What do you set patio stones with?

Place the stone pavers on a layer of sand and gravel. The bottom layer should be about four inches deep of gravel for proper drainage. Then there should be a layer of sand that’s about 1.5-2 inches deep. The stones settle into this layer, and it helps keep them in place. A very fine grain of sand is then worked into the gaps between the stones once they are all in place.

How big should a stone patio be?

The general rule is to plan on 25 square feet for each person you want to have on your patio. For example, if you hosted a get-together with 15 people, you would want about 375 square feet. So, a 20 x 19 square foot patio would give you a 380 square foot patio.

Can a patio be too big?

Yes, if you don’t style it or use the space correctly. Most homeowners struggle to visualize the size of their patio when finished, which leads to them building a patio that is either too small or too large. Patios that are too large lose their intimate feel, and furniture looks like it is awkwardly floating in your backyard. You can fix this by creating small zones with different uses.

9 Stone Patio Ideas for Your Backyard (With Gallery)

Using stone to build the external structural elements around your home elevates the look and increases the value of your home. Having a brick patio encourages you to embrace the outdoor living lifestyle.

If bricks aren’t your style, you can modernize the look with paver stones. They come in endless shapes and sizes for complete customization of your new patio.

Check out these stone patio ideas and start planning your brick patio home improvement project.

1. Increase Your Home’s Value with Brick Patio Pavers

Brick pavers are the traditional building block. Thousands of red bricks go into building walkways, front entryways, building facades, walls, and patios. A brick patio attached to your house can increase your home’s value by adding elegant outdoor living space.

Brick patio with varied hues leading to house door — Source: @upper.mountain.landscaping via Instagram

Using reclaimed or salvaged bricks is a great way to make your new brick patio look older than it really is. These are bricks that were previously used in other building projects. When those buildings are no longer needed, the building elements are then salvaged and repurposed for new projects.

2. DIY Steps for Installing Concrete Pavers in Your Patio

You don’t have to hire a contractor to lay your concrete pavers. This is a home improvement project that you can do yourself. Plan to spend some time on this project because it isn’t a fast improvement. Start by clearing out the landscaping where you plan to build your patio. It needs to be level but also able to direct water away from the patio for adequate drainage.

Outdoor corner with red stone patio and wooden bench — Source: @lifetohug via Instagram

Patio with large square slabs and pebble inlays — Source: @redbarn_resto via Instagram

Brick patio with bench and potted plants — Source: @thediyeverythingwifey via Instagram

Spread landscaping fabric down to prevent weeds from growing up between your stones. Even out sand and arrange the stones in your desired pattern. Finish by filling in the gaps with more fine grit sand. This secures the stones and keeps them from shifting.

3. Elevate Your Stone Patio with Firepit

Adding a firepit to your stone patio area gives you a centralized focal point to gather around. If it’s round, you can position patio furniture around the fire pit for easy communication among people. Another modern option is to skip the round fire pit on all sides and instead build an outdoor fireplace. You can then arrange living room inspired furniture around the fireplace.

Circular stone fire pit with flames on patio — Source: @bakerhomeinteriors via Instagram

Patio with fire pit and white Adirondack chairs — Source: @countrylandscapesinc via Instagram

View of a tidy patio with stone slabs and lush plants — Source: @from_hatfield_to_home via Instagram

Stone patio with fire pit and pool in background — Source: @jenndeyoung via Instagram

Cozy patio with fire pit and white fencing — Source: @jocelyn_jujess via Instagram

Patio with fire pit and surrounding Adirondack chairs — Source: @rurallegendstudio via Instagram

If you have enough room on your outdoor patio, you can add an outdoor kitchen. This lets you do more with your patio than just toast marshmallows and roast weenies. With an outdoor kitchen, you can prepare full meals and entertain all of your friends and family. The durability of the stone makes them a smart choice for the flooring underneath your fire pit or kitchen.

4. Bluestone and Flagstone for Your Patio

Bluestone and flagstone patios are popular stones for building natural stone patios because they are durable like tile but have a more natural look and feel. You can buy flagstone pavers in a cut square shape for a refined look and feel. These are also easier to place because they cleanly fit together like traditional tile.

Circular stone patio with built in fire pit and bench — Source: @imattpaversandbrick via Instagram

Elegant pool with flagstone patio and house backdrop — Source: @jj_best_stone_inc_ via Instagram

Cozy fire pit with Adirondack chairs on flagstone patio — Source: @robslawnandpoolwater via Instagram

Flagstone path through garden with lush greenery — Source: @sangiacomo_landscapes via Instagram

For a rustic look, opt for natural stone pavers. These stones are flat but have irregular shapes around the outside. They are harder to fit together, but when done correctly, they have a rustic appeal.

5. Achieve an Outdoor Oasis with a Tranquil Fountain

Adding a fountain to your backyard gives it a natural soundtrack that is calming and drowns out the outside sounds of the world. Try placing a pond or fountain liner and then using stone pavers to build a fountain around the outside. Using the same patio material for your fountain blends everything together and creates a cohesive design for your backyard.

Modern stone water fountain in a lush garden setting — Source: @fpatrane via Instagram

Stone fountain with water can on a brick patio — Source: @sunflower_ember2021 via Instagram

If you have a concrete patio, you can build any type of fountain you want. The easiest option is to place a premade fountain on your concrete patio. Buy one that is scaled to the size and shape of your patio. Don’t be afraid to add height by choosing a tall fountain.

6. Maximize Your Outdoor Space with Multi-Level Patios

Larger property can support multi-level patios. Start with a flat patio space that leads directly off of the house. You shouldn’t have to step up or down when walking out your back door. Then add steps that lead up or down from your main patio level to other levels. You may need to build retaining walls to create the necessary support for the varied levels.

Multi stone patio with steps by brick house — Source: @artechlandscaping via Instagram

Stone patio with circular fire pit and curved bench — Source: @moorebrotherslandscaping via Instagram

Patio with fire feature and scenic mountain view — Source: @tlc_gardens via Instagram

You often see this with wooden deck designs. The multiple levels are perfect for creating different use zones. One area could be for your fire pit or fireplace. Another area could be for your outdoor kitchen. Then a third area could be for your outdoor dining table. With these three zones, you can host a complete event where you prepare food and refreshments, serve, and hang out all while staying outside.

7. Elevate Your Patio Design with Creative Paving Patterns

Using patio pavers is a smart choice when you want to create a unique patio design. Simple paving stones come in basic geometric designs like squares, rectangles, and hexagons. But these are not your only options. Some are specially shaped to interlock with the surrounding stones. When placed, the stones create a larger pattern.

Stone wall with built-in lighting at night — Source: @ballingoutdoordesign via Instagram

Aerial view of a curving paver patio with greenery — Source: @creeksidenwi via Instagram

Paver patio with circular design and retaining wall — Source: @limastoneworks via Instagram

Circular paver patio with fire pit and Adirondack chairs — Source: @lowcountry_paver via Instagram

It may not be unique, but you can buy plain rectangular pavers and then create a herringbone pattern. Lay the stones at a 45-degree angle and offset from the stone before it. This adds stability to the patio and creates more visual interest than laying the pavers in straight lines.

8. Seamless Poolside Elegance: Combining Pavers and Pool Design

Build a patio around your pool and keep your pool cleaner. This patio idea combines paver patio design ideas with pool designs. Doing this ties the design of the pool in with the design of your patio and home. You can extend the patio out further beyond the pool, creating more space for adding lounging chairs.

Swimming pool with paver deck and landscaped fence — Source: @m.j._nicholls via Instagram

Patterned paver patio curving near a pool edge — Source: @signaturepools.tx via Instagram

For a clean design, plan to use a larger stone for the edge around your pool. This creates a finished edge and helps to secure the smaller pavers better. If you have oversized stone tiles, then you may not need this decorative edge because the stones are heavy enough to stay in place.

9. Elevate Your Stone Patio Design with Curved Elegance

Adding rounded elements to your stone patio design elevates the look of your backyard patio and makes it seem more expensive. Rounded designs are more expensive because they are harder to build than simple straight lines.

Round stone patio with garden surround in progress — Source: @craftedlandscapes via Instagram

Colorful round stone patio with floral pattern design — Source: @gardenangelhexham via Instagram

Modern garden patio with seating and dining area — Source: @homefifteena via Instagram

Brick patio with curving path and rustic backdrop — Source: @plot.with.a.plan via Instagram

Brick patio with curving pat — Source: @taylormadelandscape via Instagram

Cobblestones are good for this because they are round in shape. They are easier to form into curved lines and rounded shapes. Try placing them into scalloped shapes. Another option is to use wedge-shaped patio stones. They are perfectly shaped to make curved lines naturally. You can form them into a complete circle or make interlocking arches.