Do you want to add more style and creativity to your home? Consider pavers.
Whether you live in a cottage or a mansion, you’ll find endless options for paver walkways that will enhance the beauty, function, and safety of your home.
Pavers make it easy to update your main entry, improve a garden path or a build a connector walkway from the house to a backyard destination. You can even transform short utility paths into something special.
The variety of materials and designs available make improvements possible on any budget.
Keep reading for creative ideas for your new paver walkway.
START WITH FORM AND FUNCTION
The first thing to consider when planning your paver walkway is how it will be used. Ask yourself the following questions.
IS IT THE MAIN ENTRANCE?
Walks that serve as main entryways should be at least 4 feet wide. This would include the front door or other main access. They can be wider if you have enough space and a wider walkway matches the scale of the house.
Less used garden paths, such as one from the driveway to the backyard, can be 3 feet wide. Minor paths can be as narrow as 2 feet wide.
STRAIGHT LINE OR CURVE?
Whether or not your walkway can be curved or straight is usually based on the location. If the available area will only accommodate a short path, there may not be enough room to use curves.
Another consideration is if you want a formal or casual look. Straight walkways are more formal and direct, but there are ways to add interest.
Curved paths are more casual. Add a few curves to a walkway and it seems to meander in a natural and inviting way.
Some walkways are a combination of straight and curved. For instance, a paved walkway may run perpendicular or parallel to the house before curving into the yard.
WHAT KIND OF PAVERS?
Choose materials that complement your house. If you have a brick house, a brick paver walkway in a similar pattern can be too much of the same thing.
Instead, you could choose concrete pavers that resemble cobblestone to provide a pleasing contrast.
Pavers come in many different styles, colors, sizes, and textures. Different color combinations produce various effects. You can make your walkway stand out, blend in, or match another element in your yard.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Paver walkways are popular because the prices are reasonable. They cost more than a concrete sidewalk, but less than natural stone. This makes pavers a good choice for many homeowners.
The square footage, design, and materials will determine the cost of your paver walkway. Steps, landings and retaining walls will add to the expense.
You can use an online calculator for a rough estimate of the cost. A better idea is to contact a reputable hardscape company for a free estimate.
Now that you know the basic questions, here are some creative ideas for putting pavers into your landscape.
10 PAVER WALKWAY IDEAS
Forget about plain concrete sidewalks and matchy-matchy monotone stones. It’s time to use color, patterns, and accessories to jazz up your paver walkway!
1. UNIQUE PATTERNS INSIDE THE PATH
Create a one-of-a-kind look with a mix of colors and sizes. Choose one main color, and then use contrasting stones to create a pattern inside the walkway. The images could be a geometric design, floral pattern or animal. You could incorporate a house number or monogram.
2. SEPARATE OVERSIZED PAVERS GREEN GRASS
Use grass, small stones or mulch to fill space intentionally left between large pavers. This will create a casual look that can be less expensive because you use fewer pavers. Geometric shapes in various sizes add visual interest.
3. UNEVEN EDGES
Create a fun and funky walkway by arranging large, small and irregular paver sizes so they randomly jut out on each side. Who says the edges have to be even or straight?
4. PAVER PATTERNS
There are a variety of standard patterns used to create paths. Create circular patterns or waves to suggest motion. Lead your guests down your paver walkway with implied motion.
5. SCENTED STONES
Space the pavers so there’s room between the stones to grow flowers or herbs. Moss and tiny flowers will turn your path into a fragrant casual walkway.
6. CHECKERBOARD PATTERN
Mix and match different materials to create a checkerboard pattern. The classic choice is square pavers and green grass. This traditional arrangement is easy to build using brick, stone or concrete pavers.
7. CREATE A FOCAL POINT
If you install a walkway that travels around the house, make the junction where it turns interesting. Add a circle, square or rectangle where the walkway sections meet to create a focal point. Consider adding a fountain, planter or bench.
8. ADD INTEREST TO LANDINGS
Walkways can have steps and landings in steep areas. It’s the perfect place to change the shape, width or design to add interest. Turn the landing into a destination.
9. COORDINATE PATTERNS
You should consider the other elements in your yard before deciding on a pattern for your paver walkway. You’ll want to determine how the siding on your house, adjacent walls, patios, and other walkways will look together.
10. DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS
You can enhance your new walkway with lighting, arbors, and gates. Soften the edges by adding plants. Create destinations with seating areas, and focal points with a garden sculpture, birdhouse or specimen plants.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
If you enter “DIY paver walkway” into a Google search you’ll find plenty of online instructions on how to install a walkway on your own. But unless you’re truly experienced, it makes more sense to hire a professional.
A hardscape pro has the knowledge, experience, and tools needed to make your vision a reality.
If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact us at Bayside Pavers for a free 3D Consultation on your project.
We look forward to creating your unique paver walkway design!