How to Choose the Right Natural Stone for Your Patio or Walkway
A Step-by-Step Breakdown of Natural Stone Types, Finishes, and Styles
Choosing natural stone for a patio, walkway, or outdoor living project can feel overwhelming. With so many shapes, colors, finishes, and product names, it’s hard to know where to start.
At All In Stone, we walk customers through stone selection every single day. Below is the same simple framework we use in our yard to help contractors, homeowners, and DIY builders choose the right material quickly and confidently.
Modern & Clean Style
Dimensional, Chateau Limestone with Black Sandstone Border
1. Start With the Look: Rustic or Modern?
Before you look at products, decide the overall style of the project. This one question narrows the field faster than anything else.
Rustic & Natural Style
Irregular shapes
Textured surfaces
Earthy, varied colors
Works well in wooded or natural landscapes
Classic Vermont feel
Modern & Clean Style
Square or rectangular pieces
Smoother surfaces
Uniform color tones
Great for clean, contemporary outdoor spaces
Typically seen in new custom built homes
Knowing your style makes the remaining decisions much easier.
Irregular Shape
Full Color, Natural Cleft, Bluestone
2. Choose the Shape: Square-Cut or Mosaic
This is one of the most important choices—and the most common question we answer in the yard.
Square-Cut (Dimensional / Patterned)
Clean, consistent layout
Straight lines
Ideal for modern patios and pool decks
Faster to install compared to irregular shapes
Mosaic (Irregular / Freeform)
Organic, natural shapes
Our most popular natural stone option
Offers a more timeless and natural feel
Requires more layout time but delivers character
Choosing a shape helps determine installation style, cost, and the overall look.
3. Pick the Surface Finish: Thermal or Natural Cleft
The surface finish affects texture, slip resistance, shadows, and aesthetics.
Thermal Finish
Smooth and even surface
Clean, modern appearance
Good for pool decks and contemporary designs
Natural Cleft
Naturally split texture
Rustic, slip-resistant feel
Adds character and variation
This is usually decided after shape, because certain shapes come in certain finishes.
Thermal Finish
Dimensional, thermal, true blue bluestone
4. Select the Color
Color is usually the final decision—once shape and finish are chosen, color becomes much easier.
Some customers start with color first (especially with bluestone)
But generally, Shape → Finish → Color keeps things clear and simple
Color options vary from full color bluestone, blue/gray tones, and slate greys depending on product line.
Natural Stone Project Gallery
