I'm so excited to show off my latest outdoor project. I've been obsessing over a gravel patio for at least a couple of years and now I can finally say I have one. And the best part about the whole project: Combined with the materials I had on hand this project only cost me twenty bucks.
We have a walkout basement into the backyard that is covered overhead with the deck off the dinning room. In the past, simple sidewalk pavers made a path from the door out to the grass at the edge of the deck. Large river rock filled in the remainder of the space below the deck and along the whole length of the house.
First I removed as much of the river rock as I could. Next, using leftover dirt from my front yard project I leveled off the space from the edge of the deck to the end of the house which was previously very uneven and slopped. Next came easy to use interlocking brick edging pavers to enclose the patio area. Finally, the pea gravel was added. This is where the twenty bucks was spent. I ran out towards the end of my project. Menard's was selling bags of it for $1.98 so I bought twenty dollars worth to finish off the project.
Now that all the explaining is done I can show off the results. Sorry I forgot to take before pictures. Just imagine a muddy dirt ring from a kiddie pool, patchy grass from not enough sunlight and kid toys thrown around. LOL. Now it looks like this.
Here is the view from the back door looking towards the end of the house.
Along the side of the house I did need to leave the river rock to protect the ground from runoff from the roof. I placed two over sized buckets filled with flowers in the area to make it a little more pretty and I have to say I like the look. I think one more bucket would make it look even better so I'm on the lookout for one.
The brick edging I used looks like this. I've used it all over my backyard to define the garden beds. They are about a foot long and four inches tall.
The pea gravel I used looks like this. For ease of walking on it I kept the depth of the gravel to about one inch thick.
To make a sitting area, two chair, a vintage bistro table and an outdoor rug was place near the end of the patio.
It's the perfect place to sit and look at the backyard gardens or cozy up to a campfire.
Speaking of gardens, I clipped the last of my Hydrangea's and pick the first of my tiny pumpkins today.
Since the evening are getting cooler, we've been having campfires in the backyard too. I've snuggled the firebox as close to the patio as I'm comfortable with the deck and trees above this space. I'd love to get one of those clay chimney things to add instead - someday.
To add a little decoration to the space I've added two over sized lanterns which I love to use. I've surrounded them with small stones from my rock collection which I think adds a nice touch.
Sitting next to the back door is my collection of metal buckets. Ready and willing to help me out if I get the sudden urge to work in the garden. I can envision a bench or potting bench for this area in the future.
I have plans to jazz things up a little more for next summer. Maybe add a farmhouse table and chairs or loungers, bring in some more potted plants and add a narrow garden along the outside to plant a row of small shrubs. So many plans, I'm sure hubby will be happy. hehehe
So there you have it. My new gravel patio. I love how it's transformed a previously unused space into a place the whole family can hang out at.
What do you think?
