7 PAVING DESIGN AND PATTERN IDEAS
Pavers, whether in the form of stone tiles or cladding, are wonderfully practical materials for the home. Not only are they durable, they’re an effective design element that can be used to highlight specific areas and bring aesthetic harmony by creating clean lines and surfaces. Using specific paving patterns can add personality and flair to any space. These are some innovative and popular paving patterns to consider.
1. Basket Weave
The basket weave is a popular paving design in which two rectangular pavers are laid vertically, followed by two of the same pavers laid horizontally. This pattern is repeated to create a woven basket texture. Different pavers and a light colour paving sand can be used to create contrast.
2. Herringbone
The herringbone pattern is also very popular. A rectangular-shaped paver is laid vertically, followed by another paver laid next to it horizontally, or vice versa. The herringbone can be laid at 90 degrees or 45 degrees. While both are equally striking, the latter tends to highlight the ‘bone’ angle.
3. Stretcher Bond
The stretcher bond paving design is one of the easiest paving patterns. Resembling a traditional brick wall design, it’s frequently used in stone cladding for walls and other vertical surfaces.
In the stretch bond design, pavers are simply laid out in rows in an identical direction, with the central of each paver in the next row lined up with the meeting point between the two pavers in the previous row. Like the herringbone design, the stretcher bond pattern can be laid out at 90 or 45 degree angle to maximise impact.
4. Diamond Paving
The diamond paving design makes use of (usually) square shaped pavers laid out in identical rows, with identical meeting points for every row and individual paver. The diamond effect arises from the angling: pavers are placed so that running two lines between facing corners make a cross.
5. Contrasting Pattern
The contrasting pattern design can be used in conjunction with any other paving pattern. The key is to use different colour pavers to create a larger shape in the overall design. For example, you may use different colour pavers to create a circle, a square, or other geometric shapes of your choice. These shapes can form the centrepiece of your driveway, indoor surface, or pathway.
6. European Fan
The European fan (also known as circle fan, Belgian pattern, or Florentine pattern) is a popular and classic way to pave. A large area is required to do the pattern justice, though smaller pavers may provide the same impact in a smaller space.
As this design is relatively more complicated, some pre-planning will be required if you’re laying the pavers yourself. Square ravers are laid out in curved rows that gradually lengthen in order to yield a fan shape.
7. Promenade
The promenade is sure to please those looking for an elegant and formal paving design. There are a few variations on the promenade pattern, but the most frequently seen design is one in which pavers are laid out to form a central cross shape and a fan shape is used in each of the ensuing quarters.
The promenade pattern is set off with a straight border that matches the central cross shape before the pattern is repeated. This design is very suitable for driveways, wide paths, and courtyards.