Decorative Gravel — The Complete Guide

Decorative gravel transforms gardens, driveways and borders with natural colour and texture while suppressing weeds and retaining moisture. Here's how to choose the right type for your project.

What is Decorative Gravel?

Decorative gravel covers a wide range of natural and crushed stone aggregates chosen primarily for their appearance. Unlike structural aggregates, decorative gravel is selected for colour, shape, and size. Common types include golden flint, white marble chips, slate chippings, cobbles, and river pebbles. They're typically washed and graded for a clean, consistent appearance.

Common uses

Garden borders and beds (weed suppression)
Driveway and path surfacing
Alpine and Mediterranean garden planting
Roof garden and green roof ballast
Water feature and pond edging
Japanese and zen garden design
Low-maintenance front garden surfacing

Sizes & grades

10mm (fine, good for close planting), 14mm (standard, most versatile), 20mm (coarse, good for driveways and larger areas). Larger cobbles (50–200mm) for statement features.

How much do you need?

For garden borders at 50mm depth: length × width × 0.05 × 1.5 tonnes/m³. A 10m² border needs approximately 0.75 tonnes. For driveways, use a deeper 50–75mm layer for a better finish.

Pro tip

Always lay a quality woven weed membrane before decorative gravel. Avoid non-woven fleece — it degrades and becomes tangled in the gravel within a few years.