How To Make Mosaic Rock Pavers!

Bryan's Workshop
by Bryan's Workshop
4 Materials

This is a super fun and easy way to create unique pavers for sidewalks and pathways. I'm currently working on a pathway around my house and wanted something heavier and more decorative than the pavers available at the outdoor center, so I decided to make my own!

DIY Mosaic Pavers

I did five practice pavers first and experimented with different brands of mortar, cement and rock placement. I didn't want any of the rocks coming loose or pavers breaking in half in the future. The two large pavers and the small curly one are made out of what I think works best.

I found these plastic gardening trays at my local flower shop. These were so much easier to use than making a wood frame for the paver. The only down side is there's not a big selection of sizes. If you use a plastic tray, make sure the ends are at 90 degree angles and don't curve out, so your pavers will sit flush next to each other.


Tools and Materials

  • Plastic gardening trays
  • Mortar
  • Pointed Trowel
  • Rocks
DIY Mosaic Paver Ideas
Lay Out Your Design


First, you lay out your design. Make sure your tray is deep enough to be about 75% mortar. Also don't stack any rocks. Use small rocks to fill in small gaps, but make sure the mortar touches the back of everything you'll see on the top.

DIY Mosaic Paver Design
Hose the Top of Your Design
Hose the Top of Your Design


After your design is laid out make sure the rocks for the most part are nice and tight. Give the top a good shower with the hose before you put on your mortar.

Mix Mortar
Mix Mortar


I went with 100% mortar. I live in Japan, so I can't recommend a brand, but I did try different kinds of concretes, mortars, and mixes. All of the normal dry 100% mortars worked perfectly for me. We don't have quick dry mortar over here, so I didn't get to try it.

Lay Mortar Over Rocks
Lay Mortar Over the Rocks


Be careful not to move the rocks when you put the mortar on. It goes on easily and be sure to smooth the top with something like a pointed trowel. This tray was a little too deep, so I didn't fill it to the top with mortar. Be sure you make this as smooth and level as possible, because it will be the bottom of your paver.

Finished Product
Let Them Dry and Then Flip


Let the pavers dry and then flip them over. Voila! Beautiful DIY homemade mosaic pavers!

DIY Practice Mosaic Pavers

These are my practice pavers. They have been jumped on and drop tested and have held up nicely.

This is a really fun and easy project.

Looking to give this project a try yourself? Let me know how it went in the comments below!

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 91 questions
  • Mickyhowle Mickyhowle on Jun 17, 2023

    Did you buy the different colored rocks or painted them?

  • Ceferino Martin Ceferino Martin on Jun 18, 2023

    Would it not be advisable to cut a pice of wire screen of large mesh and include in sandwich so that it doesn’t crack up with cold weather?

  • Alice Alice on Jun 19, 2023

    Thanks for sharing. But where did you get the rocks from I just might give this a try.

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