9 Gorgeous and Achievable Brick Patio Ideas

When designing your outdoor living spaces, it's worth considering a range of brick patio ideas. You might decide to use exclusively bricks or as accents alongside other materials. Not only are brick patios eye-catching, but they're also low-maintenance and able to withstand weather and foot traffic. Plus, when installed correctly, brick patios can last for decades. Here's how to find a style that's right for you.

How to Get Started

The first decision to make is to determine the location of your brick patio. Identify the area of your outdoor living space where you'll install it, and mark it off with landscape flags, landscape marking paint or measuring tape. The latter will be especially helpful in determining how much brick you'll ultimately need for your patio.

Early in the process, consider how you’ll use bricks in your patio design. Will they create the entire surface or appear as accents in conjunction with other materials? Bricks are versatile and blend well with stone, slate or flagstone surfaces.

Brick Patio Ideas: Types and Colors

Bricks are available in an array of types and colors. If you tell a contractor you want a brick patio, they may ask if you prefer face brick, thin brick veneer, reclaimed brick, brick pavers, or upcycled or replica old bricks. Do some research in advance of your consultation to help guide those decisions.

Color palettes for bricks go beyond traditional red and brown to include black, white, gray and even earth tones. Look at the colors of your house to determine which works best. You could select bricks in the same color family as the roof and trim of your home, or you might try a contrasting palette or bold, vibrant statement hue.

Old brick patio ideas encompass a range of colors, tones and shapes. Using recycled materials can reduce the carbon footprint of your patio, and upcycled bricks bring a vintage feel to outdoor spaces. Once you have assembled the patio, power wash the surface to bring out the old bricks’ rich patina.

Landscaping and Design Ideas for Brick Patios

There are many ways to lay bricks down for a patio, from straightforward staggered rectangular patterns to intricate geometric shapes. Basketweave, stack (straight grout lines), running bond (staggering grout lines), random I, random ashlar and herringbone are all popular styles.

Landscaping and furniture that emphasize visual diversity can complement an array of brick patio ideas. For example, if your bricks stage a uniform geometric shape, you may want to consider furniture with curved edges or arrange different-sized planters for flowers and plants to break up the lines. Above all, let nature in. Consider planting shrubs or arranging potted flowers or plants directly adjacent to your patio, so the natural landscape feels like it's always within reach of your outdoor living space.

What are Brick Paver Patios?

Pavers have a similar look to bricks, but are actually constructed from cast concrete. Less expensive than traditional bricks, they're designed with shapes that fit together snugly so they can be installed without mortar. Pavers come in many different styles, including non-tumbled (smooth), tumbled (weathered), embossed/dimpled, tumbled or embossed.

If you're concerned about groundwater pollution in your yard, you might want to consider some brick paver patio ideas. Because they're made of porous materials, permeable pavers let rain water drain through them. This helps filter oil and pollutants before water seeps into your soil and reaches any groundwater.

Inspiring Brick Patio Ideas

We’ve gathered nine beautiful examples of brick patios, including a few brick paver patio ideas. Consider them sources of inspiration as you create your own backyard paradise.

Brick Area Rugs

Herringbone-patterned brick sections act like area rugs on this patio, defining the dining and lounge sections. The walls of this yard are also full of features that add texture and visual intrigue, such as a fountain, wooden gate, fireplace and espalier plantings to enhance the patio area.

Historic Southern Feel

Upcycled brick lines this courtyard, while a wrought-iron gate and vine-laden stucco walls enclose it. Even though this patio space is small, laying the brick in different directions with a herringbone pattern makes it feel like there are myriad destinations to explore.

Geometric Brick Paver Ideas

The view from this home's second floor provides a sense of the geometry and different materials used in the backyard. The circular paver pathway connects the driveway and garden to the seating area, while a gravel walkway joins the chessboard to the rest of the yard.

Mixing Materials

Brick and concrete pair up to make an inviting hillside gathering spot. The brick patio showcases a double basketweave pattern that’s mortared in place, a process that demands rigorous site preparation. Built-in ipe wood benches create a cozy seating area beside the large fire pit. A hidden bonus is storage beneath the bench seats.

Gray Brick Chic

Surrounded by colorful landscaping and shaded by trees, this patio sits slightly apart from the house. A short wall provides a sense of enclosure. The walkway features elongated gray bricks laid in a herringbone pattern. Even with a relatively easy patio installation, pay close attention to details. For instance, the sand in your base should be sharp-angled (aka masonry sand), because the grains interlock with each other better than slippery rounded sand.

Entertaining Oasis

Looking for cozy brick patio ideas? This clever use of modest backyard space combines curved edges and a herringbone pattern with painted deck chairs and a fire pit.

Staycation Destination

With luxe amenities and style, small suburban patio packs a punch. Narrow bricks laid in a herringbone pattern easily weave between the fire pit, hot tub, outdoor kitchen and dining area.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Space

This breezy outdoor patio flows directly out of the indoor living space. Mixed materials including wood furniture and iron fixtures give the space energy, as do variously sized planters filled with greenery.

Brick Accents

Brick and flagstone come together to create this gorgeous walkway and patio. The brick lines the stair risers and tops off the retaining wall, then playfully slopes down to the ground. A raised garden bed provides an effective way to separate patio from swimming pool.

See also: Deck and Patio Design Ideas