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Walkway Curb Appeal
Walkway Curb Appeal Tips
Many homeowners overlook the importance of the walkway when creating curb appeal to sell their homes. They focus on the front yard and the entryway - which are indeed vitally important for getting prospective homebuyers to request a showing - but they forget about the walkway. And those potential buyers are going to be walking right up the walkway on their way to the front door!
The most drab type of walkway that needs curb appeal oomph is a straight concrete path. Bor-ing! You should seriously consider replacing a straight concrete walkway with brick, slate or stone. And if you convert your straight walkway into a curved walkway, better yet still! If you’re lucky, you may be able to place stone over your concrete walkway, which will save time and effort.
But if you’re pressed for time, the easiest thing to do for adding oomph to your walkway might simply be flaring the ends. In other words, you simply add more concrete to the beginning of the walkway in a flare on either side--ditto for the end near the porch or front door. This trick will add visual draw to your walkway.
It’s also a good idea to incorporate plantings with your walkway. The most low-maintenance plants are shrubs. Compact, low-lying shrubs will work best, as they won’t hang over your walkway and impede foot traffic. You can also intersperse annuals with the shrubs; this will help your walkway enhance your overall curb appeal. Choose brightly colored flowers that harmonize with the colors of your home; petunias work well in sun, and impatiens add a splash of color to shady areas.
The landscape beds, rather than rigid straight lines, may look more attractive if they don't follow along parellel with the walk. Try an alternative of having them come out from the porch in smooth shapes. These curved beds will lend your walkway an aura of flowing movement and depth. Be sure have fresh mulch and make a deep edging where it meets the lawn. This will give your landscaping a crisp, well cared for look.
And the plantings within your landscape bed along the walkway shouldn’t be rigid and straight, either. Your shrubs and flowers can accent the curve of the landscape bed. They can be planted all along the curve, with taller shrubs in back and shorter flowers in front. Alternatively, if your curves are deep, you can plant a grouping of shrubs in one curve, a grouping of flowers in the next, then another grouping of shrubs in the next, etc. This will lend your walkway elegance and grace, as well as a sense of unfolding, which helps a space seem larger and piques the curiosity.
The final touch to your walkway is outdoor lighting fixtures. There are so many attractive walkway lights to choose from! And they’re remarkably easy to install. And if you opt for solar-powered walkway lights, your electric bill won’t increase one red cent! This will add visual interest and further enhance the flowing lines.
Now your walkway will exude irresistible curb appeal--any time of day!
