8 Gravel Driveway Edging Ideas for Instantly Better Curb Appeal on a Budget

Pavers

Pavers are a natural choice for edging a gravel driveway thanks to various styles, colors, and sizes. Concrete, clay, or natural stone pavers are just a few options.

“Pavers are durable and come in a variety of colors and textures to help you maximize your design. Installed properly, they will provide a great edge restraint to keep your gravel driveway intact and will allow it to be edged, giving it a clean, uniform look,” says Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Oldcastle APG.

Pavers can be paired with landscaping features, pathways, or grass, depending on the look you want. According to Raboine, proper installation involves digging trenches around the gravel driveway and setting the pavers on a stable base. Depending on the complexity of your project, this base could be poured concrete or sand.

Bricks

Bricks offer a tidy and sophisticated look, often pairing well with older homes or cottage-style landscapes. Depending on the project’s complexity, they can be laid in various configurations, from a simple single-line formation to more intricate designs.

Brick edging is easy to install without too much heavy digging and are relatively cost-effective, even if you’re lining a long driveway. Plus, there are various brick colors to choose from. Like pavers, Raboine recommends digging a shallow trench below the brick border and backfilling it with sand to provide a sturdy base for the edging. This will help it last and prevent the border from moving over time.

Rubber Edging

Rubber landscape edging is a simple and economical material for edging gravel driveways. Due to its flexibility, rubber edging is particularly beneficial for curved or winding driveways. The best part is that no extensive digging is required to install this material.

Depending on the type you get, it can be installed by hammering it into the ground or simply installing it a few inches down around the perimeter of the driveway. Rubber edging can be paired with landscaping features such as shrubs or plants or directly separate the grass and gravel driveway. Whatever you decide, you can’t beat this affordable material’s ease and convenience.

Natural Stones

Natural stones are also viable for an earthier and more organic look. These can be large rounded river rocks, natural stone pavers, or foraged rocks in various sizes. Stones can be laid individually in a border or grouped to create wider borders.

To ensure a stable installation, it’s a good idea to dig a shallow trench around the edge of the gravel driveway before laying the stones. Just as with pavers and bricks, sand or a concrete base can provide stability and help hold the gravel in place.

Concrete Blocks

Concrete blocks offer durability, stability, and longevity as gravel driveway edging. They are affordable and can be installed in the same way as bricks, pavers, and natural stones.

Compared to using rocks, they offer a more uniform and streamlined appearance, which may be desirable for modern and contemporary homes. They can withstand vehicle traffic, require minimal upkeep, and effectively keep gravel and other paving materials in place.

Organic Garden Border

For gardening enthusiasts, creating a garden border for your gravel driveway is a great option. This edging idea is often paired with other hardscaping elements, but it can also be installed on its own. 

“Adding plants and landscaping elements around your driveway is a budget-friendly way to add edging,” Raboine says. “You can use mulch or soil to plant blooms along your driveway for a natural-looking border. In this case, you can use a paver, stone border, or landscape edging as well to separate the plantings.”

Compared to other gravel driveway edging options, garden borders will naturally require more frequent upkeep and management to keep them looking tidy. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, garden borders may not be the best choice.

Treated Pine or Hardwood

Landscape timber is also a popular choice for gravel driveway edging. Thick beams can be dug down and laid horizontally alongside the gravel, offering a stable and durable border. Various wood stains can help match the style of nearly any home.

However, this option isn’t ideal for winding or curved driveways where flexibility is required unless you cut the beams and install them vertically in a fence-style application. The other potential downside to treated pine or hardwood is its longevity compared to stone, concrete, or plastic. 

Pound-In Edging

Pound-in edging comes in a variety of materials and styles, whether you want thin and inconspicuous hard plastic, durable metal, or stylish wood. Like the name implies, pound-in edging has spikes along the bottom, which allow it to be hammered into place.

This means no digging or heavy lifting is required, making it a versatile and convenient option. It can be purchased in long strips or smaller individual sections, meaning it’s also an appropriate choice for long or curved driveways.