How to Plan a Patio With Bricks

Consider the sizes, shapes and colors of your material when planning a brick patio.

A brick patio is a valuable addition to your home's landscape, but it isn't a project to be approached casually. Taking the time to look over how the patio will blend into your landscape, consider its uses and to think about colors and shapes pays off in a patio that will bring value and enjoyment to your home. All of these factors are important as you plan the patio. Time spent on planning will also ensure that all of the materials are at hand and that there will be no questions about how to lay the first brick. Does this Spark an idea?

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Measuring tape
Pencil
Ruler
Graph paper

Instructions

- 1
  
  Survey the chosen location and determine the finished dimensions that will fit. If you're building a rectangular patio, use the measuring tape to record the length and width. If your design calls for a shape that's neither square nor rectangular, use the appropriate mathematical formula to compute the surface area. Keep in mind that the size of the patio is affected by the desired use of the area. If you're planning to put a table and chairs or a grill on the patio, a good rule of thumb is that a table and chairs requires space approximately 12 feet in diameter for the movement of chairs and the comfort of those seated at the table. The average grill needs 30 square feet of work area.
- 2
  
  Choose the style or styles of brick to be used in creating the patio. Pavers are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and textures. A standard paver is a 4- by 8-inch rectangle, but there are squares and a variety of interlocking shapes that can be integrated into the design to make it more visually interesting. Compatible shapes are regularly mixed in a repeating pattern that ultimately conforms to the desired dimensions and shape of the patio. Brick color is another style question to consider. Pavers are manufactured in a number of natural shades that can be used to produce a monotone surface, or mixed together in a way that's pleasing to the eye.
- 3
  
  Select the installation pattern of the pavers. The easiest arrangement is a simple running pattern with all of the bricks facing the same direction, as you'd see in a brick wall. Another interesting option is the herringbone pattern in which the bricks sit at 90-degree angles to one another. When different shapes are used, a running pattern may be created by regular sequences of large and small, or rectangular and square bricks. Circles, curves and arches require a more complex installation process, but the end result is a unique patio.
- 4
  
  Draw the completed plan on graph paper. This step not only provides you with a plan from which to work during the installation process, but it also helps you to better gauge the amount of material needed to complete the patio. You should be able to compute the number of bricks necessary by looking at your dimensions and those of the brick design you want to use. The dimensions of the patio will also determine the amount of fill, sand and edging that will be required for the project.