Updating Your Landscape Design With New Walkways in Harrisburg and Camp Hill PA Areas

The first time someone comes to your house should be a joyful experience, and first impressions are everything. A walkway that was designed well will draw the eye of your visitors, effortlessly leading them to your front door. There can be walkways in other places on your property as well, and they should also show off the elegance of your home and property. A landscape contractor can improve these walkways, making the journey almost as great as the destination. Here are 4 tips on updating your landscape design with new walkways in Harrisburg and Camp Hill, PA areas.

First Impressions

Guests arriving are given their first opportunity to experience your home on the walkway to your front door. This walkway should evoke feelings of comfort and sophistication, saying, “You are welcome here.” The first decision you make for your front walkway is where the welcome begins. If you’d like your guests to park in the driveway, then walk up, make sure there’s a convenient way to get from the driveway to the front door -- and not just convenient, but welcoming. Add some flair to the walkway by giving it a slightly offbeat curve or shape. This will give your guests another detail to admire on their way to the front door.

Form & Function

While a straight line from the sidewalk to your door might seem obvious, it’s not always guaranteed that straight is the most direct path if there are obstacles in the way or a curved walkway is a deliberate design element. An even better example would be a feature in your backyard away from the house. How do your guests walk to this place? If they cut across the lawn to make a more direct path, consider making a stunning path on that short cut route. Or, is the path your guests take neither wanted nor intended? Opt for placing a physical barrier like a row of shrubs or a short retaining wall to guide their path to where you intend them to go. However, if the destination is an outdoor kitchen, always choose the most direct path so that it’s most convenient. No one carrying heavy plates of food needs to have a tour of the garden.

Stone Masonry Choices

There is a wide variety of stones and technologies that will adapt to your specific home, design aesthetic, and landscape. Masonry falls into a few categories: natural stone, concrete blocks, paving stones, and concrete pavers. Natural paving stones are beautiful, and you will get a one-of-a-kind walkway. However, uncut natural stone often requires a lengthy installation. Concrete pavers can include bricks and come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and styles, much more so than you can find with natural stone. Whether your home is rustic or contemporary, there is always an option to freshen up the look with a new walkway, using a material that best suits your needs.

Adding Features

Add some landscaping features along your walkway to add visual interest and create a sense of welcome. This could come in the form of a classic hedgerow or gorgeous low wall that “hugs” the walkway and offers elderly guests a spot to rest. It could be a small fountain or a collection of statues. It could be a perfectly manicured set of trees with native flowers in the beds. Embellish your walkway to match your personality, whether your style is sleek and modern or rustic and charming.