Originally posted in 2024; updated in 2026
Summer is in full swing, and there’s no better time to enjoy life outdoors. But there’s nothing like a season of backyard barbecues and evenings spent enjoying the fresh Minnesota air to remind you of that old deck or cracked concrete patio you’ve been meaning to replace. Or maybe you’ve been dreaming of creating a beautiful, functional outdoor living space from the ground up.
If that sounds familiar, a custom paver patio might be exactly what your backyard needs. With exceptional durability, nearly endless design possibilities, and the ability to withstand Minnesota’s changing seasons, it’s easy to see why paver patios continue to be one of the most popular choices for homeowners.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes them such a worthwhile investment.
A Space That’s Uniquely Yours
Few outdoor projects offer as much design flexibility as a paver patio. With countless colors, textures, patterns, and laying styles available, you can create a patio that truly feels like yours.
As you begin planning, consider questions like:
- How will you use the space most often?
- How many people do you want to comfortably entertain?
- Should your patio sit directly off your home, or should it become a destination further into your backyard?
- Would built-in seating, lighting, or a fire feature make the space more enjoyable?
Over the last several years, we’ve seen some interesting ways in which homeowners are choosing to customize their paver patios. Instead of creating one large rectangular slab, many are choosing layouts that define separate spaces for dining, entertaining, and relaxing. Curved edges and integrated landscaping are another way to give the finished patio a more intentional, custom appearance.
We’ve also noticed more homeowners leaning towards warm, earth-toned color palettes. Learn more about current trends in our article, Paver Trends for Patios and Walkways.
Whether your style leans more towards modern or rustic, paver patios provide the flexibility to create a uniquely custom space — perfectly tailored to your home and the way you live.
Built To Withstand Minnesota’s Extreme Weather
Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles are demanding on outdoor surfaces. Concrete slabs often crack as the ground expands and contracts, but paver patios are designed as an interlocking system that allows for natural movement.
In fact, paver patios are typically three to four times stronger than concrete patios. Because the individual pavers can flex with changing soil conditions, they’re much less susceptible to the large cracks commonly seen in their concrete counterparts.
That added durability means your patio stays attractive (and functional!) through season after season of Midwest weather.
Paver Patios Are Low-Maintenance
One of the biggest advantages of paver patios is how little maintenance they require. A professional sealant helps protect your investment by:
- Preserving the color of your patio and reducing fading
- Protecting against stains from grease, oil, and other spills
- Stabilizing the joint sand to help keep pavers securely in place
While pavers are incredibly durable, they’re not indestructible. Luckily, if one ever chips, cracks, or becomes stained, it can usually be replaced individually (which is nice, compared to the alternative treatment concrete patios need … if you ever chip one of those, you may end up having to tear out and replace the entire thing!).
Designed To Grow
Your backyard may change over the years, and paver patios make it easy to adapt.
Because they’re installed as individual units rather than one continuous slab, they can be easily shaped around landscaping and later modified to accommodate future outdoor upgrades. Garden beds, retaining walls, fountains, landscape lighting, built-in planters, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and fire pits can all be seamlessly incorporated into the overall design!
Just be sure to communicate this vision with your landscape designer from the beginning so they can determine the best plan for the overall project!
Even if you aren’t ready to add every feature today, planning your patio with future additions in mind gives you flexibility as your needs evolve.
Paver Patios Create an Outdoor Space You’ll Use More Often
A beautiful patio is so much more than “simply another feature” in your backyard; it can literally change how you enjoy your home.
Your backyard goes from feeling like a patch of lawn that needs regular upkeep to a destination for morning coffee, family dinners, neighborhood gatherings, and quiet evenings around the fire. Many homeowners are surprised by just how much more time they spend outside once they have a space for it.
Looking for even more reasons to invest in a patio? Read our article on Why Adding a Patio to Your Home Is a Smart Idea.
Increased Resale Value of Your Home
Even if you aren’t planning to sell anytime soon, it’s always wise to consider how home improvements can pay off down the road. A custom paver patio adds character, function, and curb appeal — qualities that you can enjoy now, as the homeowner, and prospective buyers will notice later.
According to the National Association of Realtors:
- 97% of realtors believe curb appeal is important in attracting buyers
- 92% of realtors recommend improving curb appeal before putting a home on the market
Whether you stay in your home for five years or twenty, a well-built paver patio is an investment you’ll almost certainly end up appreciating.
There’s Still Time To Enjoy Your Backyard This Year
You don’t have to wait until next spring to start enjoying a better outdoor space. Beginning a patio project in mid-to-late summer allows you to make the most of the remaining warm evenings, outdoor dinners, football weekends, and crisp Minnesota fall weather.
If you’ve been dreaming about a paver patio, make 2026 the year.
At McDonough Landscaping, we’re passionate about creating outdoor spaces that bring people together. As a family-run company, we take pride in building paver patios that are designed to last — creating the backdrop for family dinners, celebrations, and everyday moments for years to come. Give us a call at 651-755-7901, or contact us here to start planning your custom patio!