It’s hard to beat the charm of a brick patio, lined with leafy green foliage and dotted with rustic outdoor furniture. Not only gorgeous to use, this material also has the durability to withstand years of use. With a variety of patterns, finishes and styles to choose from, it’s possible to create a truly custom look with brick pavers that’ll perfectly match your home and outdoor space. While you search for brick patio ideas to inspire you, allow the following tips and photos to be your guide.

Plan Your Design

If you’re starting from scratch, one of the first things you should do is plan out your patio design. Consider how much space you have, what you’ll be using the patio for and how it will flow with the rest of your yard and home.

• How will you lay the brick? There are a variety of ways you can have your contractors lay your pavers. A herringbone design looks beautiful, or you can go with a classic offset pattern. Either of these methods will give your yard a more textural, interesting look. Plus, they’ll give your patio more stability over time than if you had just laid the brick pavers side by side.
• Will you have a border? Creating a border around your patio helps to highlight that part of your backyard and finish off whatever installation pattern you’ve chosen. You could create a short wall or lip around the edges, border the space with another material like stone or concrete, or simply lay bricks in a straight line around the patio perimeter.
• What shape is your patio? Some patios are perfect squares, others have a meandering and fluid shape, while still others are circular. Typically, round brick patios look best in the middle of a lawn, a gravel area or surrounded by foliage and flowers. Ask yourself, how much lawn or gardening space do you want left over? Will you use your patio for summer dinners and entertaining or is it big enough just for sitting outside with a book? Allow your lifestyle to dictate the patio size and shape you choose.

Choose Features You Love

While you dream up your brick patio design, now’s your chance to consider what sort of features you’ll enjoy the most. If shade is important in your yard, have a pergola installed over your patio, so you can sit outside for hours. Installing a bird bath or a fountain will add to the old-world ambiance, and might even attract birds to your backyard. If you’ve got your heart set on a brick patio with a fire pit, consider what style would go best with the overall look: a built-in version made of brick or stone, or a detached fire pit made of concrete or metal.

Pick Out a Finish

In your hunt for brick patio ideas, keep the style of your home and siding material in mind. The key to creating a stunning patio is in finding a finish that’ll blend right in and complement your current outdoor space. Red brick with a slightly weathered or white-washed look is the perfect choice for traditional homes. On the other hand, if your home is more modern or contemporary, you might consider going with a gray finish. You can also mix and match different colors to even out the overall effect.