Subscribe To This Site

A Driveway is the Backbone of Your Landscape Design!

by Nancy Dransfield, Landscape Architect, Landesign of VA, Inc,. P.O. Box 15582, Richmond, VA 23227, 804-261-6773, n.dransfield@verizon.net

The driveway determines how the landscape design is going to develop and support the appearance of the front of your home. The all important “street appeal” is dependent on it. Poor design of this approach to the house is one of the biggest flaws I see. This usually happens because it wasn’t even considered. The homeowner didn’t realize how it can make or break one of their biggest investments, their home.

driveway design before picture

BEFORE

AFTER

Isn’t this house beautiful! The driveway is the design element that sets the stage to an overall gorgeous setting for this house. The size of the circle is in proportion to the house. Grading has been done to level the surface in the front making it so much more attractive and easier to use. The color of the driveway surface compliments the colors used in the house and is appropriate for the rural setting. The horse fencing was set back farther from the driveway to allow for a more open view to the house. The width of the main drive is narrow to resemble a country road. The front circle widens up to accommodate guest parking. It curves to the side which takes the family to their private parking.

Designing a beautiful approach to your home that “works” takes time and effort, but it is so worth it! I want to pass on to you some of the main things I think about when putting together a landscape design.

The driveway directs how visitors are going to approach and view your house. Walk the property and determine at what place at the front property line is the best place to enter your property and view the front of your house. Direct guests away from bad views or private areas.
Bring the visitor to the front door. Even if you need to drive to a garage on the side bring your guest to the front door. Think of the garage as a personal area, not a place to receive people.
For a large property, think about driving through the property instead of a straight road to the house. This allows the visitor to see your property and catch glimpses of some other interesting areas. This is especially effective when peeks of water views through the trees are seen in advance. When I first start working for a client, they sometimes express concern about taking a road through a natural or wooded area thinking disrupting it takes away from its value. What I have seen is that these areas would never be visited unless a means of access is provided. Once the road is in it opens up a part of the property to enjoy that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
For smaller properties, there are alternatives to bringing the driveway down the side to the garage. I have done U-shaped drives on a city parcel! I have found people think that this type of design removes too much green space. Yes, some lawn area is removed, but it looks no less lush than properties with only a lawn in front. U-shaped drives bring guests directly to the front door and provide an easy exit. Be sure to widen the driveway by the front door to a minimum of 18 feet. This allows two cars to pass eliminating a bottleneck where your guests are made to move their car to allow another one to leave. What a pain! Let’s do it right!

This house with a U-shaped drive looks lush and green, yet still takes you to the front door easily! It is in proportion to the site and house. This is what creates that wonderful first impression!

The width is important! It should never be narrower than 10 feet. It is just too tight. If it is a long driveway have places where cars can pull over and let someone pass. A 12 foot width is considered the norm. This is still a one car driveway. A 15 foot wide drive is the widest I’ve used. Some clients just want the extra room or want a more open view to the house. Where the drive meets the main road, gradually widen your drive to 25 feet. This width opening allows for plenty of room to make the turn. If this entrance point gets too wide, it gets out of proportion and starts looking like the entrance to a shopping center.

You must allow room for cars to park. Designate the area by a garage as private parking. The paved area outside of the garage doors must also provide adequate room to pull out of the garage and turn around. If possible, I like to see 40 feet of width here. You can then pull out of the garage and pretty easily pull straight into your driveway and take off. This wide area can also provide overflow parking, when needed. This is the perfect place to add some parking places for the kids. For the entrance of the house, I have made a circle drive wide enough to accommodate parking around it. Actual parking spaces off a circle drive are possible. Parking spaces are 18 feet long and a minimum of 8 ½ feet wide. Don’t forget about the bumper overhang. Give the plants some room. Install plants 1-2 feet from the front edge of a parking space. Sometimes all space allows is to have a few parking spaces off the main drive. Keep guest parking easily accessible and oriented to the front door.

Driveway dilemma? I'd like to help!

Ask

Please contact me for further information or to talk to me about my landscape design services.

Nancy Dransfield

Landesign of Virginia, Inc.

P.O. Box 15582

Richmond, Virginia 23227

Office: 804-261-6773
Fax: 804-264-7253

E-mail:

n.dransfield@verizon.net

Landscape Design Samples;

Front Yards;

Landscape Pictures.

Installing the landscape design is just the beginning! Your investment should grow bigger and stronger each year. Subscribe to the quarterly newsletter, Landscape Update!

Stay Informed!!! Subscribe today!

footer for driveway page