Front Walkway Ideas
We all know about kerb appeal, right? When you’re selling your home, the buyer can make a decision on the house within moments of pulling up outside. But even if you’re not selling, it feels good to come home to a home that’s made the best of itself.
A large part of those first impressions can come from your walkway. Tired and dirty, littered with obstacles is not a good look. But landscaped and clean, not only are you making the best of the pathway to your home but you can transform the impression of the front of your property.
With a variety of styles and materials to choose from, your front walkway can have your home looking the best on your street.
Curve Appeal
If you have a good size front yard, then a cool curve could be the walkway you need to install. A gentle sloping curb edge with planting and contrasted with a same shade drive oozes designer sophistication.
Choosing a classic, elegant stone will add expense to the front of your house. This look is pared back and simple and will work with most styles. Just remember to match or complement the stone of the slabs with the tone of the brickwork or painted color of your exterior.
Modern Entryway
If you have a very modern, cuboid house, then you’ll want to keep the exterior clean and simple. A straight, regular, pale colored path will look gentle against a white painted house front.
Keep the lawn super neat and for interest, a small interesting tree close to the entrance will pique interest and give a warm welcome to the architecture.
Walkway in the Woods
If your abode is set in the backdrop of a forest, that might be enough for a walkway. But it’s worth considering how you can best show off your house in the woods.
Lining the drive with rocks and boulders is both dramatic but in keeping with the style of the landscape. So even for a cabin in the woods, think about how you can mark out your front walkway and perhaps go to town on installing some rustic rocks.
Monochrome Walkway Mood
Clapboard houses are classic American homes. They are easy to construct and work well in all weathers. They’re also smart, attractive houses you can customize to suit your own tastes.
Black and white is both timeless and very much on trend when it comes to exterior schemes/ So the front walkway should be a crisp white stone. This is the most elegant walkway, enhanced more by a black metal railing.
Big Walkway Ideas
For a super sized home, an entryway cannot be an afterthought. Every part of this statement architecture has to be thought about.
A modern design building can be elevated by a well-manicured front lawn and a graphite stone walkway forming a courtyard effect. A pale gray stone enhances wood tones, at opposite sides of the color wheel to give maximum contrast.
White Picket Fence Cottage Walkway
A small cottage or cabin in the middle of nowhere is a rural, romantic notion. And what self-respecting home would not have a traditional white picket fence.
The materials you might use for the front walkway are best natural gravel or pea gravel but kept neat and ordered, reflecting the confines of the picket fence. Some cottage style planting will soften your walkway to combine a love of the outdoors with domesticity.
Honey I’m Home Walkway
If you’re less into minimalism and austere building design, then you’ll be looking at walkway choices that are warm and welcoming. Contrasting textures is a good way to achieve this.
A honey-toned gravel is a good basis for a walkway, then for a little more practicality, cunningly introducing designer interest, is to lay a similar shade stone slab to create stepping stones. This not only looks good but is a hard wearing practical surface.
Railway Sleepers in a Front Walkway Journey
If you love the dual textured idea, then you may want to consider using two different materials. A railway sleeper is something used by gardeners as a sturdy means of creating a raised vegetable bed, for example. Or stacking to create some unusual seating.
If you love the look of a railway track then you can use timber to create this look for your front walkway. Particularly great for curves, you can finish it with pea gravel in a contrasting tone.
Brick Front Walkway
A townhouse can use a gorgeous red brick walkway. Matching nicely with urban railings, you can install a brick path.
What’s more, brick can be laid in geometric designs such as a chevron or herringbone pattern. And regarding sustainability, you can buy reclaimed brick for a classic, genuine aged look. With an ornate front garden and trees, you’ll have the look of an expensive regal property.
Crazy Paving Comes Back
Very popular in the middle and tail end of the last century, crazy paving is making a comeback. If you have a subtle home front exterior, you have the perfect background for some fun.
A walkway in a varied, broken look can be shown off to its fullest by planting some colorful flowers to edge the entrance to your home. If you love this look, why not try installing crazy paving yourself.
Flagstone Tradition
For a flourish of grandeur, flagstones will do the trick. Made from large slabs of natural stone, these are steeped in tradition, of grand country homes or large townhouses.
You can source second hand stone and cut or break to suit your walkway. Or you can buy new stone slabs. Flagstones will age fairly quickly for a rustic look. This is one time it’s best not to use the pressure washer as you want some accumulation of dirt for an authentic appearance.
In Summary
Your front walkway is the first impression when someone pulls up outside your home. So you want those moments to count.
Whether you use traditional brick or stone, or a more modern bright white or mixed textures, the walkway should sympathize with the exterior of your house and the front yard.
If you have the space, you could add architectural features such as a curved walkway or one lined with rocks. Use the materials you love and your guests are sure to love your front walkway too.
