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Are you looking for a timeless design for your pathway? Stepping stones represent an excellent choice you should strongly consider because of their beautiful appearance and versatile nature. A stepping stone pathway can be an essential component of a Zen garden thanks to its potential to create that classic design which inspires relaxation and peace of mind. Stepping stones can be used in lots of interesting ways to make some unique pathways and walkways in any garden.
Whether you prefer a simple stepping stone pathway or want something more complex, we’ve collected the best ideas to help you decide on a fitting look for your yard. It doesn’t matter if you favor a rustic aesthetic or plan on creating a modern display in the garden as stepping stone pathways can be adapted for many different design styles and more specific looks. Get inspired by the following stepping stone pathway ideas.
1. Rustic Style
If you want to obtain a rustic look with the help of stepping stones, your pathway will look more authentic if you let the grass grow around the stones. To make this possible, it’s recommended to adjust the placement of the stones on the pathway so they’re situated deeper in the soil. It will make the impression that this is a very old pathway which is precisely the kind of rustic look you were going for.
In some cases, you can even let the grass cover the stones almost completely. It’s all about personal preference here as you’ll need to decide the strength of the rustic appeal of the pathway. For this pathway idea, we recommend selecting stepping stones with more intricate textures and uneven cuts that give off a natural vibe. To maximize the visual impact, try to arrange the stones in a mosaic pattern.
2. Cobblestone Design
Another fairly rustic stepping stone pathway idea, this one makes use of a cobblestone design. Stones are nicely spaced to allow for a combination of the lush green of the grass with the textures of the stone. As opposed to other uneven designs, the stones here are square-shaped to give a more organized impression. A few cracks and imperfections contribute to the rustic appeal.
3. Slate Stepping Stones
Making your way through a vibrant garden can be done more easily when you have a beautiful stepping stone pathway to follow. Check out this slate-based design which creates a stunning visual effect thanks to the cuts of the stone that show off elegant rock layers. The look of the pathway is even more eye-catching next to the neatly trimmed grass and red flowers.
4. Zen Stepping Stones
The creation of a Zen garden will pretty much require stepping stones for obtaining an authentic look. Classic Zen styles use stepping stones not just because of their natural and organic aesthetics, but also due to practical reasons. Stones are usually placed in sand or gravel patterns making it simple to cross without ruining them. The contrast obtained from the natural grey color of stone against white gravel will also create a point of interest in the garden.
5. Curved Pathway
Curves are more attractive than straight lines when you’re making a pathway through any garden. Instead of making it look as if the garden has been adapted to fit a straight line, it’s the other way around. The pathway has mysterious curves that seemingly follow the garden’s natural design. Stepping stones on a curved pathway are both more attractive and more practical.
6. Round Stepping Stones
Here’s a beautiful pathway made up of round stepping stones. Each stone has been carefully designed to keep a uniform look when arranged in a fun pattern throughout the yard. The perfect roundness of the stones is fitting for those who prefer a modern aesthetic. The elements of this modern home match the scattered look of the round stepping stones very well.
7. Symmetrical Design
Another stepping stone pathway with a modern vibe, this one takes advantage of stones positioned in a symmetrical design. There’s no grass that seems to interfere with the look of the pathway which has a very tangible feel to it. To make things more visually appealing, the designer of this pathway used different colors for the inner and outer stones. The shades mix together well and create a nice contrast to beautify the garden.
8. Stepping Stones over Water
Those who own a small pond in their gardens will usually build a small bridge to travel over it. Another option is to use stepping stones which can be seamlessly continued through the garden to form an elegant pathway. Any garden water feature can benefit from the natural aesthetic of a stepping stone pathway. This is once again a great rustic idea considering the classic design of these pathways built over the water.
9. Lily Pad Pathway
Simple and well-designed, this stepping stone pathway shows off an attractive design with stones shaped like lily pads. The stone arrangement is made up of both big and small stones. The larger ones form the primary walkway while the little stones are strategically placed around the edges to make the entire look of the pathway seem more polished. This is a very inviting pathway of stepping stones that looks spectacular on the well-trimmed grass backdrop.
10. Geometric Pathway
One of our favorite ideas for modern homes is the geometric pathway. Stepping stones come in different sizes and show off an interesting arrangement that reminds you of puzzle pieces that could fit together. They’re spaced out in a fairly uniform manner, and the grass grows between them to make the pathway feel like a part of the backyard.
11. Bluestone Pathway
This gorgeous pathway that consists of bluestone pavers seems to perfectly complement the look of this vintage beach house. Instead of a continuous pathway style, stepping stones contribute to the overall scenery adding a charming effect together with the imposing waterfront view. It makes any garden trip become a pleasure.
12. Etched Designs
If you want your stepping stone pathway to stand out from the crowd, the simplest solution is to infuse them with an etched design. There’s no need to go for complex designs as even simple patterns will have a superb visual effect. Check out this beautiful stepping stone pathway that has an etched flower on each stone. While this is a simple detail, the garden now takes advantage of a noticeable bump in overall elegance.
13. Colorful Gravel
There are lots of great ideas for stepping stone pathways created directly on the grass but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a stylish walkway with a different backdrop. Take a look at this colorful gravel that gives off some modern vibes when combined with the round, clean-looking stepping stones. There’s a large focus on texture when it comes to this stepping stone pathway which fits best in well organized gardens.
14. Stepping Stones and Pebbles
Stepping stones and pebbles mix nicely together in this pathway design. It may seem a bit more complicated compared to some of the simpler stepping stone ideas we’ve seen. Once you’ve decided on a specific route and a fitting design to integrate all the curves of your walkway, you will first have to line it with cement edging before adding the pebbles. This is important to keep the pebbles neatly in place. To finish off the Zen style of this pathway, you just need to carefully place rectangular stepping stones so that you space them out properly.
15. Checkerboard Design
While there are lots of innovative stepping stone pathway ideas you can find, few can be considered as interesting as this one sporting a checkerboard design. It adds a whimsical touch in any garden and you can either choose to leave the spaces empty or fill them by planting various herbs or other plants. This is exactly how this herb garden has been designed as it incorporates square-shaped concrete pavers.
16. DIY Hopscotch Pathway
Little children love hopscotch on the pavement but you can also recreate this fun little game with the help of stepping stones in your garden. You simply need some adequately-sized concrete pavers and paint them in colorful tones with oversized numbers. This a fairly inexpensive DIY project that can be done with minimal effort. If you want to bring the classic game of hopscotch through a stepping stone pathway, check out the tutorial for the project.
17. Large Stone Design
Most stepping stone pathway designs make use of small or medium-sized stones. There are a few though that try to integrate larger stones. This can be a practical solution to avoid stepping on gravel when you get out of your outdoor shower. It’s also a great choice in terms of aesthetics as large concrete slabs can have a stylish modern effect when used to create a pathway through the yard.
18. Leaf Imprint Stepping Stones
Check out this creative idea that relies on leaf imprints to create unique stepping stones. If you’re looking to create a stylish pathway through the garden, this is a solid idea to try as it offers you a practical and elegant solution. To make this kind of stepping stone, you need to craft each stone from scratch. Add the leaf imprint while the cement is wet and then enjoy the resulting shape. Here’s the guide that offers all the details of the process.
