Gardening and Landscaping

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Patio Pavers Rock Out

Pair stone or gravel with bigger pavers for a patio design that guests will pay tribute to

Cassy Aoyagi March 15, 2012

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Permeable hardscapes help reduce a property's carbon footprint in numerous ways. They replenish the groundwater table with filtered water, reduce runoff and its impact on city infrastructure, mitigate heat island effect ... and they are just so lovely!

There is such a wonderfully wide array of permeable materials, and in future ideabooks I'll illustrate how beautiful, architecturally appropriate looks can be created with each of them. This one covers how to mix rock or gravel with more substantial pavers.

Traditional Patio by Westover Landscape Design

Westover Landscape Design

The circular patio of gravel surrounded by foliage creates a sense of intimacy, while the flagstone pavers make it possible to traverse the patio in the highest of heels.

Browse thousands of inspiring patio photos

Contemporary Patio by Huettl Landscape Architecture

Huettl Landscape Architecture

The streamlined pavers featured here also make the gravel patio easier to cross but have a strikingly different look that's appropriate for a more modern structure.

Mediterranean Patio by debora carl landscape design

debora carl landscape design

This design offers tremendous flexibility; loosely structured spaces are defined by the change of ground materials.

Contemporary Patio Landscape Design - Build

This mix with more substantial pavers is lovely in entertainment areas, where people may just as likely stand and mingle as walk across a space.

Contemporary Patio by Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

Moderate-size or small pavers add visual interest where furnishings are built in or likely to stay in one place.

Contemporary Patio by Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

The mix of materials also affords ample opportunity to play with either analogous or contrasting colors.

Contemporary Landscape by FormLA Landscaping

FormLA Landscaping

Using rock or gravel in colors similar to the larger pavers here creates a sense of fluidity, simplicity and calm.

Mediterranean Landscape by The Garden Route Company

The Garden Route Company

Materials with greater contrast are more energizing.

Mediterranean Landscape by Frank & Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc.

Frank & Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc.

Contrast is energizing regardless of the style of the patio and the architecture it complements. This patio's russet hues add liveliness to a more conservatively colored structure.

Modern Landscape by Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

These colors are calming grays, but this patio also creates a fantastic sense of energy from the contrasting materials as well as the striking movement inherent in direction of the pavers.

Contemporary Landscape by Heffernan Landscape Design

Heffernan Landscape Design

The shape of your space will also play a role. This long, narrow space is made more serene by the dark color of the patio's pavers.

Modern Landscape by Huettl Landscape Architecture

Huettl Landscape Architecture

While the material and shape of these pavers, and the level of contrast between the pavers and the gravel, are similar to those in the previous photo, the more expansive space and foliage yield a strikingly different, still lovely, feel.

If you think these permeable patio options are possibilities for your space, stay tuned. I'll be dedicating future ideabooks to permeable patios made of other materials.

More:
Permeable Paving Lets the Rain Soak In
It's Patio Time!
Patio Design: Here Comes the Sun

2-Light Low-Voltage White Outdoor Wall Mount Address Light

2-Light Low-Voltage White Outdoor Wall Mount Address Light

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Doris Outdoor Wicker Standing Basket Chair With Cushion, Light Brown/Beige

Doris Outdoor Wicker Standing Basket Chair With Cushion, Light Brown/Beige

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Safavieh Montford Teak 3-Seat Bench

Safavieh Montford Teak 3-Seat Bench

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GDF Studio Martino Outdoor Gray Granite and Stainless Steel Umbrella Base

GDF Studio Martino Outdoor Gray Granite and Stainless Steel Umbrella Base

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Pirav Larch Hammock Base

Pirav Larch Hammock Base

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9-Piece Eucalyptus Round Lazy Susan Dining set With 8 Stacking Wicker Armchairs

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Comments (16)

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PRO

Monarch Stone International

Understandable concern about safety. It all comes down to the design and installation. Flat, smooth pavers and tighter joints will provide a more foot friendly and even ADA compliant permeable surface. Even antique cobblestone pavers can be flat enough for ADA requirements.

2 Likes September 13, 2012 at 8:47AM

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PRO

Cobble Systems, LLC

There are permeable grout systems available that prevent the gravel from moving and help to reduce weed growth. One such product is EcoSystems Grout. www.ecosystemsgrout.com

6 Likes August 16, 2013 at 4:40PM

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Gloria H.

My town only allows permeable pavers with smaller lots due to the water run off and lake level low. It was an expensive process and it goes down very deep with various levels of sand, etc. Not sure how they do it, but a professional did it. We have had ours for 8 months (to the detached garage and in the front of the house to the street) and it looks great.

1 Like December 14, 2014 at 4:59PM

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