Creating the perfect landscape involves a combination of ground surface materials and design. Walkways and driveways make up a prominent part of the landscape and they’re part of your home’s curb appeal so the choice of materials and the design are very important. Here are five landscape tips for your paver walkway and paver driveway in Wescosville, PA.
Related: Time to Update the Driveway With These 5 Driveway Pavers in Reiffton and Wyomissing, PA Areas
Use a Layered Approach with Lighting
The primary function of any walkway and driveway is providing a safe environment and this cannot be done properly without a mixture of lighting strategies. First, abandon the floodlight strategy. Too many guests are blinded by a single light source up high that’s intended to wash over a large area. Floodlights use too much energy inefficiently and they create a stark contrast between illuminated areas and a dark landscape.
Instead, use several different lighting strategies with a layered approach. The layered approach to driveway and walkway lighting will greatly increase nighttime depth perception by creating a detailed visual texture. This actually enables a much safer environment by eliminating harsh contrasts between light sources and darker areas.
Use a combination of low-lying pathway lights, spotlights to accentuate the beauty of your favorite landscape features, and fixtures that gently wash light downwards through trees in a technique called moonlighting. This layered approach will not only encourage safety, but it will also add a much deeper element of beauty that will dazzle any visitor.
Design with Curves
Driveways and walkways should never be about getting to the destination as fast as possible. Instead, the home should be a relaxing place that encourages an easy-going feeling. While modernist architecture sometimes prioritizes the use of perfectly straight lines in a home and landscape, it’s often more pleasing to the eye to use curves with walkways and driveways. These curves should be gentle, encouraging visitors to slow down and take in your landscape and home. Don’t go overboard, however, and just let some simple curves make a big impact in how your landscape feels.
Use Permeable Pavers
Another way to encourage safety in an unobtrusive way is by using permeable pavers in the design of your walkway and driveway. This design will allow surface water to seep through somewhat larger spaces between pavers instead of collecting on top, reducing slipping hazards and runoff. Permeable pavers also help replenish the supply of groundwater instead of sending all the water into the storm drains, making them a more eco-friendly option to solid surfaces.
Draw Attention to a Focal Point
A great walkway and driveway will have some eye-catching features. A water feature such as a fountain will make an excellent focal point to help draw attention to your front entry, or it could be positioned as a stand-alone feature that makes your landscape feel welcoming and interesting. A fountain creates a visual spectacle as well as a soothing white noise that envelopes your front yard, adding to the relaxing atmosphere.
Add Seat Walls
Part of making the area around your front walkways and driveway welcoming could involve adding a place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Outdoor chairs do very well in making a backyard patio relaxing, though they look too casual around the front entry. Consider using masonry seat walls along the walkway, to complete the look and create an attractive division between the landscape and the home, effectively offering an “embrace” that welcomes visitors.
