Nine Gardening Path Styles & Materials for Your Yard

Paths can add so much character and personality to a space. They can be the main character in your yard or a subtle way of suggesting the best way to travel. Either way, they direct you where you need to go.

Thinking about a garden path for your backyard?

Here are my favorite garden paths my team and I have installed. Scroll to see all nine!

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  1. Hexagonal Steppers are prefabricated concrete step stones made by Valori Precast. They’re great for setting in a garden application directly on dirt or gravel, making them very DIY-friendly. The best part is that you can order them in a bunch of different colors to make them as playful or simple as you desire. 

2. Broken Concrete, also called urbanite, is a free product can get from breaking up concrete in your backyard or searching for it on places like Craigslist. You can treat it like flagstone puzzling the pieces together on top of a gravel DG or dirt base and choose any in-fill from gravel to plants to decomposed granite to fill in the gaps between the pieces. Although It’s an affordable material, labor rates can stack up as they’re bulky and heavy enough to move around. 

4 ways you can reuse urbanite | Sara Bendrick

3. Decomposed granite with a concrete curb is a great way to create a defined path. The concrete serves as a long-term and permanent border that allows you to keep your path defined for years to come. Decomposed granite is a very versatile material that helps soften the space, and give an organic look, and it’s fairly affordable.  

4. Brick Mosaic is a great path option for people who want something a little bit different and detailed in their space. Using a combination of different-colored broken bricks with decomposed granite infill to lock them in space and on top of a 4-inch base material creates a long-lasting path that’s also a conversation piece.

5. Permeable Pavers are a great choice for people who are looking for an eco-friendly path that helps recharge the ground water. Because they are placed on a permeable base material and have permeable grout between the pavers, they allow rainwater and surface water to penetrate and return to the ground. There are many different design styles. 

6. Loose-set Flagstone is a great option for a simple garden path. We often install these as secondary circulation paths because they add an aesthetic touch and functionally make it easier to traverse the space. It’s best to use flagstone that’s an inch and a half or more, and if you want to be extra, you can place some concrete or mortar underneath to really help it lock into place.

7. Concrete Squares are a super modern and clean way to add definition to your yard. We usually like to space them out 4 to 6 inches apart and use gravel, decomposed granite, or planting to separate them. These ones are poured in place, but you can also buy them fabricated up to 3 feet x 3 feet. 

8. Using mixed materials is a fun way to create interest and detail in your yard.  You can use many different materials, get creative, and have fun.

YouTube video

9. Mortared Cobblestone is a great rustic and classic path choice. It’s labor-intensive to do it well. You can use rocks found on the property or purchased. We did not build this path, but we appreciate its craftsmanship. If you know who built this, tag them below. 

Thanks for joining me on this delightful journey through garden paths! Whether you enjoy the timeless charm of a brick mosaic or the modern allure of concrete squares, there’s a pathway to suit every backyard vibe. Now, I’m eager to hear from you – which garden path style and material caught your attention, and why? Share your top picks and any lingering questions in the comments below. Need some guidance for your own garden path project? Don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m here to help you transform your backyard dreams into reality! Let’s make your outdoor space shine this spring!

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