Patio & Outdoor
10 Flagstone Patio Designs for Your Outdoor Space
Flagstone is one of the few patio materials genuinely suited to a DIY install — here's how to actually design around it.
There are plenty of choices when it comes to a patio floor — wood, stone and concrete make up the bulk of what most people consider. Flagstone is a natural stone that comes in a range of shapes, colours and textures, and can be laid in different patterns to create a genuinely individual look — some designs use natural ground or grass between each stone, others use grout to bring the whole surface together.
A real advantage of flagstone specifically is that it's one of the few patio materials suited to laying yourself — it's widely available, and there's no shortage of instructional guidance if you want to do it as a weekend project rather than hire it out.
Ten ways to design around flagstone
A simple square or rectangular layout with a fire pit at the centre
Easy to install and lay out, and gives you a genuinely cosy, inviting spot to enjoy the warmth and ambience of a fire through the cooler months.
A circular or oval layout with a fountain or pond at the centre
Adds a touch of elegance and calm, with the sound of moving water doing a lot of the work.
A curved or irregular layout that follows your garden's natural contours
Blends with the surroundings rather than fighting them, and adds real character over a rigid geometric layout.
A layout built around a pergola or gazebo
Gives you shade and shelter from sun and rain, and creates a natural focal point and seating area.
A layout with a built-in grill or outdoor kitchen
Makes the space genuinely functional for cooking and dining, not just sitting.
A layout with a hot tub or spa
A relaxing, slightly indulgent way to use the space, with a spa-like feel if you get the surrounding planting right.
A layout with a raised bed or planter built in
Adds colour and greenery, and gives you somewhere to actually grow flowers, herbs or vegetables rather than just sit.
A layout with a built-in bench or swing
Extra seating that's part of the structure rather than furniture you have to buy and place separately.
A layout with a mosaic or mural detail
A way to bring some genuine artistic personality into an otherwise functional surface.
A layout with lighting or lanterns built in
Transforms the space at night rather than leaving it unusable once the sun goes down — worth planning the cable runs before you lay the stone, not after.
Where we stand
The material does a lot of the work on its own — flagstone looks good in almost any layout. The real decision is what you build the layout around: fire, water, shade, cooking, or just more places to sit. Pick the one that matches how you actually use a garden, not the one that photographs best.