Kerb Appeal: How to Make Your Driveway Look Better
Winter might not be the busiest time of the year for gardening – so why not turn your attention to your driveway instead? From overgrown weeds to cracks in the concrete, it’s easy for minor imperfections to accumulate and reduce its appeal.
An attractive driveway could increase the value of your home by up to 10%, so don’t neglect it. If you’re looking to sharpen up your exterior, read our five top tips for giving your driveway a makeover below.
Keep It Clean
The power of a pressure hose should never be underestimated. After the worst of the winter mud starts to subside, put the time and effort into giving your driveway a powerful wash.
Once you’ve freshened up the surface, try to make sure you’ve tidied away and reorganised the clutter. This includes any plants and ornaments on or surrounding your lawn. Keep things tidy and make sure that bins and recycling boxes are stored out of sight from the front of your property.
Add a Splash of Colour
Using some of the hardiest flowers and plants for winter interest, why not keep your driveway looking characterful all year round? Eye-catching colours on even the smallest flowering plants could help the façade of your home to become more inviting.
If your driveway leads to a garage door, placing matching hanging baskets on either side of it could be a pleasantly symmetrical way to add tasteful decoration to your home exterior.
Light the Way
Illuminating your driveway could instantly improve your homeward approach. You can use outdoor lighting as a practical installation that also refines the image of your home, making it stand out amongst neighbouring properties as daylight starts to draw away.
If you have a low wall running along your exterior, why not use stylish down-facing spotlights to mark the boundaries of your garden? Or, for garage doors, string lights give a warm, atmospheric glow – perfect for seasonal displays.
Redecorate Your Front Door
Occasionally, refurbishing the front door is all that’s needed to lighten up your driveway. Whether the old paint is starting to peel, or it simply doesn’t match the rest of your interior, it’s always possible to spruce it up.
If you’re repainting the front door, it’s important to take your time. After removing the hardware surrounding the door, clean the door to remove grease and grime. Scrape off old paint, repair any cracks with wood filler, and then use sandpaper to sand down the surface.
Lastly, wipe down the door with methylate spirit before applying an undercoat. Then, you’ll be good to go with your new colour of choice.
Install Gates
Lastly, remote-controlled or manual opening gates not only look sleek at the end of your driveway but give you extra security too. With a large, lockable gate, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that thieves won’t be able to steal your car from your driveway in a hurry.
Larger gates should also provide an element of privacy, helping to shield your household from the prying eyes of passers-by.
