5 Paver Patterns That Work for Any Backyard Style
Pattern choice affects how your patio looks and how long it holds up. Here are the five patterns we install most often and what makes each one work.
Paver pattern selection is one of the decisions that most homeowners don’t spend enough time on — and then spend years looking at. The right pattern complements your home’s architecture, holds up well structurally, and gives the patio a finished, intentional look. Here are the five patterns we use most often, and when each one makes sense.
1. Running Bond (Brick Pattern)
The classic. Each row is offset by half a paver from the row above it — the same pattern as standard brick walls. It’s clean, timeless, and works with virtually any home style from colonial to contemporary.
Running bond is also one of the most structurally efficient patterns — the staggered joints distribute weight and stress across multiple pavers rather than concentrating it on the joints. It’s our default recommendation for driveways and high-traffic areas.
Best for: Driveways, formal walkways, traditional home styles.
2. Herringbone (45° or 90°)
A V-shaped interlocking pattern that creates significant structural strength — the pavers essentially lock against each other. This is actually the strongest pattern for heavy load applications. It’s also more visually dynamic than running bond, with a classic English character.
At 45° (diagonal to the perimeter), herringbone creates a more expansive feeling in the patio. At 90°, it’s more structured and formal. The downside: more cuts at the edges, which adds installation time.
Best for: Large patios, driveways, formal gardens, homes with traditional architecture.
3. Basketweave
Pairs of pavers alternate horizontal and vertical, creating a woven appearance. It’s distinctly traditional — more decorative than structural — and works beautifully in formal English garden settings or with older colonial and Cape Cod architecture.
Note that basketweave requires pavers with a 2:1 ratio (length is exactly twice the width) to pattern correctly. Not all paver lines offer this.
Best for: Formal gardens, traditional New England architecture, smaller accent areas.
4. Random or Ashlar Pattern
Multiple paver sizes in a planned-random arrangement — most commonly a combination of two or three sizes laid to look natural rather than uniform. This pattern works well with contemporary or transitional homes and with natural stone products where the variation in size is part of the material’s character.
It takes more planning and skill to lay correctly (truly random-looking patterns require careful consideration of where each size goes), but the result is a natural, relaxed appearance that pairs well with planting beds and stone features.
Best for: Contemporary homes, transitional style, natural stone products, relaxed or informal settings.
5. Circle Kit or Fan Pattern
A pre-coordinated set of cut pavers designed to create a circular feature — typically used as a focal point at the center of a patio or at a key transition point. Circle kits are sold by paver manufacturers and paired with the field paver of your choice.
The circle adds a strong visual anchor to larger patios and creates a natural gathering zone. It works with any surrounding field pattern.
Best for: Large patios needing a focal point, formal entertaining spaces, fire pit surrounds.
How to Choose
Ask yourself two questions: What is the primary architectural style of my home? And how formal or informal do I want the outdoor space to feel?
Traditional/formal home + formal patio: herringbone or basketweave. Traditional home + relaxed setting: running bond. Contemporary home: random/ashlar or running bond in a large format paver. Any large patio: add a circle kit as a focal point.
MRO Landscaping designs and installs paver patios in all patterns throughout Fairfield County, CT. Get your free estimate here.