Driveways form the gateway to your home, guiding guests to your front porch and the entrance to your home. But, is your driveway doing it all it can to make the most of this important role? In addition to a stunning design that complements your property’s layout and your home’s architecture, we recommend including a thoughtful lighting plan.
In addition to the immediate safety benefits of assisting guests as they make their way to your front door, these driveway lighting ideas will also highlight attractive hardscape and landscape features after the sun goes down.
Take a walk. Reading ideas in print is one thing; seeing them in action is another. Go ahead and take a walk around your surrounding neighborhood and make notes as you create your own wish list.
- DO provide lighting to guide cars safely around curbs and landscape borders.
- DON’T make your driveway look like an airport landing strip.
- DO use a variety of lighting sources at different levels.
- DON’T use excessive wattage that can distract neighbors or visitors.
Place lights at the entrance. Your driveway should be illuminated at its entrance points, as well as garage doors and any other entrances that lead from your driveway to landscaped pathways, gates, stairs, front doors and side doors.
Mark direction changes. Do you have a curved or U-shaped driveway? Make sure you install light fixtures that illuminate any new features, elevation changes or direction changes that may take a first-time guest unawares.
Use a variety of fixtures. Ground lights are popular because they’re less intrusive and provide a cleaner look. We also recommend using appropriately placed driveway post lights that can brighten up your landscape when the ground is covered with snow.
Lifescape Colorado is offering an 8 percent discount to customers who sign contracts for hardscaping improvements between Nov. 2014 and Feb. 2015, so schedule an upcoming hardscaping project and take advantage of these incredible savings today.