The Secret to Good Driveway Design

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Contenido patrocinado

Your driveway is the first thing you see as you approach your property, so it can help to create a good impression for both you and your guests. Choosing the right materials and thinking carefully about the design can make your driveway an attractive, functional and welcoming space.

Read on for key design considerations and inspiration from the experts at Marshalls.

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Consider Style and Function

Yes, your driveway needs to be practical, but it should look good too. After all, it’s the first thing you see when you arrive at a house, and can work as an attractive framework for the rest of your home. Before you start, think about the style of your property and also the environment it’s located in, then design your driveway to be in keeping with these elements. A period cottage in a rural setting, for example might benefit from a soft, curved design, while a contemporary, townhouse could lend itself to straight edges.

Think about the practicalities as well – if you have young children you might want plenty of room to move bikes and buggies around, or a separate pedestrian pathway for safety.

Add some texture. A driveway is a large expanse in front of your home, so it’s important to give it some texture and interest. Choose materials and patterns that will break up the space and draw you into the property. A line of brick pavers along the edge of your driveway, for example, can help to emphasise the shape and divide it from a pathway or flower bed.

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Choose Your Material

Once you know which style you’d like, it should be easier to choose the material you’re going to use. There are a number of options available, including stone, gravel, concrete, cobblestone and paving stones. Block paving, for example comes in various styles, from contemporary linear shapes to Victorian-style blocks, so you can find the ideal match for your property. For a beautiful cobblestone look, you could try our Drivesys Patented Driveway System, of pre-sized concrete-manufactured blocks. They come in palettes of assembled blocks and have a built-in shoulder that enables the stones to be fitted together perfectly – a much easier and more cost-effective way to achieve the classic cobblestone effect.

Lay some stones. If you like to hear the crunch of car wheels on your driveway, gravel is a good option. When laying a gravel drive, however, avoid the possibility of stones drifting everywhere by installing a stabilising grid system below the stone aggregate.

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Prepare Your Pattern

You can create an interesting journey toward your front door by being clever with the layout of your stones, or paving. A wide driveway can look great with a circular pattern of blocks in the centre, while a random brick layout can draw your eyes around the space. Our Fairstone Split and Tumbled Setts, for example can be laid in three formations – a stretcher bond pattern that resembles a brick wall, or a choice of two herringbone designs laid at different angles. The design you choose will have a big impact on the look of your driveway, and can help to enhance your front space by replicating its shape, providing a contrast to its natural form or simply adding an attractive texture.

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Get Laying
Once you’ve chosen your materials and layout, you’re ready to start installing your brand new driveway. Some designs are easier than others, gravel for instance can be laid by an experienced DIY enthusiast. For other materials, it’s best to call in the help of experts to get a professional finished look. When budgeting for your driveway, make sure you factor in absolutely everything you need, including sub-base materials, joint compound and of course the cost of labour.

Make it easy. To avoid any pitfalls and hidden extras, choose driveways setts that are designed to work with specific layouts to ensure ease of installation. Finally, make sure you choose accredited installers for the job to ensure the final result is of the best standard.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.