Summer’s almost here and it’s the ideal time to get your outside spaces ready for enjoying the sunshine. Garden, terrace and soft furnishings can all be optimised for a more aesthetic result, one that’s not only more comfortable but also more practical. But to achieve this, you have to make the right choices. For example, the driveway or path leading from your gate to your home is one of the most important elements of landscaping. It must be wide enough to be easy to use, and of course, it must be well cared for. As for the materials to be used, you have several options.
Made from cement, sand and gravel, concrete pavers are commonly used in landscaping driveways because of their strength. They offer almost endless possibilities for customised designs. These sort of pavers are also very easy to install and maintain. Regular brushing will be more than enough to keep them clean. You may need to add sand from time to time to fill in the joins. Concrete pavers are also an advantageous solution regarding price. Just make sure they are frostproof to avoid any problems in winter.
Hardwearing and kind to the environment, natural stone driveways are right on trend at the moment. The materials used (basalt, marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, etc.) make it easy to delineate spaces and create new configurations by using different combinations. They are also very plant-friendly because they control humidity. Maintenance is also very simple. You should clean them using just water for a few months after installation, then use only gentle products thereafter. However, be aware that natural stone is more expensive than concrete pavers.
If you want to construct your driveway yourself, gravel is undoubtedly the simplest option and also the least expensive. All you need for this project is a shovel, a wheelbarrow and a few hours of hard work. The task will go even faster if you get your loved ones to help. As time goes by, you may experience subsidence in a few places. All you need to do to correct this is to replace a few layers of gravel and the driveway will be level and passable once again.
For a perfect layout, trees or flowers add the finishing touch to your frontage. They will give a nice decorative touch to your home and delight both your visitors and passers-by. However, to look their best, these plants will also need regular maintenance. This involves tasks such as pruning them to create a uniform and homogeneous appearance and removing any fallen leaves and faded flowers. If you enjoy gardening, this shouldn't be a problem. Finally, a compost heap where you can deposit your garden waste is another great idea. It’s a perfect solution for free, eco-friendly fertiliser.