Modernizing Your Old Brick Patio in Naperville, IL

Your old brick patio has a charm of its own, but if it’s starting to feel dated, there are some relatively simple updates to consider to give your patio a fresh new look. Here are some tips for modernizing your old brick patio in Naperville, IL.

Deciding What Needs to Change

Modernizing a brick patio is an opportunity to rethink what gives a space personality and decide what you love about your outdoor space—and what you want to change.

First, brick pairs exceptionally well with any style of home including traditional, rustic, cottage, contemporary, or ultramodern. You may find that the secret to creating a modern space using relatively dated materials is to embrace contrast. Do you love the color, or are you tired of it? Modern brick patios tend to favor neutral patio colors that do not detract from the home while still making the patio an interesting space in its own right.

If you want a lighter and brighter color, you can look into replacing the main patio pavers and repurposing the existing pavers as beautiful borders, accents, or inlays for a stunning personalized look.

Color Changes

Staining is one option for homeowners who want to change the color of their existing patio. Stain can be used to bring a darker hue to brick—anything from a subtle tint to bold and dramatic. It can be very difficult to lighten brick using stain, but going dark will create an exciting modern look.

For added drama and a modern touch without changing the color of the brick, look into adding darker accent colors such as charcoal in the form of privacy walls or furniture. If you love the color but want to bring the look into the 21st century, consider changing out the patio furniture to something sleek and minimalist. Whether you go light or dark, the contrast could completely transform the space into a chic and inviting backyard retreat.

Paying Attention to Patterns

Are you tired of the laying pattern in your brick patio? Very precise laying patterns such as herringbone or basket weave are visually interesting, but they’re also prone to being busy. Some homeowners find that they tire of busy patterns quicker than simpler arrangements. Manage the busy look by contrasting it with minimalist furnishings and simple decor. Again, the contrast is beautiful, and the balance of simple and busy works together to create a pleasing space. While your brick pavers may not have a lot of tactile texture, the look itself is highly textured due to the small sizes of brick pavers and the many joint lines. Minimize visual texture by replacing the jointing compound with a color that blends better into the dominant color of the patio material.

Contrast Through Masonry

Use lighter masonry to create seating walls or outdoor fire features to lighten the look of a brick patio. Alternatively, blue- or gray-tinted stones such as bluestone, granite, slate, or limestone are a way to tone down the color of a dated-looking patio. Use these materials on retaining walls, benches, outdoor kitchen walls, your new outdoor fireplace or fire pit, and any water features.