Concrete or paver patios are beautiful, but they can burn a hole in your pocket. Do you want to create your beautiful patio or driveway without unnecessarily straining your budget or the environment with some of the most environment-friendly alternatives?
By exploring other cheap patio pavers options, you will also broaden the horizon of your landscaping options. Some much cheaper and eco-friendly materials like mulch or gravel will create an environment that is closer to nature and impact the overall design of your yard.
If you are looking for some inspiration for low-cost alternatives to a concrete patio, we are presenting before you the best twelve options:
Gravel
Did you ever think of using this material for your patio? Then, think now! Gravel comes in a large variety of shades and textures and is one of the cheapest patio pavers alternatives.
If you are worried that the gravel might shift when you walk over it, then go for sharp-edged, unsorted gravel so that it sticks together. You can also use a wooden frame to keep the pebbles snuggled so that they do not shift away to other areas.
Worried it might not look as stylish? Always decide on alternate patterns and styles to add some depth and texture. Punch in some variety to make them look attractive.
Mulch Ideas
Wood mulch can be one of the simplest materials for a patio design. There is a wide range of shades out there you can choose from. Choose a color scheme that complements the paint of your home.
You can create a look with wood mulch that is exquisite and has an aesthetic feel to it. If you want to use this idea in your patio, use strong edging timbers or decking posts to create a frame where the mulch can fit.
Want to give it an edgy look? Use big landscaping rocks to create a completely contrasting vision. Use sand or big pieces of gravel that goes about 1 inch deep for drainage. Step up the style factor by experimenting with different varieties of mulch.
Mosaic
Want to make your patio look like a classic piece of art? Experiment with some cheap patio pavers options like recyclable materials might be broken tiles or old bits and pieces of cement. Amaze your guests by creating a stunning mosaic design by combining these pieces with moist concrete.
This can be one of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to add a touch of pure elegance and class to your walkway. Want your patio to look beautiful by highlighting this unique design idea? Just fuse these mosaic patterns into some significant areas of the patio, like the seating area, and it is sure to attract some eyeballs.
Sand
Want the most straightforward design material that you would not require to maintain a lot? Infuse in the vibes of a tropical beach by using sand as your patio material. This summer, give your feet the comfort of a beach-like vacation. Just not that; give your kids ample space for their games and fun on this sandy patio.
Excavate the area or use some edging or landscaping timbers to contain the sand. Try building a sublevel with large gravel for drainage and use a tarp to cover it. Use clean sand to fill the patio area. Make sure to keep the sand at least 4 inches deep to support the seating.
Poured Concrete
You can also choose poured concrete over regular concrete or paver if you are looking for some cheap patio pavers alternatives. It has aggregates of crushed stone, gravel, or even shells, and the paste is made of cement and water. But make sure you decide early on, or else it can be difficult to remove. They also provide the advantage of waterproofing.
Dip your hands into paint, get creative, and color the concrete to give it a look of flagstone. You can also stamp it if you want to have some fun with the designs and textures. You can also take the help of professionals to install the poured concrete slabs. If the prep work is not done right, there can be a lot of issues of cracks and repair.
Earth
Do you want a simple yet effective alternative to a paver patio? Just dig the site and turn it into a dirt path. A loose earth patio looks natural and brings a different look altogether to your backyard. But do not forget to weed the path at regular intervals!
If you let the weed overgrow in your earth patio, the entire look might get spoiled. So be conscious about this. Mind grass runners spreading into your soiled patio. Well, you should! Then install edging on both sides of the pathway. Make sure to keep it at least 6 inches deep.
Patio Mats
One of the cheap patio pavers alternatives can be patio mats. They are easy to handle and can be easily shifted from one place to place. There is a wide assortment of designs and textures available out there that will well complement your styling sense.
Choose a gorgeous design theme and select a variety that fits into it. Go for weather-resistant materials that can be easily handled. You can space out an area and fill it with some colorful stones and glass pieces to give it a popping look. Have some fun with the furniture styles, and you can add a canopy if you want to add a twist of uniqueness to your space.
Pea Gravel
If you want a charming, picturesque look for your patio, you can always opt for pea gravel. Want to have some fun with the patio shapes? These gravel stones are your perfect DIY partner since they are easy to install, remain loose, and can last long. It has a solid surface and will easily remain intact.
Some of the loose gravel materials will get out of place at times, and you will have to collect them. While selecting gravel, go for stones that resemble granite or lava rocks to make the surface sturdier and slip-resistant. You can also tamp the finished path to make it more stable. You can mix and match different hues of pea gravels and grout it to create a checkerboard effect.
Brick
Brick is one of the cheap patio pavers ideas and is your perfect gateway for a contemporary modern look. Is the monotonous color scheme of bricks your primary concern? Play with the various patterns available to create the uniqueness you want. Are you running a little low on budget?
Go for salvaged brick that is even more cost-effective and is an eco-friendly option. Also, bricks are porous, and water can easily flow through so that it will keep your drainage concerns at bay. This patio material is your perfect choice if you love the look of a fanciful cottage for a patio. However, try to use bleach and scrub regularly to keep it clean because, trust us, the moss on it will not look good.
Stone
Want your patio to look so gorgeous that people just cannot put their eyes off? Stone patios must be your pick, then. It is a budget-friendly patio idea, and you will find a variety of attractive, decorative stones to choose from. Are you worried about the surface getting corroded with time?
Stone patios usually do not erode with time, and even if a few of the stones break, you can easily replace it without damaging the entire surface. But do not forget to regularly sweep and weed the surface since the surface can get easily dirty! Remove any tough stains with bleach and scrub and surprise your guests with this elegant and classic patio
A Combination of Materials
Want to meet all your design requirements without pushing your budget? There cannot be a better cheap patio pavers option! If you want to create a strong base for your furniture, purchase some cheap ready-mix concrete readily available.
Want to make molds to decorate the area near your seating? Make use of your craft skills and use lined pizza boxes or hollow buckets and DIY. Do you not like the idea of concrete? Just use some wood mulch! You can cover the rest of the space with some inexpensive materials like marble, moss, or anything else you want that will give a glimpse of your creativity.
Barefoot or Buffalo Grass Patio
Want your lawn patio to look green and luscious? One of the most economical and eco-friendly options can be barefoot or buffalo grass. We are sure your feet will love the feel of it!
If you want a “soft patio” that will be soothing to your vision, bordering paving stones with strings of native buffalo grass will be a great option. Were you thinking of the old-school idea of fescue lawn or bluegrass? We suggest buffalo grass is better since it uses much less water and ensures complete beautiful coverage.
We hope you have taken inspiration from these varieties of alternatives to paver patio. Just choose your best pick and get going!
