Accumulation of used goods in the basement over time will become a problem. Besides taking up a lot of space, these used items will dampen your warehouse area and become a favorite place for mosquitoes to nest. Instead of leaving them all weathered in the area, how about you conjure them into something useful, like a garden path? If you need inspiration to arrange the materials, we have prepared a compilation of 25 recycled garden path ideas you can adopt.
They will not only give you a functional walk, but also a unique and one-of-a-kind design. Also, the cost you spend is super affordable, considering the recycled materials.
Are you interested in trying to make it in your garden? Find out the best one that suits your preference below!
Table of Contents
What Is A Recycled Garden Path?
As the name implies, a recycled garden path is a garden element made from used materials. Generally, it also connects from one area to another. Thus, allowing you to walk on it. You can make a DIY creative garden path from recycled materials, including wooden pallets, planks, rubber steels, gravel, stepping stones, and more.
However, the most favorite is rocks because they are easy to arrange and can be incorporated with other materials. Besides, they are available abundantly. Usually, they are easy to find in construction areas.
How Do You Make A Creative Garden Path?
If you use recycled materials, you have all you need to create a unique and creative garden path. They are not available in the market. Thus your garden path will look different compared to the others.
Now, it’s your call to be more playful with those who load. Need some tips to make a creative garden path, check it out below!
- Get creative with zig-zag patterns. Even though it looks ordinary, you can combine various colors to make an interesting color contrast on your path.
- Vertical and horizontal designs. Instead of designing a garden path with a monotonous pattern, merging horizontal and vertical settings can be a brilliant idea to decorate the course. For this design, recycled pavers, bricks, and wood are the best materials.
- Use recycled ceramics. These materials usually have eccentric colors that make your garden path a focal point. To maximize their potential, make a pattern first before designing one.
How Do You Make A Straight Path More Interesting?
Instead of making a straight path with paving, it would be best to decorate them with recycled materials. They will give a touch of a distinctive pattern that draws the eye to that area. You can use plastic bottles, then paint them with colorful paint.
Then, plant them between the paving you used for the path. If it is too difficult, you can simply arrange them as garden path borders. Besides plastic bottles, you can also make a straight walkway from plastic bottle caps. Arrange them on the path, forming flowers or geometrical shapes to decorate the area.
Easy Recycled Garden Path Ideas
For beginners, creating a recycled garden path might seem complicated. If you are one of them, don’t worry. We’ve prepared some of the easiest recycled garden path ideas you can easily recreate in your home.
1. Puzzle Brick Garden Path


You can quickly design a simple garden path with red bricks. The bright, natural colors will blend smoothly with your garden’s surrounding plants.
Instead of arranging them into a straight line, try to make a puzzle design. But make sure that the surface is suitable for people to walk on. Then, spread white or brownish gravel to highlight the bricks. Grow lawns next to the path to make the setting even more pleasing to see.
2. Terracotta Fractions Garden Path


In case you have a broken terracotta pot, don’t throw it in the trash. They can be one of the interesting recycled materials to make a unique garden path.
Crush the pots to form small pieces. Then, spread it on the surface of the soil garden. Smooth it out so that there are no sharp edges protruding to avoid harm. After that, add some big rocks as decorations. Very easy right?
3. Recycled Stepping Stones Path


Making a garden path sometimes doesn’t always have to be digging the soil. You can arrange recycled materials, like stepping stones, to provide a stepping stone. Start by setting up the pavers as borders.
Make the frame squiggly to make the design more captivating. Then, fill the path area with the stones. Make sure you include the broad-surface ones for the footing area. Then, use a smaller size as decoration. You can also add mini concretes for other patterns.
4. Easy Recycled Slabs Garden Path


Don’t throw your used slabs if you still have them in the basement. Use them to create a stunning garden path no one will imitate. If you have several colors, arrange them randomly to create an eye-catching color combination.
Position the slabs horizontally and vertically, so they seem more varied. After that, spread gravel to adorn the surrounding. You can also place some potted cacti and a bench on the side of the path as decoration.
5. Beer Bottle Garden Path


Beer glass waste is a pollutant that is difficult to decompose. Therefore, it would be best to use them as a garden path instead of ditching them to the garbage. You can start by digging the soil according to the size of the bottle. Make sure only the bottom surface of the bottle is at ground level.
Arrange the bottles slightly wide so there is room to stand. To make the bottles more attractive, we recommend painting them with colorful paints. If not, you can arrange the glass bottles to form a geometrical pattern to make them look more beautiful.
6. Pavers Garden Pathway


Having a garden path in the middle of a flower garden is an awesome idea! It allows you to have better access to taking care of your flowers. Especially if the path is made of natural materials like bricks. The step-by-step is simple.
You only need to dig around 100 mm to 150 mm of soil to place the bricks. Then, add the soil back to the hole and let the material surfaces appear on the ground. To prevent standing water, you can spread gravel or grow lawns.
7. Limestones Garden Pathway


A garden pathway made of paving is common. But have you considered pieces of limestone as the main ingredient for making walkway paths? Their broad surface allows you to provide a wide footing. You can also set up an outdoor lounge to hang around with your family.
Besides that, they can make an aesthetic appeal of the path due to the natural colors divers the limestones feature. To make it more beautiful, grow lawns around it or low-growing plants for the borders.
8. Abstract Short Garden Path


Short garden paths are easier to decorate, thanks to the narrow space that doesn’t take too much effort to make the walkway beautiful. Instead of looking for expensive materials, you can use recycled products like bricks and stones to decorate this area. Make an outer layer like a flower vase. Then, dig in the soil on the site.
Place the bricks horizontally at each end while the rests are randomly arranged. Then, glue the sidelines with cement. To make colorful paths, you can color the bricks with white or gray paint.
9. Stone Walking Path


For those who like old-fashioned exteriors, this stone walking path will be one of your favorites. Its minimalist design makes it look unique, with only stones as the main ingredient for the walkway. They are arranged in a row of about four to five used stones in pattern-like steps.
What makes it interesting is that the grass around it seems to melt with the path. In addition, this setting ensures the comfort of people who stand on it because the surface is flat and not slippery, thanks to the rough stone texture.
10. Brick Stone Garden Path Arrangement


You may be familiar with a recycled brick garden path. But what happens if the bricks are featured with stones in one space? Turns out the combination is a gem! It offers a variety of textures that make the walkway look stunning. Not only the beautiful appeal, but those materials also ensure safety for those who walk on them.
You can merge two bricks in a row with a distance of about 10 centimeters between the arrangement. Then add stones on the sidelines of the arrangement. For an additional element, you can use ceramics to add around the stones.
DIY Recycled Garden Path Ideas
You can be creative in making a DIY upcycled garden with used materials. They are easy, cheap, and will definitely elevate your garden landscape. Interested in trying it? Choose the best one from our compilation in the following list!
11. DIY Old Wooden Planks Walkway


Suppose you have a pile of old unused nameplates. In that case, you can use it to make a mini garden walkway. It is very easy to make it right away. Arrange the planks slightly along the area you want to go.
Make sure the planks match one another. If, for example, there are gaps between the wood, add gravel to decorate it. Then, grow some plants as a border to add greenery around the area.
12. Alternating Garden Path


Some people like things that are out of the box, including designing the walkway. If you are one of them, this alternative garden path is worth trying! It uses recycled wood materials, shaped following an approximately 45-degree circle in an alternating pattern. To make them less plain, you can color the wood in a natural color, like brown. Avoid white because it easily looks dirty.
13. Simple DIY Garden Pathway


Another simple DIY design that deserves to be on your priority list! The natural brown color of the woods harmoniously blends in with the garden. Meanwhile, the leafy plants seem to decorate the area to make it look more striking. You can add gravel at the bottom of the path as support and decoration. To prevent slipping, it would be best to coat the wood with a coating.
14. Tree Stumps Mini Path


Storing the tree stumps from cutting wood to heat the house in winter? Take advantage of them to decorate your garden path. Choose a different size to cover the whole area of your walkway.
Considering the unique pattern of the rings, make sure they are on the surface. Then, you can cover the gaps with soil or gravel. We recommend stones or gravel to prevent slipping and add other textures to the space.
15. Garden Pallets Walkway


While most people will throw away the wooden pallets, you can use them to create an unusual garden path. It is easy to make since you only need to arrange them in a row to connect two areas.
However, you can beautify the sides with granite stones, so they are not empty. Growing ground covers or lawns is also a brilliant idea to add greenery to this space. Also, we recommend covering the soil with gravel to prevent erosion during heavy rain.
16. Zig Zag Garden Path


Transform your upcycled garden by designing a garden path made of wooden pallets. The designs of these recycled materials are neat. Thus they are easier to arrange.
You can set it by combining vertical and horizontal positions in a zig-zag manner. Then, add stones on the sides and spread gravel for decoration. You can also grow plants along the walkway to spice up the space.
17. Red Recycled Brick Garden Path


Recycled bricks never fail to make a simple but versatile garden path. They are easy to organize and provide a broad space to walk on. You can combine the ones with holes and ordinary bricks to create a stunning design. And instead of straight lines, try to make the frame path curvy to look more artistic. If you want to make it stand out more, try to grow lawns on the holes or simply paint the red bricks with different shades.
18. Minimalist DIY Garden Walkway


Not everyone likes patterned garden paths. Some prefer a minimalist design that prioritizes function but doesn’t leave aesthetic value, like this one garden walkway. Its small area may not be ideal for two persons, but it makes an amazing appeal for garden decor.
The recycled red bricks, which are arranged like quarter circles that connect to each other, make the path look unique. Even more remarkable, you can make it with only cement. However, it would be better to include gravel and lawns, so they don’t look arid.
Unusual Recycled Garden Path Ideas
Try to channel your creativity into building an unusual recycled garden! With used materials, you can freely explore your imagination to design your dream path. Moreover, the colors make your garden look more alive. Find the most unique one below!
19. Plastic Bottle Garden Walkway


Who would have thought that recycled bottles could become an exquisite garden path? Their colorful shades effortlessly decorate the course without adding more paint. You can try to collect white recycled plastics to arrange as a border. Then, randomly set other colors to create a wide surface you can easily walk on.
To elevate the view, it would be better to avoid combining bottle caps of the same color. Instead, mix them up to make a distinctive contrast.
20. Hardscape Garden Path


If you like to experiment with making hardscape garden paths, try using water drain covers. They may seem useless, but they make a vintage character for your walkway. Combine the big and small ones to live next to each other.
In between, you can spread gravel to make the setting neater. You can also use ceramic shards, stepping stones, and other rocks to feature in the landscape. So that it is not too arid, grow some green plants on this side of the road.
21. Artistic Mosaic Garden Path


This artistic mosaic garden path might only be for some because it requires extra energy and creativity to make one. But we can’t deny that it may be the most unique garden walkway you can try decorating if you genuinely treasure art.
Stone fragments that have been colored are made in various mind-blowing shapes. The ordinary red and gray stones provide a neutral background so that the characters above stand out. You can make it more dramatic by growing moss on top. Wanna try?
22. Upcycled Ceramic Walkway


Channel your innovative idea by decorating your upcycled garden path with recycled ceramics. The various motives make the walkway look captivating. Because you already have a beautiful pattern, you can be more playful with neutral colors, such as gray, white, or brown.
Choose the one that makes the design stand out. Besides that, try to place some ceramics with different themes to let them become a focal point in your garden.
23. Granite Scraps Path


Apart from ceramics, granite stoneware also has its own charm because of its colors. Even though it’s not as prominent as ceramic, you can arrange the earth tones colors to make a wonderful contrast.
But first, make a layout with pavers or stones that face your front door. Then, arrange the granite in the frame in a horizontal position. To stand out more, align the dark tones with the bright ones in one row.
24. Unique Recycled Garden Roadway


Stepping stones and bricks will provide you with a wide garden path. You only need to dig the soil, then merge two pieces of each material. Then, place them randomly but spaced about 5 to 10 cm from each group.
Add the stones that you previously colored between the spaces to make the arrangement look more attractive. You can also place the shells you have to bring up a coastal vibe. Definitely one of the most unique stone garden paths.
25. Modern Tile Garden Path Design


Surprisingly, you can create a modern tile garden path design with ceramic tiles, bricks, and gravel. The motifs on the ceramics help decorate this street effortlessly. Meanwhile, the gravels provide a flat background to make the setting stand out.
In addition, the bricks offer a versatile border that borders lawns. You can also replace it with recycled steel or recycled tires which are also sturdy.
Final Thought
A recycled garden path can be made from a variety of materials. Starting from rubber, bricks, ceramics, steel, plastics, and many more. It’s just that creativity is what distinguishes the results from each other. Our experts recommend combining several materials in one space. Choose one that is sturdy as a base or border, while others with patterns are for decorations.
With such designs, you will have a stunning garden path that stands out in your outdoor space.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How deep should you dig for a pathway?
The depth of excavation for a garden pathway depends on the materials you want to use. Generally, it should be around 100 mm. Nonetheless, it is slightly deeper for slabs and pavers, which requires at least 150 mm deep to optimally reside the materials.
In case your garden has moist soil, you must dig it as deep as 200 mm.
How wide should a garden walking path be?
Although you may often see a cute, reclaimed garden path with a small size, there are better options for a walking path. Generally, a garden walking path should be at least four feet wide. It will allow two people to walk side by side without slipping to the side of your garden.
However, this size is perfect for a busy garden that is frequently visited and passed by many people. For home gardens, you can adjust it to the area you have.
How do you make a simple walkway?
Designing a garden walkway is simple. You can adopt one of the recycled garden path ideas that use used items around you. One of the easiest is to use unused pavers or bricks. Prepare a plot of land that leads to your garden or is in the middle of the area. Then, dig the soil around 150 mm to provide space for the materials. After that, arrange the bricks or pavers according to your taste.
We recommend making it zig-zag or combining vertical and horizontal patterns. After that, fill the gap with the soil and spread gravel around it to prevent slipping. You can also make a recycled rubber garden path using rubber for decorations.
Do you need a subbase for a recycled garden path?
Although it is possible to build a recycled garden path without a subbase, our experts do not recommend it. It has no excellent durability compared to the one with a subbase.
Without a subbase, your walkway will be vulnerable to changes in the weather, making it easily damaged. Make a subbase of approximately 100 mm where 50 mm of sand, and the rest is for the material you chose for your garden path.