DIY Cheap Garden Paths and Landscape Design Ideas on a Budget

Alright, legends, if you're looking to jazz up your backyard and garden paths without smashing the piggy bank, you’re in the right place. A solid garden path can completely transform your outdoor space – making it look schmick while keeping things practical. Best of all, you don’t need to spend countless weekends, spend a fortune to get a good-looking and durable pathway happening in your backyard.

Today, we’ll run through a heap of budget-friendly garden path ideas using mulch, gravel, pavers, stepping stones, and even grass. Plus, we’ll show you how geo hex grids (aka gravel grids, garden grids, or geo grids) can lock everything in place for a long-lasting finish. 

So let’s crack on!

Choosing the Right Material for Your Garden Paths

Picking the right gear for your pathway comes down to a few key things:

Cost: We’re going for budget-friendly materials, as that is what all DIY people love as these can look good but don’t cost the earth.

Durability: You want a path that’ll hold up under foot traffic like kids, wheelbarrows and whatever your backyard throws at it.

Maintenance: Some paths need more upkeep than others, so consider how much effort you’re willing to put in after you’ve created your masterpieces.

Looks: Make sure your path blends with the ascetics of your garden and overall landscaping so it looks primo.

Mulch Paths: The Soft and Natural Choice

Why Mulch?

Mulch paths are cheap as chips, dead easy to lay, and give your garden paths a natural, rustic feel while keeping weeds in check. Plus, mulch—like wood chips—not only looks great but also supports beneficial fungi. These fungi play a crucial role in breaking down the mulch into rich, nourishing soil while also assisting in the distribution of water and nutrients, helping your garden flourish. For an added bonus, using termite-resistant mulch like tea tree mulch can help keep those pesky critters away from your home. Here are some more types of mulch to use:

• Treated mulch: This is chemically treated similar to treated timber used in construction but will eventually break down over time.
• Cedar mulch:This mulch contains resins that are toxic to termites 
• Cypress Heartwood: like cedar mulch the resins found in this timber is also toxic to termites

Types of Mulch for Garden Paths

Bark mulch – Long-lasting, good moisture retention.

Wood chips – Cheap, easy to spread, but needs topping up.

Leaf litter – Super budget-friendly if you’ve got access to leaves.

How to Install a Mulch Path

1. Mark out your path using a rope or spray paint.
2. Dig out the top layer of soil (about 50mm deep).
3. Lay down weed matting to stop weeds popping up.
4. Pour your mulch in and rake it level.
5. Compact it with a tamper or just walk over it a few times.

Tip: Mulch will break down over time, so keep in mind you will need to top it up every year or so.

Gravel Paths: Stylish, Practical, and Cost-Effective

Why Use Gravel?

Gravel is one of the most popular budget-friendly path materials. It’s low maintenance once you add it, drains well, comes in a few colours so looks good to suit your garden style and is easy to install.

Best Types of Gravel for Paths

Crushed granite – Compacts well, giving a firm surface.

Pea gravel – Smooth and decorative but can shift around.

Road base – A solid foundation if you’re layering with another material.

How to Lay a Gravel Path Properly

1. Mark out the path – Use garden stakes and string for straight paths, or a hose for curves.
2. Dig down about 100mm to allow for the gravel.
3. Lay down weed mat to stop weeds coming through.
4. Install geo hex grids (EzyHex) – These help stabilise the gravel, stopping it from shifting.
5. Fill with gravel and rake smooth.

Pro Tip: Compact the gravel using a hand tamper or plate compactor for a solid finish.

Paver Paths: Durable and Elegant Without the High Price Tag

Affordable Paver Options

Concrete pavers – Cheap, durable, and come in different colours and shapes.

Recycled bricks – Look classic and often free if you can salvage them.

Stepping stones – A good in-between option if you mix them with gravel to create garden texture.

How to Lay a Paver Path on a Budget

1. Dig out a trench about 100-150mm deep.
2. Lay a base of road base or crushed rock and compact it.
3. Use gravel grids (EzyHex) to stabilise the pavers – this stops movement and makes the path last longer.
4. Place pavers down and tap into place with a rubber mallet.
5. Fill the gaps with fine gravel or sand.

Stepping Stones: A Simple DIY Approach

Types of Stepping Stones for Cheap Garden Paths

Concrete slabs – Easy to DIY or buy premade for your local landscaping supplier

Bluestone – Looks premium but can be pricey, but if you have the budget a good choice to lift any garden space

Recycled bricks – A rustic and free option you can find on FB marketplace or at your local tip shop.

How to Lay a Stepping Stone Path

1. Space out your stones so they’re comfortable to walk on.
2. Dig out shallow holes for each stone.
3. Lay them on a solid base (gravel or sand).
4. Backfill around the stones with gravel, mulch, or grass.

Grass Paths: The Ultimate Budget and Eco-Friendly Option

If you want a truly low-cost pathway, just let the grass do the work and you can also lay some pebbles along the sides of the pathways to define where they are.

Best Grass Varieties for Garden Paths in Australia

Buffalo – Hardy and low maintenance.

Kikuyu – Fast-growing and tough.

Zoysia – Soft underfoot but slow-growing.

Pro Tip: To stop muddy patches, install geo hex grids underneath the high-traffic areas and watch it grow. This one does require more effort and maintenance if you want perfect green soft grass, but it is worth it!

Using Geo Hex Grids for a Strong and Stable Path

What Are Geo Hex Grids?

These are honeycomb-shaped hex grids can help to reinforce your path. Whether you’re using gravel, pavers, or even grass, geo grids stop shifting, sinking, and erosion. They are super easy to lay down and affordable.

Why Use Them?

1. They stabilise gravel, so it doesn’t shift.
2. They make paver paths stronger.
3. They prevent grass paths from becoming a mud pit.

You can grab them from our shop EzyHex today to get started!

Finishing Touches: Edging & Landscaping Ideas

Cheap and Easy Path Edging Materials

Timber sleepers garden paths 

Simple and rustic and you can often pick them up for free on FB marketplace

Brick edging garden paths 

Durable and easy to source second-hand making them super affordable

Rocks and stones garden paths 

Free if you collect them yourself and people are always giving these away too.

Landscaping Tips to Complement Your Paths

Plant native grasses and pretty flowers along your path for a natural look.

Add solar garden lights for a cheap but stylish touch and turn the ambience of your pathways at night into a feature

Use recycled timber to create rustic steps or borders.

Where to Buy Budget Landscaping Materials in Australia

Local landscape suppliers – Check for offcuts and clearance deals at local places and there's always a Bunning's or Mitre 10 store handy in most area's.

Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree – Heaps of people give away free bricks, pavers, and gravel.

Local council tip shops – Cheap as and full of second-hand goodies.

Final Tips for DIY Garden Paths

Plan ahead – Measure your space and work out material costs first.

Use recycled materials – They’re free and often look better than new.

Don’t skip the base – A stable foundation means less maintenance later.

Use our geo hex grids as your base to prevent shifting and erosion.

There you have it! With a bit of elbow grease and smart material choices, you can build a cracking garden path without spending a fortune. Time to get stuck in!