What to Consider When Designing a Walkway This Summer
Hardscapes, like walkways, are a great way to enhance your home’s landscaping and curb appeal. But, these types of design and installation projects require a lot of planning. From materials and styles to your overall budget, these are the top four factors that you need to think about when planning your walkway design.
Budget
You should come into any walkway installation project with a budget, or at least a range of what you’re comfortable spending. That’s because your budget sets restrictions on what you’re able to do and which materials you can use. There’s no real right or wrong budget, but it’s important to set one before getting too deep into your improvement project. This will prevent any big surprises from happening along the way.
If you’re not sure what budget you should have, we recommend consulting with a professional landscaper. They can help you better understand the price of materials, how much material your specific project requires, and more. That way, you can set realistic expectations moving forward.
Scale
Walkway installations aren’t one-size-fits-all projects. For instance, a walkway from your front door to your driveway is likely to be shorter than one that wraps all the way around the side of your home to a back patio.
When it comes to scaling your walkway, you want to be sure it fits in naturally with your home and doesn’t stand out too much. But at the same time, you want it to be wide enough to comfortably walk on. An additional consideration is whether the path you select will curve and wind or be straight.
Materials
Materials matter in a walkway design, especially when it comes to aesthetics, durability, and, as we mentioned earlier—your budget. Obviously, you want to select a material that complements the rest of your home, but at the same time, you need to consider materials based on the environment that you live in.
In Michigan, for example, the winters are cold and snowy, while the summers are hot and humid. Most hardscape materials can endure both the heat and the cold without issue, but some do a better job than others.
The material you choose can also influence the price. Pea gravel and concrete tend to be less expensive than brick and concrete pavers. A professional landscaping company like Design One can help you select the right material for your budget, aesthetic, and environmental requirements.
Maintenance is an additional consideration you’ll have to take into account with any walkway. All hardscapes need to be properly maintained, but stamped concrete, for instance, may need to be resealed every few years to continue to maintain its color and repel moisture.
Lastly, you must consider the amount of foot traffic that your walkway will get on a daily basis. Depending on the location, it may get a lot. If your walkway will be in a high traffic area, you need to choose a more durable material that can withstand the constant traffic.
Home Exterior
You don’t want your walkway to look like an outlier after it’s installed. Ideally, it should seamlessly blend into your home’s exterior and complement the rest of your landscape. We suggest selecting a color scheme that blends well with your current exterior. Usually, homeowners choose Earth-toned materials, but hardscapes are available in a variety of different colors, shapes, and patterns to help achieve the look you want.
Get Walkway Design Help Today
For more information about walkway designs and installations, turn to Design One. Serving Southeast Michigan for over 30 years, we specialize in hardscaping and landscaping design. Our experienced team can help you create the best walkway design for your home or business.
If you have design ideas in mind, fill out our online form today to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to helping you turn your ideas into a reality!
