I'm in zone 9A and have a backyard that I'm transforming after dealing with a pretty sad lawn. I want to avoid turf entirely and am considering installing a gravel patio instead. I'm also planning for a simple outdoor kitchen space since my husband loves grilling, and I dream of having a pizza oven. I have a spacious wood deck currently, which I might screen in later. My home's style is mid-century modern with a blend of 'mad men' vibes and minimalistic Japanese influences. I really like the look of covering the backyard with gravel, so I've looked into options like pea gravel and decomposed granite. I can afford either, but I've heard that decomposed granite can cause issues with indoor flooring when tracked inside. I also adore a few boulders I've already put in my front yard. After reading various opinions online about pea gravel, I'm curious if it would be a bad choice for this purpose. Do you think a gravel patio is a suitable choice in this context? My alternative would be to use pine bark, which I find less visually appealing. I'm looking forward to your thoughts!
4 Answers
I've got granite in an L-shaped part of my yard, and I love how it looks! It's great for just my husband and me. But when friends bring their energetic dog over, it does get messy as the gravel scatters all around. Think about where you don't want the gravel to go—some dogs can spread it if they're playful. But, if you're okay with the upkeep of the aesthetic, it might be worth it!
Decomposed granite seems like a great fit for you. It should complement your inspiration photos well and compacts nicely, which might alleviate some of your worries about mess indoors.
I'm here following along because I'm planning to integrate gravel into my landscaping project too! Those inspo pics you shared are stunning, and I think your yard will look amazing if you choose gravel!
It really comes down to your lifestyle. Larger gravel paths are less likely to cause issues since they don't get kicked up as easily, but if you have pets or kids, they can scatter it everywhere. Still, decomposed granite might be a better fit for your needs—it's compact and gives a similar aesthetic without the same mess.