Maximum Value Landscaping Projects: Driveways

By FrontDoor.com | Published: 3/01/2010

Make a statement from the street by playing up your driveway's different angles and textures.

Walkways and driveways play the crucial role of connecting, whether it's from the street to your front door or from your home to its outdoor spaces. The more interesting you make the journey, the more value you add to your home.

Designing value-boosting pathways and driveways is about knowing where you want viewers to look as they approach their destination (whether by foot or by vehicle) and what features of the home you want to emphasize.

CURRENT TRENDS

• Elaborate paving. Asphalt may be the most common material, but more homeowners are opting for unusual choices, like cobblestone and concrete.

• Straight is out. Homeowners are injecting more character into their driveways. While a straight 12x50 driveway from the road to the garage is fine, curves and angles offer a more interesting approach.

• More than just the path. Another way to add value is to incorporate useful features such as extra side-parking areas and attractive framing elements like plants, trees and lighting.

• Irregular shapes. Create a depth of feel with visually stimulating shapes, such as a gradual narrowing of the driveway from the street to the garage.

BIGGEST MISTAKE

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is over-improving, says appraisal expert Leslie Sellers. "Keep your upgrades proportional to your home," Sellers says.

EXPERT TIPS

• On a Budget: If money is tight, at the very least, repair any cracks and bad areas in your walkways and driveways.

• Mid-Range: In addition to making necessary repairs, upgrade your walkways and driveways with new brick pavers or a similar quality material.

• High-End: Work with a licensed landscape architect to create a master plan that fits with your budget and is in line with the market value of your home and the neighborhood. He/she can tie all the elements together, from plants and trees to lighting to the driveways and walkways.

Slideshow Inspiration: A Look at Driveways >>

Do-It-Yourself Inspiration: Install a Cobblestone Driveway >>

Back to: Maximum Value Home Improvement Projects

Back to: Top Landscaping and Yard Projects

• #1 Lawn
• #2 Plants
• #3 Lighting
• #4 Driveways
• #5 Irrigation

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