If you’re a homeowner, gardener, DIYer, or landscape artist on the hunt for innovative ways to use gravel for landscaping, you’re in the right place. At JBS Express, we pride ourselves on being your local trusted supplier of decorative gravel for garden and landscaping gravel in the Dallas-Texas area. Whether you need bulk gravel, decorative features, or help deciding which gravel products fit your landscaping needs, we’re here to guide you.
Gravel is an excellent choice when you want to transform your outdoor space with durable and attractive rock for landscaping. From river rock and pea gravel to granite, lava rock, and decomposed granite, the variety of shapes, sizes, and colors lets you elevate your outdoor space with style and function.
In this Ultimate Guide, you’ll find 15 ideas you can try in 2025—and clever tips on how to choose, buy, and use gravel for landscaping your yard, patio, walkway, or driveway.
Why Use Landscaping Gravel? (And How It Helps)
Before diving into the ideas, let’s look at why landscaping gravel works so well:
- Gravel offers excellent drainage and helps prevent water pooling.
- It’s low maintenance compared to grass or mulch.
- Comes in a vast selection of sizes, shapes, and colors—from pea gravel to granite rock to river rock.
- Helps suppress weed growth when combined with a weed barrier or landscape fabric.
- Budget-friendly and durable for both residential and commercial use.
With that in mind, let’s explore 15 stunning ideas for how you can use gravel for landscaping in your yard this year.
1. Pea Gravel Patio With Seating Area
Use pea gravel landscaping to build a relaxed patio area around your fire pit or outdoor seating. The gold-standard smooth stones create a soft but stable surface. Add edging and base material to keep the gravel in place.
2. Driveway or Walkway With Crushed Stone or Granite
For high-traffic areas like driveways or walkways, choose crushed rock or granite rather than smooth stones. These offer better stability and durability. Use a solid base and then layer gravel for clean, lasting results.
3. Decorative Gravel Garden Beds
Switch out traditional mulch in garden beds with decorative gravel for garden. Try white river rock or brown river rock for contrast against plants. Gravel offers a natural look and helps with drainage.
4. Dry Creek Bed With River Rock and Landscape Rock
Create a dry creek bed to handle drainage and add interest. Use river rock and larger boulders, with smaller gravel filling in the gaps. This blends form and function beautifully.
5. Edge Around a Patio With Lava Rock or Marble Chips
Define your patio edge with lava rock or marble chips. They provide texture, a stylish contrast, and keep your outdoor space looking sharp.
6. Minimalist Zen Garden With Gravel and Boulders
Go for a zen feel with light-colored gravel, a few large boulders, and sparse greenery. This creates a peaceful, low-maintenance outdoor space—perfect for meditating or relaxing.
7. Multi-Color Gravel Feature Border
Mix pea gravel, granite rock, and landscape rock and gravel in different colors to form feature borders around walkways or garden beds. The variety of shades adds flair and style to your landscape design.
8. Base Material Under Pavers With Bulk Gravel
When you install pavers for a patio or walkway, use bulk gravel or decomposed granite as the base material. It offers a solid foundation and helps prevent shifting.
9. Driveway With Native River Gravel (Brown or Brazos)
Consider native river gravel (brown or Brazos) for your driveway. The natural stone blends with the Texas landscape and offers durability for vehicles and outdoor traffic.
10. Garden Mulch Alternative With Decorative Gravel
Use decorative gravel instead of organic mulch in beds. Gravel won’t break down into nutrient-rich topsoil, like mulch does, so it lasts longer and keeps looking fresh.
11. Fire Pit Area With Granite Rock and Pea Gravel
Lay pea gravel around a fire pit and surround with larger granite rock or bulk rock for design accents. The mix of sizes and textures brings visual interest and function.
12. Border Planting With Crushed Stone and Landscape Fabric
For planting borders, start with a weed barrier (landscape fabric) under a layer of crushed stone or gravel. This helps prevent weeds and keeps your border clean and low-maintenance.
13. Backyard Oasis With Lava Rock, Pebble, and Water Feature
Create a modern backyard oasis with lava rock, pebbles, and decorative gravel around a small water feature. The variety of surfaces and tones gives your outdoor space a resort feel.
14. Walkway With Flagstone Pavers and Surrounding Gravel
Install paver stones for a walkway and fill the gaps and edges with decorative gravel. This creates visual rhythm and prevents plants from creeping into high-traffic areas.
15. Large Landscape Rock and Gravel Accent At Entryway
Use a big boulder or large landscape rock as a focal point at your entry, surrounded by gravel and smaller stones. It offers a dramatic, durable, and budget-friendly way to elevate curb appeal.
How to Choose the Right Gravel Products for Your Landscaping Project
- Size matters: For driveways and heavy traffic use larger, angular crushed rock. For garden beds or decorative covers, smaller pea gravel or smooth river rock works well.
- Color & texture: Lighter colors reflect the sun and stay cooler; darker colors add drama but can heat up.
- Function: If drainage is a concern, choose gravel that allows water to flow through easily. Gravel offers excellent drainage.
- Base & edging: Always plan a base layer (like decomposed granite or roadbase) and use edging to keep gravel contained. This prevents spreading and shifting.
- Maintenance: It’s low‐maintenance—but you still need to rake occasionally, add fresh gravel as needed, and pull out weeds when they appear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What type of gravel is best for landscaping?
It depends on your area of use. For high-traffic areas, choose larger, crushed stone or granite rock. For garden beds or decorative areas, pea gravel or smooth river rock works beautifully. The key is matching size and type to the project.
Can you lay gravel directly on soil?
You can, but it’s better if you first prep the site. Install a weed barrier (weed fabric) and a base layer (crushed stone or decomposed granite) for stability and long-term performance.
Where to buy pea gravel for landscaping?
Local suppliers like JBS Express offer native pea gravel in bulk, along with delivery in McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Allen, Richardson, Fort Worth, Denton, and Irving. Buying locally helps with cost and transport.
How to lay gravel for landscaping?
Steps: clear the site → install edging → lay weed barrier fabric → add base material (e.g., roadbase or decomposed granite) → spread the gravel evenly → compact or rake as needed → top up periodically.
Where to buy colored gravel for landscaping?
Ask for decorative gravel at your local landscape rock and gravel supplier. Many have a huge selection of sizes and colors—from white river rock to pepper granite to lava rock.
Is gravel good for landscaping?
Yes—gravel is an excellent choice for landscaping. It offers durability, good drainage, low maintenance, and visual appeal.
What is the cheapest gravel for landscaping?
Typically, crushed stone or decomposed granite in bulk is among the lower-cost options. But cost also depends on delivery, local supply, and the size/quantity you need.
How many inches of gravel for landscaping?
For decorative ground cover, 2–3 inches is often sufficient. For driveways or patios, you may need deeper—4–6 inches or more, including the base material.
Can I use aquarium gravel for landscaping?
It’s not recommended. Aquarium gravel is typically too small and light, and may shift easily. It lacks the size, durability, and stability of proper landscaping gravel.
Which is better: mulch or gravel for landscaping?
Both have their place. Mulch breaks down and adds nutrients (good for garden beds). Gravel does not break down, so it’s more durable and low-maintenance—great for walkways, ground cover, and long-term use.
What to put under gravel for landscaping?
Use a base layer (like roadbase or decomposed granite) and a weed barrier fabric. This setup provides a stable foundation, improves drainage, and reduces weed growth.
What size gravel for landscaping?
For walkways and patios, use ¾-inch to 1½-inch crushed rock or crushed granite. For garden beds or decorative covers, you might use ⅜-inch pea gravel or smaller.
How to estimate gravel for landscaping?
Use a gravel calculator (many suppliers provide one) to determine yards or tons by area and depth. For example, to cover 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep, you’ll need about 0.62 yards. Always ask your supplier for help.
Why Choose JBS Express for Your Gravel and Landscaping Needs?
At JBS Express, we specialize in a complete line of products to support your landscaping project:
- Native Pea Gravel
- Granite
- Tejas Black
- Decomposed Granite
- Limestone and Limestone Screenings
- Roadbase
- Native River Gravel (Brown and Brazos)
- Bull Rock
- Midnight Gravel
We deliver in bulk rock quantities across McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Allen, Richardson, Fort Worth, Denton, and Irving, Texas. Whether you’re working on a driveway, patio, garden bed, or full landscaping project, we have the selection, expertise, and local delivery to help you succeed.
Summary
“15 Stunning Gravel for Landscaping Ideas to Try in 2025” covered a wide range of ways to incorporate gravel into your yard—from patios and driveways to decorative garden beds and water-smart features. We reviewed how to choose the right size, color and base material, why drainage and maintenance matter, and answered the key FAQs DIYers and homeowners frequently ask. With this knowledge, you’re well on your way to designing a stunning landscape.
If you’re ready to bring your landscaping to life with decorative gravel and landscaping rock, trust JBS Express as your local partner. Contact us today to discuss your project, request a quote, or schedule delivery of gravel, landscape rock, and bulk gravel products that meet your needs in the Dallas, Texas area.
Call JBS Express now and let’s elevate your outdoor space together!
Also Read:
How Do You Choose the Right Decorative Gravel Color for Your Landscape?
Sustainable Landscaping Rocks: How to Build the Best Eco-Friendly Landscape
Best Landscaping Stone Maintenance Tips for Pavers and Natural Stone Patio