Inspiration photos from Houzz:

OK ... so you want something that's not too expensive and your inspiration photos are of work that's quite costly. Can you reconcile which of your thoughts will win out?

Sadly, not too expensive will win out. I've just done a bunch of upgrades to the interior, then realized that someone could trip and fall trying to get inside to see the gorgeous Carrera marble tile backsplash, quartz counters, etc., that I've installed. So, not much left for this project. I wasn't thinking that someone would need to avoid trip hazards to reach the interior when I put my budget toward the inside reno. The rocks from my parking space to the front steps can be quite slick, so even if I stay in the home, I need to do something to avoid taking a tumble when it's wet outisde.

The least expensive would be to remove as many of the rocks as possible and lay down a thick layer of natural colored mulch, as if it were a path through a woodland garden.

Brown Dog, thank you. That actually sounds doable! I noticed after I'd posted the inspiration pics how clean and tidy those entries were, and mine looks so messy in comparison. I'm not a fan of the plastic black edging, but I think it may tame the walkways ("provide more definition"). And your suggestion with the stones and more pea gravel gives the idea of what I want and if I decide to sell, the buyer would have a better idea of what it could be and could choose to spend the money to get an entry like the inspo pics or leave as is. Thanks!!

ptreckel, that sounds like something I could do. Thanks so much for your help! And for noticing the flowers - they've been a labor of love this year.

I agree with brown dog's comments about first impressions. Beyond that, however, I don't think that a pebble front walk makes a very good impression ... especially if it's pea gravel, as this is not gravel designed for, or good for, walking paths. Basic, plain old concrete would give a much better impression to typical home buyers. Even though it costs more the message it sends is "serviceable, permanent, durable, lasting and finished."

Yardvaark, thanks. Although I'm not a fan of concrete, I agree that it might look more finished. I'm going to get prices for both options and see what's doable. When I bought the house, I wore pumps with work suits and high heels for nice dinners out. The gravel chewed up the heels; I started wearing other shoes to my car and changing at work. Although I'm now at the sensible shoes stage of life, a buyer might be like I was then, and not want her heels ruined by coming and going from her house. Thanks for your help.

Your house is very pretty and the landscaping you've done gives it great curb appeal, IMO. I agree with Yardvaark about a plain concrete walk giving a good impression of stability and of the whole property being in good repair. Concrete doesn't have to look utilitarian, but even if it does, you have enough going on in your yard that the overall impression won't be damaged by a simple utilitarian path.

SapphireStitch, thank you so much! I appreciate your words of encouragement. I replaced and moved around the landscaping at the recommendation of other Houzzers (who were right on the money), and the advice I've been given on this forum has been invaluable. It's sounding like concrete is the way to go.

ptreckel, I hadn't thought about embossing! A stone or brick pattern would look great. The home is on the Nat'l Register so I want to keep a vintage/traditional look as much as I can, and a stone or brick pattern would fit the bill. Thanks for your help!

My first home had a gravel driveway and I lived with it for a couple of years because I had no money and all kinds of other projects sucking my $ away. I grew to despise that driveway to the maximum amount of despising a person can do ... which was a lot! One of the happiest days of my life was when a new paver driveway was completed and I wasn't tracking sand bits onto the hardwood floor anymore. I'm not saying you need to add expensive decoration, but from the view of a prospective buyer, they will be grateful that they have a clean, dry "floor" to walk on when they enter the house. You will be kicking yourself though, that you didn't install it at the beginning of your tenure and get to enjoy it all these years. But that's home ownership for ya'!

bellburgmaggie, seriously, stamped concrete can look like that?! That would be perfect! Thank you!!

See if you can get preformed a/c unit pads to use for the main pathway.

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Yaardvark, I've finally gotten the fireplace, quartz counters, gorgeous tile backsplash, new half bath, and new landscaping that I've always wanted for my house. It's killing me to think of selling it just when I've gotten it the way I want it! A designer friend pointed out that I could've skipped the Carrera marble backsplash that I loved, used the $.50 per tile subway tile from a big box store, and people looking in my price range would've never known the difference. But I would've known...and now I'll probably be selling. Sniff, sniff. Yep, that's home ownership for 'ya.

tqtqtbw, that's creative! Hhhmmm....thank you!

I’ve been wanting some to fix my diy backyard path but need to fix drainage first.

Here is where I saw it:

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Spring Branch, Making Modern More Modern! · More Info

Yes, stained concrete can look like that, but the bottom photo that looks so real is quite a bit of work with the staining because each “stone” has to be stained. This gets into artistry and not all concrete people are that patient. I did my back yard stamped concrete patio myself with the staining and I’ve had people that have to take a double take before they realize its just concrete. Just make sure you take off work for the time the concrete has to be treated and decide on your colors beforehand. There is another post on this site about people who installed bluestone and its flaking. One other thing, you have to seal the concrete several times after this process. See also: https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete-patio/stone.html

FYI, Home Depot just put out some new, very nice-looking outdoor pavers, in the back of their gardening section. I was looking at them for a fire pit space in our yard. Very nicely priced. I agree with the comments above: you want a finished walkway leading through your charming garden to the house. And in my experience, stamped concrete is not cheap.

My experience, too. Stamped concrete not cheap. A well shaped and proportioned plain (those are the most important things) concrete walk will be fine.

I'm not a huge fan of stamped concrete. and if I bought a house with it I would feel stuck with it. Your garden is beautiful. I very much like the idea of square pavers or flat stones in peastone-double wide. This is neat and serviceable. Easily replaceable. Your step is tough-it is really pretty with the stones but needs work. I would interview pros for the project with the full understanding that you want neat but cheap. They can probably rebuild the step with what you have. Just try to use as few different materails as possible for a pro look.

qtqtbw, bellburgmaggie, Anna (6B/7A in MD), Yardvaark, greenfish1234, thank you all so mcu for the additional input! I have far more options than I realized and, regardless of whether I can afford some of them or not, I always feel better knowing that I have options. I appreciate your help very much.