Paver Walkway Ideas for New England Homes

Good paver walkway ideas start with the house. A brick Colonial looks right with a red brick or bluestone walk in a traditional pattern; a ranch or contemporary home suits larger gray pavers in straight lines with a darker border. Pick a material that handles Massachusetts freeze-thaw, a pattern that fits the walk's width and a surface with enough texture to stay safe when it is wet or icy.

Below are walkway paver ideas sorted by house style, the different types of sidewalks and walkways you can build, how pavers compare with poured concrete, and which surfaces are least slippery. For layout and width, see how to design a paver walkway; for the build itself, how to install a paver walkway.

Match the walkway to the house

Colonial and Federal. Symmetry suits a straight walk centered on the door. Red clay brick or brick-colored pavers in herringbone or basketweave, or bluestone with a brick border.
Cape. A gently curved walk from the driveway, tumbled pavers or brick, and planting beds along the edges.
Ranch. A wider walk keeps a long, low house in proportion. Medium or large rectangular pavers in grays and tans.
Contemporary. Large-format pavers, straight lines, tight joints and a charcoal border.
Victorian and older homes. Bluestone, granite or brick, which match the stone foundations and steps these houses often have.

Curved gray paver walkway with a lighter border running from a driveway to front steps — A curved paver walk with a contrasting border, from the driveway to the front steps, on a Gerrior job.

Different types of sidewalks and walkways

Concrete pavers

The most versatile choice. Concrete pavers come in many sizes, colors and textures, from smooth modern slabs to tumbled units that look like old cobblestone. Makers such as Unilock and Techo-Bloc offer lines rated for our climate. Concrete paver walkway ideas range from a simple running bond to multi-size patterns that look like cut stone.

Clay brick

Traditional and warm in color. Use brick made for paving, not wall brick, which absorbs water and flakes in freeze-thaw. See brick walkway ideas for patterns.

Bluestone

Flat natural stone in blue-gray and lilac tones. Thermal (flamed) bluestone has an even, grippy surface; natural cleft is more varied. It gets warm in full sun.

Granite

Very hard and long-lasting. Common for steps, treads and borders, and for cobble edging along a walk.

Fieldstone

Native stone for a rustic garden path. Uneven, so better for secondary paths than a main entry. See stepping stone and stone walkway ideas.

Poured and stamped concrete

One continuous slab, sometimes stamped and colored to look like stone. It is smooth to shovel but will crack in freeze-thaw, and a cracked or heaved section has to be cut out.

Travertine and other imported stone

Popular in warmer places. Some travertine and softer stones are porous and can be damaged by freeze-thaw and deicers, so ask the supplier whether the product is rated for a northern climate before choosing it here.

Pavers vs poured concrete for a walkway

Poured concrete costs less up front in many cases and is easy to shovel. Pavers are separate units with joints that let the walk flex slightly with frost, and a sunken or damaged area can be lifted and reset with the same pavers. Concrete cracks; pavers move. On a walk that has to look good for a long time in our winters, the repairability of pavers is the main advantage.

Paver walkway designs and patterns

Running bond along the length of the walk makes it look longer; across the walk makes it look wider.
Herringbone interlocks in every direction and resists shifting on busy walks.
Basketweave is traditional and suits brick homes.
Two-tone with a border. A soldier course in a darker color frames the walk and hides cut pieces.
Curves. A curved walk feels relaxed and follows the way people actually walk. See curved paver walkways.

Red and charcoal herringbone paver walkway that turns at a right angle across a lawn — A herringbone paver walk in red and charcoal tones on a Gerrior job.

Slip-resistant paver options for walkways

Wet leaves, rain and ice make the front walk the most slippery surface around the house. To keep it safer:

Choose a textured face: tumbled or textured concrete pavers, thermal bluestone or flamed granite. Avoid polished or very smooth surfaces outdoors.
Be careful with sealers. Some glossy sealers make pavers slick when wet. If you seal, ask for a product with a slip-resistant additive.
Keep the walk pitched so water runs off and does not freeze in low spots.
In winter, follow the paver maker's guidance on deicers. See ice melt on pavers.

Budget-friendly walkway paving ideas

To keep a walkway affordable without cutting corners on the base, use a standard paver size in one color, choose a straight layout or gentle curve instead of tight curves, and skip intricate patterns that need many cuts. A path of stepping stones in crushed stone is another low-cost option for secondary walks. Our stone walkway cost guide explains what drives the price.

When to call a mason

Call a contractor when the walk includes steps, crosses a slope, has to tie into existing steps or a driveway, or sits where water collects. Front walks are also where people want the work to look right for years.

Gerrior Masonry is a family-owned, fully insured hardscape and masonry company in Woburn, MA, with over 30 years in the trade, and our work is guaranteed. See finished work on our walkway projects page and read about our walkways and stairs.

"I hired Gerrior Masonry & Landscape of Woburn this past Spring (2015) to rebuild my crumbling front steps and walkway. … They showed up every day and did amazing work. I made a few design changes along the way and they were very accommodating." Kristine B. (Yelp)

Common questions

What are the best pavers for a walkway?

For most Massachusetts homes, concrete pavers rated for freeze-thaw, paving-grade clay brick, thermal bluestone or granite. Choose a textured surface for grip.

Are pavers better than concrete for a sidewalk?

Pavers usually cost more to install but can be lifted and reset when frost or roots move them. Poured concrete cracks and has to be cut out to repair.

Which walkway pavers are least slippery?

Textured or tumbled concrete pavers, thermal bluestone and flamed granite. Avoid polished stone and glossy sealers.

What is a good design for a front walkway?

One that fits the house style, leads straight or gently curved to the door, is wide enough for two people, and has a border to frame it.

Want ideas for your own front walk? Call Gerrior Masonry at (781) 933-4157 or request a free estimate.