What impression does your driveway make?

It often takes up a large part of your real estate and can set the stage or at least become an integral part of the overall feeling you are trying to convey as you approach your home.

Houzz.com takes a look at several types of driveways and offers suggestions for taking on the challenges that arise. Often the most overlooked part of garden design, considered more utilitarian than something worthy of our attention, driveways are used at least twice a day, and they are often both the first and last thing visitors see.

Designing gardens around or near the driveway can have its challenges, but there are always solutions that will add the necessary style and color to this important area. Slopes, watering issues or just the sheer length of a driveway can all seem daunting obstacles when you’re creating a garden. Then there is the question of how to connect the design and plant palette to the home itself.

Historic Sidewalk Cobble

Historic Sidewalk Cobble

We would suggest a stunning driveway entrance can be designed for a wide assortment of budgets, whether the entire driveway is paved with genuine antique Historic European Cobblestone such as the images here, or rows of banding are used combined with gravel. A good landscape architect and contractor can provide a variety of options to allow you to create a great first impression.