If your current curb appeal is lacking that extra special something, perhaps a manicured driveway landscape is in order. Designing and building a driveway landscape can bring your home and property from boring to bold, with the incorporation of anything from stonework and pavers to flower beds and edging.
Houses with high curb appeal sell for about seven percent more than similar homes that lack the same landscaping, according to the National Association of Realtors. But whether you plan to sell your home in the near future or not, there are steps you can take to ensure your driveway really pops, lending your entire property a beauty that lasts.
Planters
Adding planter boxes to your driveway design is a low-maintenance way to kick your curb appeal up a notch. These round, patterned planters are easier to care for and water than traditional garden beds, and happen to be more weed resistant. So if you’re a beginner, this option could be for you. Include lush green shrubs to contrast with your dark stone driveway while showcasing the elegant height of nearby trees.
Pathways
Line the path to your front door from the driveway with a whimsical stone pathway incorporating various stone sizes and shapes, offset by greenery and colorful flowers.
Symmetry
Symmetry is a hallmark of landscape design. An even, balanced driveway design creates a sense of uniformity. Incorporate symmetrical paver patterns offset by evenly spaced greenery patches to draw the eye up the driveway and to the focal point: your home.
Greenery
If you remember nothing else, remember that lush greenery will complement any landscape design, especially when you line your driveway with it. It’s an easy way to harness the serenity of nature while providing visual interest for guests.
Flowers
To add further visual excitement, choose a color combination that complements the rest of your home as well as the front garden. The use of color will help to break up the monotony of your concrete or asphalt driveway, making the flowers the centerpiece of your design instead.
Shrubs
Shrubbery is another mainstay of the landscape design world. Shrubs provide great ground cover and beautiful plant life, but they also acts as a privacy screen in your open spaces. Layer your shrubbery in different heights and sizes along your driveway to add depth to your curb appeal.
Outdoor Lighting
Adding landscape lighting along your driveway not only illuminates the path for visitors and family members to safely make their way to the home, but it also adds a sense of warmth and welcome to your property. Plus, when placed strategically, it can highlight the landscape design features that make your home so unique, even at night.
Swales
Swales can be added on either side of your driveway to provide both an aesthetic element as well a drainage solution. Swales are shallow depressions that are wider than they are deep, providing a spot for storm water to collect and then re-enter the groundwater. They can also keep rain water from flowing down your driveway and flooding your garage. You can landscape the swales to resemble a creek bed with river rock and plants, further adding to your natural curb appeal.
Stamped Concrete Borders
Add stamped concrete borders to your driveway to provide a polished look to the space. If it’s time to replace the actual driveway, consider going with a color other than gray concrete. There are many colors and textures you can incorporate, as well as stamped concrete designs in interesting geometric shapes for the ultimate in conversation starters.
Shape
If you want to replace your whole driveway as part of a major landscape redesign, consider changing its shape and flow, not just the material. A straight driveway isn’t the only option you have. Why not try a gentle curve or sweeping angle that gives your entire landscape a much-needed facelift? For larger properties, try a curved driveway entrance or horseshoe shape to add grand visual appeal.
Decorative Elements
To maximize curb appeal, add a masonry column, small tower, or statue at the edges of your driveway. You could also flank the sides of the driveway with a stately brick column or statue that bears your address and house number, for instance. This option works best with larger properties, but you can scale down the size of these decorative elements to suit the parameters of your individual yard.
Improve Your Curb Appeal With a Free Quote on Driveway Landscaping From Inside Out
Ready to get started on your driveway landscape project in San Francisco? Just contact us today at (415) 606-7122 for a free consultation and quote. We can visit your home to talk about design ideas and concepts with you to settle on the perfect driveway landscape design plan.