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17 Pea Gravel Patio Ideas for Your Yard

Transform your backyard with one of these amazing pea gravel patio ideas! Turn your space into an outdoor living area with a fire pit, cozy seating, or even a play area!

17 pea gravel patio ideas

Pea gravel is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to add a patio to your backyard. But you can't just dump a truckload of pebbles on the ground and call it good! I've rounded up some of the best pea gravel patio ideas I could find, in the hopes that one of them will inspire you to give your yard a makeover!

Why Choose Pea Gravel?

Why would you use pea gravel over pavers or concrete? Check out this article for more details on the pros and cons of pea gravel patios. But here's a quick look at some of the reasons why I chose a loose bed of gravel instead of a solid solution for my backyard makeover.

Cost

Pea gravel is much cheaper than a similarly sized patio made of pavers. I used concrete pavers for a border to keep the gravel from escaping into the lawn, and that single line of blocks cost more than an entire truckload of gravel!

pea gravel and mulch pile in driveway

I recommend getting a truckload of pea gravel delivered to your home rather than dealing with individual bags from the big box store. It's MUCH cheaper, and there's usually a larger selection of colors to choose from. A dump cart like this one makes this back-breaking work much easier!

Easy Installation

Pavers require a perfectly flat and level surface. That means digging out the yard and adding multiple layers of landscaping fabric, crushed stone and paver sand, checking to make sure each layer is level. Then there's edging and cutting the pavers to fit and all that nonsense!

curved concrete pavers forming a 90 degree angle

Concrete is even more labor intensive! You'll need to mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow or rent a mixer, build a form to the desired shape of the patio, pour the concrete and smooth out the top. Then keep your fingers crossed that no air bubbles or cracks form while it dries!

spreading a concrete patio

Pea gravel is much easier in comparison. A border is recommended to keep the pebbles in place, but you can use wood or larger rocks for a different look. Then all you do is dump in the gravel!

dumping pea gravel into patio area

Tamping down the first layer keeps it compacted and prevents it from shifting underfoot.

tamping down the first layer of pea gravel

Drainage

Concrete, whether in slab or paver form, doesn't allow rainwater to drain away into the soil below. If it's close to the house and hasn't been leveled properly, you could send all that water straight towards your foundation!

In comparison, pea gravel allows rainwater to reach the roots of plants and trees that may be growing nearby. If you fill your patio with the recommended 2-3 inches of gravel, it won't mix with the soil underneath and you won't have a mud pit on your hands after a storm!


Ready to be inspired? Check out these amazing pea gravel patio ideas and get started on your own backyard oasis this weekend!

Pea Gravel Patio Ideas

Which of these pea gravel patio ideas are you going to tackle this weekend? Send me a photo or tag me on Instagram to share your transformation!

Looking to add some furniture to your new patio? Check out these DIY outdoor furniture plans and get building! Then add some more fun outdoor project ideas for the perfect backyard getaway!

collage of pea gravel patio ideas