How to Design a Dazzling Driveway

Want to Design a Dazzling Driveway?

 

While you may not be able to judge a book by its cover, most people do get an impression of your house by the outside appearance. The secret is to make an impact with your driveway. In other words, turn their head as they turn their car into your driveway.

 

Get creative

 

If you are designing your driveway from scratch, the sky is the limit. You can devise an eye-appealing pattern using pavers, bricks or even cobblestones. Whether you do-it-yourself or you hire a craftsman, make it a design that is unique�"not a copy of a family just down the block.

 

If you decide to use pavers, why not alternate different colors (dark and light) throughout the driveway? You may also want to use a separate design or textured paver on the edge of the driveway. This will add to its distinctiveness.

 

While cobblestones are definitely unique, bricks are also fashionable and inexpensive compared to some other options. Like pavers, bricks can found in various colors, and can be purchased new or obtained as salvage from demolished old buildings. Imbedded stones or bricks resembling a monogram or ones that look like a sun or star or other easily recognized object will make an extraordinary impression on your visitors.

 

Color matters

 

Colors can add uniqueness to your driveway. It is relatively inexpensive to paint your driveway, and concrete colors are now available in a variety of acrylic and epoxy grade paint. You can even have your driveway textured (just like walls) in a variety of patterns. Make sure you employ an experienced and reputable contractor to give you the result you want.

 

Shrubbery and/or trees can add that special effect you desire. If your driveway is long, you can give it that one-of-a-kind look by placing tall shrubs or trees along the border. If it is short, why not put a ledge along the border with flowering shrubs or small trees? If your front lawn has a desert motif, why not adorn your driveway with small cacti and desert rocks?

 

Let there be light

 

An assortment of lights can add to the exclusivity of your driveway. Even during the day (when illumination is unnecessary), an array of atypical lighting poles, path lights or flood lights can be used along your driveway to give the entrance to your property an exclusive look. Some internet sites specialize in architectural antiques that are very rare and you can utilize those singular items to give your driveway an exceptional appearance.

 

When you need light on the drive, there is no limit to what is achievable. If you’re willing to spend some money for a matchless exterior, you can truly dazzle your nighttime guests with a stellar driveway. Glow-in-the-dark pebbles can be purchased and imbedded throughout your asphalt or concrete driveway. Admittedly, they are expensive (about $20 per pound), but they make a spectacular display when they sun goes down and your visitors arrive.

 

How about concentrating a large amount of the glowing pebbles in the center of the drive and continue to distribute them in lesser amounts as you move away from the center? This swirling pattern can resemble the Milky Way (or any other galaxy) and give your visitors an out-of-this-world experience.

 

The secret to designing a dazzling driveway is being creative. There is only one problem with turning your guests’ heads as they drive onto your property. It may be difficult to get them interested in coming inside to see the rest of the house.

Copyright 2013 by S. R. Morris