18 Budget-Friendly Gravel Backyard Ideas That Won't Drain Your Wallet

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Looking for drought-resistant landscaping? Want to create a unique backyard living space on a budget? Need to address drainage issues around your property? Gravel comes to the rescue for all sorts of home landscaping woes. Few materials are as versatile, durable, and affordable as gravel, while also providing the aesthetic you want — and being low maintenance to boot.

There are so many types of gravel to consider before landscaping your yard, and of course, price is an important factor. For smaller projects, you can snag a few bags of budget gravel like pea gravel or marble chip rocks from your local hardware store for less than $10 per 50-pound bag, which will cover about 2 square feet with 3 inches of depth. For larger projects, it pays buy gravel by the truckload, averaging a few hundred dollars.

While professional installation may be the way to go for projects like driveways, there are tons of projects you can DIY in your own backyard using gravel. Just keep in mind that whatever gravel backyard project you are thinking about, underlayment is key. You should definitely consider using sand under your pea gravel, for example, because it helps level the ground while providing drainage support, as well as providing weed control. For less compacted gravel, landscape fabric will help keep weeds at bay while also preventing the gravel from getting lost in the soil below. Angular rocks are better for pathways because they compact more tightly, which helps them stay put with regular foot traffic.

If you are looking for a low-cost, low-maintenance pathway option around your raised garden beds, gravel is a simple and sustainable solution. You won't have to worry about mowing around your beds, and gravel will also provide good drainage for the beds while also preventing the ground around them from becoming muddy. Use pavers for added interest or keep it simple with a basic gravel base.

Whether you live in a drought-prone area, or you just want a more sustainable yard, xeriscaping is a type of landscaping focused on water-saving designs. Gravel makes a fantastic low-cost, low-maintenance, water-saving ground cover. Spread gravel around water-wise plants or top gravel areas with potted plants. Embrace the rock theme by adding rock paver pathways and incorporating large rocks or boulders in the design.

Gravel is one of the best ground covers under an above-ground pool, thanks to its excellent drainage properties and its ability to level out uneven ground. You can DIY your own affordable above-ground pool base by first leveling the ground and framing the area with wooden beams. Spread an underlay of Mason sand and tamp it down before pinning landscape fabric on top. Finish with rounded gravel stones, which will feel nice underfoot, remembering to place an exterior pool liner underneath the pool for an extra layer of protection.

Gravel is a great ground cover for an affordable fire pit. Till and dig out the grass if needed, then use pavers, dig-in edging, or landscape timber to inexpensively frame your fire pit area before adding the gravel. Add pavers to the gravel design if desired. As for the actual pit itself, there are tons of common household items you can repurpose to DIY a fire pit on a budget. Just decide what you'll use ahead of time so you can dig out the area for an in-ground fire pit first, if needed.

If you have a paved patio or a ground-level wooden deck in your backyard, you know how quickly dirt, leaves, and debris can get tracked onto the surface. Not only that, but drainage is often an issue around the space. Mitigate both with a gravel border. Adding a foot or two of gravel around the patio or deck acts as a protective barrier, keeping dirt and weeds from creeping in while also providing good drainage.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars to pour a concrete patio, make your own using pea gravel. Use landscape ties (also known as landscape timbers) to frame the patio and also as patio pillars for stringing lights or to build shade on a budget in your garden. You can grab 8-foot landscape timber beams for about $4 each. The total cost for a sizable patio (around 200 square feet) will only run a few hundred dollars using these materials.

Turn a spare corner of your backyard into a rock box for the kids (think sandbox, but with gravel.) This budget play space couldn't be easier to build, and you can even get your kiddo in on the design. Just be sure to prep the space by digging up any plants and lining the space with landscape fabric, which serves as a barrier between the gravel and soil below so your rocks don't get muddy. Include various gravel types in your box for added interest, then toss in toy shovels, trucks, and buckets.

Use gravel to brighten up a garden bed. Gravel tends to outlast mulch in garden beds, while also providing weed resistance and aiding with drainage. However, keep in mind that there are some plants you shouldn't surround with gravel. Dig-in landscaping edging is a great, budget-friendly way to frame garden beds — you can get 60 feet for around $35. Tip: If your garden bed will be against your home, make sure the ground slopes away from the house to ensure water is directed away from the foundation.

Your resident king — or queen — of the grill deserves a designated space to work their magic. Using inexpensive pavers and gravel, you can quickly turn an empty backyard corner into a grilling patio. Frame the space with your preferred landscaping border, level the ground, then place your pavers. You can find basic pavers for around $2, and you can also choose from a variety of colors. Fill in the rest of the area with gravel, and add some gravel glue for extra hold, if desired.

Gravel makes a great, inexpensive ground cover under the deck to keep it low-maintenance year-round. If you don't have a large space under the deck, or you just don't utilize it much, gravel will keep weeds at bay while promoting proper drainage to protect the home's foundation. Plus, it makes a good base for landscaping. If you have a tall deck, spreading gravel underneath can even transform the space into a covered patio or storage area.

Of course, gravel is a no-brainer for a rock garden, but sourcing larger rocks and boulders can come with a hefty price tag. Cut costs by reaching out to local landscape and construction companies to see if they have unused materials you can take or buy at a discounted rate. Landscaping suppliers may have damaged pavers or stones that they can't use, but would make a gorgeous addition to your rock garden. Also check online freecycle groups for people who are looking to offload unused materials from a recent renovation.

While you could install a batting cage on top of your lawn, mowing will quickly turn into a headache. Regular dirt will be muddy, sand wouldn't offer enough support underfoot, and concrete would be expensive, not to mention pose irrigation challenges. Gravel takes care of all these concerns. Build a raised gravel base if the ground isn't level, and lay turf on top of the gravel if desired, using landscaping stakes to secure it in place. You can purchase DIY kits from Amazon, like the Oriengear Baseball Batting Cage starting around $110.

Love the look of large river rock or other upscale gravel, but not the price? Combine a few bags of high-end gravel with budget pavers for a luxe pathway for a fraction of the cost. Since the gravel will be the star of the show, edge the pathway with a low-cost border, then place the pavers along the path to surround with gravel. Of course, the larger the pavers, the less gravel you'll need, so you can adjust this project to fit your budget while getting the look you want.

If your backyard is on an incline, you know the impact sloped ground has on landscaping. Combat soil erosion and gravel migration along your walkways and outdoor living areas with ground stabilization grids and gravel. You can find ground grids at your local hardware store (Home Depot has them for as low as 30 cents per square foot) and install them in your yard yourself using clips or stakes. Once in place, fill the grid holes with gravel for an affordable answer to sloping backyards.

Gravel is an easy answer to those stubborn grass patches around your backyard that just won't grow. Turn them into lovely gravelscapes that add charm and functionality to your space. A simple border, paver stones, or plants will make it look like an intentional part of your landscape design, instead of a last resort for a bald patch. Make sure to dig out all of the grass (and weeds) before adding gravel, and a layer of landscape fabric is a good idea to keep the area weed-free and low maintenance.

If you've got serious drainage issues around your property, a French drain can help route water away from your home's foundation. If you're a savvy DIYer, you can even make one yourself, and gravel is a key ingredient. Why? The basic idea of a French drain is to bury a drain system that funnels water away from the home. Gravel is used around the pipe to allow water to filter through while keeping out silt and dirt. Be sure to use more permeable gravel such as round river stones for optimum drainage.

You don't need much to turn your backyard into a tranquil space designed to encourage your meditation practice. Gravel is a common element in Zen gardens, often used for practices like pattern raking as well as for meditative walking paths. Curate your space with other elements like a fountain (see if you can thrift one or make your own affordable garden water feature using a ceramic bowl), a bench, and a serene enclosure using a fence, screen, or privacy plants to block out other distractions.

Got a tiny strip of ground between your house and the property line? Instead of having to maintain that bit of lawn, turn it into a gravel path from the front yard to the back. Gravel will promote good drainage in this little space while also adding interest and functionality to your overall landscape design.