6 Walkway Ideas to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

An attractive walkway is probably the first introduction to your home, guiding guests to your door in a style that signifies what’s to come.

Here, our landscape architect in San Francisco outlines 6 walkway ideas to boost your home’s curb appeal.

1. Plant local

Sometimes, you really want to plant those one-of-a-kind, exquisite rose bushes. However, they’re ideal for Zone 4 and you’re in Zone 12. So, try growing something native instead of forcing a plant that you’ll have to care for all of its life. One of the best ways of transforming even the dullest walkway is to put native plants alongside your pavers. Plus, growing what’s best for your climate will not just help you, but your local ecosystem as well.

2. Try out wood

Your walkways don’t need to be made of concrete or stone. For a beachy, earthy look, give wood a chance. Wood is one of the best materials for a small walkway or one that leads over the damp ground for example. While wood will require more maintenance and care, what you pay in hard work, you’ll gain in beauty.

3. Shape the space around your walkway

Make your walkway the focal point, not a last-minute add-on to your outdoor space. Use winding, long paths, and curves to build visual interest and fill in the space surrounding the walkway with a garden or landscaping. However, if you go this route, ensure you stick with a high-quality stone you love, as you’ll be making the walkway prominent, which means the stone would need to stick out.

4. Create a seating area

Turning a walkway into a small seating area is another way of taking advantage of a forgotten walkway. A unique walkway can be the perfect spot for a small conversation set and you won’t have to worry about building any kind of patio due to the pavers below.

For more functionality, build an add-on to your walkway to widen it and make space for seating.

5. Try something off the beaten path

Do you have a walkway that you use very rarely? If yes, don’t let the pavement slowly crumble back into the earth. Instead, use it as a pedestal for some of your favorite potted plants. The ground beneath your pots will make sure they don’t sink into wet soil, and you’ll be able to reclaim the crumbling walkway as a display of your finest flora.

6. Embrace bold design

Many people have the same neutral patio pavers. Instead of going with the flow, you can embrace shapes and colors to make your walkway fun and unique. Use brightly-hued patio pavers to add some character to an abandoned outdoor area. You can also use fun shapes, such as differently sized rectangles or circles for a funky, cohesive feel.