Gravel patios are a great choice if you’re thinking about sprucing up your outdoor space without spending a lot of money. Small, smooth-finished, and multi-colored pea gravel is a favored hardscaping material for patios and other areas around the yard, like paths and driveways. It’s widely used for creating patios as it has a whole ton of benefits, though there are some drawbacks, too, let’s discuss both and look at some ideas before you decide yes or not.
What Is Pea Gravel?
Pea gravel is made up of small, smooth rocks that are about the size of a pea (3/8-inch). These rocks are also called CM-16 stone, pea stone, pea pebbles, or pea rock. Pea gravel comes in many colors like gray, cream, tan, gold, black, and white. The stones are not all the same shape; some are round, while others are oval or have broken shapes. When the stones are wet, their colors look brighter. That’s why people sometimes use pea gravel in garden ponds.
A boho gravel patio with a wicker sofa and pillows, a coffeee table, some potted greenery and lights over the space.
A boho patio done with gravel, with a stained corner bench and printed pillows and cushions, some boho decor and greenery.
A chic gravel patio with a sofa with pillows, a fire put, a rattan chair, greenery around and some potted plants.
A cozy gravel patio with a fire pit, wooden chairs and a rattan one, potted plants and some blankets and pillows.
A gravel patio by the fence, grey butterfly chairs, a pendant chair, some potted plants, rugs and lights.
A gravel patio with a black metal fire pit, black metal chairs, a cork side table, potted plants and some lights around.
A gravel patio with a dining zone with an umbrella and pillows, a gazebo with forged furniture, some greenery and potted plants around.
A gravel patio with a fire pit, black chairs, side tables and lights over the space plus a cool river view.
A gravel patio with a fire pit, outdoor chairs, a basket and some greenery and trees around is a cool space to stay.
A gravel patio with black wooden chairs, a coffee table, some poufs, lanterns and greenery and trees around.
A gravel tropical patio with a black fence, tropical plants, stained dining furniture, blue cushions and a roof.
A large farmhouse patio with a wooden table and benches, potted trees and blooms and lights over the space.
A lovely gravel patio with a stone table, stained chairs, a pendant lamp on the tree and some greenery around the space.
A lovely modern gravel patio with a black fire pit, stained wooden chairs, potted greenery and large rocks.
What Are Gravel Patios Pros?
Pea gravel is cheaper than other patio materials, making it a good choice if you’re on a budget.
With pea gravel, there’s no need to repaint or reseal. If there’s a problem, it’s easier to fix.
Unlike sharp gravel, pea gravel is smooth and comfortable to walk on, even barefoot.
Pea gravel patios can be installed in just a couple of days, depending on their size. If you have several people to help, you can make a pea gravel patio with nothing but hand tools and a decent wheelbarrow.
You can install a pea gravel patio in a few days. With some help, you can do it with just hand tools and a wheelbarrow.
Pea gravel blends into any backyard naturally. Over time, it looks like it’s always been there.
If you use the right underlayment, pea gravel is easy to uninstall.
A modern outdoor area with a hammock, grey chairs, poufs, a fire pit, some greenery and lights over the space.
A modern and chic gravel patio with a metal fire pit, white seating furniture with pillows, potted plants around and some modern lights.
A modern backyard with greenery and trees, wooden and metal benches and a dining table plus striped pillows.
A modern boho patio with wicker seating furniture, a fire pit, a boho chair, some trees, lights and decor.
A modern gazebo with a gravel floor, a wicker sofa with pillows, a fire pit and a black wicker chair is a lovely and cozy space.
A modern gazebo with a grey outdoor sofa, a jute pouf and some seating furniture and grasses and greenery around.
A modern gravel patio with a black fire pit, grey chairs with pillows, candle lanterns, potted greenery and trees around for a modern space.
A modern gravel patio with a corner sofa, a fire pit, jute poufs, lights and an umbrella and potted plants around.
A modern gravel patio with a dining zone with modern dark furniture, a living room with a sofa and stools, potted plants around.
A modern gravel patio with a fire pit, black chairs, a deck with wooden seating furniture and lights over the space.
A modern gravel patio with a metal fire pit, white chairs, rocks around and stumps as side tables is cozy.
A modern gravel patio with a sofa with pillows, a fire pit, chairs with pillows, planted greenery around.
A modern gravel patio with grey chairs, a fire pit, potted plants and a living wall next to the space.
A modern gravel patio with wicker seating furniture, a pouf, planters with greenery and a side table with greenery.
A modern gravel patoi with a wooden benchm tree stumps, a metal fire pit, trees and a black fence.
A modern patio with a black fire pit, leather and wooden chairs, lights, pillows and candle lanterns is wow.
What Are Gravel Patios Cons?
Some people just don’t like how pea gravel looks compared to other materials.
Without quality landscape fabric, weeds can grow. The fabric blocks sunlight from reaching seeds and prevents dirt from mixing with the gravel.
While easier than other surfaces, pea gravel patios still need some care. You’ll need a leaf blower to keep debris off and a rake to level the stones.
It can be tricky to place patio furniture on pea gravel. You might need to bury the legs a bit to keep chairs stable, which can wear the bottoms over time.
Some pets, especially dogs, might dig in pea gravel, causing it to scatter.
It can be difficult to shovel snow or remove ice from pea gravel without disturbing the stones.
Pea gravel can get all over or become muddy in the rain. It’s important to tamp it down and install a border to keep it in place.
A pretty gravel patio with a fire pit, a grill, wooden loungers, a raised garden bed with blooms, lights, trees and a trellis is amazing.
A pretty modern gravel patio with a fire put, leather butterfly chairs, a dining zone with green chairs and an umbrella.
A rustic gravel patio with a round stained table and stool, black wooden chairs, candle lanterns and a tree around.
A Scandinavian gravel patio with a black table and printed chairs, potted greenery, lanterns and raised garden beds with grenery.
A Scandinavian patio with white chairs, a black fire pit, some trees and greenery around is a cool and lovely spac.
A Scandinavian space with a black fire pit and chairs, a raised garden bed with greenery, candle lanterns and potted greenery to refresh the look.
A small and cozy garden dining area with simple green metal furniture is located under the tree and is very inviting.
A small and cozy gravel patio with a round stained table, black chairs, rocks around a cool tree is a cool and catchy space.
A small and welcoming backyard done with gravel with a sofa, potted plants and blooms, climbing plants over the space and lights.
A cozy backyard offers a fire pit zone with growing plants and tree stumps. The raised seating area features a sofa, creating a functional and inviting space.
A backyard draped in wisteria features an elegant vintage dining set. Greenery envelops the space, adding to the charm and creating a picturesque and serene dining experience.
A small backyard turned into a secret garden with a living wall, some climbing plants and potted ones, a wooden dining set, some folding chairs.
A cozy backyard setup features a hammock, chairs, and a bench with a coffee table. The string lights enhance the relaxing vibe, and greenery adds a touch of nature.
A small modern backyard with gravel on the ground, with rattan furniture and potted plants and blooms.
A chic backyard features white gravel and rattan chairs around a fire pit. Potted plants complete the stylish look of this modern outdoor area.
A small yet cozy backyard with gravel on the ground, some rattan furniture and lots of greenery and white blooms around.
A very cozy small backyard with lots of greenery and blooms, lights, paper lamps and some comfy furniture.
A very small and cute dining space with green metal furniture and chairs and lots of blooms around.
A white gravel patio with pritned chairs, a side table, some blooms and greenery is a cool idea to style the space by the fence.
Pea gravel patios are a great, cost-effective option with many benefits, but they do require some care and consideration. Besides patios, pea gravel can be used for pathways, around garden beds, and as mulch to prevent soil erosion.