and match other elements such as a brick outdoor fireplace or brick siding. If you aren’t a fan of red brick, modern brick pavers are also available in deep charcoal, brown, and grey. You still get the timeless look of brick, but in updated colors.
2. Pea Gravel Instead of Jointing Sand
Using pea gravel instead of jointing sand between patio pavers gives your patio a more organic look, adding texture where there would otherwise be very little. It also makes the surface permeable - allowing rain and snowmelt to seep into the ground below the pavers. This will keep your patio drier when it rains, and less icy in winter.
3. Alternating Bands
Use large-format square or rectangular pavers in two colors, to create a patio with alternating contrasting bands. This is a fun option for modern spaces, especially if you keep the decor to a minimum. The contrast can be dramatic or subtle.
4. A Mossy Patio
A wonderfully lush solution for shady patios is to separate large-format pavers with moss, thyme, or other ground covers. In sunny locations, choose ground covers that like sunny and dry conditions.
5. A Chess Board Patio
Use two colors of a particular paver, and alternate them chess board style, separating them with jointing sand, pea gravel, or a ground cover. This works best with large-format pavers (such as 24”x24”) You could even play backyard checkers or chess on this “board” - just make sure there are 64 squares total.
6. Around the Fire
Surround a round fire pit with a circular patio addition outside of the main patio, where small square patio pavers are laid in a circular pattern that emanates from the fire pit. This creates a unique space just for fireside activities, separate from the hustle and bustle of the main patio.
7. Patio Paver “Area Rugs”
Create an area rug effect using the same type of pavers as in the main field of the patio; or, use completely different pavers. The “area rug” effect is a great way to define spaces. In general, keep the color mix to two or three, to avoid an overly busy look.
For a much more subtle look, you could use the same pavers as in the main field, but alternate the laying pattern (using a completely different laying pattern or the same pattern but at a 45-degree angle.
8. Interesting Patterns on Two Levels
If you have a stepped patio, you could alternate the laying pattern on each level, while using the same pavers for consistency. The break in the laying pattern gives each level its own character.
9. Spaces Separated By Nature
You can separate various activity zones using raised masonry planters, or a patio-level planter that is filled with shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, or other plants and features decorative stone instead of mulch (this will keep your patio much cleaner).
Related: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR AND STYLE FOR YOUR PATIO PAVERS IN ORANGE COUNTY NY
