Holland-style pavers in a herringbone pattern: details that make the difference

A simple rectangular paver can create a surprisingly lively patio. In a herringbone pattern, the blocks meet at right angles to form a repeating zigzag. The result works well beside a traditional home or in a more contemporary garden.

For a Southwest Washington homeowner, the important decisions go beyond choosing a color. The direction of the pattern, the border and the way the installer works across the area all affect how finished the paving looks. Our patio and walkway gallery is a useful place to start comparing the overall feel of different layouts.

Choose the direction before laying the first paver

Holland-style rectangular pavers are often described as 4-by-8 units, but check the actual dimensions and installation instructions for the product being supplied. The layout must allow for its intended joints.

With a 90-degree herringbone layout, the rectangular units run parallel and perpendicular to the main reference edge. Rotating that same pattern creates a 45-degree layout, with the units running diagonally to the edge. Both can make an attractive surface; they simply guide the eye differently.

Before committing, compare a small dry-laid sample with the house, doorways and adjoining paths. Think about where you will usually stand or sit when looking across the finished area. Include the border in that sample so the decision reflects the whole composition.

A border and an edge restraint do different jobs

At Shovel & Thumb, we plan a border course for these herringbone installations. It frames the pattern and gives the cut pieces at the perimeter a consistent line to meet. The border can use the same rectangular pavers as the field or a compatible contrasting unit.

In paving terminology, a soldier course places the long direction of each border paver across the edge; a sailor course runs it along the edge. Both lie flat in the pavement. The photographs here show soldier-course borders.

The visible border is not a substitute for a proper edge restraint. The restraint holds the pavement assembly in place and must suit the base and expected loads. A border of whole units can help support cut edge pieces, but a decorative row on its own does not stop the entire edge from moving. Ask to see how the outside edge will be secured, especially where paving meets a lawn or planting bed.

Set out a square starting point

Our crew prefers to establish the layout from a suitable corner. We first position reference pieces and check how the border and field will meet. Those temporary pieces can then be lifted so the final corner cuts are made after the surrounding layout is established.

That is a working method, not a reason to assume the house or an existing slab is perfectly square. String lines and measured reference lines help keep the pattern straight. The final starting point also needs to suit the shape and slope of the project.

Keep room to work

Cohan’s practical advice is to work from an open, L-shaped laying front rather than close in on a V-shaped gap. Working into a narrowing space can leave a paver trapped between two already-laid edges, making small alignment corrections awkward.

Plan the sequence so the installer can keep checking the field and border together. Maintain consistent joints instead of forcing units tightly against one another. If a line begins to drift, correct it while the working area is still accessible rather than carrying the error across the patio.

Finish the whole pavement, not just the pattern

Before cutting the perimeter, check the border width and the size of the remaining pieces. Adjusting the layout early is preferable to filling the edge with narrow fragments. Cutting concrete also produces hazardous silica dust, so the cutting method needs appropriate dust controls and protection.

The pattern still depends on suitable base preparation, drainage, bedding and jointing. Our coarse sand page describes material used for paver screeding; confirm its specification against the selected paving system. Compaction and joint filling must follow that system’s requirements. A neat zigzag cannot compensate for a weak base or water directed toward the house.

When considering landscape installation options, ask how the patio connects with steps, paths and surrounding beds. Bring photos and approximate dimensions when you discuss the layout with our team. A carefully planned border and a steady laying sequence help a familiar paver look intentional from the first corner to the last cut.

Sources

Shovel & Thumb installation practices and photographs supplied by Cohan Fish, October 23, 2026.