14 Flagstone Patio Ideas to Enhance Your Yard's Natural Beauty (2024)

Flagstone is a natural material that can enhance the beauty of your backyard. The earth tones and organic shapes of flagstone blend with nature rather than compete against it.

If you’re working on your landscaping, use these flagstone patio ideas as inspiration.

What is Flagstone?

Flagstone is a sedimentary rock bound together by minerals. Miners quarry it from an open pit, and a stonemason chisels the rock, giving the stones an organic, unique shape.

Since Flagstones provide a durable and slip-resistant surface, they’re ideal for walkways, patios, pool areas, and driveways.

Flagstones cost about $15 to $20 per square foot, but prices vary by location.

Flagstone Patio Ideas

These flagstone patio ideas will give an organic feel to your outdoor space.

1. Flagstone Paver Patio with Mortar

The homeowners opted for mortar between the stones of their rounded patio. Using mortar between the joints offers a more polished look and ensures the stones won’t shift over time. You can use this method for a driveway too.

2. Large, Rustic Flagstone Patio

This flagstone patio sits at the backdoor of a small cabin, offering a modern-rustic feel. The patio is large, and the tan and beige stones offer visual interest while complementing the natural landscaping.

3. Small Flagstone Patio Idea

Flagstone patios work as well in small yards as they do in large ones. In this example, plants border the stones on all sides for an integrated look. The patio offers enough space for an outdoor couch and table.

4. Oceanside Stone Patio

Groundcover plants, such as this blooming moss, add an organic feel to the stones and are a great solution for crowding out weeds. The designers took the natural look a step further, using boulders as seating.

5. Modern Flagstone Patio Idea

Just because flagstone is a natural material doesn’t mean it has to look rustic. These homeowners chose a muted gray-beige stone with mortar to blend with their modern aesthetic.

6. Tuscan Flagstone Patio

The neutral color scheme, greenery, and simple design give this backyard patio a Tuscan-like look. It goes to show that the color of the stone sets the stage for the design style.

7. Patio in the Garden

If you want to enjoy views of your garden, there’s no better patio material than stone. It complements plant life and creates a space to sit with a morning cup of coffee or take a break from pulling weeds.

8. Flagstone Patio with Outdoor Fireplace

Here’s a look at a traditional-looking flagstone patio, complete with an outdoor fireplace shaded by a pergola. The fireplace and retaining wall are also stone for a congruent look.

9. Stone Patio in a Spiral Design

You don’t have to stick with an organic puzzle-piece type of design. While it might take some work to find flagstones the right size, you can try a more creative spiral pattern like this one.

10. Flagstone Patio Next to a Wood Deck

If you’re looking to eliminate as much grass as possible, add flagstones next to your wooden deck. It adds visual interest and cuts down on yard work.

11. Use Ground Cover Plants to Fill the Space Between Stones

This flagstone patio idea prevents weeds by overpowering them with ground cover plants. Use this idea if you’re trying to create a natural, green oasis.

12. Rustic-Modern Flagstone Patio Idea

Simple gray flagstone pavers lend to a modern look fit for a contemporary or mountain home. These homeowners also built a retaining wall in the same color for added visual interest.

13. Flagstones as a Pool Patio

Flagstone is slip-resistant, making it a top choice for pools. These homeowners went with a “green” look, letting grass grow high between the rocks.

14. Classic Flagstone Patio Design

These homeowners wrapped their flagstone patio around the house, giving it an old-world but high-end feel. They chose a gray stone that complements the color of their house.

How to DIY a Flagstone Patio

These are the basic steps to flagstone installation using the dry-laid method.

Flagstone Patio Materials You’ll Need:

• Paving stones
• Gravel
• Leveling sand
• Bucket
• Tamper
• Level
• Wheelbarrow

Once you have gathered all of your materials, choose your space and have a design and shape in mind. You can always move the stones around and expand your chosen area.

Flagstone Steps for installation:

• Start by removing grass and other vegetation from the patio area.
• Dig down far enough to accommodate gravel, surfacing sand, and flagstones. This should be between six to eight inches deep.
• Grade the ground so it drains. About 1/8″ of drop per foot of patio will suffice.
• Lay 4″ of gravel base to the ground and pack it with a hand tamper or plate compactor.
• Next, pour leveling sand on top of the gravel and spread to a 1″ thickness. The best material to use is decomposed granite.
• Layout your flagstones using a puzzling method. Use larger stones around the edges as the smaller stones will shift over time. Arrange stones by size and shape into the space, leaving a one to two-inch gap in between the stones.
• Level each stone by moving the stone by hand. You may need to add more leveling sand underneath.
• The final step is to fill the gaps with more decomposed granite leveling sand. You can also soil and plant grass in between pavers.

This dry laying method is cheaper than mortar and grout but will shift over time. If your bed of gravel and sand is compacted right, shifting will be minimal.

Professional Flagstone Patio Installation Costs

A professional installation of flagstone patios costs about $1,500 for a 100-foot surface. You can bring down labor costs by choosing larger stones covering a broader area.

Should You Seal Flagstone?

Although you don’t have to seal your flagstone patio, it will increase the longevity of the stone. An application of sealer hinders weed growth in between joints and prevents mold. It can also prevent stone cracks.

Use a sealer every three to five years, although wear time may vary depending on weather and traffic.