Creative Garden Ideas Using Paving Slabs, Aggregates & Building Materials (2025)
Transform your outdoor space into a stylish, functional retreat using simple, cost-effective materials like paving slabs, decorative aggregates, fencing timber, and basic building supplies such as sand, cement, and bricks. Here are some stunning yet achievable DIY garden ideas to try this season.
1. Modern Patio Zone with Mixed Aggregates & Paving
Use large format paving slabs to create a clean patio zone. Fill the gaps with grey slate chippings or polar white gravel for contrast and drainage. Add timber edging for neat separation from your lawn or borders.
Materials Needed: Grey paving slabs, slate chippings, treated timber edging, landscape fabric.
Buy From: Shop paving slabs at Brisks
2. Raised Flower Beds with Brick & Timber
Stack bricks and secure them with mortar or sand/cement mix to form stylish raised beds. You can also cap them with a timber frame for a warm contrast. Perfect for vegetables, herbs, or cottage-style blooms.
Materials Needed: Clay bricks, cement, timber sleepers, topsoil.
Buy From: Shop bricks & timber at Brisks
3. Zen Gravel Path with Timber Stepping Planks
Create a tranquil walkway using soft pea gravel and timber planks as stepping surfaces. This works beautifully through lawn sections or between planting borders. Use weed control fabric beneath to keep maintenance low.
Materials Needed: Pea gravel, weed control fabric, softwood planks or railway sleepers.
Buy From: Shop aggregates & timber at Brisks
4. Decorative Fence Panel Feature Wall
Instead of using fencing only for borders, turn it into a vertical design feature. Paint timber fence panels black or sage green, and add climbing plants or hanging lights. Use bricks below to create a planter-style base.
Materials Needed: Decorative fencing panels, exterior paint, screws, bricks, cement, plants.
Buy From: Shop fencing at Brisks
5. DIY Garden Bar with Bricks & Cement
Stack bricks to form a U-shaped outdoor bar counter. Secure with cement, and add a timber or slate top for durability. This is a stylish and social use of leftover building materials that creates a unique talking point.
Materials Needed: Bricks, cement mix, slate or timber worktop, varnish or weather sealant.
Buy From: Shop all building materials at Brisks
Where to Buy Materials Online?
We recommend Brisks Online for top-quality paving slabs, aggregates, fencing, timber, and all the building materials mentioned above. Whether you're doing a quick refresh or a full landscaping project, they've got the tools and stock you need across the UK.