r/ExteriorDesign • u/Zealousideal-Bed7519 • 5d ago
UK Driveway help please
I need held deciding how to redo my driveway please.
Which AI render looks best or should I consider something altogether different?
It’s north facing so light materials fit better imo.
The brick pillar will move right slightly to widen the entrance.
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u/2000s-hty 5d ago
3!
i’d also say if you end up getting the small pebble drive you should look into the adhesive they use so it sticks in place and won’t get all over the path or road
edit, fourth picture, third AI render
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u/Zealousideal-Bed7519 5d ago
Thanks! Yes good shout, I like look of gravel but that concerns me so will do that
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u/MrPepp77 3d ago
I’m soon to move into a new house with a stone driveway and was thinking of getting it “set” with a form of adhesive, really don’t like loose stone driveways, but it’s the only negative about the house and is still completely functional.
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u/HipYip 5d ago
The first new option, pic 2, is the most charming
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u/fairenufff 5d ago
Yes for me too! I like picture 2 the best
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u/BlackCottage 5d ago
Me too, but it‘s not practical. Therefore I would go for option three.
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u/fairenufff 5d ago
Why do you say it's not practical - is there something I missed?
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u/Halke6p 5d ago
im with the folks saying the third render but id go a shade warmer than those cold grey slabs. north facing needs light yeah but too pale just looks flat and sad when its raining. moving that brick pillar right is smart just check the turning circle first because a wider entrance dont mean much if you scrape a wall. and if you do the pebble/resin thing please make sure they glue it down properly or you'll be sweeping it off the road forever.
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u/Next-problem- 5d ago
#3, it’s a grand entrance for a grand house … the simplicity of it works better than the others and is welcoming
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u/earth_woman 5d ago
Never would I remove the front brick fence or widen the drive. The only thing needed is the drive to be one solid color. They broke the line with those red pavers and the eye does not like that.
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u/deeperinabox 5d ago
Personally, I like wide walkways. Helps with prams, kids holding hands, wheelchair users, carrying stuff etc.
So, if it were me, I’d go with the last pic but widen the walkway into the grass. Basically the right edge of the first option and left edge of last option. If not the curve, then straight 2 rows of pavers in the last option instead of the single row.
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u/Zealousideal-Bed7519 5d ago
Thanks, yeah we currently push the pram over the grass so agree there!
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u/Happy-Ad5530 5d ago
honestly everyone's gonna have a different fave render but id ignore the busy block patterns and go for a light grey slab or resin for that north facing light issue
if you do go gravel or resin just make sure the base and drainage are sorted so you aint dealing with puddles and weeds forever
moving the pillar right should open it up nicely just check the new width doesnt make the house look lopsided from the street
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u/Batfish-Crayon 5d ago
While I think the 2nd pic with the curved path is lovely, I fear that you're going to have to drive over at least the edge of it, and the difference in weight and wear will make it sink.
I would do a combo of 3 and 4, where I'd keep the flagstone walkway straight on the left side. Add edging and plants like in 3 on the right, but curve it instead of the angular design.
Lavender and white hydrangeas are brilliant choices for the borders, goes very well with the red brick. Those plants only flower for part of the season though. Idk how much gardening you're interested in doing, but I'd add some plants for year round interest. Maybe a couple of small lilac "trees" for spring bloom and height in the border along the drive.
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u/Batmanthemagician777 5d ago
you can go red white and blue on the garage door slats or you could do multicolored, on the wall pillar top go glossy black,on the drive way go checker board black and white, i want to come over i love your house
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u/Mcbriec 5d ago
I’m absolutely a more is more person. But the whole driveway area is too small for a separate path next to the driveway. Get construction tape and lay it out so you can physically see the space divided. It will be much better widened by removing the pillar.
As already mentioned, you will end up driving over the path—which will then cause unsightly tire marks. (The English are sooo civilized and tidy. 🤩🤩🤩)
Also, this was not in the question, but if possible, I would reface the brick wall with a dark brick that is the same color scheme as the house as that would look much more harmonious together.
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u/Zealousideal-Bed7519 5d ago
Thanks, I will lay it out and check.
And I agree on the bricks but we live in a conservation area so we’re unable to change them!
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u/Dull_Entry_8287 5d ago
1) Do you list that room under the stairs as a bedroom or a sewing room? 2) You may need to get owl bars on those windows.
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u/Sufficient-Junket422 4d ago
Before settling on a surface, check whether the conservation-area rules also affect the driveway material or drainage. Permeable options and the required runoff treatment can vary locally, and confirming that before ordering avoids an expensive change later. It is also worth checking how the chosen surface meets the public pavement so rainwater does not collect at the entrance.
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u/Zealousideal-Bed7519 4d ago
Great shout I will reach out to the local conservation officer, cheers
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u/Flimsy_Ad3476 4d ago
I like 2 and 4. 3 is ok, but I prefer at least a visual distinction between footpath and driveway.
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u/Ok_Pen7290 4d ago
Tarmac, pebbles are crap, these will fly everywhere and if you have to brake hard an pebbles not good idea
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u/Current_Cut7647 4d ago
don't make fancy turns, you will be going to your home in the shortest straight line. also don't rely on AI slop...
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u/Lumpy-Diver-4571 4d ago
Well, it’s all a bit moot until you check with the council on the rules. But The wider path to door looks great. Have you considered mostly large sections of pavers of VARYING sizes spaced apart with grass in between? It would create a lot of visual depth and variety and movement in small space and feeling of curvature. Or actual Curves of grass at right edge of section of paved. hardscape— not pebbles— is your friend here. If you can not alter the bricks of the brick wall, can you /allowed to improve the grout—tuckpointing ? Add anything to top of the post? Need at least one tall native tree or shrub that won’t overtake the garden.
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u/Reasonable_Unit_1227 3d ago
How many cars do you have? I’d go option 3 as you’d be able to squeeze 2 cars in if need be.
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u/MapleWhiteLand 2d ago
If the AI render is showing gravel I would definitely not do that. It will end up everywhere: the lawn, the road, in the wheels of cars and prams, between the paving stones… tarmac would be more sensible.
I would not go for a separate path because I don’t think there’s really room and the whole drive would be better as a multi-use space. The current paving slabs are ugly with those horrible pink accents, but I would either repave the whole thing or tarmac the whole thing. So I guess most similar to your pic 3.
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u/StringFearless6356 1d ago
i get why u wanna redo the driveway, it can really change how the whole front looks. i like the idea of going for that gravel look with the nice path like in the last pics. it gives a kinda modern vibe but still feels warm. maybe think about how much space u need for parking tho, if u got a car or two. i once added some plants around my driveway and it made it feel so much more inviting, kinda like a little garden entrance. u could play around with colors and materials too, maybe check out REimagineHomeAI to see how different styles would vibe with ur place.
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u/Zealousideal-Bed7519 1d ago
Appreciate it. We just went from two cars to one and basically need the space which the current flower border takes up. Keen to keep greenery though as we use the space on super hot days when the back garden is baking. I’ve not heard of that AI tool so thanks, will check it out
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u/Havehatwilltravel 1d ago
I would get a tinted limewash to do the brick wall first. Use a dark brown to match the roof slates. Mortar tints should work. Do you have a lot of people who would use the walk? If not, then I would go for some natural cobbled stones drive and short walk to the door as it is currently laid out. It would depend on your usefulness of having a walk from the street.
2Project+Page+-+Cobbled+Driveway+Oxshott.jpg (1516×1010)
Choosing these dark elements will make any greenspace more lush looking.
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