A brick driveway with a herringbone paved design feels traditional and elegant. Keep this look fresh by trimming overhanging branches with the best loppers, as it prevents snagging on the paving or soggy leaves from staining it.
Framing the driveway entrance with simple pillars and a gate oozes style. The design of the pillars and gate can also speak to your home’s architecture.
1. Smooth Concrete
A driveway is one of the first things that people see when they visit your property. As such, it should be a reflection of the home’s overall style. Thankfully, there are many different driveway ideas that can help you achieve your desired aesthetic. Here are a few to consider:
For those looking for a concrete driveway idea that is sleek and easy on the eyes, try a smooth finish. This is a popular choice because it is very easy to clean and it doesn’t require any specialized tools or equipment. If you want to make your concrete driveway look even more polished, consider adding a few decorative touches to the surface. Some popular options include a herringbone pattern, basket weave, or hexagon design.
Another way to add a pop of color to your concrete driveway is by staining it. This is a great option for those who want a more rustic look and it can be done in a variety of colors. Neutral tones like gray and black are always a good choice but you can also go for a bolder shade like emerald green or red.
If you’re not into the idea of staining your concrete driveway, a simple and classic alternative is to choose pavers instead. This is a popular option because it doesn’t require any curing time, offers more traction, and can be easily replaced if needed. If you want to make your paver driveway look more modern, try using a paver with a textured or herringbone design.
A concrete checkerboard tile driveway is a masculine and bold way to elevate your curb appeal. This type of driveway combines the rugged durability of concrete with the refined look of tiles, creating a unique design that is sure to turn heads. You can also play with alternating shades of concrete to create a dramatic effect.
2. Brick Border
Brick is a popular choice for driveway edging, and it’s easy to implement into your landscaping plans. You can use paving bricks in various colors to match your driveway color scheme, and they look great when offset against the asphalt of your drive. Brick edging is also very durable and can withstand the roughest weather conditions.
A line of long pavers is another option for driveway edging. These pavers can be used to create a smooth, curved border for the driveway that echoes the curvature of your house’s roofline. This is a great way to add some extra color and interest to your landscape design plans, especially if you have a light-colored palette of flower beds and grass in the yard.
Concrete pavers are another good choice for driveway edging because they can be laid in a number of different patterns and have a variety of textures. They’re also easier to maintain than some other edging materials, such as stone or cobblestone. If you choose to use pavers, make sure to select ones with a similar color to your asphalt to ensure the two materials blend well together.
Using hedges is another good driveway edging idea that can be both protective and decorative. Hedges provide a clear boundary for gravel driveways that keep the gravel from spilling over the sides, and they can be planted with low-maintenance shrubs like privet or yew.
To implement this driveway edging idea, first dig trenches along the edges of your driveway. Fill them with sand to help keep the weeds and grass from growing up between the bricks. Then, place the bricks in a pattern that looks pleasing to you and your family. You can either overlap the bricks by one or two rows or offset them against each other for a more interesting design.
3. S-Shaped Driveway
The driveway is the first thing you and your guests see when approaching your home, so it should be visually appealing. Whether you’re trying to create an estate-like entrance or simply update your current look, there are plenty of eye-catching driveway ideas you can try.
A straight driveway that runs perpendicular to the road is easy to build, but it’s impractical in inclement weather and it can give your home a cold, angular appearance. Instead, a driveway that winds around the house in a graceful curve is easier to navigate and provides a much more welcoming aesthetic.
While circular driveways are elegant and eliminate the need for a turnaround, they can overtake a front yard landscape and detract from the overall curb appeal of your home. To avoid this, you can install a U-shaped driveway, like the one in this photo. This design begins close to the side property line and then curves around to the garage area, leaving room for parking and a strip of evergreens that softens the view of cars parked on the driveway.
When it comes to the material you use for your driveway, there are endless possibilities that can complement the style of your home. For example, if you have a country-cottage style house, choosing a brick driveway will create a rustic yet classic feel. You can also play with different shaped pavers to create geometric designs, or even choose ones that mimic the look of natural stone or cobblestone.
Another great option is to use a concrete that matches the color or finish used on your home’s exterior. This is a simple way to create a coordinated look and it’s especially effective with modern homes.
4. Curved Driveway
Your driveway is one of the first things people see when approaching your home. It can make or break your first impression, so it’s important to take care of it with attractive landscaping and a well-maintained appearance.
A circular driveway is a classic choice that provides plenty of parking space in a beautiful, eye-catching layout. This type of driveway begins at the street and circles around to meet your front door and garage, if applicable. It can be crafted in a variety of ways, including a standard half circle, horseshoe, or teardrop design. It takes a lot of room, however, so it isn’t a great option for small front yards.
This type of driveway landscape works best for those who don’t have a lot of room to spare but want to add a stunning design feature to their home. It’s also an excellent choice for homeowners with a long driveway that needs to be broken up into two or more areas of parking.
Like the Bear Grylls of driveway designs, this style solves a variety of tricky problems that would be difficult with a straight driveway. Perhaps your driveway’s access point from the street doesn’t line up with your garage, or you have trees or other features that you want to keep but don’t want in the way of a straight drive.
Rustic stone walls are a great choice for adding beauty and curb appeal to your driveway, but they can be used for more than that purpose. They can also act as a barrier between your yard and the street, providing privacy and security for your home. L driveway gates are another popular addition, providing additional privacy and security while enhancing the curb appeal of your home.
5. Y-Shaped Driveway
As driveways are essentially a shortcut to your garage or carport, they don’t often get a lot of attention when it comes to design. But, with a little thought, you can transform your front yard into a stunning curbside feature.
The most straightforward of driveway ideas is the straight driveway, which does exactly as it sounds – it’s a flat surface that runs straight from the street to your home. This is great for homes with a small amount of land as it keeps things simple and doesn’t take up too much space. It also puts the focus on your home, giving it a kind of estate-like appearance. If you’re looking for something a little more interesting, consider a curved driveway. These are a bit more complicated to install but add interest to your home and are perfect for those with trees or other features that would be in the way of a straight driveway.
Another curved option is the U-shaped driveway, which is good for those with lots of space. This shape allows you to park multiple cars in the driveway and then exit without having to do a three-point turn into traffic. They’re also great for those who live on large blocks and want a driveway that suits their block layout.
There are a number of different materials you can use for your driveway, with concrete and pavers being the most common. Concrete is affordable, easy to install and very durable, so it’s a good option for those on a budget. It’s also available in a wide range of colours so you can find the perfect match for your home. If you want to add a bit of personality, try a pattern imprinted concrete driveway. This type of driveway is unique and looks amazing, but it’s a good idea to hire a professional to do the work.