River rock landscaping around pool with rocks can be made simple as long as you have ideas to choose from. In our excitement, we can sometimes forget to weigh in all the important considerations.
In this article, let’s look at the river rocks that are commonly available in the market to determine which one suits you best.
Contents
- List of Different River Rocks for Landscaping Ideas
- 1. Use Large River Rocks as Stone Pavers
- 2. Build Stone Fire Pits
- 3. Place a Stone Fountain
- 4. Build a Retaining Wall
- 5. Create Stacked Rock Art
- 6. Recreate Natural Waterfalls
- 7. Use Large Rocks as Focal Points
- 8. Use Large Rocks to Frame the Pool
- 9. Incorporate Rocks into Outdoor Showers
- 10. Use Rocks as Accents
- 11. Use Rocks as Bench Supports
- 12. Use Rocks to Wall Off Utilitarian Spaces
- 13. Use Rocks as Mulch Alternatives
- 14. Create a Rock Garden
- 15. Frame Flower Beds
- Conclusion
List of Different River Rocks for Landscaping Ideas
1. Use Large River Rocks as Stone Pavers
| Pros | ● Aesthetically organic
● Easier to install compared to concrete |
| Cons | ● Can be costly
● Can be difficult to set up |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
Making use of river rock materials in any landscape design quickly elevates the aesthetic appeal of the home. If you’re on the fence about how river rock works best for your outdoor space, then we’ve simplified it for you.
For many homeowners, concrete isn’t always the answer. When looking to add more organic touches to their landscape, they opt to look for stone pavers instead. Making use of processed large rocks gathered from rivers ensures that the space feels more natural.
This is especially important when designing around water features. The presence of rocks helps us visually and mentally escape back into the loving arms of mother nature.
2. Build Stone Fire Pits
| Pros | ● Attractive and eye-catching
● Functional |
| Cons | ● Initial cost may be average to high
● Can be difficult to set up |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
There’s something very casual and cozy about having a warm firepit next to a swimming pool. It could be the contrast of elements or the drama of the settings, but both just go well together.
Imagine having the crackle of the fire near you while you enjoy the cool night air and the sound of the water lapping at the pool. You don’t have to wait for summer season to feel the heat.
3. Place a Stone Fountain
| Pros | ● Dramatic
● Sensorially pleasing |
| Cons | ● Operating cost can add to electrical bill
● Requires a pump |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
By configuring large stones into fountains as part of your decorative rock landscaping, you bring more of nature to your home. Depending on your preference, the water could gush out like a geyser or gurgle like a stream.
However, this setup requires a pump. This means that you may have to consider the additional amount you’ll have to pay to enjoy a gorgeous stone fountain.
4. Build a Retaining Wall
| Pros | ● Functional
● Aesthetically attractive |
| Cons | ● Can be costly
● Needs a huge space |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
A great way to display river stones as part of the landscaping design is to build a wall to prevent soil erosion. This wall will be visible, so using rocks gathered from riverbeds will be a great way to add some natural beauty.
This helps homeowners ensure that their outdoor areas are safe from unwanted soil movement. At the same time, the wall serves as an attraction while functioning as a protected barrier.
5. Create Stacked Rock Art
| Pros | ● Simple and easy to do
● Can help with mental health |
| Cons | ● Can be prone to overturning when hit
● Can be unsafe for kids or pets |
| Complexity | ● Low |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
There are various stacked rocks found in beaches and river beds, so why not bring some of that beauty back home? Stacked rock art tends to fill us with a sense of peace when looking at them, so imagine creating one yourself.
While it can be a meditative experience, stacked rock art can be easily destroyed by accident. Whether it’s by human or animal means, make sure your stacked rock art is far from danger.
6. Recreate Natural Waterfalls
| Pros | ● Delightfully serene
● Pleasing to the senses |
| Cons | ● Can be costly
● May add to electrical and water bills |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
Unless you have a natural water feature, then you might want to consider having one made in your own space. Depending on your preference, you can create small or large water-related features, such as waterfalls.
Some homeowners are fortunate enough to find streams of water that can be used or redirected for this purpose. Most of the time though, these waterfalls need electrical and water resources to operate smoothly.
7. Use Large Rocks as Focal Points
| Pros | ● Dramatic
● Low-maintenance |
| Cons | ● Can be expensive
● Can be difficult to set up |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
A large piece of rock can be used in your design ideas to draw the eye in, especially when the space is a bit spartan. This makes the singular but imposing rock the center of attraction in your outdoor area.
In fact, having one sculptural piece of natural stone works in interior spaces as well. This goes to show that river rock materials don’t just belong to pool landscaping areas!
8. Use Large Rocks to Frame the Pool
| Pros | ● Functional
● Attractive |
| Cons | ● Can be costly
● Can make it hard to enter or exit the pool |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
What could be more similar to nature than having large rocks surround the swimming pool? By having these frame the pool, you end up defining an area meant for more privacy.
Aside from zoning this part of your outdoor areas, you invite a sense of tranquility when you’re in the pool. Large rocks can serve as sound barriers to any unwanted outside noises.
9. Incorporate Rocks into Outdoor Showers
| Pros | ● Organically attractive and decorative
● Low-maintenance |
| Cons | ● Initial costs can be high
● Wet stones might harbor bacteria, fungi, molds, or viruses |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
If you don’t have any outdoor showers, then this might be a sign for you to consider one. Outdoor showers are wonderful options since they allow fresh air to circulate. Plus, outdoor showers require very little maintenance. However, you might have to invest a bit more to keep the outdoor shower weatherproof.
This may help prevent the stones from housing bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Plus, you should consider a process that makes the rocks reduce the chances of becoming slippery.
10. Use Rocks as Accents
| Pros | ● Decorative
● Lesser use of rocks |
| Cons | ● Needs to be leveled, which may add to initial costs
● Can be difficult to set up |
| Complexity | ● Medium |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
You can use river rocks as accents if you want to create a unique aesthetic for your outdoor areas. Depending on your preferences, you can add as many or as few as you want as long as everything fits your landscape ideas.
Some homeowners add rocks to concrete patios or decks. When this happens, you may need to level off the surface to keep things flat, smooth, and accident-free.
11. Use Rocks as Bench Supports
| Pros | ● Extremely functional
● Textural and sculptural appearance |
| Cons | ● Can be costly since it is customized
● Can take a long time to set up |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
The organic look of rocks as bench supports bring a calm aesthetic to any outdoor area. This is especially useful when placed in a pool landscape design.
Aside from providing seating, the stone-supported bench can serve to ground the whole aesthetic. However, it may cost a bit since natural rocks require a bit of customization.
12. Use Rocks to Wall Off Utilitarian Spaces
| Pros | ● Highly decorative
● Sturdy and durable |
| Cons | ● May cost a bit initially
● May be difficult to source materials |
| Complexity | ● Difficult |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
If you have a swimming pool, then you might have a challenging time storing your pool equipment. This is the time when you can consider building a stone wall as storage.
Having a wall of river rock materials is very attractive and natural-looking. Plus, this wall can serve to keep out noise from the equipment. However, the cost of materials, as well as labor, may turn out to be a bit high.
13. Use Rocks as Mulch Alternatives
| Pros | ● Extremely functional
● Textural and sculptural appearance |
| Cons | ● Can be costly since it is customized
● May be detrimental to more sensitive plants |
| Complexity | ● Medium |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
Having plants around your pool means you need mulch. However, mulch may spread out into your pool area, especially if there is a strong wind.
A great alternative is to use rocks as mulch. Durable yet porous, they can help retain moisture. However, dark-colored rocks absorb heat. This may not bode well for plants with sensitive roots.
On the other hand, light-colored rocks reflect heat, which keeps the area cooler but can be too glaring. It all depends on how your pool is configured and how it can fit into your rock landscaping ideas.
14. Create a Rock Garden
| Pros | ● Low-maintenance
● Sculpturally attractive |
| Cons | ● May need occasional weeding
● Can be difficult to set up |
| Complexity | ● Medium |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
Zen gardens tend to bring much-needed peace and tranquility into any space. Sometimes, having too many plants can be too stimulating, and that’s when rocks come in.
By just staring at their stoic appearance, we can begin to feel our stress and anxiety lessen as we engage more with our senses rather than our minds. You can incorporate all kinds of rocks for this type of garden to bring calm and contrast.
For example, you can place pea gravel with larger pieces of river rocks. While their sizes can be different, you can keep them in the same color family for a more harmonious appeal.
15. Frame Flower Beds
| Pros | ● Decorative
● Functional |
| Cons | ● Appropriate rock colors have to be used
● May be detrimental to more sensitive plants |
| Complexity | ● Medium |
| Curb appeal | ● High |
Having stones frame the borders of flower or vegetable beds is one of the best rock landscaping ideas. This visually separates them without making the partition unnatural. However, we need to remember that some plants have sensitive roots or leaves that can get affected. Light-colored stones reflect heat from the ground and can affect the leaves.
Dark-colored rocks absorb heat and may damage sensitive roots. Before using river rock materials as decorative plant frames, we need to ensure that they work well together.
Conclusion
River rock materials have a lot of uses when it comes to rock landscaping ideas, and we hope our ideas have become your stepping stones into your outdoor projects. But before you rush out and buy a ton of river rock materials, here are a few reminders:
- Landscaping rocks come in all sizes, shapes, and colors so you can easily pick according to your preference and budget.
- Ensure that you have the appropriate river rock material for your use, especially when using them near plants such as when framing flower beds or using rocks as a mulch alternative.
- Always consider initial and operating costs when it comes to river rock landscaping. Some of these projects will add to the electricity or water bill, such as recreating natural waterfalls or placing a stone fountain.
- Some of the initial costs can be high, such as using rocks as accents and building a retaining wall, but these may save you some cash in the long run.
- When possible, compare suppliers before buying materials for your rock landscaping plans.
With so many ideas at your fingertips, we’re sure you’re excited to start — so which project are you planning to undertake? Above all else, let your imagination take you where you want to go!
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