10 Concrete Walkway Designs and Ideas That Will Inspire You

A walkway can make or break your home’s exterior design, so it’s crucial to find a style you love. However, with so many options available, it can be hard to narrow down your top choices. Luckily, we’ve gathered some top choices to help you find the right walkway design for you. From modern concrete walkway ideas to general tips, we’ve got you covered. 

Why Choose Concrete Walkways?

While there are many walkway materials available, concrete provides you with the best durability and versatility. In fact, there are several benefits of concrete walkways, including:

• Durability: Your walkway needs to be able to withstand heavy foot traffic and the weather in your area. Concrete is a great option for ensuring your walkway can last for years to come.
• Affordability: Unlike other premium materials, concrete can give you a beautiful walkway at a much lower price.
• Versatility: Through staining and stamping, you can achieve a variety of different looks with concrete. Enjoy the look of a brick or wooden walkway with the durability and affordability of concrete. There are also opportunities for customization.
• Low maintenance: Concrete requires less maintenance than some other walkway materials. Just sweep the walkway to keep it looking fresh and clean.

Concrete Walkway Ideas

There are plenty of concrete walkway designs available, so you can always find a style that matches your personal preferences and home’s design. When working with a construction company, be sure to ask about any special walkway services or designs they offer. You can also learn more about the available customization options. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your walkway.

To help you in your search for the perfect pathway addition to your home, check out 10 popular walkway ideas below.

1. Elevated Walkway

While most walkways tend to be embedded in the ground, they don’t have to be. An elevated concrete slab walkway can add new life to a space and give your home a unique look. Elevated walkways are sophisticated and sleek — perfect for homes looking to make a statement.

Place your elevated walkway on grass, grass, pebbles, other concrete or any surface that works with your home’s exterior design. Choose a concrete color that complements or contrasts your home’s exterior and the surface the walkway is placed on for the best results.

2. Walkway Set in Stones

If you have an industrial-style home, consider setting your walkway in decorative stones. This is a popular design choice that pairs well with concrete pavers or slabs. Use natural greenery and wooden elements to bring color back to the space and complete the look.

It is important to note that it can be hard to keep decorative rocks clear of debris like leaves, branches and other materials. Mulch glue can be used to create a seal and keep the rocks together, making it easier to clean and maintain the space. With mulch glue binding the rocks together, a quick sweep can remove any unwanted debris. The glue will need to be reapplied around once a year, but this process can save you a lot of time throughout the year.

3. Walkway Set in Grass

Do you want a walkway for your home without having to lose too much of your beautiful grass space? You can achieve both by incorporating a concrete walkway around your house through the lawn itself. Spacing out concrete pavers allows your grass to still grow through these gaps maintaining the green space you love.

You’ll want to have a weed whacker or other smaller trimmer to mow the grass in the gaps of your concrete pavers. A typical lawn mower makes it very difficult to cut around these concrete pavers, so make sure you have the correct tools on hand to keep your lawn and walkway beautiful.

4. Square Walkways

For a minimal and modest walkway, choose square-shaped concrete pavers. Square-shaped pavers can be smaller than other shapes while still providing ample room to walk on.

This style of pavers is ideal for concrete walkways on the side of your house or in your backyard, as they do not take up much space. These pavers are practical without being too flashy or requiring a lot of space. Place square concrete pavers in sand, mulch or grass to create a designated path.

5. Oversized Walkway

Unlike small square pavers, oversized concrete pavers will make a statement. These oversized walkways act as a functional tool as well as a design element of the home. Due to the size of the concrete pavers, they will most likely need to be permanently cast in place. This concrete walkway design is ideal for modern-style homes as the spacious, sleek design mimics the sleek design of the home.

6. Textured Concrete Walkway

Add depth and texture to your walkway with stamped concrete pavers. Stamped concrete allows you to mimic the look of stone, wood or bricks in a more affordable and durable way. Types of designs you can achieve with stamped concrete include:

• Stone
• Hardwood
• Brick 
• Cobblestone
• Vertical patterns
• Horizontal patterns
• Diagonal patterns
• Custom-shaped patterns

With textured or stamped concrete walkways, you can create a look unique to your home. This style of concrete walkway also gives you a luxurious-looking product without having to pay premium prices for the real deal. Your product will last longer as well, as concrete is much more durable than wood, for instance. Stamped concrete is also incredibly low maintenance especially compared to bricks.

7. Circular Walkway

Typically, walkways are square or rectangular, but you can take a more unique route. Try circular pavers for a fun twist on the classic look. Circular pavers can be an interesting addition to backyards or pool areas, as these spaces are commonly used for hosting parties and guests. The playful look of a path of circular pavers can set an upbeat tone. For a space that will get people talking, circular concrete walkways are the way to go.

8. Decoratively Lined Walkway

The concrete pavers or pathways are not the only aspects of creating a beautiful walkway. You also need to consider what goes around your walkway. Consider adding lights along the sides of your walkway to create an attractive glow in the evening and provide ample visibility. You can also showcase your personal design style by lining the walkway with plants, flowers, small signs or other garden accessories. Even a simple or plain walkway can be upgraded through the elements placed around it.

9. Stained Walkway

The natural color of concrete may work well with some homes, but for those looking for some color, staining is available. Choose a color that complements the walkway’s surroundings, or go bold and pick a color that stands out. Concrete staining is permanent, so you do not need to worry about any color touch-ups.

There are many shades, hues and tones to choose from, and in some cases, color matching may be available. Stained concrete is an easy way to take a simple walkway design and elevate it into something more personal and interesting.

10. Two-Toned Walkway

Add some interest and dimension to your walkway by using two different tones or colors of concrete to create your path or pavers. One two-toned concrete walkway idea is to use a darker color to outline the walkway. This darker color will create a border that adds contrast to the lighter center pathway. Another option is to alternate between the two chosen colors. This works especially well for stamped concrete designs where the different sections can be different colors. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Walkway for Your Home

If you are a new homeowner, or it has been a while since your last remodel, it can be overwhelming to take on a new home improvement project. However, the process does not need to be stressful. Use our tips and tricks below to help keep you organized and excited about your new project. 

1. Set a Budget

Before you begin to design your dream walkway, it is important to set a budget. Your budget will help you determine the size, shape and materials you can afford. This allows you to narrow down your search and focus only on the options that are realistic for your budget.

However, it may be a smart idea to look slightly below and above your budget, as well. You may be surprised to find you can achieve the look you want at a lower price point, or you may find a slightly more expensive option that you feel is worth the investment. When working with a construction company, discussing your budget upfront can help you avoid misunderstandings and allow the team to help provide recommendations and better understand your vision.

2. Determine the Primary Usage

The design of your walkway is a crucial aspect to consider, but you also need to remember its functionality. A beautiful walkway is pointless if it is not accessible or practical for you or your family members. For example, consider the needs of older family members or family members with disabilities. A walkway with individual pavers instead of a connected concrete path may be inaccessible for people with walkers, canes or a wheelchair. 

The primary usage of the walkway will also determine the appropriate size or width of the path. A walkway leading to a non-primary door can be narrow, as only one or two people will likely use the path at a time. Meanwhile, the walkway leading to your front or primary door should be wide enough to fit multiple people.

A secondary walkway may be able to focus more on the design aspect, while the primary entrance needs to be easy to use. Also, keep in mind the weather in your area. A walkway for a Cincinnati home, for example, should be able to withstand snow and ice throughout the winter.

3. Work With Your Home’s Exterior Design

Not all walkway styles are suitable for all homes. A modern-style walkway may look out of place in contrast to a farmhouse or Colonial-style home. You should aim to work with your current home exterior design to create a cohesive look.

If you want to add contrast to your exterior design, use a contrasting walkway color to add some dimension while still using a cohesive style. A uniform design can help increase your home’s curb appeal and potentially your home’s value.

4. Avoid Trends

Choosing a walkway is not like choosing a rug or doormat. Walkways require professional installation, so you want to make sure you choose a style and design that you will enjoy for years to come. Before finalizing your walkway selection, consider how you think the design with look five years down the road. Then, consider how it will look 20 years down the road.

5. Find a High-Quality Construction Company

The best way to have a seamless and enjoyable home improvement experience is by working with a high-quality construction team. Working with a professional construction company allows you to ask specific questions about your project and get immediate and personalized answers from an expert. Some of these questions may include:

• How long will the project take?
• What type of concrete will work best with the soil in my yard?
• How do I take care of or maintain my concrete walkway?
• What type of walkway would you recommend for my home?

A reputable and experienced construction company will help take all of the guesswork out of your project. They can help guide you in the right direction and offer expert advice. Plus, they will use the best high-quality materials, giving you a finished product you love.

Some construction companies like Coldstream Exteriors even go above and beyond to help you achieve your dream walkway. Coldstream Exteriors assigns you one project manager that will be with you every step of the way. This allows you to build a relationship with your project manager, and they are able to better understand your specific needs, wants and goals. You will also have a direct point of contact throughout the entire process, so any questions or concerns that arise can be addressed right away.

Achieve Your Dream Walkway With Coldstream Exteriors

Renovating or installing a concrete walkway has never been easier with the help of Coldstream Exteriors. With over 25 years of experience and 10,000 projects under our belts, the expert team at Coldstream Exteriors can bring your walkway vision to life. With no money down and a wide variety of financing options available, we aim to make concrete walkways an accessible option for every homeowner.

We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality services and customer service, and we are ready to help you with your next exterior home improvement project. Contact us for a free inspection today!