How to Choose the Right Pavers for Your Patio

Walk into a paver catalog and the options are endless — which is exactly why so many patios end up looking like a sample board. Choosing well is about a few decisions made in the right order.

Start With the House, Not the Catalog

Your home's brick, siding, and roof are the fixed elements. Pavers should relate to them — warm homes take warm-toned pavers; cool gray architecture takes cooler stone tones. When in doubt, pull one color from the house and one from the landscape, and let the pavers bridge them.

Format: Size Sets the Mood

• Large-format slabs (12x24 and up) — clean, modern, and make small patios feel bigger
• Traditional modular pavers — classic texture, suit established Millard and Omaha neighborhoods
• Plank-style pavers — contemporary lines that echo decking
• Mixed-format kits — rustic, Old World character

Texture Matters More in Nebraska

Smooth, polished surfaces get slick with rain and frost. For our climate, slightly textured pavers give better year-round footing — especially on paths between the patio and the lawn, or anywhere near a water feature.

Color Strategy for the Long Haul

• Mid-tones hide dust, pollen, and hard-water marks better than very light or very dark
• Blended color pavers age more gracefully than solids
• Use a contrasting border or soldier course to frame the space — it is the cheapest design upgrade available
• View samples outside at noon and dusk before committing; showroom lighting lies

Laying Patterns, Kept Simple

Running bond and herringbone do the heavy lifting. Herringbone is not just beautiful — its interlock is the strongest pattern for freeze-thaw movement. Save complex inlays for one deliberate focal point, like a medallion under the dining table or a border around the fire pit.

The Decision You Cannot See

Whatever paver you choose, its lifespan is set by the base beneath it. We would rather install a mid-range paver over an engineered base than a premium stone over a shortcut. Ask your patio installer about base depth and compaction before you ask about brand names. Ready to look at real samples on your actual patio site? Get a free quote.