When most people think of pavers, pathways, driveways and patios spring to mind.

Pavers make it easy to give a yard a unique, personalized look.

However, they can be used for more than these traditional options.

By keeping an open mind and considering a few additional possibilities, you can use pavers to spice up your outdoor landscaping in a big way.

Some people even use pavers indoors.

To ensure the most one-of-a-kind design possible, you should try to dream something up yourself.

However, it never hurts to look for some inspiration, and that’s precisely what’s provided in this post.

A Note about Creating Unique Patterns with Pavers

If you’d like to use paving stones to build a stylish new patio, driveway or pathway, you may be tempted to look for ideas online.

That’s great, but it could also mean that you’ll end up with a design that’s not very special.

It’s a lot better to hire someone who can help you come up with a truly one-of-a-kind look.

Pavers come in many shapes and sizes, and they are made out of many types of stone.

As a result, there’s no reason not to end up with a completely one-of-a-kind look.

Get Creative with Pavers

There’s no law that says pavers have to interlock.

In fact, spacing them apart a little can produce some really unique designs.

Paving stones aren’t strictly reserved for things like pathways and patios either.

If you already have a patio made out of interlocking pavers, you can use different pavers elsewhere in your yard to produce a truly stunning overall look.

This is where people often get stumped though.

If the pavers aren’t going to lock together or used in traditional ways, how are they supposed to be used?

The following 15 ideas are sure to inspire you…

1. Build a Platform Out of Pavers

A great way to give a yard a more unique look is by adding a few platforms.

The platforms can be used to support flower pots, or you could arrange decorative pieces like statues on them.

If you’d like to add a platform or two to your yard, why not build them out of pavers?

It’s an easy way to get the exact results that you want.

There are many styles, designs and colors out there that your platforms are sure to look absolutely amazing.

Hire a professional to do this job for you.

2. Use Pavers with Accent Stones

As mentioned above, you don’t always have to use interlocking pavers.

By using large pavers and spacing them apart a little, you can give many new designs a whirl.

One eye-catching idea is to fill in the gaps with accent stones.

You can secure the accent stones in place with concrete, or you can go without concrete altogether.

In that case, water will be able to drain easily.

If you have issues with water pooling up in your yard, this may be a good option to consider.

3. Break Up the Lawn with Oversized Pavers

Most people focus their attention on small- and medium-sized pavers, but large pavers can really add flair to a yard as well.

As nice as it is to have a huge expanse of lush, green grass, breaking it up with large pavers is a nice option as well.

Would you like to set up a table and chairs elsewhere in your yard?

By setting up large pavers, you can do so.

Just remember to let a little grass peek through between each paver.

It will result in a more natural and stylish look.

4. Recycle Old Pavers for New Projects

If you rip out old pavers to build something new, don’t throw them away.

In fact, you might not even want to donate them or give them away to someone else.

By holding onto them for awhile, you may be able to use them for another project in the future.

If a friend or relative is getting rid of his old pavers, see if he will give them to you.

By recycling pavers, you can save a lot of money.

You can also achieve more eclectic designs when working on projects in the future.

5. Mix Things Up with Large, Irregular Shaped Pavers

Is your yard overwhelmed by right angles and straight lines?

Coordination is great, but it’s sometimes smart to break up the monotony a little.

You can do so affordably and easily with oversized pavers that are irregular in shape.

You’re sure to be surprised by the many sizes that are available.

Choose a few different sizes and position them strategically around your yard.

Use them to create funky pathways.

Their curves and non-linear lines will breathe new life and excitement into your yard.

6. Arrange Pavers in a Circular Pattern

You don’t have to have an actual courtyard to make it look like you do.

In many courtyards, pavers are positioned in circular patterns.

By arranging pavers in circular patterns in your own backyard, you can replicate the stylish appearance of a courtyard.

To intensify the effect, try to position them between a few objects in the yard.

This is also a great way to create defined spaces in a yard.

Another smart move is to arrange them in a circle around a focal point like a fountain, fire pit or statue.

If you have a birdbath, arrange pavers around it in a circular pattern to produce a dramatic look.

7. Try Indoor Pavers

You don’t have to limit your use of pavers to the outdoors.

More and more people are starting to install pavers indoors as well.

If you’d like to inject a little excitement into the foyer of your home, why not try installing indoor pavers?

Indoor pavers are also terrific for areas that get a lot of abuse.

For example, they work well in mudrooms and rec rooms.

Take your time when selecting indoor pavers, and remember that slightly different considerations need to be made when installing them indoors.

8. Create a Miniature Patio for a Playhouse

If your kids have a playhouse, you can give it a more realistic look by adding a small patio.

In this case, you’ll most likely want to use small to medium sized pavers.

Work with a landscape artist to come up with a realistic and attractive design.

You can do it all yourself too, but make sure to do the job right.

You may even decide to add a few small pathways around the playhouse with pavers as well.

Your kids are sure to love the realistic flair that a tiny patio or pathway can bring to the table.

9. Bury Pavers to Ward Off Digging Critters

After working so hard to create a vegetable garden in your backyard, you’d probably like to keep critters at bay.

Rabbits and other animals are notorious for digging beneath fences and gaining entry to gardens in that way.

You can keep that from happening by burying pavers beneath the fence that goes around your garden.

Another idea is to stretch chicken wire down from the fence and secure it below the ground with pavers.

The right pavers will serve as an added layer of defense, and you’ll have an easier time keeping your veggies safe.

10. Create Inexpensive Pathways with Large Pavers

The pathways in your yard don’t have to be continuous.

You can save a lot of money by purchasing large pavers and spacing them apart a little.

You can fill in the gaps with inexpensive materials like mulch.

By spacing apart the pavers, you won’t have to buy as many of them.

You may be able to purchase more expensive pavers because you won’t need as many, so you’ll spend less overall.

For an especially unique look, stagger them a little.

11. Create a Terrace with Pavers

A terrace can dramatically enhance the appearance of a yard.

Most people use stones and other materials to create terraces, but there’s no reason that you can’t use pavers.

You’re going to want your terrace to stand the test of time though, which is why you should hire a company to do the work for you.

Make a few calls.

Let them know that you’d like to use pavers.

Before calling, select the pavers you’d like to use.

You should be able to find a contractor who’s willing to build you a terrace with the pavers of your choice.

12. Grow Flowers and Plants between Pavers

Although concrete/mortar can be used to secure pavers that are spaced apart, it’s a lot more fun to try growing something instead.

Why not plant some tiny flowers and see what happens?

There are many plants that grow low to the ground that are perfect for in between pavers as well.

You could even try transplanting some moss between your pavers for a natural yet timeless look.

Some people even grow herbs between the pavers in their yard.

In addition to looking great, the herbs can be used in the kitchen.

13. Use a Variety of Shapes, Sizes and Styles on a Pool Deck

If you’re tired of generic pool decks, you should consider using a variety of different pavers to achieve a unique and eclectic look.

This is a job that is best left to the professionals.

Make sure to hire a company that’s willing to help you achieve your vision.

Shop around for a variety of different pavers.

You could mix them all together to create unique patterns, or you could split up the deck into different sections.

Each section could consist of a different style of paver.

14. Use Pavers to Grow Hanging Fruits and Vegetables More Effectively

When hanging fruits and vegetables get large, they often droop onto the ground.

If they make direct contact with the soil, insects can easily start wreaking havoc on them.

Before you know it, all of your hard work will have been wasted.

One way to avoid this issue is by installing pavers where fruits and vegetables come to rest.

As they continue to grow, they will do so on the surface of a paver.

They won’t make direct contact with the soil, which should reduce the risk of ending up with unusable produce.

15. Create a Border around a Garden

If you’re not concerned about building a fence around your garden but would still like to define it in some way, you could try installing a border made out of pavers around it.

While you’re at it, you could use pavers to create paths within the garden itself.

Paving stones can also be used to define different parts of a garden.

This idea generally works best with large gardens, but a border can be placed around a small garden as well.

You’ll love the way it looks!

Should You Do it Yourself or Hire a Pro?

There are plenty of directions online for installing pavers to create patios and pathways.

If you’re going to try a more offbeat idea though, doing it yourself may not be practical.

Of course, if you have an artistic streak, you might be able to pull it off.

If you’re not confident in your ability to do any of the ideas above, you should plan on hiring a contractor to do the work for you.

There’s sure to be at least one contractor in your area who can help.

In many ways, coming up with the idea itself is a lot more difficult than making it happen.

As long as you have a clear vision about how you’d like to use pavers in and around your home, making your dream a reality shouldn’t be difficult.

Don’t be afraid to try something a little different.

Concrete pavers are brimming with possibilities, and the 15 ideas that are listed above are just the tip of the iceberg.

Whether you inherit used pavers from someone else or go out and buy your own, try to use them creatively to add flair and excitement to your yard.