Highly underrated, gravel is an elegant and low-cost option to fill your backyard patio with. It’ll give your space an effortless old-world look with a fraction of the labor that’s required to install pavers. There are several varieties to choose from, including pea gravel, marble chips or crushed stone, and the landscape design possibilities are nearly endless. Whether you envision a leafy garden with a meandering path and patio, or a warm spot to soak up the sun and entertain, gravel can work for you. Read on to find gravel patio ideas to use in your own backyard.

Why You Should Choose Gravel

Gravel has a lot going for it as a patio hardscape material. It costs much less than brick, concrete or natural stone, and because it’s so easy to pour into a patio, the labor costs of working with it tend to be much lower. In fact, it’s even possible to do the work yourself with a little elbow grease. Gravel is also environmentally-friendly, as it’s simply made of crushed stone, a material that’s much less intensive to make than concrete or brick.

But besides all of those practical considerations, gravel patios look gorgeous. In particular, small pebble varieties like pea gravel will give your yard a delicate look that blends right in with your natural environment. When it rains, moisture will seep down into the soil rather than pooling on your patio.

Be Creative With Your Patio Design

Gravel looks gorgeous on its own, but you can also combine it with pavers to create an interesting landscape. Natural stone pavers with uneven edges can make a gorgeous stepping stone pathway to a seating area. Or, create a formal look with square concrete pavers in a line, surrounded by gravel. If you want the focus to be on a table and chair set, make a circle with low rocks arranged around your gravel patio.

How to Incorporate Greenery

Gravel patios go hand in hand with lots of plants and flowers. First off, gravel will help prevent erosion and keep soil in place, so your garden will stay healthy. There will also be less of a stark contrast between your loose soil and your patio hardscape, perfect for achieving a more naturalistic look. If you live in a hot and dry climate, tan-colored gravel is ideal for softening up the look of a native garden. On the other hand, a lush grass lawn looks beautiful up against pea gravel. Incorporating plenty of flowering plants and leafy trees around the border of your patio will add shade, coolness and lots of ambiance.

Sit Back and Enjoy the Space

From small to expansive backyards, it’s possible to create a gravel patio that invites you to sit and stay a while. If you’re limited on space, pick one feature and run with it. Fire pits look great against a gravel surface, and it’ll feel almost like you’re camping! Alternatively, a European-style bistro set would look particularly picturesque. For patios with a little more room, opt for a full dining table and chairs — entertaining will feel more like a picnic in the country than just another backyard barbecue!