Essential Design Elements to Consider when Planning for Your Home’s Driveway

08 July 2021

The driveway of your home can provide tons of benefits. For one, it is essential for the smooth passage of vehicles. Additionally, it can set the default focal point for your property, ensuring that people from the outside can already develop some impression of the property’s interior before entering your home. 

Sometimes, homeowners do not pay too much attention to the overall design of their respective driveways. While it is understandable, planning for the general layout and design of your own driveway is still advised for the purpose of sustaining property value. Doing this can also help fulfil the general function and purpose of the driveway. It can even ensure the safety of the people on the property.

Some notable elements that you must consider when planning for your driveway are as follows:

Access

One design element that you must consider thoroughly is the accessibility of your home’s driveway. Home driveways must be easy to use. They must also have the right dimensions that can accommodate the entry and exit of vehicles as well as their parking spaces. For your driveway, you must consider the space needed for the parking and pathways of your vehicles. You must likewise consider the parking spaces of your visitors’ vehicles. Aside from parking spaces, you may also want to take note of and accommodate additional bicycles, motorcycles, and other modes of transportation that you own.

Appearance

Another element that you must consider when planning for your home’s driveway is its appearance. The appearance of your driveway should complement whatever design and style that your home property already has. If your home has a traditional vibe and style, then you may want to opt for a driveway that maximises bricks and timber beams. You can likewise add asphalt that looks like gravel to make your driveway exude rustic characteristic. Alternatively, if you want to add more landscape features alongside your driveway, then you may want to opt for natural materials that can be used on both features. 

Drainage

No matter what type of material you use, your driveway can still be damaged by water if it constantly shows up and accumulates. Fortunately, the build-up and pooling of water on its surface can be prevented with proper planning for drainage. The drainage of the driveway is possible by sloping its surface subtly away from your property. The sloping of your driveway can help in draining off water build-up into the predetermined locations and drainage areas.

Safety

Driveways must not only be safe for vehicles, but they must also be safe for pedestrians. For your driveway, you may want to integrate some effective light fittings to ensure every important area will be illuminated. Additionally, visual barriers must all be accounted for during the design planning of the driveway to effectively allow vehicles to pull in and out without causing property damages and injuries.

For more information about driveways, feel free to reach us at Prestige Construction and Design Sydney.