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Planning Paths and Walkways
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
When a lot of people start planning out their yards, they feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I know we've addressed this before, but I thought we'd look specifically at circulation today. Creating paths and walkways is a great way to start to structure an overall plan for your property.
Where to begin? Let me caution you first: Do not design this piecemeal. Even if you don't have the means to install and create all of your pathways at first, plan for them. You may notice where the grass is dying because everyone walks through that particular spot - that's a great clue on where to begin. Stake out the routes around your yard that you'll eventually want to install. Step back, look at them from the street, patio, deck, etc. and re-adjust. Take a look at examples of different styles here and visualize them in your yard. Clip the ones you like to your own ideabook of yard ideas. You'll start to see which plantings, architecture, yard elements and paths work well together as you go through your favorite images. I'll explain why some of these work so well, and hopefully you'll find a few that speak to you.
Where to begin? Let me caution you first: Do not design this piecemeal. Even if you don't have the means to install and create all of your pathways at first, plan for them. You may notice where the grass is dying because everyone walks through that particular spot - that's a great clue on where to begin. Stake out the routes around your yard that you'll eventually want to install. Step back, look at them from the street, patio, deck, etc. and re-adjust. Take a look at examples of different styles here and visualize them in your yard. Clip the ones you like to your own ideabook of yard ideas. You'll start to see which plantings, architecture, yard elements and paths work well together as you go through your favorite images. I'll explain why some of these work so well, and hopefully you'll find a few that speak to you.
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This is a great play between plants and stones as well as rectangles and curves. Doesn't it make you want to follow it and see what's around that corner?
These pathways form a geometric pattern on the flat ground that plays off the house's vertical geometry.
A boardwalk made up of straight lines adds a wood element to a modern, Japanese-inspired garden.
SIDE NOTE: BEWARE OF BAMBOO! Make sure you have a species that will not spread and take over acres and acres of land. This plant can be very invasive, no matter what kind of planter you have around the roots.
SIDE NOTE: BEWARE OF BAMBOO! Make sure you have a species that will not spread and take over acres and acres of land. This plant can be very invasive, no matter what kind of planter you have around the roots.
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| This path is a perfect transition between the yard and the patio/house. It is made up of the same materials as all of the stonework on the house, yet has grass peaking out in between the stones. |
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Typically rustic stepping stones are made modern here by their straight edges, the rectilinear path, the gravel surroundings and the wood.
Here a similar path can have a much more rustic farm feel to it, when paired with a boxed vegetable garden and shed.
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This path becomes a border around the house and part of the pool. Clever.
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| A path of pebbles is perfect for a casual herb garden. Note how well the color of the stones goes with the color of the house. |
It also looks great with a cutting garden.
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Here a semi-ragged, un-grouted stone path goes with a casual yard.
This boardwalk keeps people from trampling on the ecologically sensitive marsh. And can I just say, I WISH this were my place!
The path that leads up to the stone porch matches. I assume all of these rocks came from a local quarry back in the Victorian era. This would be another I WISH house for me!
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The wood is a nice contrast to all of the white, and it leads right up to a matching door - very welcoming!
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This is a simple way to preserve the grass on much-trodded routes. You may start to notice where you have worn down a path in your yard - that's a perfect way to figure out where to place a built walkway!
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| So much more interesting than a straight sidewalk to the street. the scale of these rectangles is great with the scale and massing of the house. |
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This was my favorite rooftop view on the Modern Atlanta tour (coming up next weekend, June 5-6), even though they had a spectacular view of the skyline. If you have views from a high deck, roof garden or windows, you may want to consider how the paths will appear from these spots.
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There are groundcovers that will grow between path stones, like creeping thyme and even moss. Isn't this lovely and romantic?
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| This diamond patterned sidewalk goes well with the more formal sculpture garden and lawn. That cow is still one of my favorites. |
Ideabook published on May 27, 2010.
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Love all your ideabooks Becky, you are everywhere!