Many people forget to consider the path and walkway to complete the design of their garden. However, this is an essential part that will make a huge difference to the overall look of your outdoor space.

A walkway or a path joins different areas in your garden and decorates it as simple or extravagant as you desire. The shape and materials you select can transform your garden completely, as well as the usage and practicality of the space.

Achieving a beautiful and creative pathway does not have to be expensive or hard to make. In this article, we will provide you with a few garden and walkway ideas to make the most of your outdoor space.

Ensure Materials Blend 

Before you start the work, select the appropriate materials to build your pathway for your garden. These should blend well across space. You can make your pathway look good, but it also must be practical and easy to maintain.

Consider The Natural Access Routes 

You can have more than one path, each other connecting to different areas of your garden. This could be the gates, play areas, or access to the shed, for example. Depending on how big it is, think about the appropriate placement to ensure the different areas of your space are easily accessible.

Think About Your Path’s Usage

Reflect upon the practicality of the walkway. You must consider if it will be used often, or if it needs to be wide enough for two people to walk side by side so that you can plan.

Create an Illusion

The form of your pathway will depend on what you want and how much space is available. A curved garden walkway will usually make your garden appear bigger, but may not be practical if you and your family want to gain access to different areas through shorter routes.

Rounded paths are also reasonably basic to make yourself if you plan to use materials such as gravel or woodchip. However, you may require a professional garden landscaper to lay a bent garden walkway made of paving slabs or timber decking, which are services Eagle Creek Nursery & Landscape provide, along with further advice and guidance on what may suit your garden specifically. If you are unsure, always consult a professional who will guarantee the job is appropriate and well done. 

Straight walkways are generally used in larger and formal gardens, and may not improve the design of a smaller garden. Although if this is your choice, you can add another feature, such as arches or a fountain, to enhance the overall look of the pathway.

Use Gravel

Gravel is a great material to add to your garden path and a popular choice. Although this option may not sound appealing or exciting, you can break up the gravel with groupings of granite slabs or natural stone, which will increase the aesthetic look of your garden. 

Additionally, there are many benefits to this material, particularly if you are prioritizing practicality; gravel drains well; therefore, it works well if you live in a location where it rains frequently. It is very cheap and basic to lay, it has a low impact on the environment and can improve security, as no one can walk on gravel without making noise.

Garden Path Edging

This is a great tip to enhance your pathway. Edging your walkway will stop gravel or chips from transferring into the adjacent grass, and make it appear tidier. There are many materials you can use to achieve this, including lude timber, terracotta or slate tiles, and modern steel edging.

Your selection will depend on your taste as well as how much money you are willing to spend, as different materials will incur different costs. If possible, it is a good idea to visit other gardens, either public ones or your friends’ to gather ideas about what you may want for your garden. Alternatively, you can look online for ideas on different websites to give you decorating ideas for your garden walkway.

Lightning

Another idea that will make your outdoor space look magnificent is the use of lightning. Additionally, this will allow you to use the pathway at night when it is dark. There are many different styles of lamps available in the market, and this is a fairly cheap option to invest in. You can obtain solar lights, which can last for a long time and do not consume any additional energy.

beautiful flora garden

 

Safety

As with every job around the house, you must take the appropriate cautions to stay safe and ensure the safety of others. There are a few things you can do to guarantee the safe use of your garden path:

  • The walkway should be clear of leaves, moss, and algae as they could turn into hazards when wet.
  • Eliminate weeds frequently from the walkway and remove self-seeding plants.
  • Ensure access paths to the house are effectively and properly lit.
  • Pathways must be kept clear at all times, particularly if used often.  
  • If possible, utilize permeable paving materials to avoid localized flooding. 

A garden pathway can become a beautiful feature of your garden, and it should not be neglected. Use some of the ideas provided above to ensure your walkway complements your garden graciously.