How to Design a Small Backyard With Gravel

Designing a backyard space for low maintenance is important to busy people. There are various ways to install materials in a backyard that reduce grass-mowing time. If a backyard is very small, decorative stones and gravel can be used to cover the space quite nicely. Plants in containers or small trees planted in large wooden boxes can soften the look. The cost of installing gravel or stones in a lawn space might be rather high initially, but ordering gravel by the truckload helps keep this project much more affordable.

Measuring tools

Sketch pad

Backyard-living books

Catalog of stone materials

Measure the backyard space for landscaping dimensions. Sketch a walkway from the driveway, if applicable, to the back-door area. Begin the design by defining the walkway space first. Plan to lay pressure-treated boards along the walk to create borders. Use white pebbles or crushed brick to fill the walkway area. Add stepping stones the whole length of the walkway on top of the pebbles or brick.

Create a graveled area next to the house. Plan to install black plastic over the dirt to keep weeds away. Cover a space about 10 feet wide around the home's back wall. Add crushed gravel or small white pebbles to create space to accent the house. Plan to install concrete planters or wooden planters filled with shrubbery or dwarf evergreens every 8 or 10 feet along the back of the house.

Plan on mulching all of the main section of the lawn, to create contrast. Use reddish-colored mulch available from landscaping contractors. Spread mulch 6 inches deep over black plastic. Place groupings of outdoor plants in containers in the center of the mulched areas. Include pieces made of concrete, such as benches or a fountain.

Define the driveway section of the yard space. Cut a ditch line along the actual edge of the driveway about 6 inches into the soil. Line the ditch with bricks or blocks turned on end, not flat. Lay heavy flat paving stones along this border about 12 inches wide to help retain the adjacent gravel and mulch. Use paving stones that blend in color with the gravel, stones and mulch used in the yard.

Build steps leading from another yard level, as needed, to blend in with the yard's walking path. Install blocks or bricks as garden steps, held together by mortar, so the steps won't shift. Use recycled bricks to give the yard a rustic feeling. Don't beat old dried mortar off the recycled bricks, since this look will actually add to the overall appeal of the space.

Leave large trees, if there are any. Cleaning up leaves will require a leaf-blower, since it's difficult to rake leaves on gravel.