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    Home » DIY » Outdoor Projects

    DIY Stone Walkway

    By: Leo · Updated: 12 Oct, '21 · This post may contain affiliate links · 37 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    A few weeks ago, we showed you the beginning of one of our latest DIY stone walkway from our front door to the driveway. I hope this how to build a stone walkway, helps you build yours.

    How to build a stone walkway

    We had several requests to post a tutorial on how we did it. So here it goes.

    I was warned that this little project might turn out to be time consuming, and I learned quickly that it can also be frustrating. But the finished product is worth it.

    First, you'll need to make a few decisions such as how wide you want it to be. We decided to make ours 5 feet wide-big enough for two people to walk side-by-side. You may want to make it 3 or 4 feet wide. It's totally up to you.

    Step 1

    Grab a tape measure and a can of spray paint. Draw an outline with the spray paint, keeping the width of the walkway consistent all the way to the end.

    Caties visit 2011 059

    Step 2

    Next, I used my garden tiller to soften the ground and tear up the turf. I set my tiller at 6 inches. If you don't own a tiller, you may want to consider renting one.

    Caties visit 2011 060

    Step 3

    After that, I took a flat blade shovel and scooped out the dirt. Think about it, our walkway is 5 feet wide and 75 feet long and 6 inches deep. That's a lot of dirt and a lot of shoveling!

    Caties visit 2011 069

    Right about here is when you have second thoughts about this project.

    Stone walkway and rooster 002

    But the good news is, there's always a place in your yard where you can use some good topsoil.

    Stone walkway and rooster 004

    Step 4

    I went to Lowe's and bought a 100 foot roll of black plastic. It was 10 feet wide, so I doubled it and it fit perfectly in my trench. The black plastic will keep weeds and grass from coming up in your walkway. It won't work forever, but it's a good start.

    Stone walkway and rooster 005

    Step 5

    Now you are going to need some sand. Don't even think about buying it by the bag. I found a sand and gravel company and had them dump 1 yard of sand in my pickup truck. By the way, 1 yard of sand is one giant scoop from a front-end loader. It was only $30. It would have taken me over $200 to buy sand in bags. See what I mean?

    Step 6

    Spread about a 3 inch layer of sand on top of the black plastic in your trench. Now you are ready to lay your stones. You don't know how much to get? All I can tell you is we used 2 pallets of stones for our walkway.

    Stone walkway and rooster 006

    I had mine delivered via forklift from Jay's Trading Post right across the street. How convenient is that?

    Step 7

    After laying about 5 stones, I realized that this job was too frustrating for me. I just don't have the patience to find the perfect stone for the perfect place. And that is why you need a good wife or a good partner who will take the time to do the job right. Putting the stones together is just like doing a jigsaw puzzle, and I never liked to do puzzles! Since I had done all the physical labor so far, Jane agreed to lay the stones. That's right, piece by piece by piece.

    Stone walkway and rooster 063

    It's not necessary to get the stones perfectly level, but you don't want any jagged edges either. This is where the tedious part comes in. You want to place the stones as close together as possible. Also, place the straight edged stones on each side and then work your way inward. As you place each stone, use the loose sand to level the stones. Use hand-fulls of sand to fill in the cracks between the stones. Do as much as you want each day, but don't over do it. It's just like doing a jigsaw puzzle. When you feel yourself getting frustrated, stop. Come back to it another day.

    Step 8

    When you decide to stop laying stones, give yourself some satisfaction by taking a broom and sweeping the sand on top of the stones to completely fill in the cracks. Now here is the magic. With your garden hose set on "shower," wash the remaining sand off each stone so it will settle into the cracks.

    Stone walkway and rooster 064

    Now doesn't that look nice? Some satisfaction after a day of frustration.

    Step 9

    Repeat these steps until your walkway is finished. By the way, I had to go get another ½ load of sand to complete this project.

    Stone walkway 003

    It took us almost a month to do this, and we took a week off after we finished. Then it was much easier to get the job finished.

    Stone walkway 006

    Since our new walkway looked so nice, we spruced up the front of the house by painting the steps and the urns.

    Stone walkway 008

    There you have it. After all my whining, I' m sure glad we did this. Just adds a little more character to our Cottage at the Crossroads.

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    Comments

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    1. Jan Johnsen

      December 18, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      I think you would really like my book on stonescaping: The Spirit of Stone.
      Jan Johnsen

      Reply
    2. Carlene @ Oganized Clutter

      July 06, 2012 at 2:15 pm

      Leo is a keeper, Jane. My husband would never help with this!

      Reply
    3. [email protected] This Top That

      July 06, 2012 at 2:55 am

      Leo, your stone walkway turned out fantastic. we have done lots of stone work around here but have used concrete to set the stones. Your method looks a whole lot easier with the sand!

      Reply
    4. Lorrie

      July 05, 2012 at 10:07 pm

      Your walk looks fantastic! I'm visiting from the pinning party, I've pinned and I'm now a follower!

      Reply
    5. Rosemary

      July 05, 2012 at 10:05 pm

      Love the walkway. I tried to pin it, but no photos are showing.

      Reply
    6. Albansneeze

      March 04, 2012 at 8:34 pm

      Awesome job, you have inspired me to do my walkway myself : )
      I'm sure at times I will hate you lol but I'll get over it soon enough.

      Congrats,
      Beautiful work

      Reply
    7. Dolly Sarrio

      December 27, 2011 at 7:42 am

      WOW! I love the walkway and know that was a massive undertaking....proud of you. I may attempt it someday, notice I said may....very pretty.

      Reply
    8. Terry Moore

      May 24, 2011 at 9:06 am

      There's nothing better than a stone path to the front door and your is just beautiful. Yes, back breaking work but so worth it!

      Reply
    9. Lavender Cottage

      May 21, 2011 at 4:24 pm

      Your walkway turned out really nice! I do know what you went through as we did a walkway like this from the front grassless yard to the back. Our stone was free as it came from a fellow's farm way up north (Muskoka area of Ontario) but it did come in various thicknesses. My husband didn't use sand but limestone screening and after 5 yrs. just added some more limestone and had to lift a few of the rocks.
      I too was the jigsaw person for laying the stone. 🙂

      Reply
    10. Zoey

      May 21, 2011 at 3:56 am

      Wow, that is a lot of work! Perseverance pays off because it looks gorgeous! What a great screened in porch to sit and admire all your hard work.

      Reply
    11. Vanessa

      May 20, 2011 at 10:39 pm

      A big project but what a gorgeous reward in the end! It looks lovely. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
      Vanessa

      Reply
    12. Fishtail Cottage

      May 20, 2011 at 10:16 pm

      Thanks for sharing at Cottage Flora Thursday's Garden Party! xoxo, tracie

      Reply
    13. Jo

      May 18, 2011 at 6:49 am

      WOW!...hard work,but it sure paid off,great lookin' walk,now would yall come do mine!teehehe
      ~Jo
      LazyonLoblolly

      Reply
    14. Mary Light

      May 17, 2011 at 9:31 pm

      I love the walkway. It turned out so very nice. That is not a project to do if you have a bad back!

      Reply
    15. gnee

      May 17, 2011 at 8:57 am

      Wow Leo, Your path is amazing, bring to mind, "Go big or go home!" Thanks for showing all of your step-by-step hard work.

      Reply
    16. Beth

      May 16, 2011 at 8:40 pm

      This is so amazingly beautiful! I am sure the both of you are so proud. Lovely,lovely,lovely!

      Beth

      Reply
    17. Annette

      May 16, 2011 at 7:23 pm

      Wow! Y'all did a great job. That was a lot of work. I'm saving this post to show hubby. He really loves stone and I might can talk him into an adventure! Thanks for sharing the how to's.

      Reply
    18. Elaine

      May 16, 2011 at 6:38 pm

      This just came out wonderful. That was a lot of hard work. Bet you saved a lot of money though.

      Reply
    19. Doreen @ Redesignbygrace

      May 16, 2011 at 4:40 pm

      Very nice flagstone pathway! Thanks for the invitation to check out your blog and for the sweet comments (awhile back now) on mine. 🙂

      Reply
    20. FABBY

      May 16, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      Oh my goodness!...I'm totally impressed! Your walk up path it's just gorgeous, what a prefessional job you two did! I need to hire you for this, have you thought of opening up your own company?... Hubby & Wifie Co. Ltda.! Fantastic job, congrats to the both of you! Have a nice walk up week.
      Hugs
      FABBY

      Reply
    21. Tracie

      May 16, 2011 at 12:02 pm

      fabulous project & it turned out beautiful! hoping you'll share this post Thursday at the garden party i host! ooxx, tracie

      Reply
    22. debbie

      May 16, 2011 at 7:07 am

      That is so gorgeous and adds such a nice element! Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.

      Reply
    23. [email protected] Porch Musings

      May 16, 2011 at 12:32 am

      It is a beautiful walkway. Lots of work and effort went into this, plus creativity!

      Reply
    24. Kathy

      May 15, 2011 at 10:46 pm

      Well that is fabulous...your hard work has certainly paid off big time!

      Reply
    25. Barbara F.

      May 14, 2011 at 9:32 am

      Jane, Thanks so much for visiting my blog. This walkway was some undertaking but it turned out perfectly. Love the urns next to the steps. I am following now. xo,

      Reply
    26. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook

      May 14, 2011 at 8:31 am

      WOW, that walkway came out great! What a big job for two! But the results are fantastic!

      Reply
    27. Gayle

      May 14, 2011 at 8:09 am

      Oh, I do love it! So long, so it must have been a lot of work, but worth it now!

      Reply
    28. Jacque

      May 14, 2011 at 5:45 am

      I love your walkway. The hubbie and I did the exact thing except with those concrete forms that you pour ---and lift-- and pour and lift!! I love the way it turned out too.

      This is the first time to visit your sight. I am going to stay awhile and visit--thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    29. KK

      May 13, 2011 at 11:18 pm

      Oh it looks great with your beautiful landscaping and flower beds. And I'm lovin your porch!

      Reply
    30. jennifer

      May 13, 2011 at 2:02 pm

      looks really good!!! My body just hurts looking at all of that hard work!

      Reply
    31. Jill

      May 13, 2011 at 11:08 am

      Beautiful!

      Reply
    32. Kathy Ransom

      May 13, 2011 at 7:59 am

      Well done! It adds wonderful character to the front of your yard! Hope you all are having a wonderful day! I am praying for rain over here and cooler temperatures! It has been hovering around 90 degrees here in Georgia.
      TTFN,
      Kathy

      Reply
    33. Carolyn

      May 13, 2011 at 7:32 am

      Your stone walkway is just beautiful and WOW what a lot of work.

      Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

      Reply

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