• Boulders can look very beautiful when arranged properly.boulder pile image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
  
  Decorative stones are stones that were designed to have a particular aesthetic appeal. Many homeowners use decorative stones when creating a natural looking but orderly garden. Stones can also have functional purposes, given how sturdy and resistant to elements they are.
  
  

Fountains

• One type of decorative stone is the decorative stone found in fountains. Many homeowners would like to bring the look of natural streams and waterfalls into their own homes, according to Stone Wholesale Corp. Designers have created decorative stones that contain pumps in them that allow water to be pumped up through the inside of the stone so that the water can descend down the rock. Other decorative stones simply have water travel down them, such as with wall water features that often incorporate stone.
  
  

Monoliths

• Monoliths are very large stone structures, usually located in nature as very large slabs of stone, according to Stone Wholesale Corp. These stones sometimes have unique shapes despite being formed completely in nature. Their size is primarily what makes them appealing.
  
  

Boulder

• Another kind of common decorative stone is from the boulder, according to Stone Wholesale Corp. Boulders immediately give homes a natural look and many homes and businesses will place these boulders nearby a parking lot or driveway.
  
  

Stone Structures

• Many structures are carved out of stone, such as stone benches, according to Stone Wholesale Corp. When the stones have pretty natural designs, they appear to blend into the landscape.
  
  

Pebbles

• Decorative stones are not always large. Many homeowners fill in spaces nearby the house with large numbers of colored pebbles. These stones are especially attractive in drier areas, according to Home Depot. These stones are much lower maintenance than growing grass or shrubs. They are also very easy to incorporate, since they often come in bags that can be opened and poured into almost any space.
  
  

Gravel

• Another way in which decorative stone is used is in gravel. Crushed stones are laid out over a given area, according to Home Depot. The gravel can be given a unique look by incorporating different colored stones.
  
  

Decorative Stone

• Gardens often use decorative stone. One way that decorative stones are used in the garden is by laying out a path of stones that are partially submerged in the soil. These stones are especially helpful when the soil is muddy, since travelers can walk on the stones and avoid getting their shoes caked with mud.