7 Creative Driveway Designs With Familiar Materials

July 05, 2010

Your driveway can add a lot to your home's curb appeal and even increase your property value, so why settle for the same old gravel drive or plain white concrete? Give familiar materials a new spin with these creative driveway design ideas.

Concrete Solutions

Concrete driveways are extremely versatile. Concrete can be shaped, colored, or textured any way you like, and even embedded with stones and other materials. Concrete driveways are also highly durable. A properly maintained concrete driveway can last for up to 30 years, making it a smart long-term investment for homeowners.

Concrete stamping--Concrete stamping can give your driveway the look of being laid in brick, stone, or tile, but at a fraction of the cost. To enhance the effect, the driveway can be brushed with a texture to match the material being mimicked.

Colored concrete--A myriad of color choices are available for concrete driveways. Color can be added to the concrete before it is poured, or applied on dry concrete for a marbled effect.

Brick Elegance

Brick driveways are classically beautiful, simple to install, and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Bricks provide a convenient non-slip surface, and are also easy to replace if one gets damaged.

Brick border--Lay bricks along the edges of your existing driveway for added elegance. A border can also make your driveway appear wider.

Geometric patterns--Bricks are ideal for geometric patterns that repeat along the length of the driveway. Another attractive option may be a pattern in the center of the driveway, such as a circular design.

Historic patterns--Owners of historic homes can look to classic brick driveways for inspiration when planning their own.

Stone Sensibilities

Stone driveways may require a bit more maintenance than some other materials, but many homeowners find the beauty of stone to be worth the investment. Stones are available in almost every color and size imaginable, so you can determine the exact look you want for your driveway. Because stone driveways are notoriously difficult to clean, you may want to avoid very light colors.

Local stones--For an authentic vibe, choose stones that are native to your area. Visit a quarry, landscape shop, or stone shop to find out which stones are locally available.

Mix and match--For a more colorful and varied effect, try mixing and matching your stones. Different sizes and colors can play together well and give your driveway a more distinctive look.

Give your driveway the treatment it deserves and improve the look of your home exterior in the process!