Creative Ways to Use Decorative Stones and Gravel in Your Landscape

Ready to rock your garden with style and less fuss? Decorative stones and gravel can transform your outdoor space while keeping maintenance low and water use smart. Whether you want crisp pathways, tidy garden beds, or a feature that draws the eye, stones are a hard-working, good-looking addition to Fraser Coast gardens.

In this guide, you will find practical ideas, quick design tips, and local know-how to help you plan, install, and love your stone features.

Why choose decorative stones and gravel

Decorative stones and gravel give you the best of both worlds. They look great and do a lot of work behind the scenes.

• Reduce weeds: A good underlay of weed mat and a decent stone depth makes a big difference to unwanted growth.
• Improve drainage: Stones help water move through heavy spots and reduce pooling after summer storms.
• Lower maintenance: No mowing or edging on gravel paths. No topping up every season like some mulches.
• Suit our climate: Stones do not break down, and they stand up to heat, wind, and coastal weather.
• Add texture and contrast: Pebbles, granite, river rock, and sandstone offer colour and texture that plants can play against.

So yes, decorative rocks can absolutely help with garden maintenance. They cut down on watering and weeding, and they keep beds looking tidy for years.

Best uses for decorative stones and gravel

Here are tried and tested ways to use stones around your home:

• Pathways and stepping zones: Create clear walkways to doors, bins, clotheslines, sheds, and veggie patches.
• Mulch alternative in hot spots: Use pebbles around succulents, natives, and pots where you want long lasting coverage.
• Dry creek beds: Shape a shallow swale with larger river stones and 20 mm gravel to guide stormwater and add a natural feature.
• Garden edging: Use a narrow ribbon of pebbles along lawn edges to reduce mowing time and stop grass from invading beds.
• Courtyards and seating pads: Build firm bases for fire pits, bench areas, or under outdoor furniture.
• Around water features or pots: Pebbles finish the look and hide irrigation lines while allowing water to filter through.
• Driveway borders: Decorative stones give a neat finish alongside a road base or compacted surface.
• Pet friendly zones: Gravel drains well and is easy to rake clean in high traffic areas.

Choosing the right stone for the job

Match the stone to the function and the feel you want.

• 20 mm White Pebble: Clean, bright, and modern. Great for pathways, pots, and showpiece beds.
• River pebbles: Rounded and natural. Ideal for dry creek beds and around water features.
• Sandstone mix: Warm tones that suit coastal homes and native gardens.
• Drainage gravel: Functional and tidy for behind retaining walls, French drains, and under decks.
• Decomposed granite or fine gravel: Compatible path surface for a firm, comfortable walk.

Ask about sample buckets if you want to test colour at home in your light. Morning sun and afternoon shade can make tones look very different.

How to design a gravel pathway or feature

You do not need a big budget to get a polished result. Follow these steps for a reliable finish.

1. Plan the route and width

• Keep paths at least 800 mm wide for comfortable walking and wheelbarrows.
• Use smooth curves, not sharp angles, to look natural and make mowing easier.

2. Mark and clear

• Mark with spray paint or a garden hose.
• Remove grass and level high spots. A slight fall away from the house is important.

3. Build the base

• Lay a firm sub-base: 75 to 100 mm of compacted base material.
• For heavy use, use road base. For light footpaths, crusher dust gives a smooth, compact finish.
• Compact with a hand tamper or plate compactor in thin layers so it sets firm.

4. Control weeds and migrate

• Lay a quality geofabric or weed mat. Cut neat crosses for any plants or posts.
• Use edging to hold the gravel: steel edging, treated timber, or pavers. This stops stones from spreading into lawns or beds.

5. Choose your top layer

• 20 to 30 mm stone depth suits most paths.
• For foot comfort, choose rounded pebbles or a fine gravel that compacts.
• Rake to an even finish, then water lightly to help settle.

6. Maintain with minutes, not hours

• Rake high traffic areas every few weeks.
• Top up thin spots once a year.
• Spot spray, burn or hand pull the odd weed that slips through.

Smart tips for local gardens

• Think heat and plant choice: Light pebbles reflect heat. Place heat tolerant plants nearby, and use a mulch ring under sensitive shrubs to buffer roots.
• Blend materials: Use stones in the high sun areas and organic mulch under trees and in veggie beds.
• Pair with quality soil: If you are building new beds beside your stone features, invest in healthy soil so plant roots thrive from day one.
• Improve drainage before you decorate: Fix wet patches with drainage gravel or a shallow swale before laying pebbles.

Ideas to try this weekend

• Front entry refresh: A compacted crusher dust path with 20 mm White Pebble borders and two hardy grasses on each side.
• Courtyard glow up: Sandstone mix under a bench seat, with large feature pots and a strip of river pebbles to hide irrigation.
• Dry creek detail: A winding line of mixed river stones through a flat lawn corner to manage stormwater and add character.
• Herb bed tidy: A narrow pebble mulch band around raised beds to keep mud down and make picking easy after rain.

Can stones and gravel replace mulch

Stones can replace mulch in many spots, especially around natives, succulents, and established shrubs. They will not feed the soil the way organic mulch does, so use compost and mulch in your veggie patch and young tree circles. Many gardens work best with a mix. Use stones where you need longevity and low maintenance, and use organics where you want soil health and growth.

What to buy for a smooth project

• Base layer: road base or crusher dust for strength and stability.
• Weed control: quality geofabric or weed mat.
• Edging: steel, timber, or pavers to hold the line.
• Top layer: your chosen decorative stone, matched to size and feel.
• Soil and compost: for any new planting pockets or beds nearby.

If you need help choosing materials or quantities, our team can advise based on your space, foot traffic, and style.

Show us your style

We love seeing the creative ideas our neighbours bring to life. Share your pathway, feature bed, or courtyard makeover with us on social media. Your photos inspire others and help build a stronger gardening community across the Fraser Coast.

Where to find local help and supplies

If you are planning a pathway, dry creek bed, or stone mulch makeover, we are here to help with advice and bulk materials. Visit our yard in Howard for friendly guidance, samples, and prompt delivery across the region.

• Not sure what you need? Browse our full range of landscape supplies near me to see what is in stock for pickup or delivery.
• Building a firm base or driveway? Explore crusher dust and road base to set your project up for success.
• Planting alongside your new stone features? Our premium soil for garden and compost can give roots a strong start.

Summary

Decorative stones and gravel are a smart, stylish choice for Fraser Coast gardens. They create tidy paths and features, improve drainage, and reduce maintenance. Plan your layout, build a firm base, control weeds, and choose stones that match your home and climate. Blend stone with organic mulch where it makes sense, and enjoy a garden that looks great with less weekly work. If you would like tailored advice or a quick quote, drop in to Burrum Landscape Supplies in Howard, give us a call, or get in touch online. We are proud to support local projects with top quality materials, friendly service, and prompt delivery.