Driveway Ideas For Your Home – The Driveway Guide
Are you looking for inspiration for your new driveway?
Then, let us do the hard work for you.
Sit back, relax and browse through our driveway ideas guide:
Jump to a section
- Pebble & Gravel Driveways
- Block Paving
- Concrete Driveways
- Asphalt & Tarmac Driveways
- Resin Driveways
- Stone Paved Driveways
- Brick Driveways
- Cobblestone Driveways
- Recycled Glass Driveways
- Tar & Chip Driveways
- Interlocking Tiles
- Grass Driveways
Why upgrade?
First impressions
Your driveway is the first thing that people see when they arrive at your home. It sets the tone and forms valuable first impressions. You are no longer restricted to simple tarmac driveway options, although these are still a reliable choice.
Why not step outside of your comfort zone with an intricate block paving pattern? Or create a traditional driveway design with cobblestone?
Of course, you must consider the styling of the exterior of your home to make sure your driveway doesn’t clash with any particular colours or textures.
Curb appeal
Curb appeal can greatly impact the overall value of your home. It is a rating used to rank the level of attractiveness of your property when viewing it from the street. If your driveway is wearing away with cracks and weeds growing through, this will impact your curb appeal.
Do your neighbours have well-kept, modern driveways? If so, yours needs to meet their standards or surpass them. Your driveway could mean the difference between a potential buyer taking a look inside or simply turning away.
Even if you feel you have found your forever home, circumstances change. A new driveway can enhance your curb appeal, enticing buyers in as well as increasing the overall price of your property.
Safety
The last thing you want is to trip and fall on cracked concrete. So, if your driveway is a little worse for wear, it might be time for you to consider resurfacing it. You must ensure your driveway is fit for purpose, can withstand the weight of your vehicles and adverse weather conditions.
Pebble & Gravel Driveways
Pebble and gravel driveways offer a natural aesthetic and are environmentally friendly as they allow water drainage.
- Gravel or pebbles are poured into a stabilising grid
- Enhances security — footsteps are easily heard
- Eco-friendly — stores water and eases pressure on drainage systems
- Available in a wide range of colours and styles
- Easy to install as a DIY project
- Made from durable, long-lasting materials
- Requires regular maintenance — sweeping displaced stones back into place
- Extreme weather can cause loss of gravel or pebbles
Block Paving
Block paving driveways provide a durable and stylish option with a variety of colours and patterns available.
- Easy to maintain with minimal upkeep
- Extremely durable and long-lasting
- Available in a wide range of colours and patterns — made from concrete, clay, or natural stone
- Damaged blocks can be individually replaced without affecting the whole driveway
- Professional installation is required
- Installation is time-consuming — each block must be individually placed
- Cannot be installed over hard surfaces like tarmac
- Higher installation cost compared to some alternatives
Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways are extremely durable and available in different colours, although they may require maintenance to prevent cracking.
- Extremely durable — can last 20 years or more with proper care
- Available in a variety of colour options
- Colour can fade over time
- Can develop cracks without regular maintenance
Asphalt & Tarmac Driveways
Known for their clean finish, affordability, and durability, asphalt and tarmac driveways are a practical choice for both homes and commercial properties.
- Clean appearance
- Affordable
- Durable – can last for years
- Cracks or small dents must be sealed and repaired
- Can withstand large amounts of weight
- Anti-slip material – will aid your car in icy conditions and improves safety for use by the elderly and young children
- Permeable tarmac options available
- Basic designs and colours
- May expand or contract in hot and cold weather
Resin Bound Drivways
Resin bound surfacing is an eco-friendly, highly porous solution ideal for driveways, paths, and patios. It combines decorative aggregates with specialist resins, hand-trowelled to create a smooth, durable finish.
Eco-friendly and fully permeable — helps reduce surface water runoff
Smooth, flat finish that’s highly decorative
Available in a wide range of colours and textures
UV-stable options available to prevent fading
Low maintenance — simple to clean and resistant to weeds
Slip-resistant surface for added safety
Suitable for driveways, paths, patios, and commercial spaces
Must be installed by professionals for best results
Can be more expensive than some traditional surfacing options
Resin Bonded Driveways
Resin bonded surfacing creates a textured, non-porous finish by scattering decorative aggregates onto a resin-coated surface. It offers a natural stone look with a coarser texture compared to resin bound systems.
Coarse, textured finish with excellent grip
Natural stone appearance at a lower cost
Faster installation compared to resin bound
Ideal for driveways, paths, and courtyards
Not fully permeable — may require additional drainage
Some loose stones may remain on the surface
Less flexible and more prone to cracking over time
Must be applied to a solid, prepared surface for best results
Stone Paved Driveways
Stone paving adds a rustic and elegant touch to your driveway, with options like limestone, sandstone, and granite.
- Strong and durable
- Natural design
- Resistant to frost and frigid temperatures
- You must research which type of stone you wish to install – some may crack under the weight of your vehicle
- Must be resealed every few years to protect against staining
- Drainage solution required
Brick Driveways
Brick driveways are durable, long-lasting, and offer a timeless aesthetic, though they can be costly to install.
- Long-lasting
- Must be installed professionally
- Certain home styles and colours may clash with the brick driveway, research your desired colours first.
- Expensive to install
Cobblestone Drivways
- A great alternative to brick driveways
- More versatile than brick, with greater colour and styling options to suit any house decor.
- Lasts for decades with minimal repairs needed
- Easy to maintain
- Weather-resistant, doesn’t stain
- Can withstand hot summers
- Must clean throughout the year
- Weeds should be removed regularly
- Can take a long time to install
- If you have experience, it is possible to install yourself
- Mix and match with another driveway material such as concrete
Recycled Glass Driveways
- Recycled glass is sealed with resin
- This material is unique, durable, and safe
- Great environmentally friendly option
- You will be saving glass from sitting in the landfills and repurposing it into something useful
- Low maintenance
Tar & Chip Driveways
- Tar and chip driveways use gravel as a base layer
- Gravel is laid down and hot tar is poured on top to seal it in
- To ensure that the gravel and tar are firmly pressed, the installer will use stones as a top layer
- Stones available in a range of colours
- Comfortable under foot
- Low maintenance
- Not the most durable
- Potential risk of damage when removing snow
Interlocking Tiles
- Made up of concrete and cement materials
- Easy to install, as they lock into place
- Create an eye-catching driveway with unique patterns and formations
- Regular maintenance required – weeds grow between the tiles, which may pry them apart
- Invest in a qualified, reliable installer
- Low maintenance
- Not the most durable
- Potential risk of damage when removing snow
Grass Driveways
- An unusual choice – why create a grass driveway instead of simply parking in your front garden?
- Grass collects dew – when this dew evaporates, over time it can rust your car
- Rainy days can cause muddy conditions – can cause wheel spins
- Grass driveways have a plastic or concrete underlay – prevents the majority of these issues
- The grass grows through designated holes in the material
- Achieve the natural aesthetic of grass with the functionality of a normal driveway
- You must maintain the grass as you would your garden lawn
Driveway Shapes
Straight
Straight driveways are the most common type. Due to your property layout, this may be the only shape available to you. They consist of a simple design and are easy to install.
Curved
If you’re looking for a fun alternative to a straight driveway, you can opt for a curved driveway. A curved driveway can prove tricky to install, so hiring a professional may be advisable.
Circular
Circular driveways ensure a constant flow of traffic through your home. However, this elegant design only works for larger homes and requires careful calculations for installation.
Semi-Circular
If you love the idea of a fashionable, circular drive but don’t have the space, why not choose a semi-circular driveway instead? It offers easy access and improved safety for busy roads.
L-Shaped
An L-shaped design will send drivers straight up from the bottom of your driveway into your garage. This layout helps direct traffic flow and prevents random parking.
Feeling Inspired?
Ace Resin is a resin driveway company based in Essex, UK. We have been serving both residential and commercial premises across the South East of England for years, installing stunning resin-bound driveway surfaces.
Contact us for a quote below.
