One of the cheapest and simplest ways to make a garden path is to use gravel or bark, which can be bought in bulk from most garden centres or DIY stores. Construction is fairly straightforward, requiring grass or soil to be removed where the pathway is to go, then control fabric put down on top to prevent weed-growth, with gravel or bark spread evenly on top. Mark Lane, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and Stannah’s Gardening Expertrecommends 'paving slabs rather than gravel, as little stones are very difficult for wheelchair wheels to navigate. Paving should be pointed with a minimum gap of 10mm. You want a firm, stable, non-slip surface. In some instances, anti-glare paving slabs are a good idea—especially for partially sighted or blind people.'

Small gardens look larger when there’s plenty of movement, demonstrated by the swirling, multi-textured path in the garden above. We explored various path ideas, including porcelain tile, stepping stones, and gravel. Eventually, we opted for a boardwalk due to a couple of key factors. Given that this was a DIY garden project, our primary concern was the time and effort required for completion. This aspect was closely related to the level of difficulty. I sought a path that could be constructed more swiftly and easily, and the boardwalk emerged as the more feasible choice. Although it entailed uprooting the existing turf, it still appeared to be a less arduous task compared to installing a paved or gravel pathway. The second factor was cost-effectiveness. Thanks to my involvement in a furniture business and shop, I had a substantial supply of used scaffold boards on hand. Leveraging this economical and easily accessible material seemed like a logical decision.It’s probably worth painting the boards before you put them down. I found that it was difficult to paint the sides of the boards once they had been secured in place. Gravel garden path ideas work particularly well in country gardens or as a coastal garden idea, and are economical and easy to construct. You can create many different shapes, whether straight or curvy, with neatly defined edges visible, or plants gently spilling over hiding the boundary that contains it. It’s in this area I like to add a little extra low maintenance garden design with walkway ideas. Little garden path ideas that weave through flower beds really make you feel like you’re entering whole new destinations, don’t you agree? Garden paving doesn’t get cuter than cobbles stones. Cobbles are very hard wearing and they suit old-style gardens or urban townhouses.

Since my own path was to be slightly curved, this took a little fiddling to get it right, but it turned out awesome! Most of the area by the front door is surrounded in flower beds… which makes for very pretty focal points! And more effort to maintain, it’s certainly worthwhile!

Install the Decking

There are no set rules that prevent the use of sinuous paths in a small garden. A short, gently curved path is certainly more interesting that a completely straight one, and a path that zigzags from side to side will make a space seem larger. For garden parties and entertaining, try lining a pathway with illuminated candle bags. Fireproof and biodegradable, simply pop a nightlight inside an open bag and place at intervals along your path. What is the cheapest way to make a garden path? A lot of garden path ideas involve stone, gravel or concrete – but those aren’t the only options. Slices of tree trunk in various sizes laid into woodchip create an eye-catching design and best of all you can do this yourself with some patience and good weather. It isn’t going to cost much either. Most of us remember the sensation of stepping onto the boardwalk each season, the combination of rustic refinery and anticipation for the pleasures to come. Similarly, one might recall those autumnal strolls in the forest, and the wooden walkways that carried us over brook and stream. Why not impart some of those priceless sensations where your own personal abode is concerned?

You know this is a great idea because it cuts down on grass mowing time – just make sure those slabs are level with the lawn so the mower will run across them! The first group of garden path ideas, are loose materials: Wood chips, gravel or decomposed granite. They are the easiest and least expensive landscaping materials to create garden walkways. Source: Brinitzer | DIY NetworkEven the sand was donated by a local builder, who had it left over from a project. He was driving by, saw what we were doing and dropped it off on the spot! Make your own wood “stepping stones” with 2x4s or 2x6s, and set them in gravel for an unique landscape design feature! Greenhouse Carol | ( Glass bottles image source lost. Please let me know if you find it! ) Such a poetic Japanese garden design: the pebbles here are a metaphor for streams and rivers, and the little wooden bridge is stunning.Love the deep blue color of the slate! Source: RKL Design 8. Small Stone and Slate Modern Garden Walkway Lay walkway boards on top, having them touch on the inner sides, and slightly spaced out on the outer sides to create a gentle curve. A medium-sized gravel of around 10mm (a little over 3/8in) is considered the best choice. Go for varieties with smooth, rounded shapes where possible, for maximum comfort underfoot.