How to Design a Backyard Walkway

Backyard walkways serve as a focal point to the landscape and help direct traffic to areas around the garden. They connect areas together to create an inviting space to meander through and admire what flowers and plants are in season. When designing the backyard walkway, consider the style of the garden and home as well as how the walkway is to be used. Inexpensive walkway material such as mulch creates a low-maintenance design that won't break the bank. Not only is mulch decorative, but it also helps to suppress weeds and insulate nearby plants.

Rake
Tamper
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Consider how the walkway is to be used to determine the ideal walkway material to use for building. Choose materials that complement the surrounding landscape and blend in with the home and garden.
- 2
  Sketch out a blueprint or outline of the design to refer to as you begin the process and to allow for quick, last-minute changes. Incorporate features such as drainage ditches and utility lines that can be damaged during the building process.
- 3
  Plan the walkway around the natural curves of the back yard to create an inviting design. Weave the walkway around beds, ending at high-traffic areas like the back door or a backyard patio.
- 4
  Dig up space where the walkway is to be housed, removing all weeds, roots and other debris that is not part of the design. Rake away remaining rubble and tamp down to create a compact site.
- 5
  Make sure the width of the walkway is wide enough. Opt for at least a 2- to 3-foot-wide path to ensure an average-sized walkway.
- 6
  Lay a 3- to 4-inch-layer of mulch to create the walkway. Consider mulches such as cedar, pine bark or nuggets, depending upon the preferred design.

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