Installing Pavers as a Landscape Statement Piece
Interior designers encourage homeowners to include a
statement piece in each room. That decorative item can be a unique piece of
furniture or an impressive accessory. It's a feature that immediately captures
everyone’s attention when they walk into the room. A decorative statement item
isn't limited to your interior décor. Walkways, driveways and garden pathways
can be designed so that they are eye-catching elements in your landscape
design.
General Tips for Designing a Walkway
While your first inclination may be to consider the
aesthetic appearance of your walkway, safety should initially be your main
concern. You want to design a walkway that is wide enough for two people to
walk side by side comfortably. While four feet is generally a safe width, a
walkway width of five feet is significantly better. It’s important that
visitors to your home can easily walk to your door without running the risk of
stepping off a narrow walkway.
Choosing Your Walkway Design
It’s important to keep the shape of your walkway in balance
with the size of your yard. If you have a small yard, a straight walkway, in a
width of five feet, would be an attractive and safe size. A curved walkway
looks lovely in a large yard. It’s best to limit the number of curves you
include in the design so that visitors don’t feel as if they’re making their
way through a maze to get to your front door. To achieve visual cohesiveness,
the style of your walkway should complement your home’s exterior architectural
style. Curved walkways complement a ranch style house while a straight walkway
is more compatible with a traditional or formal architectural design.
Using Walkway Pavers
The material you use for your walkway has an influence on
the appearance, durability and safety of the walkway. A gravel walkway has an
uneven surface which makes it uncomfortable and unsafe to walk on. Pavers are a
durable walkway material that is comfortable to walk on. You can create a
walkway that includes pavers in colors that complement your home. Pavers can be
arranged in designs that ultimately make your walkway a work of art in the
landscape.
When designed well and constructed with quality materials,
walkways and driveways can enhance the curb appeal of your home. They can also
increase the value of your home.
