Stamped Concrete Patio Ideas: Patterns, Colors & Designs
Choosing a stamped concrete pattern and color is the fun part — but it can also be overwhelming. With dozens of patterns and hundreds of color combinations available, where do you start? Here are the most popular designs we install across South Jersey, what works best for different home styles, and tips for making your patio look like it cost twice what you paid.
The Most Popular Stamped Concrete Patterns in South Jersey
After 2,167+ projects over 43 years, we know exactly what South Jersey homeowners love. These are the patterns we install most often — and the ones that consistently look best years down the road.
Ashlar Slate
Our #1 most requested pattern. Ashlar Slate features clean, rectangular shapes in a staggered layout that mimics hand-cut stone. It works with virtually every home style — from the colonials in Cherry Hill to the newer construction in Washington Township.
Why it's so popular:
Clean geometric lines complement both traditional and modern homes
The staggered layout hides control joints well
Looks equally good in warm earth tones or cool grays
Ages gracefully — the pattern still looks sharp after 15+ years
Best color pairings: Desert tan with dark walnut release. Dove gray with charcoal release. Sandstone with terra cotta release.
Random Flagstone
The natural stone look. Random Flagstone features irregular shapes and sizes that replicate the appearance of natural flagstone — the kind you'd see on a high-end estate patio. The irregular pattern creates a relaxed, organic feel.
Why homeowners love it:
Looks the most like real natural stone
The irregular pattern means no two sections look the same
Imperfections and color variations add to the authenticity
Perfect for curved patios and flowing walkways
Best color pairings: Autumn brown with charcoal release. Buff with dark walnut release. Slate gray with black release.
Wood Plank
The trending choice. Wood Plank stamped concrete has surged in popularity over the past few years, especially for pool decks and covered patios. You get the warm, natural look of wood without rotting, warping, splinters, or annual staining.
Why it's trending:
Unique look that stands out from typical stone patterns
Perfect for farmhouse-style homes (popular in Harrison Township and Mullica Hill)
Excellent for pool decks — no splinters, no rot from water exposure
Pairs beautifully with outdoor kitchens and pergolas
Best color pairings: Cedar with dark walnut release. Driftwood gray with charcoal release. Weathered oak with light release for a whitewashed look.
Cobblestone
Old-world charm. Cobblestone brings a classic European feel with small, rounded stones in a tight pattern. It's particularly popular for driveway borders, walkway edges, and front entryways.
Why it endures:
Timeless look that never goes out of style
Works beautifully as a border pattern around larger field patterns
The tight, small-scale pattern is forgiving of minor imperfections
Adds a formal feel to front walkways and entries
Best color pairings: Fieldstone with charcoal release. Brick red with dark brown release.
Herringbone Brick
Classic and versatile. The angled brick pattern creates visual movement and a sense of traditional craftsmanship. Popular for walkways, driveways, and patios on brick-front colonial homes.
Why it works:
Complements brick-front homes perfectly
The angled pattern is visually interesting without being busy
Strong structural pattern — herringbone is actually used in road construction for its interlocking strength
Works well in both red/brown brick tones and gray stone tones
Best color pairings: Brick red with charcoal release. Pewter with light gray release.
Choosing the Right Colors
Color selection makes or breaks a stamped concrete project. Here's how the coloring process works and how to choose wisely.
How Stamped Concrete Gets Its Color
Three components work together:
Integral color — Mixed into the concrete before pouring. This is your base color that runs through the entire slab. If the surface ever chips, the color underneath matches.
Color hardener (optional) — Broadcast onto the surface before stamping. Provides richer, more vibrant surface color and strengthens the top layer. Adds cost but significantly improves appearance.
Release agent — Applied before stamping to prevent the stamps from sticking. Comes in powder or liquid form and adds an antiquing effect — darker color settles into the joints and low spots, creating depth and realism. This is what makes stamped concrete look like real stone instead of painted concrete.
Color Tips From 43 Years of Experience
Match your home, not the trend. That trendy charcoal gray looks incredible online, but if your home has warm red brick and tan siding, it'll clash every day you look at it. We always bring color samples to your property and hold them against your home's exterior before you commit.
Go one shade darker than you think. Fresh stamped concrete with new sealer looks darker and richer than it will after a year of sun exposure. If you pick a color that looks "just right" when wet, it'll look washed out once it lightens up.
The release color matters as much as the base. A tan base with a dark walnut release looks like natural sandstone. The same tan base with no release looks like a painted sidewalk. Never skip the release color — it's what creates the depth and character.
Warm tones age better than cool tones in South Jersey. Our UV exposure and humidity tend to fade cool grays faster than warm earth tones. Buff, tan, desert, and brown shades hold their color longer between reseals.
Design Ideas by Project Type
Patio Designs
The Classic: Ashlar Slate in desert tan with walnut release, bordered by a 12-inch soldier course in a contrasting color. Clean, timeless, works with any home.
The Natural: Random Flagstone in autumn brown with charcoal release, flowing with curved edges into the landscaping. No hard corners — let the patio shape follow the yard.
The Modern: Large-format Ashlar in dove gray with minimal release, squared edges, paired with a linear fire pit. Clean lines, cool tones, contemporary feel.
The Farmhouse: Wood Plank in cedar tone running in one direction, bordered by a cobblestone band. Matches the farmhouse aesthetic that's popular across South Jersey right now.
Pool Deck Designs
Pool decks need to be slip-resistant, cool underfoot, and visually cohesive with the pool coping. Our recommendations:
Light colors — Reflect heat instead of absorbing it. Your feet will thank you in July.
Textured patterns — Slate and flagstone textures provide natural grip when wet.
Match the coping — If your pool has bullnose coping in a certain color, the deck pattern and color should complement it.
Wood Plank is our top pool deck pattern — it's unique, slip-resistant, and doesn't burn feet like darker stone patterns.
Driveway Designs
Driveways need to handle vehicle weight, so the concrete mix and base prep are heavier duty than a patio. Design-wise:
Full stamped driveways look incredible but are a significant investment. A popular alternative is a stamped concrete border (2-3 feet wide) with a broom-finish center — you get the decorative look at half the cost.
Ashlar Slate and Cobblestone are the most popular driveway patterns.
Avoid very dark colors on driveways — they show tire marks and oil stains more than lighter tones.
Walkway and Step Designs
Match your patio — Using the same pattern and color on your walkway creates a cohesive flow from driveway to front door to backyard.
Add bullnose step edges — Rounded, textured front edges on steps look professional and are safer than sharp corners.
Consider a different pattern for steps — A cobblestone step riser with an Ashlar Slate tread creates a beautiful layered look.
Combining Patterns and Materials
The most impressive projects we've done use multiple patterns or combine stamped concrete with other materials:
Two-pattern patio: Ashlar Slate field with a Random Flagstone border band
Stamped concrete + natural stone: Stamped patio with real bluestone cap on a seat wall
Stamped + pavers: Stamped concrete patio flowing into a paver walkway
Multi-level: Upper stamped patio stepping down to a lower stamped fire pit area with a different pattern
These combinations create visual depth and make the space feel custom and high-end.
See Your Design Before We Pour
Not sure which pattern and color combination is right for your home? We built an interactive project builder that lets you:
Pick your pattern
Choose your colors
Set your project size
Add features like fire pits, steps, and borders
See a ballpark estimate
Get an AI-powered preview of what it could look like
It takes about 2 minutes and gives you a starting point before we even come out for an estimate. Try it now →
Get Started
Patrick Breen Masonry & Concrete has been South Jersey's stamped concrete specialist since 1983. Third generation, 2,167+ projects, and a 4.9-star Google rating. We serve Mullica Hill, Cherry Hill, Washington Township, West Deptford, Pitman, Bellmawr, and all of Gloucester and Camden Counties.
Call: (856) 223-1100
NJ Lic #13VH00144300 | ACI & ICPI Certified | Family-Owned Since 1983