What Stone to Use For Your Patio Design? (Material Ideas)
The type of stone you choose for your backyard will greatly impact its look and feel. Below, you’ll find stone patio ideas and tips for using different types of natural materials to create a gorgeous-looking design you and the whole family will love. A beautifully landscaped backyard or front lawn is nothing if there is no deck or patio to enjoy the view. One of the best materials to use for outdoor flooring is stone, not only because there are so many different varieties that can go with any house style, but because of its resiliency. Natural stone can be treated with a sealer specific to your chosen stone. This is important because the stone needs to withstand weather, wear and tear, and maintenance work.
Types of Patio Stones
Travertine – This luxurious stone comes in a spectrum of colors from ivory to light brown and even gold. This stone is best purchased in honed or tumbled finish, so as to be non-slip and to create a more interesting flooring profile. In addition, this type of stone remains cool despite being kept in the sun.
Travertine is naturally porous, so applying a penetrating sealer every two to three years helps prevent staining from spills, leaves, or barbecue grease. Opt for 1¼‑ to 2‑inch‑thick pavers over a compacted crushed‑stone base when you expect vehicle traffic or heavy outdoor furniture. For a cohesive look, consider running travertine coping around an adjacent pool to pick up the same tones across the landscape.
Flagstone – Known for its rich spectrum of earth tones from light brown to red to darker grey, flagstone is usually cut irregularly and goes well with more rustic schemes. This type of stone is low maintenance and resists heat, moisture and constant use. A popular variation of Flagstone is Bluestone, that shines with a natural blue-grey sheen especially when polished to a matte finish.
Because flagstone pieces are irregular, it pays to “dry‑lay” the pieces on the lawn first until you find a puzzle-like fit, then transfer them to the compacted base. Grouting joints with polymeric sand keeps weeds at bay and minimizes shifting. In freeze–thaw regions, pick slabs at least 1½ inches thick to reduce the risk of cracking.
Slate – Used for centuries, slate is heavy but durable and has an interesting range of colors from basic blue-greys to veins of purple, green and heavy black. Choose a cleft‑face slate for extra traction around pools and spas. While slate is dense, some varieties can exfoliate if they come from lower‑grade quarries; request ASTM C406 “select” or “premium” grade to ensure patio longevity. Enhancing sealers deepen color and bring out the stone’s subtle iridescence.
Limestone – A common type of stone available in most areas, limestone has a nice muted color, coming in shades of beige, brown and even pink.
Its consistent patterning makes limestone a favorite for contemporary layouts with tight, crisp joints. Because the stone is calcium‑based, avoid acidic cleaners such as vinegar that can etch the surface. For a monolithic appearance, specify cut‑to‑size rectangles (e.g., 24 × 36 inches) laid in a running‑bond pattern.
Coral stone – Made up of limestone with pores from fossils, corals, and sand, coral stone has a very porous, weathered look. Although perfect for patios going for a more tropical look, it can also withstand freeze-thaw cycles of colder climates. It is also non-slip even when done in a matte finish and is naturally weather-strengthened.
Coral stone’s high porosity lets water drain quickly, making it ideal for pool surrounds where puddles are common. Order a minimum thickness of 1 ¼ inches and stipulate that pieces be “filled” on the underside to prevent adhesion voids when thin‑set over concrete.
Sandstone – Similar to limestone, sandstone is also a sedimentary stone that ranges from light brown to red. Sandstone is easy to work with when wanting to create a uniformly colored range—sandstone tends to maintain a uniform grain and color when coming from the same quarry.
To minimize long‑term maintenance, apply a breathable, water‑repellent sealer that lets moisture escape while blocking stains. In hot climates, “Sahara” and “Teakwood” sandstone remain noticeably cooler underfoot than darker granites or slates.
Granite – Some of the best granite comes from Italy; like all granite it can repel water and has a shiny quality. It is also one of the hardest and most resilient natural stones, and is best when flamed, creating a porous natural polish. For those who want to imitate a desert landscape Sahara Granite is a strong choice. With colors such as shades of brown, tan, gold and black it makes an attractive and durable surface material.
Granite’s hardness also means it resists scratching from metal chair legs. When specifying, request a “thermal” (flamed) or “bush‑hammered” finish to boost slip resistance and mute reflective glare. Although the material cost is high, its life‑cycle cost is low because properly installed granite patios can outlast the house itself.
Pea Gravel – Known for its small round size, pea gravel is a popular choice for those looking for a budget-friendly patio material. Since it’s loose gravel it can be poured to fill an area into the exact shape and size you want. Pea gravel is also available in a wide range of colors such as gray, blue, brown, tan, white and green. Pea gravel provides excellent drainage making it popular for those who want an inexpensive and low maintenance patio.
For maximum comfort underfoot, limit the gravel depth to about 3 inches and use a compacted, permeable base fabric underneath to deter weeds. Installing steel, aluminum, or pressure‑treated timber edging holds the gravel in place and keeps adjacent lawn clippings from migrating into the patio. A gravel‑bond resin can be sprayed on top to create a semi‑bound surface that is stroller‑ and chair‑friendly while preserving natural drainage.
Choosing Stone Patterns
Besides the stone used, choosing a layout specific to the design is also important. Stone can be cut into small linear shapes to contrast the natural stone’s different shades, or cut into large irregular shapes to showcase a large portion of the stone’s natural grain and veins. When choosing more regularly shaped stones, some interesting patterns include Herringbone, Basket weave, random course, and Flanders weave. Serpentine is the best layout for creating curvilinear shapes, with its smooth, undulating grade.
When working with larger, irregularly shaped stones, Cobble, Flagstone, Keystone and Bush rock are good patterns to stick to. Although these all might seem like random patterns, these patterns dictate the gaps and starting stones when doing the layout. Lastly, to highlight a central portion, a rounded layout such as rosette, cobbled rosette and compass may be used.
Practical Selection Tips
When choosing a stone, match the material’s coefficient of friction and thermal properties to how you will use the space. Light‑colored, high‑porosity stones such as travertine or coral are best for sun‑drenched pool decks, while denser granites excel in high‑traffic outdoor kitchens. Always insist on a well‑draining, compacted base—4 to 6 inches of crushed stone topped by 1 inch of bedding sand—before setting pavers or slabs. Finally, budget 5 to 10 percent overage to account for breakage, complex cuts, and future repairs so that replacement pieces come from the same lot and maintain visual consistency.
Stone Patio Designs
Below are stone patio designs in various settings. You’ll find stone patio ideas for around the swimming pool, garden, terrace, courtyard, elevated backyard, and more.
Flagstone Patio
This Contemporary luxe home features a long, linear patio stretching from one end of the house to the other, and decked with furniture in light beige and dark brown, from coffee table sets to sunbathing chairs. The flooring is done in a large flagstone layout using fine-grained unpolished limestone. A low wall separates the patio from the pool and serves as small plant boxes. Although topped in the same large limestone, the vertical faces of these small garden walls are in a rougher, thinner, darker sandstone variation, which accents the floor stone and the white walls and fascias of the house.
Sandstone
This house, with its combination of clean, rounded whitewashed walls with a columnar built-up area of thinly-sliced split-faced sandstone, achieves a more Mediterranean feel. The patio flooring features clean square tiles in an unpolished limestone, a good base for the use of dull red cushions for the patio furniture. The center of the patio focuses on a built-up fire pit done in the same whitewash stucco similar to the walls of the villa.
Travertine
This beautiful backyard patio is constructed using travertine tile. With its neutral color, this stone tile creates a natural environment that matches perfectly with a variety of design and landscaping styles. Travertine is extremely durable and able to withstand weights of up to 8000 pounds per square inch. It’s also very weather resistant and resists fading over time from direct sunlight.
Although small, this Classic backyard patio manages to look warm and inviting due mostly to the built-up fireplace on one end. With three stone arches, some red and white rock is done up in small piles, backed by a tan-colored stucco wall. The flooring features small cut pieces of sandstone in different shades, set in a classic herringbone pattern. The elevated plant box with a small tree and grass shows a small patch of green. The stucco wall acts as a fence around the backyard, matches the house, and creates the ambiance of a Mediterranean living space.
Bluestone
When laid out properly, simple cement pavers can give a backyard patio a polished, luxurious look. Here, small square-cut cement pavers are arranged in a random course, bordering a cobble rosette in the middle, where the tea table of black woven rattan is centered. Matching black rattan armchairs, stools, and tables with plain white cushions and patterned throw pillows surround the table. The back wall, with its surface decorated with planters, is also built from simple cement bricks in an alternating pattern.
Cool grey bluestone cut into flagstones provides the perfect base for a vibrant blue rattan outdoor patio set with yellow-tinted wood accents for the framing. The set is topped with clean white cushions and deep blue throw pillows, and is bordered towards the back by a similar greyish bluestone in smaller cuts stacked up to create a plant box.
This covered outdoor patio emanates from two sets of full glass sliding doors to the main house. With a beautifully coffered ceiling and rustic hanging lamps, the random course sandstone tiles on the floor go with the classic luxe theme. Comfortable cottage style furniture, from the wood and stone dining table to the cozy cushioned rattan chairs and the reclaimed wood coffee table, litters the entire space. The cozy cottage feel is further emphasized by the corner fireplace built up in a dark, weathered flagstone spanning from top to bottom.
Terracotta
This Mediterranean style villa features pristine white stucco walls and turquoise shutters that match the colors of the beautiful ocean view. This luxury look is emphasized by the local reddish terracotta tiles used for the flooring, done up in an intricate cobbled rosette with a cobbled fan border. The same stone tile is used for the ledge, which is topped with colorful flowers in clay pots. The deck furniture is Modern, woven rattan matched with clean white cushions and protected from the Grecian sun by large white floor mounted umbrellas.
Concrete
Using simple cement tiles in an alternating course for this backyard patio’s flooring, the design takes on a Modern Industrial look, matching it with a built-up platform made of brick painted grey. A small bench is recessed into the platform and topped with dark wood planks and decorated with striped pillows. The back wall has grown lush with wall creepers, creating a beautiful green space without needing to maintain a difficult and costly lawn.
A cheap alternative to hauling and importing natural stone, poured concrete can be done up with bordering lines, such as this backyard that decided to go with a rough hexagonal type shape. Non-slip and easy to maintain, the grey coloring allows the redwood lawn chairs to really pop and provide color. It is also a great base to a well maintained lawn and garden overflowing with flowers.
A large fishpole type umbrella in canary yellow shields a patio set in black iron and matching yellow cushions. This quirky modern look matches the clean white walls and black clay tile roofing of the house. The ornamental plant landscaping further emphasizes the modern design, while the red and brown random coursed stone flooring and sandstone brick walls give it a more Classic touch.
Woven rattan hanging egg drop outdoor chairs give this backyard a Contemporary rustic feel, especially as it is matched with an apartment building in vibrant red brick, and a steel staircase leading up to it. The ground cover is done in a simple cobble stone with gaps for grass in between. The landscaping of the area features common flowers placed into large dark brown crates, matching with the outdoor patio set.
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