Are you looking to improve your current driveway? Perhaps your driveway is no longer looking as good as it once was... it has cracks, moss and dirt all around. Maybe your driveway is simply looking too plain and boring, it needs a change. No matter the reason you have for uplifting your driveway, one thing you will need is some ideas. It can be challenging to think of creative ways to transform your driveway and achieve something truly unique that's also in line with your home's existing image.

To give you some inspiration, we have put together some ideas for driveways of all different kinds, whether brick, stone or tarmac, providing you with different colours and different styles you can try to achieve the look you want.

Types of driveway materials

Choosing the right driveway materials is the place to start when redesigning your driveway. As well as thinking of the appearance of certain materials, there are a few other things to consider too, including cost, maintenance and durability.

Gravel driveway ideas

A gravel driveway is a great option for longer roads or for creating pathways in grassy areas. With regular maintenance, a gravel driveway can last for a very long time. Gravel is a great material to create distinct shapes or borders on your driveway and can also be found in different colours too. At Mainland Aggregates, we supply a large selection of gravel for driveways. Some popular options include 20mm gravel, 20mm pink granite chippings, 20mm Cambrian green chippings and 20mm Dove grey limestone.

Benefits of gravel driveways:

- Long-lasting
- Inexpensive
- Might requires regular maintenance
- Creates a stable surface
- Hard-wearing
- Diverse in style
- Quick laying process

Things to consider:

- Difficult to clean
- Can become displaced
- Difficult to remove snow/ice
- Can form ruts or sinkholes

Resin-bound driveway ideas

Resin-bound gravel makes a great driveway material, not just because of its attractive appearance but also because of its many practical features too. Resin-bound gravel is available in a variety of different colours, which makes is a very versatile choice for any home.

Features of resin-bound driveways:

- Affordable
- Strong and hard-wearing
- Requires little maintenance
- Long-lasting
- Quite affordable

Things to consider:

- Will likely require professional installation
- Less flexibility with the design
- Clean with a pressure washer
- Difficult to repair

Cobblestone driveway ideas

Cobblestone driveways are made of small blocks of paving material which is made from natural stone. This type of driveway boasts a unique look to driveways, giving a special charm to the entrance of a home. Cobblestone driveways are elegant, durable and require little maintenance.

Features of cobblestone driveways:

• - Can withstand all weather conditions
• - Has aesthetic appeal
• - A range of colours to choose from
• - Gives you a range of design options
• - Good longevity
• - Low maintenance and easy to maintain
• - Resistant to staining
• - Versatile design

Things to consider:

• - Can be expensive
• - Labour-intensive installation
• - Weeds can grow between stones (overcome this with weed killer)
  
  

Tarmac driveway ideas

Tarmac is an affordable driveway material and is great for achieving a smooth and even surface that feels great to drive on. It's a very cost-effective material that is easy to install and also dries quickly, so doesn't take long to benefit from the results. However, because it is quite a plain material, it can feel limited in terms of design options. With a bit of creative thinking and maybe a few extra materials, you can achieve a really tidy and sleek-looking driveway.

Features of tarmac driveways:

- Easy to install
- Very durable
- Good value for money
- Easy to maintain
- Long-lasting
- Easy to repair

Things to Consider:

- Tarmac repairs are not always invisible
- Potholes can form on tarmac
- Style limitations

Asphalt driveway ideas

Similar to tarmac driveways, asphalt is a popular driveway material that will stand the test of time. Asphalt driveways are typically grey with a plain appearance, however, there are ways you can customise them to make them more visually appealing. Because asphalt has a high heat absorption, it's a popular driveway material in countries that get a lot of snow.

Features of asphalt driveways:

- Inexpensive
- Long-lasting
- High heat absorption
- Easy to repair

Things to consider:

- Requires frequent maintenance
- Style limitations

Driveway paving ideas

A paved driveway is a great way to make the front of your home look more attractive and put together whilst also increasing your property's kerb appeal. With paving, you can create interesting textures and patterns and a well-paved driveway using the right paving products should produce a driveway that's long-lasting and easy to maintain. And whether it's a natural stone or block driveway materials, you have lots of different design options when working with any kind of paving.

Driveway lighting ideas

As well as providing the homeowner with better visibility and security for a property, driveway lighting can also create a lovely ambience outside of your home. There are a lot of different styles and types of lighting that you can try for your own driveway. You can add lighting on top of your garage, along both sides of your driveway, at the beginning of your driveway, or more.... the choices are endless.

Gate ideas for driveways

Driveway gates provide extra security for the home, but there's no reason why they can't look great too! A gateway can change the entrance of your home and make a good impression on visitors. Wood gates and metal gates are the two main options for garden gates. Both will look fantastic and provide some level of privacy and security to properties.