Curb appeal invites guests with style, presenting your home's best face to the neighborhood. One of the most important aspects of curb appeal is the walkway leading to your front door, combining both landscaping and hardscaping in one attractive package.

Best Walkway Designs

Walkways come in various shapes and sizes, but front yard paths fall into one of two categories:

1. • Curved
2. • Angular

Design your curved walkway in either interlocking stone or concrete for a finished look. The mouth of the path (closest to the driveway or sidewalk) should be wider than the destination point (your door), drawing along your eyes and feet. Gentle curves bordered with flowerbeds and interesting shrubs complete the look.

Angular walkways work well with contemporary style homes, and should be designed with large square or rectangular stones to create balance. Stamped or textured concrete can be used to match modern stucco homes, and pavers often evoke an Asian-themed pathway for serene curb appeal.

Mulch and gravel create casual paths, ideal for country homes and cottages. Consider installing an arbor to add permanence and use heavy mulch or larger aggregate to reduce the mess.

Plantings In and Around the Walkway

Groundcover plants soften stone walkways in spring and summer, creating lively, green edging. Thyme and Irish moss are both durable pathway plantings that thrive in most climates.

Consider both shrubs and flowers for border gardens, paying particular attention to height and blooming season. Varying heights create drama and visual interest. Columnar evergreen shrubs are low maintenance and perfect for anchoring corners, while junipers, euonymus and spirea look great all year round. Plant a few ornamental grasses to present stunning textures and fall color.

An attractive walkway is essential to curb appeal, and your landscaper can suggest the designs and plantings that best suit your home's style.