The garden and landscaping surrounding a residential property can change the entire look and feel of a house, adding significant value and creating engaging, flowing areas for enjoying the outdoors. A large part of many outdoor areas is the driveway, and carefully choosing the best material can help to create a stunning, seamless flow between different zones and unite a variety of hard and soft landscaping materials.

A concrete driveway

Concrete is one of the most sought after products for residential driveways, and with a huge variety of colours, finishes and textures available, there is a style of concrete to suit any home. With exposed aggregate concrete a popular option, drawing in the local features of the area with locally sourced aggregate can deepen a home’s link to the natural surrounds. 

Coloured concrete driveways are also a popular option with a large range of colours available to create unique finishes and blend in with or juxtapose other landscaping materials. 

Asphalt driveways and shingle driveways

Asphalt driveways are another popular option, with a more rugged feel. They’re often chosen for large rural properties where a driveway can be a more extensive part of the overall site. Shingle driveways are another coveted option, creating a unique look and feel. Compacted gravel driveways can provide an alternative to concrete, and a more cost-effective solution at the outset, however, these can require significantly more maintenance over time to ensure their integrity remains intact over the years. 

Cobblestone, brick, pebble, stone, porcelain and natural paving for driveways

With options vast for the style and material used for a driveway, it will depend on the wider context of the site, budget and intended function - such as if it is a rural property will oversize or heavy vehicles be likely to use it frequently? If so, consideration needs to be made in terms of the weight limits for some materials. 

Despite this, many materials will be suitable for most driveways, including cobblestones, which create a charming outdoor aesthetic, natural paving, pebble and porcelain. Stone driveways are another option with options to tie in local stone or that used in or on the house itself. 

Often, carefully considering other elements such as fencing panels and fence and gate styles and materials will help to create a unified and seamless exterior.