How do I choose the right type of gravel?

In these famous Kyoto gardens, gravel has been used to great aesthetic affect

Gravel is a fabulous material.

“The most sublime thing I’ve ever seen.”

- Steve Jobs, in his authorized biography

This quote was in reference to Jobbs’ to visits to Zen Gardens in Kyoto, Japan. The founder of Apple Computers was a pioneer of simple and accessible design, so it is no surprise that these gardens appealed to him. 

Zen gardens are simple and reflective spaces - formed from basic materials such as rocks, stones and raked gravel - and are a great example of how simple, natural materials can be used to elevate the look, feel and overall character of a garden. Gravel - a loose mixture of pieces of rock - is an example of how the smallest details make the greatest difference in a design. In a previous blog posts we looked at what to take into account when choosing materials in general, but in this article, we look at gravel in particular and the different ways you can use this low-maintenance and wonderfully versatile material in your garden. We also consider what questions we need to ask ourselves when choosing the right type of gravel to create your ideal outdoor space.

Gravel can visually enhance your outdoor space.

If you’re looking for low-maintenance ornamental features in your garden, then decorative gravel could be the right type of gravel for you. What visual effect do you want your gravel to create in your outdoor space? Gravel comes in various forms, so you can choose from a range of colours and styles, allowing you to use shades and tones which complement the overall scheme and character of your garden.

An important question to ask yourself when choosing the right gravel for you is what would look good in my particular outdoor space? Indeed, this is an important consideration, even if your gravel is going to serve a functional as well as ornamental purpose, for instance as a driveway.

What style would best complement your garden's design and thereby enhance its other features and general visual appeal? You may want to think about the materials and colours that are already in use around your home. For instance, if parts of your home are constructed from local stone, use of a similar tone and material will fit in well the surroundings. The red tones of a brick house might work well with some bolder colours of gravel for example, whereas a sandstone house may look better with more gravel of more neutral tones. We find many of our clients prefer an understated, harmonious design in their home but of course there are other options! Why not use a multicoloured gravel mix to create contrast and make a bold statement in your outdoor space? As you can see, there really is something for everyone when it comes to gravel.

Choose soft, neutral tones to complement sandstone buildings and create a harmonious atmosphere at home.

You can use multicoloured gravel mixes to make a bold ornamental feature in your outdoor space.

Gravel can help create sensory experiences in your garden.

A sensory garden is one which is designed to positively stimulate a person’s senses. A variety of plants and materials are used to create spaces which engage the senses and help you feel more connected to your surroundings. Those who spend time in such gardens are shown to benefit in terms of their mental health and cognitive function, meaning sensory gardens are often used in a therapeutic capacity but can be enjoyed by all of us. If you are interested in creating sensory experiences in your garden, gravel could be a great option for you. This is because it can engage your senses in a way that plants and other materials cannot. The crisp, crackling sound of gravel underfoot is a pleasing and relaxing auditory experience, especially when contrasted with other sounds in the garden such as running water or a breeze through the trees. Gravel can also be used around the base of certain plants or water features to provide contrast and create visual interest. If you or any of your loved ones enjoy tactile experiences - in other words, being able to experience the world through touch and the experience of various textures - then gravel features open up a whole new world. From smooth to rough, gravel can add many touch experiences to your outdoor space.

Different sizes of gravel mix can play different roles in your outdoor space.

We would always consider the function of an outdoor space before selecting a gravel in our designs. It’s important to take this into account because use of an ill-chosen type of gravel could make that outdoor space uncomfortable and, in extreme circumstances, inaccessible. Are you using this gravel for pathways, driveways, decorative accents, or as a base for other structures like a terrace or seating area? For example, generally on a walkway we’d use a small size of gravel, but if you need to use a pram or wheelchair outside then we need to make sure it is slightly bigger so that the gravel doesn’t get stuck in the wheels. Let’s take a look at some of the gravel that can be used for walkways and driveways.

Gravel for paths and walkways.

As a rule of thumb, you want to use a small sized gravel (say, 6 - 10mm per piece) on a path because this is more comfortable to walk on than large sized gravel. These gravel paths are often seen around our stately homes, as they a economic to install and repair and give that delightful crunch underfoot as you walk along. Some good gravels to use on a garden walkway include:

• Pea gravel

• Flamingo gravel

• Yorkshire cream gravel

Pea gravel in use on the paths around Versailles, France.

Gravel for driveways

When it comes to driveways, the best sized gravel is made up of medium-sized angular pieces, about 20mm in size. The shape is also important. Rather than choosing a smooth river gravel, with rounded edges, go for a quarried, rough-edge stone instead. These quarried gravels tend to lock together, forming a smoother driving surface. Smaller pieces are likely to get stuck in the tyres of the car, while larger pieces will fail to lock together, becoming unstable and untidy. This makes the surface difficult to use vehicles on; 20mm gravel is about the right size for most driveways. Some good gravels to use for a driveway include:

• Cotswold gold gravel

• Dove grey limestone gravel

• Sunset red gravel

Notice how these rough-edged stones lock together.

These smooth-edged make the surface uneven or unstable.

Use gravel to elevate your outdoor space.

At first glance, if you tell someone you read a blog about gravel, the likelihood is they will make some negative assumptions about your social life, or possibly suggest you take up a new hobby. However, what they don’t know is that the process of choosing the right gravel can help you better understand and more creatively use your home. Gravel is a low-maintenance and versatile material to use in your outdoor area, so it’s always good to try and best make use of it. Observe your outdoor area and imagine how you’d like to enhance it - in terms of visuals, character or function - and then let these observations inform how you choose the right gravel for you.

If you’re considering a garden redesign and want more advice on how a site analysis could help get you the garden of your dreams in Yorkshire, get in touch for a friendly consultation.