• River rock colors range from dark to light.river rocks image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  River rocks offer homeowners aesthetically appealing choices because they are smooth and useful. Placing them as ground cover controls weeds and conserves moisture. Adorning your lawn with a winding pathway of these rocks results in a mud-free pathway to your door. Successfully using decorative river rock as landscape accent requires some understanding of how different types of river rocks can impact your lawn or garden area.
  
  

Mixed

• Water intensifies the shades of mixed-color river rocks.river rocks image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  A collection of dry river rocks may contain a wide range of light and dark colors, such as shades of gray, red, brown, white and beige. Unfortunately, some mixed-color batches make a landscape too visually busy. Mixed-color river rocks may clash with your home's color as well. For example, a pathway made of multicolor river rocks is a risky choice for owners of homes painted lavender. Imagine how mixed river rock colors will look on your landscape when they're dry and wet before making a purchase.
  
  

Light

• Pathways of light-colored decorative rocks attract the eye.Pebbles 1 image by mutiarazura from Fotolia.com
  
  When light river rocks rest near green grass, they add an unforgettable amount of visual contrast to a landscape. Pay close attention to how you use light-colored river rocks. If you already have a focal area on your landscape, this type of decorative river rock may overwhelm it. Light-colored decorative river rocks look bright in direct sunlight and become less pronounced in shaded areas. However, proper lighting makes this type of rock beautiful after sundown.
  
  

Dark

• Dark river rocks, sunny climates and dainty flowers don't mix.Yellow Flower in rocks image by ike from Fotolia.com
  
  Dark river rocks add formal elegance to a landscape. Just as food looks more attractive on a black plate, colorful flowers and dark river rocks create high-contrast, visually appealing scenes. Unfortunately, dark river rocks attract and hold a lot of heat. Dark river rocks, sunny climates and dainty flowers are not a good combination. Residents of sunny climates should protect their lawns from potential burns along dark river rock pathways.