Brick pavers and natural stone are both great choices for walkways, and for adding visual appeal to your home. Both options are timeless, beautiful, durable, and filled with character. And you have options with both, as either type of paver can be arranged in a number of different patterns, depending on your personal tastes and preferences.
You have extensive choices, and we’ll delve into many of them in this post. Here’s a sneak peek:
With brick pavers, for example, you can incorporate the classic herringbone pattern. This striking look gives your walkway a sense of tradition. Or consider a basketweave pattern, which can give a narrow walkway a bit of substance. A running bond pattern is also a great, classic choice—clean, crisp, and pronounced. Whatever the pattern, brick pavers are perfectly suited to curved walkways, as they can easily follow the contours of the landscape, in a range of pattern options.
Natural stone is another great choice for curved walkways. This option can be found in many shapes and sizes, which allows for a multitude of looks and patterns. Modern applications favor large-format stones with minimal joint lines, for a clean, sophisticated, and spacious look. For unparalleled visual interest, go for an ashlar pattern. This look combines stones in at least 3 shapes/sizes—including small and large rectangles and mid-sized squares—laid with a random, puzzle-like appearance.
Let’s consider the pattern options for your curved walkway or patio in more detail:
Running Bond (No Cutting!)
Running bond is a classic and strong pattern. By alternating paver seams at the halfway point of each adjacent paver, this layout makes a strong architectural statement that gives the impression of stacked layers.
Thanks to its versatility and flexibility, a running bond pattern has a timeless appearance ideal for curved walkways and patio borders.
Read More: Pavers That Look Like Cobblestone
The running bond pattern is ideal for curved walkways because it easily adapts to the path's curve without the need to cut or customize pavers, making it a practical pattern for integrating into a landscape's existing contours. In addition, the offset arrangement enhances the pathway's stability and durability, making running bond suitable for areas with high foot traffic, such as walkways.
Aesthetically, the uniformity of the running bond pattern creates a cohesive look across different sections of a landscape. And its compatibility with various paving materials provides design flexibility while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
As an added bonus, the pattern's simple installation reduces labor costs and material wastage, making this a practical solution for creating durable and visually consistent curved walkways.
Herringbone
One of the most visually stunning paver patterns is the memorably named herringbone, which resembles the angular structure of a fishbone. An alternative from the typical perpendicular angles of most patterns, herringbone adds two diagonal directions, with pavers joining together in repeating, V-like shapes.
The herringbone pattern works equally well in traditional or modern outdoor walkways and living spaces. It is a dynamic pattern ideal for adding a bit of “wow” to your pathways.
Unlike common perpendicular patterns, the distinctive angular alignment of the herringbone pattern adds dynamic visual complexity with its two diagonal directions. Versatile for traditional and contemporary settings alike, herringbone complements outdoor areas like walkways, patios, and driveways equally well. Its unique pattern brings movement and depth, transforming otherwise bland spaces into striking landscapes.
But this pattern is a practical choice as well: The interlocking design enhances durability and stability, preventing shifting and settling over time. And despite its visual complexity, the herringbone pattern can be achieved with various paving materials, with the interlocking design providing extra stability in high-traffic areas.
Pinwheel
The pinwheel pattern looks like it sounds. Using 4 rectangular pavers arranged perpendicular to each neighbor and circling a small, square, center stone, the look resembles a pinwheel.
The finished result? A striking, even playful aesthetic for your walkway or patio. For an even bigger pop, you can select a variety of paver colors.
Read More: Smooth Vs. Textured Pavers
The unique perpendicular arrangement of the pavers in a pinwheel pattern adds a distinctive touch to outdoor spaces, making this an excellent choice for walkways or patios where movement and fun are desired.
In addition, the pinwheel pattern can offer great versatility for homeowners who choose to incorporate a mix of paver colors, bringing greater visual interest to the finished look. This level of customization means that the pinwheel pattern can blend beautifully with any design palette, creating a vibrant or subtle aesthetic that adds depth and character to outdoor living spaces.
And as an added bonus, the pattern not only serves as a decorative feature, but also provides a stable and durable surface for outdoor living.
Puzzle
Un-cut flagstone can be arranged in a puzzle-like fashion, which is a wonderful option for rustic patios and walkways. You can also select flagstone that has been cut and shaped into rectangles or squares, then arrange an array in a puzzle-like manner.
Arranging uncut flagstone in a puzzle-like layout provides a natural and rustic look for patios and walkways. The irregular shapes create an interesting yet cohesive surface that blends in beautifully with landscaping, making this pattern an excellent choice for naturally inspired outdoor spaces.
Alternatively, cut and shaped flagstone offers a balance between natural beauty and structured design. This approach retains the flagstone's natural texture and color variation while making the overall look more suitable to formal or modern landscapes.
And here’s a bonus: Repurposing broken flagstone or remnants is a creative and eco-friendly way to use this material. These pieces can add character to gardens, serve as informal stepping stones, or create accent features. The re-use minimizes waste and provides unique design elements that blend with the existing hardscape design.
Ready, Set, Build!
As you’re planning, keep in mind that large-format stone pavers can make a narrow walkway feel spacious, and small brick pavers can minimize the visual impact of a wide walkway. For this and many other insights, it’s a great idea to talk with a professional landscape designer from the start, to gather ideas and explore all of your options.
Once you’ve narrowed your choice to a style and color you like—whether brick pavers, natural stone, or a combination of both—make sure you bring home some samples, so you can see your options in a range of lighting and weather conditions. (The colors of any paver will change somewhat when wet, but you may find that the changes in certain types of natural stone are very dramatic.)
Getting Started with Patterns for Curved Walkways & More
Have more questions about patterns for curved walkways or patios? We’d love to discuss the options with you.
For more inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.
