Stone Patio Ideas... Create a Backyard Oasis

Are you looking for a way to make your backyard into a peaceful and relaxing spot? One of the best ways to make your yard more inviting is to create a beautiful patio. However, there are so many materials and designs available, that narrowing down your choices can be a bit overwhelming at times. If you are unsure exactly what type of patio is right for you, why don’t you take a look at some of these stone patio ideas?

For a patio that will look right at home in the middle of an English style garden, you may want to take a look at flagstone. This stone patio material has color variations ranging from a bluish grey to a dark red color. Since flagstone frequently comes in irregularly sized pieces, most people use this material to create patios with a jigsaw puzzle appearance. If you prefer a more uniform look, you may want to design your patio with bluestone, which is a blue flagstone material that is cut into squares and rectangles.

If flagstone does not appeal to you, you may want to consider another of the more popular stone patio ideas, a slate patio. Slates usually come in square or rectangular pieces that are one to two feet wide and one to three feet long. The larger slates are usually much pricier per square foot than the smaller pieces, since it is much harder to cut larger slates. Slate patios fit right in to even the most formal garden settings. However, slate tends to be much more slippery than some other stone materials, so use caution if your patio is right outside of a frequently used door.

Another option for formal spaces is stone tile. Tiles are thinner than other stone patio paving options and are ideal for laying patios that have square or rectangular designs. You can find tiles in a wide range of materials, including slate, limestone, and sandstone. You may also want to take a look at patio design ideas that combine tiles with decorative mosaic designs.

To give your landscaping a historically accurate feel, why not give cobblestones a try? You can find original cobblestones or you can shop for newer, reproduction cobblestones. Although original cobblestones may have more character, they are difficult to work with, and it can be extremely challenging to fit them together. Reproduction cobblestones are uniform in appearance and color and are much easier to work with.

Unfortunately, most stone patio ideas come with a hefty price tag. If you just can’t bring yourself to use brick or concrete building materials, there is a budget friendly stone patio material you can use. Several inches of decorative pebbles or gravel can be spread to create an attractive patio.

If you have enough time, you can even use large pebbles to create intricate mosaic designs that will turn your patio into a work of art. A pebble or gravel patio is also the perfect choice for a soggy yard area, as you can raise the area with several inches of stones without causing drainage problems in the rest of your yard.

Once you choose one of these stone patio ideas, don’t be surprised if you neighbors start to build patios in their yards, as well. After all, there is nothing quite as beautiful as a well designed stone patio.