Choosing paver colors and patterns is one of the most important decisions in any hardscape project, and one of the most overwhelming. Manufacturers like Cambridge, Nicolock, Techo-Bloc, Unilock, and Belgard each offer dozens of color blends, surface textures, and paver shapes. Multiply those options by the number of possible laying patterns and border combinations, and the choices become staggering. The good news is that a few guiding principles can narrow the field quickly and lead you to a combination that complements your home, suits the Long Island aesthetic, and looks great for decades.
Start with Your Home, Not the Paver Catalog
The most common mistake homeowners make is choosing pavers based on what they like in a catalog or showroom display without considering how those pavers will look against their own home. Your paver color should complement, not compete with, your home's exterior. Look at the color of your siding, brick, stone facade, roof, and trim. A home with warm-toned brick and a brown roof looks best with pavers in tan, brown, and amber blends. A home with gray siding and white trim pairs well with cool-toned pavers in charcoal, slate, and silver. Walk outside and photograph your home's exterior in natural daylight before visiting a paver showroom.
Understanding Paver Color Blends
Most quality pavers are manufactured in color blends rather than solid colors. A single pallet of pavers will contain subtle variations in shade, which creates a natural, non-uniform appearance when installed. This variation is intentional and desirable. Blended colors hide dirt and staining better than solid colors and develop a more attractive patina over time. When selecting a blend, look at a sample area of at least 10 to 15 pavers arranged together rather than judging by a single unit. Cambridge and Nicolock showrooms on Long Island have large display boards that show their blends at scale.
Popular Color Families on Long Island
- Tan and brown blends: Classic and versatile. Pair well with brick, stone, and wood-tone homes. Cambridge Sahara and Nicolock Golden Brown are popular examples.
- Gray and charcoal blends: Modern and clean. Complement homes with gray, blue, or white exteriors. Techo-Bloc Shale Grey and Unilock Steel Mountain are strong choices.
- Red and terracotta blends: Traditional and warm. Work well with colonial and cape-style homes. Cambridge Onyx and Nicolock Old Red are common options.
- Multi-color blends: Combine warm and cool tones for a complex, natural stone appearance. Work with a wide range of home styles.
Choosing a Laying Pattern
The laying pattern affects the visual character of the surface as much as the color does. Formal patterns like running bond and stacked bond create clean, linear looks suited to contemporary homes. Herringbone patterns, both 45-degree and 90-degree, are the strongest for driveways because the interlocking arrangement resists shifting under vehicle loads. Random or ashlar patterns use multiple paver sizes to mimic natural stone and create a more organic, casual feel. For patios, the pattern choice is primarily aesthetic. For driveways, structural performance should guide the decision.
Common Paver Patterns
- Running bond: Offset rows like traditional brickwork. Simple, clean, and classic.
- Herringbone (45-degree): Pavers set at an angle. Strongest pattern for driveways and high-traffic areas.
- Herringbone (90-degree): Pavers set straight in a zigzag. Slightly less visual movement than 45-degree.
- Basketweave: Pairs of pavers alternating horizontal and vertical. Traditional and symmetrical.
- Random or ashlar: Three or more paver sizes arranged in a repeating or random layout. Natural stone appearance.
- Large format with linear joints: Single large-format slabs in a grid. Modern and minimalist.
The Power of Borders and Accents
A contrasting border is one of the simplest ways to elevate a paver installation. A soldier course in a darker or lighter shade frames the main field and gives the surface a finished, intentional look. On Long Island, a charcoal border around a tan field is one of the most popular combinations. Borders can also transition between different zones, such as where a patio meets a walkway or where a driveway apron meets the main driveway surface. Some homeowners add an inlay or compass rose at the center of a patio for a custom focal point.
Accounting for Fading and Aging
All concrete pavers will experience some degree of color change over time due to UV exposure, weathering, and efflorescence. Higher-quality pavers with through-body color, meaning the color extends throughout the entire paver rather than just the surface, fade more gracefully and maintain a more consistent appearance. Brands like Techo-Bloc and Unilock use advanced coloring technologies that improve long-term color retention. Sealing your pavers also helps preserve color. When choosing a color, consider that it will soften over time, and choose a shade that you will still appreciate five to ten years from now.
Viewing Samples in the Right Context
Never make a final color decision based on indoor lighting, a small sample chip, or a photo on a website. Bring full-size paver samples home and place them next to your house in direct sunlight. View them at different times of day, as morning and evening light shift color perception significantly. Look at them when wet, because pavers darken when exposed to rain and you want to like the color in all conditions. If possible, visit completed installations in your area. Huntington, Northport, Syosset, and Jericho all have neighborhoods with a wide variety of paver installations that can serve as real-world examples.
Get Professional Color and Pattern Guidance
Brothers Paving & Masonry helps homeowners navigate paver selection on every project. We bring samples to your home, recommend color and pattern combinations that suit your architecture, and show you completed projects with similar styles. We install pavers from all major manufacturers and know how each product performs in Long Island conditions. Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you choose the right pavers for your project in Huntington, Northport, Syosset, Jericho, and across Long Island.