• Lawn & Garden

7 Thrifty Designs for a DIY Walkway

Garden paths serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose in the yard. They provide a safe and easy walkway to and from the house and garden, and give you an opportunity to visually connect your yard and home. Garden paths also help define the spaces in your outdoor landscape, and can bring overall beauty to your property. There are many options to choose from for the material and design of a garden path. From pavers, to stepping-stones, to plain mulch, there’s something for every budget. Depending on the material you choose and the topography of your yard, creating a garden path is a very attainable DIY project, even for a beginner.

Whether you are laying bricks or spreading gravel, there are a few general tips that will help make your DIY garden path project more successful. Lay out your path with spray paint or a garden hose before you start any work. Make sure it’s wide enough to accommodate an adult comfortably. Remember to level the area so that your materials lay properly, and so that your garden path is safe for guests and family to walk on. Hard surface materials like brick or pavers will need to slope away from your home 1/4 inch per foot to ensure proper drainage. And don’t forget to put a weed barrier under the base of your path to minimize maintenance in the future. Even if you don’t want to install lighting when you install your garden path, it’s a good idea to lay electrical conduit above the base, so you can add it later if you want to.

We’ve rounded up some of the best ideas for attractive and affordable DIY garden paths. Your inspiration is just a click away.