Patio Design & Installation
Proudly Serving Chicago's North Shore & Southeast Wisconsin

If you’re like most people, when you’re thinking about a picture-perfect new landscape for your home, your mind immediately jumps to “big” elements: a pool or water feature, a flowerbed filled with lush ground cover and bold pops of seasonal plantings, or even a luxurious outdoor kitchen. But the reality is that the patios and walkways you create in your outdoor space have a huge impact on its overall look and feel — and even its value. The materials, patterns, shapes, and styles you choose effectively “set the tone” for your outdoor space and help pull everything together while designating spaces for different activities.

Adding a custom patio or new walkways doesn’t just enhance your home’s beauty — they also:

• Create a level space for sitting, eating, and relaxing more comfortably
• Boost your property’s value and your enjoyment
• Allow your family ample ways to enjoy your outdoor space together or separately
• Enhance safety, providing friends and family with easy-to-traverse pathways through your yard

Van Zelst’s expert landscape and hardscape designers have worked with clients to create custom patios and walkways that are not only beautiful but practical. Get inspired by checking out some examples of custom walkways and patios below, then get in touch with us to set up a consultation.

More inspiration: Ideas we’ve collected from around the web

Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers, arranged in an interesting pattern, can create an excellent patio for a variety of different home styles. Here, the homeowners opted for an arts-and-crafts style patio in colors that complement the home’s stone exterior. A cozy seating area welcomes guests, and the patio umbrella provides respite from the hot summer sun.

Concrete Pavers v 2

If you’re looking for a truly versatile patio flooring material, consider concrete pavers. Here, the homeowners opted for concrete pavers to complement their yard’s stone fireplace and seating walls. Different seating areas allow the homeowners to enjoy a number of activities in their yard, from hosting friends for dinner to reading their favorite book on a warm spring day.

Large Spaces

If you have an expansive backyard, consider using large stones to create walkways and pathways. Here, the homeowners remodeled their backyard with meandering stone paths that allow them to easily access the house, the boat dock, and other areas of the yard.

Hilly Landscape

Designing landscape and hardscape options for hilly presents opportunities to be creative. Here, the homeowners use large, flat stones to serve as steps up the pathway to their home. The steps blend in beautifully with the rustic landscaping — they look as if they’ve always been part of the space.