When it comes to building a new house or renovating, we are often so focused on making the interior look perfect that we neglect one of the main features, the driveway. Your driveway is one of the many home improvement/ renovation projects that can increase the value of your home. It is the first thing that people notice when they visit your house, which is why it’s important to make that first good impression! Well thought out driveway designs can increase your curb appeal, make it easier for you to park your cars, and is a good place to decorate for an inviting, homely aesthetic.
Before you do anything drastic, bear in mind that one of the least expensive ways to make an old driveway look new again is with a power washer. However, if your driveway is beyond this, it might be time for an upgrade!
Here are some ideas we have come up with to design your driveway and make those first impressions last!
MAKE IT INTERESTING FROM THE START
It’s no secret that small additional touches can transform a space. Small things like a decorative mailbox can make a huge difference. Whether you choose something modern and colourful or more traditional, it can be a unique way to create a good impression from the start and help improve the overall appearance of the driveway. If you’re into the traditional look, iron gates are a great idea to lead the gaze into the driveway and they are also good for privacy.
IMPROVE YOUR LANDSCAPING
Landscaping for the front of the house can often be overlooked. But it can make a big difference in brightening up your driveway. Planting beds of colourful flowers along the sides of the driveway can draw attention towards the house and make it feel more inviting.
Some driveway designs are also made more appealing by adding a border. You can line each side with stones, bricks or even granite and limestone. They look great and have the added bonus of making your driveway look wider.
LIGHTING
Lighting is an important aspect of the driveway, particularly for safety reasons. Subtle and effective, in-ground lights are very popular, lighting up the pathway and leading you inside the house. LED lights with motion sensors are also great for parking and entering the house when it’s dark.
A SPACE FOR YOUR CAR
Don’t forget the functionality of your driveway. A place to park cars is the most fundamental aspect of all driveway designs. Think about how much space you’re going to need. Will you be looking to add a second or third car in the future? Do you find that you regularly need somewhere for guests to park? If you’re sprucing up your driveway you might want to add some space to accommodate this.
SHAPES AND PATTERNS
There are many different shapes and patterns that you can incorporate into your driveway to make it more appealing. Circular driveways are perfect for homes that have a lot of cars and they are convenient as you don’t need to reverse, just simply drive in and out. Curved driveways are also popular in houses where there is no street access to the garage. However, keep in mind not to have any sharp entry and exit points so that people can get out of the driveway without any unfortunate knocks!
If you have a large driveway, incorporating geometric designs to it can be a great way to make use of the large space and help create a focal point too. Decorative concrete is also a great way to add colour without having to install any rock at all.
If you’re looking to renovate your driveway, or need a home design that features space out front, get in touch with the iBuildNew team on 1800 184 284 or book a call today!
Let us do the legwork for you.
- We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
- We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
- We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing
1800 184 284
