If you’re redesigning your yard and installing a patio, an array of attractive, low-maintenance patio flooring options awaits.
You can design a classic, modern, traditional or other style of patio that exudes both beauty and practicality—and the options suit all budgets, from composite and artificial grass to plain old concrete or lumber.
Whether you want a space to entertain guests or a quiet haven in which to relax with the family, let’s get straight into the 10 best patio flooring ideas for your yard…
1. Top Patio Flooring Idea: Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is frequently used for low-maintenance landscaping but sometimes overlooked as a patio flooring idea. It’s become more popular for homeowners looking for a versatile and durable surface that adds a dash of color to the yard and is especially inviting with potted plants and contrasting furniture dotted around…
Premium synthetic grass mirrors the look and feel of the real thing, so much so that the two are often confused. This makes it an eye-catching addition to patio areas, while its ease of upkeep means that it looks pristine through the seasons with very little effort from homeowners.
Synthetic turf is versatile, soft underfoot, slip-resistant, and kid-friendly, and can be easily cleaned if accidents happen. Either cover the patio in full or combine the area with pavers or decking.
You can even use artificial grass for ground-floor apartment patios…
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Classic Patio Flooring Options
Artificial grass is often paired with these other classic patio flooring ideas…
2. Concrete
Concrete needs little introduction: a durable, versatile, low-maintenance surface that is usually installed very affordably. It typically provides a traditional patio aesthetic and is highly practical and functional. Concrete flooring may not be the most stylish option but you can brighten it up with your furniture and potted plants. The main downside is that concrete can crack over time if not properly installed and sealed.
Traditional concrete may be poured as a smooth slab. However, a more modern touch is to stain, dye or stamp the concrete so that it looks more like stone. You can also polish concrete for a more modern look.
This customizes the patio design and can add curb appeal to an otherwise plain-looking structure but also adds to the cost.
There are more examples of stamped concrete patio ideas below or check out more concrete patio flooring ideas here.
3. Natural Stone
Natural stone is usually a step up from concrete in terms of style but also in installation difficulty and costs. This timeless material can add a premium, elegant beauty to patios. You can have it laid in irregular patterns or cut into tiles for a more uniform look.
Slate, flagstone, bluestone, and travertine are all natural stone patio flooring ideas that provide a sturdy, anti-slip, and attractive surface for homeowners. Paired with artificial grass, this combination can be stunning.
4. Pavers
Pavers are another excellent hardscaping surface for patio flooring and backyard walkways. Usually made of precast concrete or brick, many shapes, colors, and patterns offer flexible design options and a variety of styles. Pavers are durable and low-maintenance, with individual pavers easy to replace if necessary.
It’s easy to customize pavers with designs of your choice, such as herringbone, basket weave, running bond, etc. Make sure that the pavers are installed professionally with a well-prepared base to prevent shifting or weeds between joints.
Again, pavers look stylish alongside synthetic grass or can be paired with other grass alternatives…
5. Brick
Brick is another classic patio flooring idea that is both durable and attractive, adding an old-world charm to outdoor spaces. Brick can be laid using the classic house-brick style or in herringbone, basket-weave or other decorative patterns.
Brick patios retain their color over time and are very low-maintenance. However, they require professional installation with a proper base to keep the brickwork in place, and they may be susceptible to moss growth in damp areas.
Natural Patio Flooring Ideas
Other natural materials can be incorporated into patio flooring designs besides stone. Here are a couple of popular ideas…
6. Wood Decking
Nothing beats wood for a traditional, warm, and cozy backyard feel that blends with other backyard spaces, if that’s the aesthetic you’re after.
Depending on the type of wood you use for decking, you’ll likely need to perform regular maintenance to keep it looking fine. Pressure-treated lumber, cedar or redwood are all options that generally stand up to insects well but you’ll need to protect the wood from rot by the elements. Sealing and staining the wood is required, as well as regularly cleaning it.
7. Pea Gravel or Pebbles
Pea gravel is small, rounded pebbles in a variety of colors, such as white, cream, beige, black, and brown. This hardy material looks great in patio areas, often combined with other materials like artificial grass and wood.
Pea gravel is relatively easy to install and provides affordable, rustic charm with good drainage.
Pea gravel is flexible enough to be used in wide patio areas or more confined spaces. Just bear in mind that it requires edging to keep the gravel contained. However, after installation, it is low maintenance with only occasional raking necessary.
Modern and Creative Patio Flooring Ideas
Technology and modern tastes have provided some alternative patio flooring ideas that homeowners may also want to consider…
8. Composite Decking
Composite is a modern blend of recycled wood fibers and plastics, creating a very strong and durable material that is rot-resistant and pest-resistant. It also handles the strong sun well without fading.
For these reasons, some homeowners prefer composite to wood decking, which is higher-maintenance.
Composite is highly versatile and can take the appearance of a variety of wood finishes, in different styles and colors. Unlike wood, however, no sealing or staining is required. On the downside, composite is generally pricier than wood and some homeowners prefer the 100-percent natural look and feel of timber.
9. Outdoor Tiles
Modern, outdoor tiling is another patio flooring idea that can elevate your backyard space. Available in materials like porcelain, ceramic or stone-look designs, outdoor tiles are affordable and versatile. You’ll need to ensure that your tiles are slip-resistant, especially if the patio area will be used extensively by kids, elderly house members or pets.
With so many tile colors and patterns available, most homeowners can find something that matches their design tastes and practical needs—but a sleek, modern, and clean aesthetic is the most popular tiling option for patios.
Tiles are easy to clean and maintain but can become slippery when wet and require installation expertise with a solid, level base.
10. Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete mimics the beauty of natural materials but at a lower cost. Poured concrete can be textured and colored to look like stone, brick or wood.
These surfaces retain the great durability of concrete but with greater versatility and variety of appearances. You may have to keep an eye out for cracking over time, with re-sealing necessary to maintain the finish if cracks begin to show.
Tips for Choosing the Right Patio Flooring
The above ideas should get the creative juices flowing when it comes to designing your patio and choosing the right flooring materials.
In the south, we need to consider the warmer climate and strong sunshine more than the rest of the country, so this is a factor when designing your patio space. Staying cool in summer can be challenging, as can the color-fastness of the materials you choose.
Most homeowners will want to consider the maintenance requirements, too. Some materials, like wood, are higher maintenance and more difficult to keep looking pristine than others.
Budget is another factor that always comes into the equation. Composite is more expensive than wood or poured concrete but the long-term value of the material should be considered, not simply the initial cost.
So, your patio should be a reflection of your design tastes, tolerance for maintenance, your lifestyle, and your budget.
A final tip. Whichever flooring material you select, get it professionally installed as this will increase the longevity of the space and should keep it looking pristine in future years without too many unexpected issues.
Mixing and Matching Patio Flooring Materials
Many of the 10 patio flooring ideas above can be mixed and matched. For instance, artificial grass and stone pavers or wood/composite decking and pea gravel.
Your choice will depend largely on your design preferences.
FAQs
Design Your Patio With Stunning Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is one of the leading low-maintenance landscaping but you don’t have to design your patio area alone.
The Artificial Grass Pros team has helped thousands of homeowners enjoy the verdant appearance and lush feel of artificial turf in the past decade and more. Discuss your options with our experienced team of turf professionals.
