20 Cheap Walkway Ideas

If you need to carve a path through your property but aren't quite ready to drop concrete-level money, you've come to the right place. That's right, we're talking cheap walkway ideas. Whether it be gravel, pavers, stepping stones or something else, we're always keeping our eyes out for a cheaper way to get from A to B. Let's make one thing clear, though — we love these ideas because they're charming additions to your landscaping, not because they're cheap. That's just an added perk!

Like us, you likely immediately assumed this stunning garden path was crushed gravel, but it's actually crushed seashell. The gorgeous path features an intricate paver design embedded in the seashells just before the quaint garden gate, upping the entire garden's elegance.

The undeniable beauty of limestone pavers brings charm and elegance to any spot you put them. Here, the pavers are spaced just close enough for comfortable walking and inexpensive mulch is used to fill the gaps between them.

You can easily save money by installing your own DIY flagstone path, while the same can't be said for pouring your own concrete sidewalk. However, once you fill in the cracks with decomposed granite, you've created a solid path with more structure than gravel and far more character than concrete.

Bricks are cheap. Just open up Marketplace or Craigslist and you'll likely find dozens of listings of people practically begging for you to come take their leftover bricks. Next, just level the ground, arrange your bricks and packs some mulch in between them. Voila! You have a walkway.

Decomposed granite is great for tightly packing around stepping stones and pavers, but it can even be used on its own to create a rock-hard walkway.

We can't think of a walkway idea that's as simple yet stunning as stepping stones embedded in grass. By cutting the sod and recessing the stones into the earth, you can easily mow over the path without risking damaging your mower, making maintenance a breeze.

This warm and welcoming flagstone walkway has us dreaming of a Mediterranean getaway. Swapping the decomposed granite fill for pebbles adds more visual texture and complements the warmer shade of the flagstone.

Need an easy, budget-friendly way to install a walkway on an incline? Grab yourself some railroad ties or similarly sized timbers, then install them horizontally across the path to create stair risers. Once they're secure, simply fill each level with your gravel of choice.

While a loose gravel walkway may be one of the easiest and cheapest routes you take, walking on loose gravel can be difficult, especially for older individuals. To make it easier and safer, a few evenly spaced stepping stones are of great advantage.

If you love the sleek look of a concrete walkway but want to save a little money over a massive concrete pour, break the walkway up into slabs, then fill in around the slabs with a cheaper fill material. We think the resulting look is even better than a solid concrete path.

Stone risers and granite pavers keep this pea gravel in place, carving an elegant path through this adorable garden.

Want to ensure your pea gravel walkway doesn't slowly make its way into your yard? Shore up the sides with local stones, just like at HGTV Urban Oasis 2017.

While cheaper than concrete and real stone paver options, brick pavers can get expensive if you have to buy a lot of them. The trick to cutting down on costs? Use them as a frame and fill in between them with gravel.

If you're unsure about gravel because you associate it with erosion, we understand. This is where metal edging makes all the difference. Whether you want a rigid path or a curvy one, you can design your path's layout with metal edging, then fill in with your gravel of choice for a chic rock walkway that stays put.

Whereas concrete and formed pavers can look stiff and sterile, real stone pavers offer a more naturalistic charm to your landscaping. Though they aren't the cheapest walkway material on our list, you can save money by filling the gaps in between with mulch.

If you've got the DIY concrete itch but you aren't confident about pouring an entire concrete slab, consider concrete paver molds instead. You can find them in a variety of shapes, from straight and square to fun shapes like leaves and lizards.

If you think river rocks look a little difficult to walk on, you're right. However, that's kind of the whole point of this walkway. The meandering shape of the path defines the surrounding green spaces, while the varying sizes and textures of the stone promote concentrated steps, causing visitors to slow their pace and relax.

Next time a tree falls on your property or you drive by a "free firewood" sign, put that wood to good use. All you need is a sharp chainsaw to cut the wood cookies needed to build a wood cookie paver pathway. To increase the wood's longevity, consider applying a sealant before placement.

Concrete slabs and large-format pavers are nice, but they may result in a more modern look than suits your home's exterior. If that's the case, consider brick landings as an alternative. Just like on your home's exterior, brick is a go-to material for adding instant, timeless beauty to your landscape.