10 Stylish And Simple Gravel Driveway Edging Ideas

Gravel driveways are popular among many homeowners for their affordability and ease of installation. However, gravel driveways do have some drawbacks, a big one being that they are susceptible to erosion. That's not to say that you should shy from installing a gravel driveway in your home, as some of their common problems can be mitigated by installing edging. It can look amazing when done well, but edging isn't just about enhancing the appearance of your home. It is also incredibly important for the stability of your driveway, as it prevents the gravel from spilling out onto the lawn. In addition to keeping your gravel driveway contained, edging materials help protect adjacent landscaping, as they will clearly define where your driveway is, preventing guests from unknowingly parking or driving over your grass. Installing edging on a gravel driveway also keeps your turf from creeping into the driveway by reducing the spread of grass and weeds. 

Although gravel driveway edging is incredibly practical, it doesn't have to be boring. You can't go wrong with the classic, neat look of bricks or pavers, but you can also get creative by pouring your own concrete edging. And, of course, the organized look your gravel driveway will gain from edging will certainly increase the visual charm of your home's exterior.

You can't really go wrong with brick driveway edging. Not only does it have a timeless look, but it's also very sturdy, and not too hard on the wallet. While you can keep it simple by installing a single row of bricks, you can also create a lovely design by laying several rows of different-colored bricks. You also have the option of installing brick edging flush with the ground or allowing it to protrude vertically for a better barrier between the driveway and the rest of the front yard.

Give the exterior of your home a quaint, old world look by using cobblestone as the gravel driveway edging. If you're looking for a durable driveway edging material, this is it. Which makes sense, considering that some cobblestone streets in the world are over 2,000 years old. However, installing cobblestone driveway type of edging usually requires concrete and rebar reinforcement, so this option is a bit more difficult to install (and remove later) compared to other edging ideas.

River rocks are an excellent choice for driveway edging if you're going for a more natural look or want to blend your driveway with an earthy front yard. They're also a great choice if you need a driveway edging material that offers good drainage. With that said, river rocks can shift over time if you experience intense rains, so they will require some upkeep over the years. River rocks also come in all different sizes, so you'll have plenty of options on how you want your driveway edging to look.

Steel is one of the best materials for gravel driveway edging because it's durable and economical. If this is a direction you'd like to go in, you can choose between steel edging material with a rust protective coating or opt for natural steel which will develop a patina over time. Since steel edging is fairly unobtrusive, it pairs nicely with grass lawns that border the driveway while preventing the grass from overtaking the gravel driveway (and vice versa).

Concrete is another cost-effective and highly durable option for paving your gravel driveway, especially if you mix and lay it yourself. To DIY a concrete driveway border, you'll need to dig a trench and set up a plywood form to pour the concrete into. Once the concrete is poured, be sure to smooth out the top and add relief cuts. Give it a few days to cure, remove your form, and then enjoy your new driveway edging. Be sure to seal the concrete to prevent moisture from taking its toll on the border.

Using timber as gravel driveway edging will give your home a rustic feel, and will look particularly great with homes that have a cottage aesthetic. There are a few different ways to go about this. Some homeowners keep things simple and just lie down tree logs along the driveway to function as edging. A more functional option might be to anchor or stake wooden planks into the ground.

If you're attracted to the idea of using real stones to edge your gravel driveway but are feeling a little intimidated by their price and difficulty of installation, you may want to try using faux stones instead. Not only are faux edging stones lightweight and very easy to install, but they are also plenty durable. Plus, this edging material is very stylish, and you can find the faux stones in a wide range of colors.

While it's fun to get creative and flashy with your gravel driveway edging, there's no denying the style of a more simplistic approach. If you want to create a cleaner and more straightforward look, you can stick to simply using rubber landscape edging material to line your gravel driveway. Rubber edging material is both an unobtrusive and a highly effective border for gravel. Since rubber edging is flexible, this is also a great gravel driveway material if you're working around any curves or twists.

Having neighbors on either side of your home can leave you feeling exposed if you don't have any fencing to separate the properties. One way to add privacy to your yard while also keeping your gravel driveway contained is to build a natural privacy wall. You can do this by planting tall bushes or a line of trees along the borders of your driveway to also function as driveway edging. You can also lay some rubber edging materials at the base to keep the gravel driveway laterally stable.