How to Choose the Right Paver Shapes and Patterns
A large expanse of grass in your backyard can be pretty boring, and one way to break up the space is to add patios and walkways. Even if your yard is a riot of colorful flora displayed in a variety of horizontal and vertical planes, and you have additions like pergolas and pavilions, you probably still want pathways to connect areas of your yard so family members and guests don’t have to trample the grass to get from point A to point B.
This is where pavers come in handy, and the right pavers can enhance your outdoor spaces immeasurably.The only problem is that you have so many options to choose from. Pavers come in a vast array of materials, shapes, sizes, and colors. How can you choose the options that are best for your Sioux Falls backyard? It could depend on a number of factors, but the first thing you need to contemplate is usage. Here are a few considerations when choosing pavers for walkways, patios, and other uses.
Walkways
Any pavers you choose are bound to be strong and durable, as they tend to be made from resilient materials like stone, brick, or concrete, just for example. This leaves you to focus on the size, shape, and color of pavers, and you could select products that are all the same or mix and match to create complex patterns and custom designs.
For walkways, in particular, you probably want to consider the space you’re working with. If your backyard is small and narrow, for example, setting rectangular stones on a pathway longwise will only increase this effect. However, you can make the space feel larger and wider with a bit of visual trickery when you set rectangular stones in horizontal rows or arrange them in a diagonal pattern along a walkway.
If, on the other hand, you have a large, open yard space that feels vast and overwhelming, breaking it up with wider pathways, a grid of walkways, or organically placed paths that intersect randomly can create a more unified or cozy aesthetic. Of course, your walkways also need to be functional, whether they lead directly from a gate to an entrance or from one structure to another, or they meander through your yard. Just keep in mind that the pavers you choose will definitely affect the overall appeal of your outdoor space.
Patios
Patio pavers allow you a little more wiggle room to play with colors and patterns than walkways thanks to a larger expanse of space. Even a small patio could become a focal point when you choose several colors of pavers to work with or mix and match shapes like octagons, squares, and rectangles to create unique and complex patterns.
Structures
Pavers can be used for so much more than just flat walkways, driveways, and patios. They can also be stacked vertically to create small structures, such as retaining walls, planter boxes, and even added seating like benches.For these uses, selecting pavers with added vertical bulk could help to save time and expense during construction.Whichever options you choose, the goal is to create both functional and beautiful additions to your Sioux Falls backyard with the perfect pavers.