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Driveway

7 years ago

I am just about to start a full renovation on my new house.

The driveway looks good but it is not convenient as I can't fit enough cars on when we have guests etc.

I am thinking of doing away with all the grass and redoing the Tarmac, the trees in the centre are all coming out and I'm going to replace with a central water feature.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated!

Featured Answer

Alexandra J
Original Author

7 years ago

Thanks for all your help guys!

The reason I was sticking with Tarmac is that my daughters love riding their bikes in the front and it is very easy to ride on Tarmac.

Cheers

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Comments (10)

PRO
Brackley Landscape Services
7 years ago
Do you have parking to the side of the house? How many spaces are you looking to create?

I think you should look at getting a landscape plan developed to find the best solution and most cost effective option.
Jonathan
7 years ago
Be careful that you don't end up with a big carpark. Try to keep lots of greenery. Perhaps the solution is to create additional parking bays around the periphery rather than make the centre smaller.
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Alexandra J
Original Author
7 years ago
Cheers, the cost is not an issue, I just want it to have the wow factor.

Want to have space for approx 6 cars.
Alexandra J
Original Author
7 years ago
This is the view when you come in the gates.
minnie101
7 years ago
You could create parking bays where the grass is on the garage side similar to this but perhaps larger planting for the bays.

https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/an-front-garden-driveway-for-a-traditional-arts-and-crafts-style-house-dsvw-vd~4166201?n=2
minnie101
7 years ago
I also wouldn't make the centre a lot smaller and would keep the grass elsewhere. If you go for a water feature I would keep grass and plants around it. Perhaps not the best pics but to give you an idea. I probably wouldn't go for Tarmac either, gravel is quite a cost effective and timeless solution.
Francesco Rizzuto
7 years ago
Like the idea of central water feature (would ditch the trees but keep large grass surround). Could even add a shallow water moat effect around grass but this may be a step too far!!! Probably would choose a light stone colour to compliment the house pillars and add lighting for extra effect at night.

For parking would use the grass areas either side. Check out possible alternatives to tarmac (think you can get some kind of composite stone/gravel resin mix) which would give you more colour options but still great for bikes. May be able to add some kind of integral design pattern using colour in parking area either side so stays symmetrical but adds some interest (bit like when you see paved parking space outlined in another complimentary coloured paving).

Add low level border (even just coloured gravel and stone curbing) around perimeter/base of all 3 hedges and up-lighting for wow factor at night.

Have a nosey around the neighbourhood and see what others have done.

Definitely get a reputable landscaper on board for their design input, they should know latest materials available and any pitfalls.

Beautiful house, good luck with renovations
Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek
7 years ago
PRO
Brackley Landscape Services
7 years ago
That's a great looking house!

If you want to create something special and budget isn't a big factor I would consider a central water feature with a surrounding band of paving or grass. I would then keep the parking bays to the edging to reduce the lawn that isn't used. I good 3D landscape design would really help you to visual the finish design!

Here's a water central water feature we completed!

Some of our 3D designs:

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