Give Your Bland Patio A Beachy Summer Vibe With This Gravel Landscape Alternative

Outdoor spaces are easily brought to life with softscaping, which comes in the form of plants and vegetation, but hardscaping is also helpful, as it adds some structure and definition. What is hardscaping, exactly? It typically involves bricks, pavers, concrete, and rocks, but there's an alternative that might have never crossed your mind: A layer or path of seashells is a natural and environmentally friendly way to add that wow factor to your patio. Though gravel is also a natural material, seashells are more attractive since they remind you of the beach, and you don't see them used in landscaping every day.

This idea originated in colonial times and got popular in what later became New England, where people needed something to do with all the shells they had after eating shellfish. Today, it's still a nice option with the unique colors and stable surfaces seashells offer once crushed. You would benefit from this landscape idea if you have a coastal theme or you simply like to feature a lot of natural elements in your outdoor space.

Seashells can be used to line walking paths and driveways, and they can be used as mulch, since they are organic and provide proper, gradual drainage. They create a nice, level layer that gets better as they become finer. The pieces bind together naturally, unlike other common materials, and cover the ground more evenly. Seashells are also good for the soil since they can fertilize and feed it when they break down. 

In terms of style, they come in soft colors like white and light blue that change over time due to sun exposure, giving you something other than the usual drab colors of stone or concrete. The light, playful touch of seashells is sure to give your bland patio a beachy summer vibe. Something else you can do to decorate your home like a beach house is to add a fire pit and twinkle lights to make the atmosphere even more cozy and warm.

To create this look for your patio, start by getting the right shells. For this purpose, you'll be looking for oyster, clam, and scallop shells specifically. Oyster shells are particularly great because they are soft when broken down, making them comfy to walk on. You can get shells that are already in flour form or shells that need breaking down. Shells in bulk can be found at garden shops as well as sand and gravel suppliers, typically at pretty affordable prices. 

Some people suggest getting them from restaurants that throw them out, but this would require some cleaning first to get rid of the fishy smell. If you go down this route, you'll probably want to soak them in bleach. Mix 1 part bleach and 3 parts water and leave them in there for a few days. Then, change the water and soak them again. After this, you can leave them to air dry. When you're done, level the ground so they don't run off to one side, set up your edging (we recommend trying one of these innovative walkway designs) and pour in the shells.