Decorative Pathway Paver Ideas

Bricks

• Brick's allure endures, and it can look antique or modern. Bricks come in a range of shades, from classic brick red to grays. Mixing the shades adds dimension and interest to your pathway. Bricks are laid two ways. Laying them on their side creates a thin, elegant paving. This requires more bricks, but the depth they are laid provides additional stability and staying power. Setting bricks on their wide ends creates an Old World feel. Bricks can be laid in simple rows or in zigzag patterns. For an especially lived-in look, reuse old bricks. Vintage bricks can be found from stonemasons, ads in the classifieds or even a yard sale.

Flagstone

• Flagstone is durable and tasteful. The size of the stones varies, creating a one-of-a-kind pathway. An uncomplicated pathway may be one or two large flagstones wide. These stones are flat, sedimentary rock that have been used as pavers and flooring for centuries. Use flagstone native to your area for a look that complements the natural environment.

Colored Concrete

• Colored concrete opens up an entire world of whimsical concepts for your pathways. Any color is possible, so let your imagination run free. Interlocking colored-concrete pavers come in shapes that look like puzzle pieces, simple curved-style bricks and intricate moldings that shape into landscaping works of art. Using colored concrete is bold and expressive, reminiscent of Scandinavia with its brightly colored houses.

Recycled Glass

• Glass is charming, colorful and can be reused to make something new. Pieces of broken glass can be added to the tops of concrete pavers to make mosaics. Glass mosaics create diversity in color, catching the light and directing the eye toward the colors in your garden. Glass mosaics are a way to add your personality to your garden. Recycled glass can also be added directly to the concrete, creating blocks with speckles of color mixed throughout.

Terra Cotta

• Terra cotta invokes a warm, Mediterranean feel. In the south of France, hexagonal terra-cotta tiles called "tomettes" are used. Moroccan- and Spanish-style terra cotta is typically formed into large squares, often with decorative and intricate patterns painted on before the top glaze is applied. Terra cotta can be cut to specification, and decorative porcelain tiles can be added throughout to create interesting patterns.