22 Cheap Walkway Ideas DIY

Looking for some cheap walkway ideas to increase your curb appeal?

Creating a walkway in your front yard is a great way to make your home welcoming and inviting.

A well-done walkway can also increase your home’s value and add a lot of curb appeal.

However, walkways can be expensive to build, especially if you want to use high-quality materials.

The good news is that there are lots of cheap walkway ideas that look great and are easy to DIY. Keep reading to learn how to make a walkway on a budget!

1. Create a Curved Path

Curved paths are a great way to create a more casual and relaxed feel in your garden.

They also help you create a sense of movement in your space, which is especially useful in smaller yards.

To create a curved path, use a garden hose to lay out the shape you want.

Then, use a shovel to dig a trench along the hose. You can then fill the trench with your choice of material.

2. Do It Yourself with Concrete Molds

Concrete molds come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, so you can create a custom look for your walkway.

These molds are reusable, so you can use them for other projects around your yard, too.

To create a walkway with concrete molds, you’ll simply pour concrete into the mold, let it set, and then remove the mold.

You’ll repeat this process to create as many sections as you need for your walkway.

This is a fairly easy project to tackle on your own, but it does require a bit of patience and time.

You’ll need to wait for the concrete to set and dry before you can continue on to the next section.

3. Lay Slate Tiles

Slate tiles are a beautiful, natural stone option for walkways. They are also one of the most budget-friendly stone options.

Slate tiles are available in a variety of colors and shapes, making it easy to lay them in a pattern that complements your landscaping.

This homeowner chose to lay their slate tiles in a herringbone pattern. The tiles are laid directly onto the ground and surrounded by a layer of pea gravel.

This is a simple, but effective way to create a walkway that looks like a million bucks, but only costs a fraction of that.

4. Use 18×18 Concrete Pavers for a Cheap Fix

If your walkway is cracked, uneven, or just plain ugly, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a new walkway.

Instead, you can use 18×18 concrete pavers to create a new walkway without breaking the bank.

This project is a bit more involved than some of the other projects on this list, but it’s still a great option for beginners.

You’ll start by removing the old walkway, then you’ll dig down to the appropriate depth and create a base of crushed stone and sand.

Finally, you’ll lay the pavers and fill in the gaps with more sand.

This is a great project to take on if you want to learn the basics of installing a paver walkway.

It’s a relatively simple project that will give you a beautiful new walkway that will last for years to come.

5. Try Large Pavers to Create a Focused Walkway

If you’re looking to create a walkway but don’t want to get too fancy, just use large pavers.

This is a great way to create a more formal walkway without spending a lot of money.

We used large pavers to create a walkway in this garden and it looks great.

The pavers are large enough to make a visual impact and direct people where to walk, but there are only a few pavers, so it doesn’t look too formal.

You can use any type of paver you like, and even mix and match them for a more eclectic look.

This is a great way to use up any extra pavers you may have lying around.

6. Create a Stepping Stone Path

Stepping stones are an easy way to create a walkway. Plus, they’re a great way to use up extra stone pavers you might have lying around.

To make a stepping stone path, simply lay out the stones where you want your walkway to be. Then, dig a hole in the ground for each stone to sit in.

If you want to add some extra security, you can fill the hole with gravel or concrete and then place the stone on top.

You can also add some soil or mulch around the stones to help them blend in with the rest of your garden.

7. Paint a Pattern for a Fun DIY Project

If you love the idea of adding a pop of color to your outdoor space,

but you’re not ready to commit to a more permanent option, consider painting a pattern on the ground.

This is a fun DIY project that lets you get as creative as you want. You can paint a simple checkerboard pattern, or get more intricate with your design.

Make sure you use a concrete paint or stain that’s meant for exterior use, as it will hold up to the elements better.

You’ll also want to seal the paint with a clear coat to help prevent chipping.

This is a great way to add some personality to your outdoor space, and it’s a budget-friendly option, too.

8. Use Luminous Rocks for a Glow in the Dark Walkway

One of the most creative walkway ideas on this list is to use luminous rocks.

These rocks are made of a translucent resin that holds a glow-in-the-dark powder.

The powder soaks up sunlight during the day and then releases it as a soft glow at night.

You can use these rocks to create a border for your walkway or to fill in the entire path.

It’s a fun way to light up your walkway without electricity. You can find luminous rocks in green, blue, or white.

Luminous rocks are an affordable alternative to traditional landscape lighting.

They don’t require an electrical connection and they don’t increase your energy bill.

9. Use Gravel for a Low Maintenance Walkway

Gravel is one of the easiest and most affordable walkway materials.

All you need to do is level the ground, lay down a weed barrier, and pour the gravel on top. Then, you can use a rake to spread the gravel out evenly.

Gravel is low maintenance, but you may need to add more gravel over time as it gets kicked off the path.

You can also use a rake to smooth out the gravel as needed.

10. Use Brick Pavers for a Traditional Look

Brick pavers are a classic choice for walkways and patios. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can create a custom look for your yard.

You can also lay the bricks in different patterns to create a unique design.

Brick pavers are easy to install. You simply lay them on a bed of sand or gravel, and then fill the joints with more sand or gravel.

This creates a stable surface that won’t shift or settle over time.

11. Lay Red Brick in a Running Bond Pattern

Red brick pavers are a classic, timeless choice for a walkway. You can get them new or used, and you can also buy them in a variety of colors and sizes.

The red brick walkway shown here is made with bricks that are 4 inches by 8 inches.

Laying brick pavers in a running bond pattern is a simple, classic way to lay bricks in a walkway.

This pattern has the bricks staggered so that the joints don’t line up.

The result is a strong, stable walkway. You can also lay bricks in a herringbone pattern, which is another strong pattern that looks great, too.

12. Use Grass and Pavers to Create a Modern Look

Pavers are an affordable way to build a walkway, and you can use them in a variety of patterns and designs to create a modern look.

This walkway uses large square pavers in a staggered pattern to create a more contemporary look.

The walkway is lined with grass, which softens the look and gives it a more natural feel.

You could also use gravel or mulch to line your walkway if you prefer.

Lining your walkway with grass or another type of ground cover also helps to keep the pavers in place and prevents them from shifting.

13. Use Concrete and Wood for a Simple Modern Walkway

Concrete is a popular material for walkways, but you can make it more interesting by adding wood.

This modern walkway features a concrete base with wood slats placed at different angles.

The wood slats add a nice touch of color and texture to the walkway and make it look more modern.

This is a great way to add some pizzazz to a plain concrete walkway without spending a lot of money.

You can also use different materials, such as stone or brick, to create a similar effect.

14. Create a Simple and Natural Stone Path

Natural stone is another affordable material that can be used in a variety of ways.

You can purchase stones in bulk and create a pathway with a random pattern or use it to edge a simple mulch or wood chip path.

Another idea is to use a single row of larger stones to create a stepping stone path.

This is a great way to add a natural element to your landscape and is a perfect solution for areas that are prone to flooding.

You can also use a combination of large and small stones to create a more decorative look. This is a great way to add a pop of color to your landscape.

15. Use a Mixture of Stone and Pebbles for a Natural Look

You don’t have to use just one material for your walkway. Instead, you can create a beautiful, natural look by combining two or more materials.

In this walkway, large stones are used to create a stepping stone path, while small pebbles are used to fill in the gaps.

This creates a beautiful, organic look that feels right at home in the garden.

You can use the same technique with other materials, too, like pavers and mulch, or gravel and slate.

16. Use Crushed Limestone as a Cheap Path

Crushed limestone is a great option for a budget-friendly walkway.

It’s an excellent alternative to the more expensive gravel options, and it can be used in a similar way.

Use crushed limestone as a walkway base, top it with pavers or leave it as is. You can also use limestone to create a dry-set flagstone walkway.

The cost of crushed limestone varies, but it’s generally less expensive than granite and marble. It’s also a great way to create a more natural, rustic look in your yard.

17. Use Large Flagstones to Create a Garden Walkway

If you have a big garden and want to create a walkway that allows you to enjoy it, consider using large flagstones to create a winding path.

This is a great way to enjoy your garden and the different plants and flowers in it.

You can use a variety of stone types and colors to create a unique look.

You can also add a few plants in between the stones to make the walkway look like it’s a part of the garden.

18. Use a Mixture of Stone and Gravel for a Budget Friendly Path

A great way to save money on your walkway is to use a variety of materials. You can use a combination of stone pavers, bricks, or gravel to create a unique look.

If you want to use stone pavers but don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can use flagstone.

Flagstone is a natural stone material that comes in a variety of colors and shapes. It’s a great option for a budget friendly walkway.

You can use a mixture of flagstone and gravel to create a unique look for your walkway.

This is a great way to add some color and texture to your landscape without spending a lot of money.

19. Use Concrete and River Rocks for a Clean and Modern Look

If you’re looking for a more modern look, try using concrete as the base of your walkway and then add river rocks on top.

This creates a sleek and clean look that is perfect for a modern home. You can also use different color rocks to create fun patterns and designs.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful! I love these types of projects because they are affordable and make a big difference in the appearance of your home.

If you have any questions or would like to share your own walkway DIY, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.

Happy walkway building!