Beautiful landscaping demands a garden path. Why? Your yard can take on more levels of sensory interest if you have a path to guide guests through the landscaping. A properly constructed walkway can literally encourage visitors to stop and smell the roses – or admire the view. Pavers are a natural for garden paths because they are so adaptable to the styles and shapes of different walkways. Design a paver pathway that adds value to your garden.

Choose the Paver Material

The type of paver you choose for your garden path has great significance for the overall effect. For example, flagstone is an attractive paver that adds gradient colors to your path. Mortared flagstone offers a more formal appeal, while laying the stone in sand looks casual. Another option is planting hardy ground cover plants between spaced pavers.

Brick pavers are similar in that the laying determines their formality. A straight running bond pattern is more formal than a basket weave. Likewise, reclaimed brick gives your garden path a time-worn appeal. It's also possible to replace actual brick with concrete pavers to save cost.

If you're thinking concrete pavers, it's even possible to make your pathway over with contemporary edging. Modern design is characterized by geometric shapes and clean lines. Have a path made of square concrete pavers for a modern yard.

Select the Width

No matter the paver material you choose, you have options about the width of your garden path. Naturally a wider path makes for quicker movement. If you're just creating a path to get from point to point, keep it wide. If you want to showcase your landscaping or view, though, narrow the walkway down. A narrower pathway encourages visitors to stroll and even look around. 

Add Curves

Along the same lines, the shape of your pathway also determine how guests will use it. If you really want to encourage strolling, add curves. Not only does a curved pathway encourage guests to slow down and enjoy the view, it also spurs them to keep going to see what's around the corner. Either curve the path around a natural impediment, such as a tree, or use the curves as an opportunity to add visual interest with your landscaping.

There are other ways of adding curves for visual interest. For one, you could design semi-circular garden beds around a straight path. Alternatively, Better Homes and Gardens suggests creating motion with the pavers. Keep the path relatively straight, but have the pavers laid in a curving pattern to create that sense of movement through the landscape.

A garden path constructed of attractive pavers is a charming addition to your yard. For more design or installation idea, contact a company like Premier Asphalt Paving CO.

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