Exterior Matters: 6 Ideas for Revamping Your Entrance and Driveway

[Ad] First impressions matter, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the exterior of your property. The entrance and driveway, if you have one, are the welcoming features of any property. They’re the first architectural features any visitor sees and, since they create the first impression, it is crucial to give them the attention the need.

You could truly transform the entire outlook of your home’s exterior, just by revamping your entrance and driveway.

Keen to give it a go? Here are six ideas to transform your entrance and or your driveway. 

1. Improve your driveway

Before you consider enhancing aspects of your exterior, be knowledgeable about what you’re working with. Take a look at your driveway and see if you are happy with the existing paving. If not, then you can start be choosing a new design for your driveway and renovating it.

There are numerous driveway materials available for you to choose from. You can have a simple concrete driveway, a classy brick driveway or combinations such as gravel driveways or concrete with brick border driveways.

The driveway will act as the foundation for your exterior theme. So this is a key feature to improve and renovate.

2. Consider having a gate

An entrance gate not only helps in regulating and monitoring access, but also adds to the aesthetics of your exterior. There are certain requisites to be considered beforehand such as the width, height, automated or manual, curved or straight driveway and so on. It is also important to check if you’re allowed to install a gate at the end of your drive, as some properties are built and designed to be open plan outside, so you might not be able to put a gate in. 

If there are no restrictions on installing gates in your neighbourhood, then there are a variety of gate options available. Some popular choices are manual slide gates, swing gates or automatic gates and you’ll need to consider what style will work best for the exterior of your house. 

If you are going for a modern outlook for your contemporary house, then a sleek automated gate might be the appropriate choice. On the other hand, that won’t work as well for a country-side house. A rustic double swing gate might be more suitable.

3. Plant hedging

Bordering the driveway with hedges creates a wonderful contrast between the solid driveway and the green shrubs. There are endless hedging options available, which can be landscaped into any pattern you desire.

If you are bored with the monotonous green hedges, you can introduce some blossoming flora into the mix.

Planting trees on the either side of the driveway to create a natural avenue is another great idea, but remember it will take a while for the trees to grow, so you won’t see results instantly. 

4. Install outdoor lights

Outdoor garden lights will (literally) light up your entrance. There are a selection of options available to suit every exterior decor requirement. For instance, weaving lights through your shrubs or tree trunks will make your entrance look absolutely heavenly.

Some other lovely options you can consider are garden spike lights, which you can put into the ground at chosen spots, garden wall lights, which can be fixed to the exterior wall of your house, or lantern style lights which can be hung in bushes or trees in your garden. 

It is understandable that it might be difficult to arrange an outdoor power source. If that is the case, then you can look at battery operated and solar power alternatives. These are convenient and comparatively affordable lighting options.

5. Get a house name plate

A name plate is useful for locating your property and also adds an incredibly charming touch to the entrance. If your house doesn’t have a name, then get a number plate instead – it will make it easier for anyone delivering post to your house, or to ensure visitors find you easily. 

Again, there are a variety of styles of house name plates and numbers that you can choose from. They could be carved, backlit, engraved, metal or wooden, or you could get creative and make your own. 

6. Add pots and planters

If you don’t have a driveway, why not brighten up the entrance to your house by adding some pots and planters. Fill them with evergreen plants or bushes that will last all year round, or use seasonal flowers to create a colourful display. It adds a nice welcoming touch to the outside of your home and can add a colourful touch to a dull area.

(Disclosure: paid collaborative post)

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