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(Image credit: Isabel Ladd Interiors)
At first thought, front yard walkway ideas can seem one of the most mundane aspects of designing a garden.
While they might be necessary for traipsing through your front yard, front walkways are not necessarily known for their style, and they may not be at the forefront of your mind when researching for inspiration.
But, in reality, choosing your walkway with care can transform your front yard's look – and give it an extra jolt of curb appeal in the process. These 15 stunning front yard walkways should provide the perfect inspiration for all your front yard landscaping ideas.
Front yard walkway ideas
From rustic to contemporary the best front yard walkway ideas are created with materials that don't just complement the design of your home, but the other elements of your outdoor space, from your front porch ideas, to the mailbox landscaping ideas at the end of the path, says landscape designer Kate Anne Gross .
Her top material choices for garden path ideas include bluestone, limestone, flagstone, brick, concrete pavers, and poured concrete, but that the right choice ultimately depends on the home. 'I love working with all of the above options,' she says. 'My top pick is always dependent on the style home I’m designing for and what the homeowners are gravitating towards.'
The below inspiration will help you whittle down the options.
1. Choose brick for a grand entrance
(Image credit: Isabel Ladd Interiors)
Nothing feels quite as regal as a large, hardscaped brick walkway leading up to the front door. This path by landscape designer Joseph Hillenmeyer uses stairs that gradually get larger towards the bottom, which visually invites you right into the front door.
2. Use gray gravel for a classic path
(Image credit: The Fox Group / Scott Zimmerman)
For a simple, classic front yard walkway idea, line a path with gray gravel or stones like The Fox Group did at this traditional home.
To keep the look crisp and the gravel from seeping into your grass, use metal edging to delineate the path, leaving a few inches peeking above the ground to contain the walkway.
3. Add sleek pavers
(Image credit: Yardzen)
If your home is on the modern side, add a graphic element to your front walkway with sleek, rectangular pavers embedded in gravel. To emphasize the design, choose materials in different shades.
4. Extend your home's architecture down your walkway
(Image credit: Jessica Risko Smith / Caitlin Atkinson)
If you're not sure what type of material to use for your front walkway, take a look at the rest of your home's exterior. Choosing a material that already exists on your home will make the path feel seamless, and like it's always been there, even if it hasn't.
At the California home by Jessica Risko Smith , above, the stonework details on the front porch columns are carried through the front path and front garden wall ideas.
5. Build lighting into your front path
(Image credit: Manolo Langis / Hudson Homes / Wilson Construction)
If you're in need of front yard lighting ideas, why not build the illumination right into your walkway?
At this California home by LMD Architecture Studio , small landscaping lights were built into the stair risers leading up to the front porch, and serve as both a functional element and a design detail after the sun goes down.
6. Supersize your front walkway ideas
(Image credit: Kyal & Kara )
If you are looking for ideas that will stand out, then this could be the design for you.
For front walkway ideas that are practical and aesthetically pleasing in equal measure, consider making a path of larger stones. In this space by Australian duo Kyal & Kara , the supersized flat slabs give the front yard a tropical edge.
When paired with a palm tree and tropical front yard flower bed ideas in the form of shorter leafy greens, the pathway complements the facade’s beach-like appearance.
(Image credit: Lane Dittoe)
As this yard from Mindy Gayer proves, your front walkway ideas don’t have to follow the straight and narrow.
Instead of having one sleek line, the California-based designer added a few more rows of pavers right near the front door. Not only will the extra space come in handy if you have a rush of guests, but it can also double as an impromptu patio.
8. Add some asymmetry to your front yard walkway ideas
(Image credit: Maydan Architects)
Pavers are a common material for front walkway ideas; however, they can often veer into ubiquitous territory. For a fresh take on the classic staple, take a cue from Maydan Architects , who added some asymmetry to the path itself.
The varying paver sizes and placements add plenty of visual intrigue, not to mention mimic the home’s silhouette.
9. Focus on clean, crisp lines
(Image credit: Tim Street-Porter)
On the hunt for another way to spruce up your traditional pavers? Simply place them on freshly cut grass.
There’s something about the juxtaposition between the lush landscaping and sleek hardscaping – not to mention the clean lines – that feels crisp, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. This yard from KAA Design Group masters the look with a front yard walkway that blends seamlessly with contemporary walling.
10. Mix and match materials
(Image credit: Jylare Smith Photography)
Why settle for one type of front walkway material when you can enjoy a few? Erin and Kirsten of House of Jade Interiors embraced their bold streak by juxtaposing concrete slabs with flat stones.
The contrasting materials turn an otherwise ho-um walkway into a 'wow' factor. But, since both materials are in a similar color, the combination doesn’t feel over-the-top.
11. Give your front yard walkway the tiered treatment
(Image credit: RIOS)
If you want to raise your front walkway ideas to new heights, take a cue from RIOS . The multi-disciplinary firm added some drama to the front yard walkway with this sleek, tiered style.
The gravelled patch below completes the look, blurring the lines between the home’s hardscaping and the lush shrubs for the front of the house nearby.
12. Try two pathways
(Image credit: William Waldron)
As the saying goes, two is better than one. Case in point: This stunning setup from Ike Kligerman Barkley .
This split front walkway covers a lot of ground – literally – so guests will never need to stray too far off the path. Plus, the stones that create the walkway offer a subtle texture that pairs nicely with the whimsical landscaping.
13. Go big with gravel
(Image credit: Farmhouse on Boone)
Want to add some hardscaping to your front yard, but don’t want something as tough as concrete? Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone struck a happy medium by coating her front walkway in gravel.
The blogger finished the look by lining the path with larger stones – making the walkway feel like a more intentional addition to the front yard and drawing the eye towards the classic porch.
14. Raise your front walkway
(Image credit: Grace Design Associates)
If you’d like to elevate your gravel walkway – literally – consider reimagining the tiered treatment Grace Design Associates used in this setup into your front yard.
Here, the firm added raised boxes and filled them with gravel. Not only does this strategy offer some extra texture, but it also makes the most of a sloped yard.
15. Lay down a brick path
(Image credit: Grace Design Associates)
If you’re not keen on stone, concrete, or gravel, consider adorning your front walkway ideas with rows of beautiful bricks.
Bricks are used for everything from houses to fireplaces, so it’ll be a durable addition to your front yard. Plus, the terracotta hue will add beautiful contrast against your grass lawn, or serve as a beautiful complement to cottage garden ideas.
For inspiration, this stately setup from Grace Design Associates features a brick pathway curving around an elegant water feature.
How do you landscape front walkways?
Front yard walkway ideas with loose materials are simple enough for anyone to build. Stone, brick and similar paths require greater attention to details.
Those with good DIY skills will save money by taking on the job, but those with less confidence are better off calling in a qualified specialist, such as a landscape contractor, to ensure the walkway is stable, level and long lasting.
Late winter is probably the best time to add a new walkway, or alter an existing route around the yard, as beds and borders are full of dormant plants that don’t require our attention. It’s also easier to plot a route when the front yard can be seen in its entirety. Building work can cause damage to lawns or other features, but these will quickly recover in spring.
What can I use for my front walkway?
According to landscape designer Kate Anne Gross of Kate Anne Designs, materials like flagstone, brick, concrete, and bluestone make some of the best materials for a hardscaped front walkway.
If you're looking for something more simple, that can be done in a weekend, gravel, stone, and freestanding patio pavers dug into the grass also make lovely options.
Kelsey Mulvey is a New York-born, San Francisco-based freelance journalist who covers lifestyle and design content. She started her writing career while studying magazine journalism at Boston University, where her work was syndicated by top digital publications like USA Today and MSN. Upon graduation, Kelsey covered lifestyle content The Wall Street Journal, Off Duty and Business Insider. In 2017, Kelsey started her freelance journalism career, where she contributes to design publications like AD PRO, Elle Decor, Wallpaper*, and more. W
With contributions from
- Kaitlin MaddenExecutive Editor, Homes & Gardens
Walkway Ideas - 15 Ideas for Your Home and Garden Paths
Stepping Stones
1/16
Few DIY walkway ideas are as accessible for beginners as a stepping stone path.
Just lay large stones over grass to form a casual, comfortable path. Indeed, it makes for an easy weekend project for any skill level.
Related: 14 Cheap DIYs for a Better Backyard
istockphoto.com
Brick
2/16
Brick lends itself to no small number of walkway ideas and design options. Here, the path has been laid in a herringbone pattern with a border. Basket-weave, running bond, and stacked bond patterns are also excellent choices for a brick walkway.
Related: 7 Thrifty Designs for a DIY Walkway
istockphoto.com
Pallet Wood
3/16
Recycled pallet wood makes a rustic complement to this short garden walk between drive and yard. The spaces between boards allow vining plants to creep underfoot.
Related: 10 Backyard Wood Projects for Total Beginners
funkyjunkinteriors.net
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Gray Gravel
4/16
Gravel isn’t just for driveways.
On the contrary, it's the basis for many walkway ideas popular among DIYers for their low cost and welcoming, informal look. Extremely versatile, gravel comes in myriad colors and sizes. Here, larger circular stones strike an elegant contrast with the dark gray gravel stones.
Related: Pass on Grass: 7 Reasons to Landscape with Gravel
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Stamped Concrete
5/16
Concrete has so much more to offer now than it did in the past. These days, it can be colored and textured to look like many other types of stone or paving materials. Need proof? This stamped concrete design boasts an undeniable warmth that traditional floated concrete simply can't match.
Related: 8 DIY Pick-Me-Ups for a Plain Patio
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Bark Mulch
6/16
Bark mulch is a budget- and DIY-friendly material to keep in mind for no small number of appealing walkway ideas.
This path skips extra decorations and details for a natural and unaffected look through a vibrant garden.
Related: Edge Your Beds: 11 Easy Ideas for Landscape Borders
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Pavers
7/16
Pavers can really dress up a garden and are an excellent choice for more formal areas. Though pricey relative to other materials, pavers require less maintenance and upkeep than many other options that cost less.
Related: 12 Outdoor Upgrades That Make Your Home More Valuable
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Wood Slice
8/16
A walkway made of wood slices is delightfully earthy and rustic. Just lay your slices out on a bed of sand and let nature take its course.
Related: The Best (and Weirdest) Things You Can Do with a Tree Stump
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Mosaic Pebble
9/16
Some of the most jaw-dropping walkway ideas involve either pricey materials, laborious professional installation, or both.
A mosaic pebble walkway will impress anyone who walks on it, and while pebbles are reasonably priced, this type of path must be put in by a skilled artisan. Every one is a unique work of art.
Related: 10 Affordable Landscaping Projects You Can DIY in a Day
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Bluestone
10/16
Of all walkway ideas, the traditional bluestone path stands out for its timeless appearance and appeal. Many pattern and color choices exist (in fact, some bluestone isn't even blue).
Related: 12 Perfect Plants for Lining Your Pathway
istockphoto.com
Tumbled Glass
11/16
You can really let your walkway sparkle with tumbled-glass mulch. Yes, that’s right! This recycled material comes in a wide array of colors, is long lasting, and never fades. The production process produces glass that has virtually no sharp edges. Truly unique, you’ll surely be the only one on your block with anything like it.
Related: 10 Ways to Buy Better Curb Appeal for Under $50
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Thyme
12/16
The thyme growing between these stepping stones adds a heady fragrance to strolls along this lush, low-maintenance garden path.
Related: 12 Plants That Will Make Your Garden Smell Great
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Stenciled Concrete
13/16
If you already have a concrete walkway that’s in decent shape but feels a little boring, consider giving it a makeover with painted stencils. Whether you want to elicit whimsy or bring a bold graphic to the space, you can accomplish it with minimal time, effort, and money.
Related: 9 Ways to Crank Up Curb Appeal with Nothing But Paint
instructables.com via WUVIE
Pavers & Lava Rocks
14/16
Stock pavers are inexpensive and readily available at most hardware and home supply stores.
But they’re not exactly exciting. Surround them in a cut-out bed with lava rocks though, and they really make a statement. The warm reds add depth and color to your home's exterior. Nice work!
Related: 14 Insanely Easy Curb Appeal Projects You Can Do in a Day
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Bamboo
15/16
Bamboo is one of the Earth’s most sustainable building materials, making it an eco-friendly choice appropriate for a range of walkway ideas. Here, laid in a weaving pattern, bamboo adds a tropical touch to this lush yard.
Related: 10 Cheap Ways to Bring the Beach to the Backyard
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Walk This Way
16/16
So many great ideas for walkways—it's hard to pick just one.
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How to plan the paths in the garden: the width of the path, smooth and winding paths, the number of paths
You must have heard about this method of planning paths in the garden: plow the ground on the plot and see where the paths are trodden. But if living on a plowed field is not included in your plans, go the other way - make a plan of paths on paper.
As a rule, all the paths on the site can be conditionally classified into one of three groups: functional, household and walking. Functional - connect the main routes of movement around the site.
Household - purely pragmatic: bypass paths along the fence and around the house, passages to engineering structures, etc. Walking are the most interesting: these are paths and paths, as a rule, not carrying a utilitarian function, but intended for relaxation, admiring and decorating the site. Often they duplicate functional routes, offering a more leisurely and scenic route between different sites.
Each type has an optimal track width and other features. So, let's look at tricks and tricks that will help you understand this better.
David Thorne Landscape Architect
Straight and winding paths
We all remember from geometry about the shortest path between points. In the city, evidence of this is presented in the form of paths trodden on lawns. But, nevertheless, this does not mean that when planning the paths in your garden, you need to line them up with a ruler. This approach will be justified if you have conceived a classic regular garden, in other cases, freer forms and a combination of straight and winding paths will be appropriate. However, trampled lawns and flower beds cannot be avoided.
Think about relationships
If you plan all the necessary paths in advance, you won't have to make new ones. Analyze the list of zones required on the site, and the activities that are associated with them.
Which zones should be interconnected and why? With your own hands, mark these connections on paper. This will give you a list of function tracks.
brucele
What questions you need to know the answers to
You can make a complete list only based on the lifestyle of your family. Basic questions for planning functional paths relate to the main areas of the garden that they will unite:
1. Entrance and entrance area
Consider whether they will be separated or combined and whether a walkway is needed between them.
2. Entrance to the house
Does the main facade of the house look towards the entrance to the plot? Or is it facing the interior? Probably, a path will lead from the entrance area to the entrance to the house.
3. Recreation area, barbecue area and summer kitchen
Will these be separate areas, or will they be combined? How far will they be from home? They will also have a path.
4. Other
Do you need a children's play area and sports ground? Are you planning to plant a garden? Also, a detached bathhouse, a guest house, a gazebo may appear on the site. All of them should be connected to the house and other sites, but not in all cases - in the most direct way.
Advice: The paths between the main areas of the site will have the highest traffic, which means they must combine functionality, convenience and decorativeness.
The Mercantile
Utility Paths and Landings
They are very easy to overlook when planning. Think about what outbuildings and engineering structures you need on the site, because tracks will be needed for their maintenance and operation. This can be a site for collecting and removing garbage, for servicing a septic tank, a path to a woodshed and in a garden between beds.
Household paths should be as practical as possible.
The width of such tracks, shape and coverage is fully determined by their function. And, just in relation to utility paths, it is worth remembering the shortest path from point A to point B: it is more convenient to bring them closer to straight lines.
Mozaic Landscapes
Walking paths
Can be winding - they will only benefit from it.
Myron Greer Garden Design
Path Width
The widest should be the main, most frequently used routes. On the functional track, two people should easily pass each other. The width of utility paths can be small, consider their purpose here. Their width should allow a wheelbarrow or containers to pass where necessary. Walking paths can be narrow, especially if they duplicate a functional route. However, for a large garden, a wide winding path, designed for joint walks, will be a wonderful decoration.
If we talk about specific numbers, then 40-80 cm is the width of the track for one person, from 100-120 cm or more is the optimal width of the track for two people.
Tip: Make paths in your garden of different widths, this will diversify the space and show their function.
Studio AB
Gentle Curve
It is natural for humans to move along a smooth path, as it usually happens in nature. Connect functional areas with a single, gently curved line, let the route have a natural curve. Use large radius arcs and curves and you won't want to cut straight. This technique will not lengthen the path too much, but will make it much more spectacular.
Almost straight
This little trick will allow you to diversify straight paths and fit them into natural natural forms. The path in the photo sets a straight path of movement, but it does not look straight due to the undulating, winding edge.
Groundswell Design Group Inc.
Continuity of motion
Tracks must not lead to nowhere.
Try to make the paths in your country house begin and end meaningfully: they can connect sites or flow one into another. If the dead end could not be avoided, decorate it with a sculpture, fountain, shrub or flower garden.
Another important point: if the track, crossing any zone, goes further, try to keep a smooth trajectory. At the same time, make sure that the path does not crash into the thick of things, that is, that human flows do not intersect.
Atelier Nelumbo Garden Design
Crossroads
Try to avoid sharp corners when crossing paths, you will most likely want to cut them, so do this already when laying paths. Connect them with smooth arcs or at angles close to a straight line. An acute angle will be appropriate only if two paths merge into one.
Another option to arrange the intersection of garden paths is to make a platform in this place. Depending on the size of the site, you can decorate it with a sculpture in the center, or surround it with a floral border.
David Morello Garden Enterprises, Inc.
Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc.
Break the monotony
The playground will also help diversify a long straight track, break it into segments. Other techniques that solve this problem are the placement of pergolas entwined with plants and decorative gates on a long path, or the creation of wings on the path with the help of hedges and arrays of shrubs.
Peter Fudge Gardens
A classic and effective way to decorate a long, straight route is to turn it into an alley. Plant trees on one or two sides of a straight path, and their vertical rhythm will complement its linearity, allow you to show perspective and create a mood of identity.
It may seem that it is only suitable for a large area, but it is not. In small spaces, use short cut trees, weeping forms, or standard shrubs.
Tip: You can also create a row of flowers or herbs in tall planters to simulate an alley for a compact area.
Todd Richesin Interiors
Relief
If you're lucky with the relief area, this can also be used as a decorative and compositional technique when creating paths. The relief will help you in planning, suggesting, along with the buildings and large plantings existing on the site, the location of zones and movement routes.
Steps will help diversify the path and structure it. But when placing them, ergonomic factors must be taken into account. The height and width of the steps should be comfortable. These indicators will depend on the height of your family members, but usually a comfortable step width for outdoor, landscape space is in the range of 38-40 cm, height - 10-14 cm. It is also desirable that there are at least three steps in one rise.
Judy's Gardens & Design
At the same time, steps should be avoided on farm roads if possible.
If this is not possible, make a gentle rise, or arrange a ramp.
Tip: On a flat area, the diversity of the terrain will help create a decorative bridge over a real or dry stream.
The Barn: Landscape + Architecture
Edge
Plant a border of flowers or low shrubs along the paths, this will not only add decorativeness, but also save you from the temptation to take shortcuts through the lawn where it is not needed.
Set the accents
The curves of the paths set the direction of the eye when moving - a good example of such a path in the photo, you can lay it out like the bricks of a huge fortress. Create leads for him. Place accents at the key points of the route, at its turns. This is especially important to consider when creating walking paths. Trees, shrubs, sculptures and fountains, flower beds and plants in pots, decorative buildings: arbors, pergolas, benches can act as accents.
Something that catches the eye and stands out from the surrounding landscape.
Hint: You don't have to place them right next to the path - they work even better from a distance.
Dear Garden Associates, Inc.
Above dampness
To avoid having to jump over puddles, place the paths slightly above the surrounding area and provide a slight slope for water to drain. It can be unilateral or bilateral. Good drainage, open or closed, will also help to avoid stagnant water.
Children's tracks
While the adults walk a hundred meters, the children run five hundred. Make special "children's" tracks to realize their activity. They can run parallel to adults, at the same time acting as a decor, for example, from stumps dug along the path, or decorative stones. And they can offer an alternative route from one zone to another. Let the children's route be longer, winding, meandering, passing through the bushes and crossing the main path.
Make it secret, in whole or in part, place the path behind bushes or arrays of plants. This path can be quite narrow, because it is intended only for small children's feet.
Whether your site is spacious, small or completely behind the scenes, by thinking ahead and planning the routes taking into account the functional needs and preferences of your family, you can make them really convenient and beautiful.
Tip: For a small area, combining types and functions is true, so try to give functional paths some features of walking paths and make them convenient for household needs . And plan their sizes and coatings based on off-road conditions.
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What to make paths in the country house cheap and beautiful?
Garden paths, in addition to their immediate practical purpose, play an important role in landscape design.
The presence of well-groomed graceful alleys gives the garden elegance and creates a pleasant impression of the owner of the site.
It can be very difficult to decide what to make paths in the country house from in order to maintain the harmony of the garden and not go beyond the budget. The material of the paths should be combined with the general style of the garden.
For example, for a country style paths made of paving stones or decking are appropriate, and for a majestic representative garden with a wrought-iron fence on a brick foundation, paths made of stone or paving slabs are suitable.
Recently widespread metal profile fences harmonize well with concrete and gravel paths and plastic flooring. In addition to matching the style, the material of the tracks must meet the expectations in terms of practicality, durability, ease of installation and cost.
When planning a network of garden paths, you can plan a wide path to the main entrance from a more expensive material, and secondary narrow passages in the garden from a matching cheap one.
If there is a backyard with a gate for the removal of household waste and plant debris, then a wide path is also needed there, but from a more practical and durable material.
Once the paths have been planned and the dimensions calculated, it's time to start choosing the material and calculating the estimated costs.
Natural stone garden paths
Natural stone is by far the most durable and high-status flooring material. Marble, labradorite, granite, basalt, limestone and sandstone are used.
Light or dark stone depending on preference. Paths made of stone can have a different configuration from strict geometric lines to randomly disintegrating islands delimited by lawn grass or moss. Such material will require certain skills when laying, but it will bring sophistication and prestige to the garden.
Natural stone formed into plates - flagstone is in great demand. An alternative cheaper option is stone imitation, which is available on the market in a very wide range.
Design idea: stone paths adjacent to plantings of ornamental coniferous shrubs look spectacular. The stone is well combined with pebbles, opening the field for imagination.
Benefits: durability, resistance to mechanical stress (driving through garden equipment), high aesthetics, wide choice of shapes and textures.
Disadvantages: high cost, when wet it becomes slippery, and in winter it becomes covered with an ice crust.
Paving slabs for covering paths
Garden paths made of paving slabs (paving stones) are very popular due to their durability and resistance to temperature changes. A wide range of colors and a variety of shapes make this material versatile in various design solutions.
The tile is easy to install and blends seamlessly into any garden configuration. It is a traditional coating, so it perfectly meets all requirements.
According to the type of production, paving stones are split and sawn, according to the material of manufacture - concrete, granite and sandstone.
Design idea: plain tiles can be used, but mosaics or abstract patterns of multi-colored tiles of various sizes look more interesting. There are many masonry options, which allows you to create an individual design with your own hands.
Advantages: is a versatile, affordable material.
Disadvantages: unprofessional masonry can lead to distortions and drops, which will drastically reduce the decorative effect.
Clinker brick garden paths
Brick is often used as a covering. It is easy to install, presented in a wide range of warm tones, and fits well into modern style gardens.
It is worth emphasizing that we are talking about clinker bricks - a specialized coating. The use of building bricks makes the coating short-lived.
Design Idea: A brick walkway looks complete with a curb, which can be created with the same brick placed on edge, or with different shaped stone blocks. The border may not protrude in height, but serve as a visual border in a different location relative to the main pattern.
Advantages: is a fairly durable coating with a long service life at an affordable price compared to the cost of natural stone.
Disadvantages: Brick laying must be carried out on concrete mortar, since sand does not provide reliable fixation of the material.
Walkways made from wood
Garden paths made of wood can hardly be called durable, but additional treatments and impregnations increase the resistance of this material to moisture and mold. To extend the life of such a coating, it is recommended to use it only on dry hills. Of all the tree species, larch and oak are the most ideal for creating paths, the rest of the conifers also have good characteristics.
Budget options are bars and saw cuts of wood, while decking is more expensive.
The bars can be used in different widths and thicknesses, but you need to understand that the thicker the bar, the longer it will last. The optimum thickness is 10 - 15 cm. The bars, treated with a waterproofing agent and pinotex, are laid on a foundation of sand, covered with gravel on top. This masonry technique accelerates the drainage of water, which prolongs the life of the coating.
Wood cuts are very aesthetic and more durable. With such a coating, the garden can be turned into a fabulous forest. And it is not at all necessary to specifically purchase this material, you can use the trunks and skeletal branches of old trees from your site. The result is a cheap and beautiful design of garden paths.
For paths, saw cuts 15 cm thick, peeled from bark, are prepared, which must be processed with heated drying oil. At the site of the future path, about 40 cm of soil is removed, the bottom is lined with geotextiles and covered with sand.
The saw cuts are driven into compacted wet sand, trying to leave minimal gaps. It is recommended to place saw cuts of a larger diameter along the edge of the track in order to increase its strength.
Terrace board is made of natural wood, wood-polymer profiles or thermowood. It has a special coating that protects against moisture and insects. Installation of such material is carried out on a leveled concreted surface, on which logs are laid. The deck board can be fastened with self-tapping screws or hidden clips. It is quite an expensive cover.
Design idea: wooden garden paths can be combined with gravel or pebbles. Wooden decks are used in a rustic and retro style, they give the garden a natural pristine look.
Advantages: accessibility, originality.
Disadvantages: fragility, instability to mechanical stress.
Concrete path in the garden
Concrete flood paths are very common in modern gardens.
This coating is a serious barrier to weeds and is resistant to water.
Walking trails can be poured or ready-made concrete slabs of various shapes can be purchased. Interesting performance options are obtained using special forms that allow you to create original coatings with your own hands.
Forms for tracks can be purchased at any summer cottage or hardware store. With such a device, nondescript concrete turns into a real find for an inexperienced designer. With the help of dyes, you can get multi-colored elements, the forms themselves suggest a certain pattern.
Manufacturers of plastic molds claim that one copy is enough for a suburban area, the advertisement speaks only of simplicity and convenience. However, for a successful result, it is necessary to prepare the correct solution of the desired consistency, which will be difficult for inexperienced summer residents.
The average service life of such a coating is about 10 years. If you have time and desire, you can try it, but for short tracks.
Design idea: concrete paths, as an element of garden decoration, look very simple and do not attract attention. If you want to make a unique composition on top, before the solution is completely dry, you can lay out broken colored glass or fragments of ceramic dishes. The path will become more well-groomed if you plant border flowers or ornamental shrubs along it.
Advantages: durability, strength, frost resistance.
Disadvantages: labor intensity, the need for formwork.
Mounded garden paths
Gravel, crushed stone and pebbles of various fractions and colors are used to create mounded paths - ideal materials for winding winding paths. Bulk paths are easy to install: just draw the boundaries, remove the top soil, install curbs and fill in the material.
To keep the decorative effect for a long time, the soil must be shed with herbicides before laying to kill weeds. This coating dries quickly after rain and does not require water drainage.
Design idea: gravel and pebbles work well with natural stone and wood. Bulk paths look good between trees and flower beds in the recreation area.
Advantages: low cost, easy installation, decorative effect.
Disadvantages: some shoes are uncomfortable to walk in, quickly overgrown with grass and require care. Sweeping such paths is difficult, which leads to clogging.
Alternative materials for garden paths
Paths in the country house made from improvised materials look quite good and very original. This option is suitable for those who want to equip their site cheaply and beautifully, but are not afraid to show their imagination.
PET bottle caps, glass bottles or large pieces of used ceramic tiles can be used as trail material.
