My husband’s dream home includes a circular driveway where friends and family members can drive in and out with ease. There is a country home on the outskirts of town that serves as his inspiration. It has a pristine circular driveway, and in the center of it sits a perfectly manicured grassy area that houses an equally stunning water fountain. What’s not to like, right? If you have driveway dreams like my husband’s, but can’t afford to change the existing contour of your driveway, take heart. There are other more affordable and less labor-intensive ways you can spruce up your driveway.
Here are just a few simple ideas to make your driveway appealing and inviting:
Install Lighting. I just saw a sale flyer for a local hardware store that’s offering a great deal on landscape lights. For less than $100 you can pick up a few sets of lights and place them on either side of your driveway to create a runway design. Or get creative and stagger three or four lights in a pattern, or perhaps, design a border using different lamp styles.
Add Color. Sure, bushes and trees create a wonderful border to any driveway, but why not take it a step further by planting colorful flowers that do well in a variety of conditions (e.g. daises and mums). The punch of color will attract attention and serve as a welcome addition to an otherwise jet-black driveway.
Plant a Privacy Bed. If you share your driveway with a neighbor, plant shrubs and flowers between the entryways to create a small but colorful privacy wall.
Construct a Retaining Wall. If you have the room, a retaining wall along your driveway can add character to your home. The trick is to find material to create a wall that reflects your personality. Instead of the traditional brick or stone wall, why not use railroad ties, telephone poles, or boardwalk planks?
Create a Rock Garden. My mom did this a few years ago when she got sick of pulling weeds that fringed her driveway. She removed a section of grass along both sides of the driveway and replaced it with different size rocks and colorful pieces of sea glass (she lives near the beach). It looks great and the best part—no more weeds.
Regardless of what idea you implement, remember that your driveway says a lot about your home. It is one of the first features visitors notice when they come over. What’s more, a beautiful driveway generates curb appeal and increases the value of your home.