The pathway DESIGN CHECKLIST

Your foolproof guide to pathway planning

- Madison Moulton

Pathways are an integral part of any garden, but are often left as a last thought or are not given a thought at all. Pathways are more than just a way to get from A to B – they create structure and movement, and highlight the parts of the garden you want people to see most. This checklist will help you decide on the perfect pathway for your space.

CHOOSING THE SPACE

Usually this question is already answered when you decide to build a path, but it is an important consideration nonetheless. The number one factor in deciding where your pathway will go should be the natural routes you use to get from one place to another. There is nothing worse than having to follow an obscure pathway when an easier route is obvious, since pathway or not, it is likely that the easier route will be taken anyway. While they should still look beautiful, pathways should always be practical.

The second factor to consider is traffic. A high-traffic pathway – like one from a garage to the front door – will need to be larger and sturdier than the whimsical steppingstone path in the back corner of the garden. Make sure the amount of space and placement of your pathway fits its intended uses, and take your design further from there.

2 Choosing the style