Patchwork paving: Checkerboard your backyard with style

A lush green lawn looks great, but if you want to turn it into a feature in its own right, consider paving it in a checkerboard pattern.

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Pavers laid in a checkerboard pattern are also known as patchwork pavers. Pavers laid this way will look great in almost any style of garden but will appear their best when incorporated into a formal garden, evergreen backyard or a compact courtyard.

To get the look, follow a few short, simple steps. Before you know it you'll have a fun and elegant talking point – and provide a handy base to stop your outdoor table and chairs from sinking into the ground!

Stone outdoor fireplace with checkerboard paving

Erica George Dines

Gather your supplies

Pavers (we used Brighton Masonry Mypave Paver 400 x 400 x 40mm in Charcoal)
Brickie’s sand
Cement
Rubber mallet
Stakes
Sponge
Measuring tape
Stringline
Shovel
Trowel
Spirit level

Here’s how

Before you begin paving your lawn, consider which way you want the pattern to run. Here are two examples of how you could lay out the checkerboard pavers.

Step 1

Hammer in stakes 500mm from edge of lawn on both sides. Run stringline between sides. Use line to ensure your first row of pavers is straight.

Step 2

Position pavers across lawn, along stringline, spaced roughly 600mm apart. Repeat for next row, but offset by a paver before positioning. For this DIY project, a spread out, 'random' checkerboard pattern was selected.

Continue positioning pavers for subsequent rows, removing 1 paver after row 3 and additional pavers in subsequent rows, so pavers look like they’re fading away into a corner (see pic). If desired, run a stringline diagonally across paving to ensure corners are aligned.

Step 3

Once satisfied with position of pavers, use shovel to cut around paver into lawn. Remove paver and turf, then excavate to depth of 100mm.

Step 4

In a wheelbarrow, mix 4 parts cement and 1 part brickie’s sand. Slowly add water and stir until mixture is stiff. Shovel a bed of mortar into paver hole and spread with trowel.