This Backyard Skips One Solid Patio for Oversized Concrete Slabs Set Into Gravel
Most of this backyard was grass, with a few small pavers connecting doors around the house and no substantial surface for seating. That changed when Reddit user u/OhJohnO redesigned the space around oversized concrete slabs, limestone gravel, curved metal edging, and the trees that were already growing there.
Instead of pouring one solid patio, the project divided the yard into a broad walkway and a separate seating area. Large concrete slabs cross the limestone on one side, while a curved gravel section wraps around the central tree and holds a group of outdoor chairs.
Grass Covered Most of the Space Between the House
Grass originally extended across most of the enclosed backyard, stopping at narrow planting strips along the white brick walls. Small square pavers provided a path near the garage, but the center remained open lawn beneath the existing trees.
The house already enclosed the yard on several sides, creating the footprint for a courtyard without a defined hardscape to connect the different doors and covered areas.
Existing Trees Stayed While the New Layout Took Shape
Rather than clearing the yard from edge to edge, the redesign retained the established trees and worked around their trunks. The original lawn also remained beyond the main project area, keeping a section of grass beside the new hardscape.
The trees dictated where solid surfaces could go and helped separate the future walkway from the seating area without adding a wall or fence between them.
Curved Borders Created a Separate Seating Area
As grass disappeared, curved borders began defining the new courtyard. One curve circles the tree and extends toward the seating area, while another establishes the edge between the future limestone surface and the remaining lawn.
The homeowner used metal garden edging secured with stakes driven every few feet. Unlike a rectangular patio border, the flexible metal could follow the sweeping lines around the tree and across the yard.
Oversized Concrete Slabs Were Poured in Place
Large rectangular concrete slabs replaced the small stepping stones along the house. According to u/OhJohnO, forms were built for the individual slabs, rebar was installed, and the concrete was poured in place. He designed the slabs but hired out the pour.
Several slab sizes form the path, with gravel-width gaps left between each piece. Their scale turns the route into a broad walking surface that connects the covered side of the house with the opposite end of the courtyard.
Limestone Gravel Replaced Grass Around the Walkway
Before adding the limestone, the ground was cleared and leveled and landscape fabric was fastened with landscape staples. Pale limestone then filled the spaces between the concrete slabs and extended across the adjoining courtyard.
The same gravel continues beneath the turquoise chairs, tying the walkway and seating zone together without pouring concrete across the full yard. Dark soil and mulch around the tree create a defined break between the two gravel sections.
Concrete, Gravel, and Curves Rebuilt the Courtyard Around the Tree
From the original viewpoint, the scale of the change becomes clear. The former stretch of grass now contains a wide concrete path on the left and a gravel seating area on the right, with curved metal edging guiding both sections around the mature tree.
String lights cross overhead, new planting beds run against the house, and turquoise outdoor chairs occupy the circular seating zone. The broad geometric slabs, restrained material palette, low seating, and integration of the existing trees reinforce the mid-century direction the homeowner wanted without removing the landscape that was already established.
The project replaced one open patch of lawn with separate places for walking and sitting, using poured concrete and limestone instead of covering the backyard with a conventional patio.
Image credits go to reddit user u/OhJohnO.