Garden paths: the most unusual examples

Many designers forget about the garden path, doing it last, and thereby destroy even the most beautiful landscape. Indeed, for the site, this part of the design is as important as a neat, beautiful frame for a beautiful canvas.

The first and most important thing to start with is the functionality. No matter how beautiful your garden path may be, you need to lay it in the shortest and most convenient way, so as not to turn your site into a podium.

The second, but no less important, is the material with which the designer will work. If you are not ready to wash the veranda every day, it is better to make the path continuous and use stone or concrete blocks.

Remember that the style of the tracks should not differ from the overall design of the site. If the riot of colors and greenery is your style, then the rest of the decor elements must match this image. In the reverse situation, everything is just as simple - the classic in the landscape should be accompanied by a classic path.

Particular attention should be paid to the connection of the track and the fence. According to all the canons of design, they should be made in the same style and have unifying color or design elements.

If the path is one of the key aspects of the landscape, it is better to make it whole, in order to focus on it the attention of others and correctly distinguish it among green spaces. When a path is only one part of a huge mosaic, and it should be beautifully emphasized and complemented, it is better to stage it out step by step, dwelling on an incomplete version.

Speaking of practicality, it is impossible to get around size issues. Undoubtedly, the width of the path depends on the size of the site itself, but the distance is approximately 1–1.5 meters, and the small decorative paths are no more than half a meter, so that they stand out and do not pile up the situation.

In addition, when paving the way for the future path, it is worth choosing the shortest, fastest routes, possibly even neglecting the beauty and the original plan. The main, wide lines should first of all be practical and convenient, and narrow paths should enable the owners of the site to easily get into its most hidden corners. Try to avoid sharp corners and sharp turns.

The tracks themselves are better placed with a slight slope in both directions, so that water does not stagnate on it. If the path will go through a flower bed or flower bed, it must be raised a few centimeters above the soil level, so that it always remains clean.

All garden paths can be divided into groups according to the materials: stone, wood, concrete and paths from improvised materials. Almost all materials can be added to this last category, from glass to pebbles or plastic bottle caps.

Concrete can be called the most economical and practical material for garden decor. Such tracks are resistant to frost, wear-resistant, able to last much longer than any other coating. In addition, concrete slabs can be given any shape and size, creating unique paths for your site. Lego also changes the color of the coating, the main thing is to add the right amount of special dyes to the concrete in time.

Concrete will look good in kindergartens made in the modern or high-tech styles. A certain severity and coldness inherent in this material goes well with metal and plastic, and such tracks are much easier to wash and clean from dirt. The main minus is not the most presentable appearance (with incorrect design).

Many designers consider this particular type to be the best both from the practical and from the aesthetic side. In fact, a stone surrounded by a lawn, flowers, trees and bushes looks much more natural than any other material. The only thing that can push away from this coating is the high price and difficulties in processing and possible subsequent replacement. Using stone paths, it is best to preserve their color and texture, so as not to turn a beautiful imprint of nature into an artificial dummy. Especially popular are marble, labradorite, granite, limestone and basalt coatings.

Using gravel or pebbles is probably the most time-consuming and cheap option. Create this kind of track, you need to clearly outline the boundaries and choose the right amount of material. This type of coating is not suitable for every garden, working with it it is necessary to protect pebbles from the surrounding dirt, so that during the rain your dream path does not turn into a mess.

Another unique material that is often used to create tracks is mulch. Mulch looks like coarse sand or very fine pebbles of any color and shade, and is poured into small grooves prepared in advance for the tracks. The only form of this type of track is its “complex” relationship with the surrounding earth in rainy weather.

Brick tracks are not particularly impact resistant and wear-resistant, require careful maintenance, but actually deserve this attention due to their unique, warm color scheme and relative cheapness (in comparison with other coatings). It is also a pleasure to work with this coating, it is easy to fit and dismantle, and it is very simple to wash it.

Tiled paths also belong to this category. They look especially impressive in country style designs. Warm colors with bright splashes create an indescribable atmosphere of home comfort, they are easily washed from almost any dirt, but the fragility of tile surfaces very often brings them to the market.

The atmosphere of wooden coatings cannot be surpassed. The paths from the boards, correctly installed and properly treated with water-repellents, turn the site into an oriental tale, transfer any guest to the wonderful world of Japanese harmony and Chinese discipline. These coatings require constant, painstaking care and are not particularly durable, but if your budget has enough funds to regularly replace unusable wood, this coating is created for you.

The most unusual and popular type of tracks in the 21st century is the European innovation, which literally translates as "small steps." Most often, log cuts, large stones or large tiles are used to create them. In addition, tracks made of materials difficult to process, such as plastic covers or pieces of glass, correctly processed and decorated, are becoming more and more popular.

Steppingstones made of concrete are cast with special originality. Such paths will allow you to save money without sacrificing creativity, especially if you take it on your own. To create it, just what you need: order a mold and purchase the cement itself. In addition, if the cold, gray color of this coating is not to your liking, a special paint added to the solution will easily solve this problem.

Mixed garden paths are most often created from the remnants of building materials, less often - as a thoughtful composition, for which everything you need is specially bought. This is the most economical of all options, which requires virtually no costs and is limited to a minimum of time. Of course, not everyone will appreciate this creative, perhaps comparing it to a mess, but connoisseurs of all the unusual should pay attention to this type of tracks.

Combinations look especially successful when a smooth, even stone is combined with uneven pebbles of different shades.Wood is the worst material to combine, its individual grandeur and connections with nature are not amenable to any mixes. Also, an original solution for each garden will be a path made by the hands of the owners themselves. There are not many options for creating such tracks and, most often, it’s easier for professionals to trust, but then in their work that piece of soulfulness that is always present in hand-made will not be enough.

There are a lot of forms for creating curly garden paths. Prices for them can vary from ten to thirty dollars, and some of them are sold directly in sets, along with the necessary amount of sand, cement and gravel. Also, independently working on the path of your dreams, you can independently adjust the colors, add or remove decor elements, thereby fully reproducing the ideal drawn by your imagination.