Home Improvement Ideas Outdoor Structures Walkways How to Lay a Patterned Brick Paver Walkway for a Custom Look Step up your curb appeal with a DIY paver walkway. We lay out the steps to make this large project less intimidating. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 30, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player A brick paver walkway is a gorgeous addition to your home that stands up to the test of time. With a rustic brick look and your pattern choice, this pathway can work with any home style. You could hire a professional to get the job done, but with a little hard work and determination, you can build the paver walkway yourself! A DIY project like this adds even more character to your curb appeal. You can customize your paver walkway in several ways to get the design you want. Check out our steps and tips below to see how you can make a winding path of your own. 24 Backyard Pathway Ideas for an Outdoor Oasis What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Garden hose Shovel Tamper Tape measure Hammer and brick chisel Paver saw Broom Materials Spray paint Stakes String Weed barrier sheet Crushed road stone with fines Sand 1-inch PVC pipes 2x4 boards Pavers Polymeric sand Concrete sealer (optional) Instructions Brick Pattern Options Herringbone This centuries-old pattern may look the most familiar for brick walkways. The unique angles are ideal for irregular spaces, such as a curvy path. When set at a 90-degree angle, this classic pattern requires only occasional cuts. Basket Weave Place pavers in alternating vertical and horizontal pairs for a vintage look. This cottagelike design is known as basket weave and is reminiscent of a tiled floor. Its symmetrical design makes this pattern great for straight pathways and can be easily incorporated into another pattern. How to Lay a Brick Walkway Like a Pro Concentric Square An uncommon option is to lay your paver walkway with concentric squares. In this design, pavers form a large repeating pattern. This look is great for ample spaces where the overall design has room to shine. How to Lay a Brick Paver Walkway Map Out Paver Walkway Use a long and flexible object, such as a garden hose, to map out the path of your paver walkway. Once you're happy with the placement, use a light spray paint to mark the guidelines where you want the pavers to go. Dig Trench for Paver Walkway Using a shovel, excavate an 8-inch-deep trench slightly wider than your intended path. You may need to add or remove more soil in areas to make sure the paver walkway is at an even level. Flatten the trench by pressing down on the soil with a tamper. Editor's Tip Before you start digging, first call your local utility company to have your utility lines marked. The 7 Best Shovels of 2024 for Your Next Outdoor Project Mark Edges Place stakes along the edges to mark the exact walkway dimensions. There should be 2 to 3 feet between each stake. Connect the stakes by stretching string along the path edges. Build Base Cut a sheet of weed barrier to fit and lay it along the path. Lay a 4-inch base of 3/4-inch crushed road stone with fines. Firmly press down on the stone with a tamper until it is level and smooth. Lay a 1-inch layer of sand on top. Place 1-inch PVC pipes on either end of the pathway to level the sand. Balance a board on top of the pipes and press down while dragging it across the sand, evening the surface. Lay and Cut Pavers Set the pavers atop the sand in the desired pattern. Use the string barriers to ensure lines are straight and curves flow well. How to Clean Brick Pavers for an Outdoor Space That Looks Like New Fill Joints and Finish After all the pavers are in place, use a broom to fill the joints with polymeric sand. Softly sweep away excess sand from the surface and mist the path with a hose several times so the sand will activate and harden. If desired, finish your paver walkway with a concrete sealer.