Planning a driveway design: How to Plan a Successful Driveway Layout

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How to Plan a Successful Driveway Layout

Posted by Mike Templin

Driveways play a vital role in how we access our homes each day. Not to mention they add to our homes’ practicality and curb appeal, which also proves valuable.

Planning a successful driveway layout requires that you take into account factors such as size and slope, layout, materials and required maintenance!

Size up your driveway

First, determine the best length and width for your driveway. Standard driveways for residential homes fall in the range of 9 to 24 feet in width. Single-car driveways range from 9 to 12 feet while double-car driveways are typically 20 to 24 feet.

The length of your driveway depends on how far away your home sits from the street. Other influencing factors include parking spaces and turnarounds. Turnarounds are usually 10 feet by 20 feet or 20 feet by 20 feet depending on how many vehicles you have and how much room you require in back-up space.

Consider slope carefully

Design your driveway to contain the perfect amount of slope that falls in the category of not too flat and not too steep. Completely flat driveways lead to drainage issues when water builds up in the middle and prevents it from running off the sides as needed.

Keep your driveway at a less than 15 percent grade so it is not too steep; steep driveways prove slippery and potentially dangerous, especially when wet. Add curves and build up the middle of the driveway where necessary in order to achieve the perfect grade of slope.

Figure out your driveway’s layout

Your property’s size determines the flexibility of your driveway layout. Smaller properties benefit from straight driveways that create a direct line from the garage to the street. Stamped concrete or framing borders created with shrubbery or trees add intrigue to the otherwise average straight driveway.

Curved driveways add curb appeal and functionality to larger properties. They help you easily connect your street access point to your garage when the two don’t line up evenly due to landscaping or other factors. Curves also add elements of character to your property!

  • Horseshoe or circular driveways help eliminate the need for reversing or turning around and are perfect for houses located on busy streets.

Material & maintenance

To select the best material for your driveway, consider your property’s layout and aesthetics. Try to pick a surface that fits in with your surrounding landscape as well as your home’s architecture.

Look for durable material that provides traction and holds up well to years of wear. Popular driveway materials include:

  • Concrete
  • Asphalt
  • Cement
  • Gravel
  • Paving
  • Cobblestone

The material you choose to form your driveway dictates the required maintenance over the coming years. For example, gravel requires more regular maintenance compared to something like concrete. Determine the amount of time you wish to devote to maintaining your driveway and let that help you decide on materials.

If concrete is your style, choose the experts at Templin Concrete Construction to construct your driveway! We have been working in concrete for over 10 years and are ready to plan an efficient and attractive driveway for your home. Give us a call at 612-388-1945 to learn more about our services today!

Driveway design: a step-by-step guide

(Image credit: Marje/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

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Planning a new driveway design? There are some crucial things you’ll need to consider first. A must-have feature of many front yards, driveways are more than just practical – the best ones will boost the curb appeal of your plot too, and create a great first impression.

Whether you’re replacing existing driveway ideas that are looking a little lackluster or building a new one from scratch, you’ll want to ensure that the project ends up a success. After all, they’re not always the quickest or cheapest features to install, so you’ll want to get it right first time. And with this guide, we can help.

We’ve rounded up five top things to bear in mind when designing a driveway for your outdoor space.

1. Work out the shape and size of your driveway

First, you’ll want to decide on the shape and size of your driveway in relation to the rest of your front garden ideas. 

Of course, there are plenty of practical factors to consider here. For starters, you’ll need it to be wide enough to fit your vehicles – both yours and potential guests’ – with room on either side for getting in and out easily. If you’re going to include a gate, you’ll need to allow room for it to open, too. If you’ve got a very large front yard, you may even want to provide enough room to turn vehicles around.

Shape-wise, think about whether you want a simple and straight drive or a curved one. If you have an existing garage, you may wish to create the most efficient route to it from the road. Any large, existing trees that you need to work around may also play a part in the layout of the shape.

It’s always a good idea to check with your local planning office to ensure you’re meeting any legal requirements with your driveway design, too. For instance, Cass Heaphy of Paving Direct  explains how UK building regulations stipulate a minimum width of 3.3m (10.8ft) for lone-access driveways and 2.5m (8.2ft) where a separate means of access – such as a footpath – is present.

There is also the gradient to consider. ‘You want the driveway to drain surface water within the boundary of your property, so to achieve this, the driveway will need a gentle gradient called the “fall”,’ explains Cass. The fall should be between a 1:60 and 1:80 gradient and direct the run-off somewhere suitable (more on this below). Bear in mind that the gradient will also affect traction in icy or cold weather conditions, he adds. ‘If your surface material is too smooth and too steep, you may not be able to use the drive in certain weather conditions.’

This driveway elegantly curves around a tree

(Image credit: PC Photography/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

2. Choose the best materials for your space

The surface material of your driveway will affect both how practical it is and how it looks in your space. And there are lots of options to choose from.

To help you decide, you’ll want to think about your budget: some materials are much more expensive than others. The cheapest to use will be a decorative aggregate (flint gravel, limestone chippings, etc.,) laid over compacted hardcore (MOT Type 1), as says Cass. Gravel driveway ideas are popular for many reasons, but there are a few drawbacks to consider: ‘they offer poor footing, and in wet conditions will likely transfer moisture and dirt to footwear more easily,’ he says. ‘Likewise, they make access with prams, wheelchairs, and bikes more difficult, where a hard surface would offer better performance.’

If you want a hard surface instead, the cheapest option can be done with driveway concrete blocks, Cass advises. ‘The most expensive options will be natural stone setts or blocks, or porcelain setts.’

It’s also important to factor in the costs of installation if you’re hiring a pro. ‘The cost of installation is 60–70% labor and 30–40% materials,’ says Cass, ‘so focusing on the materials alone will not equate to a cost reduction. If you’re planning to do this as a DIY project – ask yourself what your own time is worth too.’

Gravel is one of the cheapest materials to use for your driveway design

(Image credit: Future)

Aesthetics are equally important. As Cass suggests, you should ask yourself if the driveway material enhances and complements your home. For instance, you may wish to pick a paving color that matches your exterior walls, or ties in well with your garage doors.

And, if you are laying a block paving, think about the pattern and the different effects it can have on the overall look. For instance, you could choose a stretcher bond, basketweave, or herringbone design.

There is maintenance to consider too: you’ll want your driveway to look tip-top for longer, which means you’ll need something durable and easy to clean. Most hard surfaces can be spruced up easily with one of the best pressure washers, while gravel can be replaced when it begins to look tired, or washed (although this is more time-consuming). You can find out more in our dedicated guide on how to clean a driveway.

A hard-surfaced driveway like this one is easy to clean with a pressure washer

(Image credit: Marje/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

3. Factor in drainage

‘You must have a drainage plan and capture all rainfall and surface run-off water within the boundary of your property,’ says Cass. This will help prevent flooding on your property and the street.

He explains how there are a few options to do this, but the two most common are to use drainage channels and an underground soakaway crate to capture water, or to direct surface run-off into the garden – for instance, into lawns or flowerbeds. The latter tends to be cheaper and easier to do. Alternatively, you could opt for permeable paving.

You can find plenty more info on driveway drainage solutions in our guide.

Permeable Woburn Rumbled Infilta paving from Bradstone will soak up rainwater run-off

(Image credit: Bradstone)

4. Add the perfect finishing touch with edging

As well as the materials of the driveway itself, you may also want to consider adding garden edging ideas to the feature. This can add a smart sense of definition and boost the overall aesthetic appeal.

Straight, chamfered, bullnose, high vs low, the colors and materials – these are all things to be considered, as says Cass. You may even want to go for a softer look and line your driveway with the best edging plants.

A neat edge defines this driveway from a flowerbed of astrantias and hydrangeas

(Image credit: Steffie Shields/Alamy Stock Photo)

5. Consider adding a gate

Adding a driveway gate is a great way to boost the security levels of your plot and keep pets and little ones safely away from the road. And there are lots of designs to choose from, so it’s easy to pick one that will complement your garden theme.

You may even want to go a step further and opt for an automated gate. It’s a simple way to make your life easier – just bear in mind that you may need to allow for underground motor chambers, vehicle loop detectors, and other aspects in your plan, as says Cass. 

And, if want even more peace of mind, you could invest in one of the best outdoor security cameras, too. And don’t forget about lighting, whether that’s recessed, staked, or wall-mounted styles.

A gate will make your plot more secure

(Image credit: OceanProd/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

Is it difficult to build a driveway yourself?

Now you know how to design a driveway, you may be wondering if it’s possible to build it yourself, too. ‘If you are happy with manual labor and are handy, then doing a driveway should be within your capabilities,’ says Cass.

‘The difficulty and effort will depend on whether you need to do the groundwork for drainage, or whether your water capture regime will use the garden lawns and beds to absorb run-off rainfall. The former will need more excavation, which if done manually, could be difficult.

‘You will need specific equipment and machinery such as a compactor plate (which can generally be hired if necessary), so make sure you are aware of these tools and equipment costs when planning the work, as a contractor will have these themselves.

‘If you do plan a DIY driveway installation, find a good driveway installation guide and follow the processes step-by-step. You should be fine,’ he says.

And if you’re looking for more projects to elevate your garden, then our guides on how to lay a patio and how to build a rock garden have got you covered.

The garden was always a big part of Holly’s life growing up, as was the surrounding New Forest where she lived. Her appreciation for the great outdoors has only grown since then. She’s been an allotment keeper, a professional gardener, and a botanical illustrator – plants are her passion.

Entrance design project • Energy-Systems

Entrance renovation design

Apartment owners know that a competent, modern design of the entrance is necessary for comfortable living in the house. It is from the threshold of the front door that the personal space begins, which must necessarily look attractive, dignified, corresponding to the interior of individual apartments. The need for high-quality repairs in the entrance today is not in doubt among anyone, even among the most economical owners, however, the owners of apartments understand the scale of work in completely different ways. Some owners believe that it is enough to paint the entrances in the house, whitewash the ceilings, replace the light bulbs and that’s it, the design is completed. In fact, the usual painting of entrances today can hardly be called a high-quality, modern repair.

At present, it is customary to draw up high-quality projects for the design of entrances to residential buildings. The design project of the entrance, made by professional specialists, allows you to decorate the front door not only very attractively, but also functionally. The right choice of colors, design solutions, facing materials ensures a long service life of the entrance, eliminates the need for repairs for the next year.

How to arrange the entrance of an apartment building

Apartment owners will not argue with the fact that it is much more pleasant to leave the house in the morning, passing through a neat, beautifully decorated entrance. In the evening, returning home through a cozy and clean front door is also much more convenient. At the same time, in the entrances, residents and guests of the house pay attention, first of all, to the walls. When specialists create a design project for an entrance, they pay a lot of attention to the walls, but first they determine the general concept of decorating the front door.

When carrying out repair work in apartments and houses, the style of interior design is chosen in accordance with the wishes and individuality of the owners. Entrances are common areas, because their owners are all the owners of apartments in the house, and it is they who will have to decide in what style to decorate these areas. Due to the large number of people involved, it can be much more difficult to decide on a style than to choose a suitable concept for finishing a private apartment or a country house, so the hired designers are responsible for selecting creative entrance design solutions that can satisfy all apartment owners. This is quite difficult to do, but the masters have extensive experience and know what people really want.

After determining the general concept of finishing the entrance, you need to choose the color of the walls. It must comply with the chosen style, as well as the technical features of the entrance, the rules for its operation. In Russia, the most popular are neutral, calm colors for decorating the front doors: beige, green, peach and others.

Owners are often interested in how much the interior design project of the entrance costs, but the masters will be able to give the exact price of their work only after determining the main features of the finish. As for the total cost of repairs, it will directly depend on the facing materials used, which differ in cost and technical characteristics.

It is necessary to choose the lining for the entrances of residential buildings, taking into account the peculiarities of their operation. These public areas will be used by many people on a daily basis, will be subject to constant negative impacts, so the finish for the entrances should not only be visually attractive, but also resistant, easy to clean. It is not recommended to save on finishing materials. The more expensive and functional cladding is used, the longer it will last, which means that the next repair will not need to be carried out soon.

You can determine the price of design projects for theaters, clinics, cafes, apartments, houses and entrances using an automatic calculator.

Online calculation of the cost of designing

Office interior design and renovation in Moscow

Gavrish company office, 1300 sq. m.

Breath of nature

It is better to entrust the development of office interior design – the face of the company – to professionals who will not only follow your idea of ​​​​an ideal working environment in their work, but also use all their knowledge of current trends and the latest fashion trends. You can order the design and renovation of an office in Moscow at the Style Home studio. We are ready to prepare a design project for you, plan each stage of development and implementation and vouch for the quality of work.

In the photos below, you can study the interior design of the office, developed by our specialists, and get acquainted with the design of various zones and the combination of styles that the Style Home designers worked with. In our work, we always listen to the wishes of the client, and it is this principle that allows us to achieve the desired effect: each office is unique, distinctive, perfectly reflects the ideas and goals of the company. Some design elements emphasize the solidity of the company, others – progressiveness and modernity. The design project of a large office turned out to be versatile and universal, and most importantly, comfortable for employees. We have achieved the perfect combination of all the interior design elements of the Gavrish office space, creating an ideal workspace for a large team.
The project was carried out for the well-known Russian company Gavrish. Its main activities are breeding, seed production and sale of seeds.

As part of this project, we were given several global tasks:
  • Design an office for a large company with many departments;
  • When designing, take into account the specifics of the work and the number of each unit;
  • Effectively decorate the reception area, emphasizing the solidity of the company;
  • Conference hall for various events;
  • Required number of bathrooms;
  • Provide a place for employees to eat.

SOLUTION

After analyzing the wishes of the client, we proposed the following concept:
  • With the help of a modern and stylish interior, show the relevance of the brand.
  • Use natural materials and decor in the design to emphasize that the company’s activities are connected with nature.

We wanted to use the available space rationally, so each department was created taking into account the optimal number of seats.

To make it comfortable to be in all areas of the office, we had to carefully consider the layout of split systems.

INTERIOR

Reception area

The first thing that partners, visitors and guests of the company see is the reception area. We designed it in a modern style with elements of eco-design.

The accent wall behind the reception desk is decorated with stabilized moss; the logo and company name are placed against its background. Such a decision directly indicates the type of activity of the company. The honeycomb-shaped tile mosaic that continues the decoration of the hall is an additional emphasis on the brand’s natural direction.

The decoration of the reception desk and the entire room as a whole combines natural materials: wood and stone. The stone is presented in the form of symmetrical marble inserts in the reception desk, marble top of the coffee table in the waiting area and large-format beige porcelain stoneware with a marble texture on the floor.
All these elements give the room solidity and chic. Sand-coloured sofas with bright cushions in young greens and natural browns attract the eye and invite you to spend moments of waiting in comfort.

The hall and reception areas are zoned using different ceiling structures and different lighting scenarios:
– spotlights built into the Grilyato mesh ceiling – highlight the reception area and the waiting area for visitors;
— linear LED luminaires follow the geometry of the wooden elements that decorate part of the wall and continue into the ceiling decoration.
— spots on the bus, with the ability to use directional light and adjust the angle of illumination, illuminate the passage to the working premises and the storage area;

Conference hall

When designing the conference hall, we were tasked with making the hall a transformer: using light furniture that is easy to store on non-events days.

We used bright natural colors in the design of the conference room and chose comfortable plastic chairs in sunny yellow color that can be stored in a stacked state. These chairs look great against a bright green wall. Ecofon geometric panels are used by us in the decoration of the ceiling and one of the walls performs the function of sound absorption. Large circular office ceiling lights and wall sconces provide lighting, depending on the chosen scenario.

Within the boundaries of the conference hall there is a separate meeting room and a coffee point. On days when there are no events, this room can serve as a recreation and relaxation area.

Offices for employees and managers

To save space and create a working mood, we suggested using glass partitions. This solution is aesthetically pleasing and functional: it isolates the space, provides sound insulation, and at the same time allows you to observe the work process.

Workplaces were designed taking into account the requirements of ergonomics and SNiP and completed with comfortable office furniture.

When creating a planning solution, we took into account the number of employees in each division. For example, the marketing department is designed for 5-6 people and is designed in the traditional style of an office space. And the selection department, numbering several dozen people who spend a lot of time in the field and on the road, at the request of the management and the employees themselves, we survived in the loft style. The space where we left open brickwork and engineering communications on the ceiling is organized according to the open space principle. At the same time, each workplace is separated, zoned by a low partition, so that employees do not interfere with each other during work. Large panoramic windows allow a lot of light into the room, but blinds can be closed if necessary.

At the same time, all departments are provided with enough lighting for work: general and individual at each workplace. In a company that solves such problems, we could not do without fresh flowers in the decor.

Separate offices are provided for heads of departments, where there is everything necessary for work: a workplace with a comfortable chair, shelving for storing documents and places for placing office equipment.

Coffee point for employees

For the comfort of employees, we have organized several points in different parts of the office where you can warm up food and have a snack. In these areas, we installed small kitchen sets with everything you need: a cooler, a coffee machine, a kettle, a sink, a microwave and a compact table for four people.