Walkways Can Improve Your Curb Appeal

If you want to increase your home’s curb appeal, then you may be considering changes to your driveway, siding or windows. Clearly, when most people consider their home’s front walkway, they think of it in terms of function, not style. Although, your home’s front walkway can be one of the key items that adds dimension, style and functionality to your home.

Think of it this way – when someone approaches your home, they do look closely at your front walk. Everyone does, as they want to be sure that they know how to approach your home without risking a fall. Because of that fact, the condition and material of your front walkway can make a tremendous impact on the impression that family and friends have of your home before they ever enter your front door.

There are many options for front walkways that can be incorporated into your overall home and landscaping design. Instead of having the traditional, straight-line concrete front walkway installed, consider a more unique material and approach. Landscape designers can redesign your front walkway area to include a curved walkway up to your home, creating pleasing arcs for your guests. The material for the walkway doesn’t have to be concrete, either. Many homeowners who want to make a statement about their home are choosing to use the same materials they used for their custom deck – whether that is a concrete paver, stone inter-planted with ground cover or even reclaimed brick products. Each of these makes a beautiful front walkway.

Once you have chosen the material and the layout for your front walkway, it is time to plan it’s surroundings. Adding a new front walkway will provide you with the opportunity to add lighting on either side of it, making it easy for guests to get to your front door without any issues. To save money and the environment, consider solar lights. These lights store energy from the sun throughout the day, which allows them to stay lit all night. Solar lights can be ground level or higher and come in all sorts of styles. This is also a great time to update your plantings by replacing overgrown trees and shrubs, or simply having them trimmed back to show off your home.

If your home has a front porch or entryway, then consider using the same material on that surface as is used on the new front walkway. It will provide continuity and will make the whole front of your home look fresh and welcoming. If you are using stone or pavers, you can simply ask your landscaping contractor to continue the material right up to the front door, extending the lighting and new plantings as well.

Improving your home’s curb appeal is as easy as adding a new front walkway. You’ll be amazed at the difference that it makes when people approach your home. For more information on front walkways and ideas that will work for your home, call Exscape Designs today! We will be happy to meet with you for a complementary onsite evaluation of your home’s curb appeal. Call today!