Front Walkway built out of inexpensive cement pavers, red lava rocks, and solar lights

Our home had a simple walkway with cement pavers, which proved to be a hassle when we mowed the lawn. We finished the walkway simply by digging up the grass, adding red lava rocks, flowers, and solar lights to boost up our curb appeal!

http://paintspeckledpawprints.blogspot.com/2...

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Front Walkway Reveal
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Front Walkway Reveal
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Front Walkway Reveal
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Front Walkway Reveal

37 Comments Displaying 25 of 37 comments | See Previous

Judy H

I don't want to edge between the lava rocks and the grass. This would be a pretty high maintenance path. I'm with Kris S on the idea of having the grass come up to the pavers. OR, buy some $$$ edging strips to keep the rocks in place. And, yes, add some landscape fabric underneath OR use Roundup to kill the weeds. IF you have Bermuda or St. auguestione (creeping grass--forget it). It looks like fescue in the photo so it might stay put. I'd go 3 pavers wide (3 feet). so many people "save ...»
money" with narrow walks. They look ungracious to me. Just my 2 cents.

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 1
Diane S Wantagh, NY

Reddish pavers would have been a better match with the lava rock and I think that the lava rocks would be messy after a while. Still, it looks nice.

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 1
Daniela N Nashville, TN

we did something similar...without the lava rocks!

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Thistlewood Grand Rivers, KY

Can I tell you how much I like your blog name (and this project)!

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Amy K Forest Hill, MD

So cute!!!

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Cindy H Arlington, TX

the blocks are CONCRETE. Cement is a powder substance mixed with sand rock and water to make concrete.

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Angie G Greensboro, NC

You need a very good edge for weedwhacking though. Otherwise those rocks will go flying. Other than that, I am in love with this inexpensive and eye-catching idea. :) Applause!

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Doug M Lees Summit, MO

Beautiful. But I have a prejudice against these rocks. The prior owners of our house landscaped with the red lava rocks and I can't get rid of them. They must have used 10 tons of the things. I swear they reproduce. And they also migrate all over the place. I may build a similar path with pavers but I will use moss, wood chips etc. instead.

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Ian S Ellenwood, GA

Metal edging and landscaping fabric underneath will take care of most of the maintenance concerns.

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0
Linda L Saginaw, MI

Nice look, I like it. Living in mid Michigan, it wouldn't work; can't imagine shoveling snow off it. That would def move that lava rock.

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 1
Gena R Tenafly, NJ

Looks so neat and clean! GREAT Job !!!!

on Jul 07, 2012 · Like 0
Carol S Plainfield, IL

Nice job..I can see a lot of maintanence in your future but well worth it.

on Jul 07, 2012 · Like 0
Sam W Fort Lauderdale, FL

My problem with Lava is with our amount of rain, the lava has a tendency to float away.

on Jul 07, 2012 · Like 0
Eleanor M West Milford, NJ

looks great but heavy work with blocks and bags of rocks, also no fun when rocks get into lawn, been there, bad for mower and lots of work to keep it all level too & weedfree between rocks. Pix always look great, but never easy work and dont tell you how hard is to keeo it so nice. and yes, forget what snow and ice does !!!

on Jul 07, 2012 · Like 0
Robert G Salisbury, NC

to many lights

on Jul 07, 2012 · Like 0
Hometipster.com Columbus, MS

Love it! Symmetrical and the use of the red lava rock really sets the contrast.

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 1
Marcy Southfield, MI

You did such a beautiful job, looks great.

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 0
Jane A Spotsylvania, VA

It looks great!! I love it!

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 1
Jim G Suffolk, VA

Nice! I did something similar behind my shed to the pool pmup. Pavers in Red Lava Rock to get to the pump, but didn't think of the solar lights, Great idea and will make getting back there at night, during a heavey rain storm to drain water from pool SAFER and easier then bringing a flash light! Just gave me a thought for electrician to put in a MOTION SPOT light back there! Love the posts for ideas! Thanks!

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 0
Doris H Houston, TX

This is a great idea! I will do my front walk like this. My house is Hardy Plank Red. So beautiful!

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 0
Brenda Dyson Saint Augustine, FL

Looks beautiful until the lawn mower throws that scoria around the yard. Better to edge it.

on May 16, 2013 · Like 0
Nora Q San Antonio, TX

yes I do like this a lot!

on May 16, 2013 · Like 0
David Wooden Sierra Vista, AZ

To help with the grass not growing up through any fabric. Throw rock salt where your going to put the path. There are also chemicals that will neutralize the soil that can help in preventing growth for several years. Do either of these before putting down any weed barriers.
Like others have said: Any form of a barrier between the edge of the grass and rock.
To the creator of the blog. Your work looks nice.

on May 16, 2013 · Like 0
Janet Davis Port Orchard, WA

Thank you for your inexpensive walkway. It looks stunning, love the contrast. I am in the planning stage of a walkway in my yard and I really like what you have done. I may tweek a few things but love your idea. Thank you again.

on May 16, 2013 · Like 0
Josephine Alamogordo, NM

Have started building a small walkway in my backyard. Will use the red rocks as shown here. Am using plain gray pavers which I will use red spray paint to paint them to match the rocks.

on May 17, 2013 · Like 0