Paver Block Ideas

Mix Rocks and Bricks

• Combine flat rocks and bricks for an old-fashioned, interesting look. Use natural sandstone or limestone rocks, which are irregular in shape, and various types of brick, common brick, antique brick, salvaged brick or other types you can find. Use broken bricks to fill irregular gaps; break bricks if necessary to get shapes to fill spaces. Alternate brick patterns, with one row going crosswise and the next in the opposite direction. Vary spaces between rocks and mix large and small flat rocks.

Use Cut Stones

• Use cut stones for a more formal design. Marble works well for this; marble slabs or tiles have slightly irregular surfaces but are cut into precise squares and rectangles. Use both shapes. Alternate squares and rectangles in an informal pattern or arrange them in a very precise design. This also can work with other types of quarried stone that is cut into formal shapes, usually 12 by 12 or 18 by 18 inches.

Try Different Brick Patterns

• Brick always works well for walkways and patios. Use the same type of brick, arranged in a running bond, herringbone, basket-weave or other regular pattern. Make up your own pattern if standard brick patterns don't appeal to you. Vary the brick style by mixing different types and colors of brick; this is good with salvaged bricks and antiques, some of which may have interesting logos or names molded into them for extra visual appeal.

Use Concrete Blocks

• Concrete blocks come in multiple styles, from standard 2-by-8-by-18-inch blocks to hexagons and other geometrical shapes -- some with interlocking sides to make installation easier. Get these all in one color or mix colors to add visual interest. Mixing colors may be more expensive and require more blocks, depending on whether you buy individual blocks or pallets of blocks.

Lay Blocks Tightly or Loosely

• Lay blocks tightly, so there is almost no separation between them, or with wide gaps between blocks. Use tile spacers, which can be bought at building supply stores in various sizes, to make evenly-spaced gaps. Sweep sand into any gaps; use polymeric sand, which has a binding agent to seal it. Big gaps look good with many brick patterns but can create weed problems with tiny seeds that sprout in the sand.