How to Design a Modern Driveway Using Decorative Gravel

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Your driveway is one of the first impressions people notice, so you need to make sure that it is safe and free of debris; otherwise, it will damage the look and feel of your home. Laying concrete is an expensive and messy affair; moreover, it is time-consuming. A better alternative is ornamental gravel as it is cheap, contemporary, and not difficult to maintain. A driveway also needs the right design and material to produce a low-maintenance garden. And when it comes to sourcing premium gravel for your project, Gravel Monkey provides a wide variety of styles and reliable delivery of gravel at competitive rates. In this article, we will break it all down on how to decorate your driveway.

Why Choose Decorative Gravel?

Gravel is not only small rocks. We can achieve a polished neat appearance with gravel when it is applied effectively. This is why homeowners are crazy about it:

• Cheap: Gravel is cheap as compared to concrete and pavers.
• Nonskilled labour: You can easily install it without the use of heavy machinery or special tools.
• Good drainage: Rain water drains off leaving no puddles.
• Easy to maintain: Just rake it now and again and top it up when necessary.

Decorative gravel is also available in varied forms such as: pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock and granite chips. Every one of them add another color and shape to the shape of your driveway.

How to Build a Gravel Driveway? Step by Step Guide

Given is a straightforward plan on how to plan and lay your contemporary gravel drive.

1. Measure and Plan

To begin with, measure the area. Plan the size of your driveway in length and width. Most driveways are 10-12 feet wide to accommodate one car. Make a plan of your layout. You can have curves or straight line according to the type of your home.

2. Select the Proper gravel

Driveways are not the only gravel that is made. In order to have a stable base, use a crushed stone layer to provide stability and a decorative layer on top.

Best material on top layer:

• Pea gravel: smooth and round, good with light vehicles.
• Crushed granite: This is angular stones which lock in place, best when used heavily.
• Marble chips: This has a bright and contemporary look and suits areas that have low traffic.

Choose the color, which will fit the exterior of your home: gray, white, tan, or black.

3. Prepare the Base

Remove the old grass, soil and materials. Go at least 4-6 inches deep. Place a landscape fabric to stop weed. Next, put a layer of crushed rock which needs to be smashed with the help of a roller or a tamper. This layer is central in the prevention of shifting and sinking.

4. Add Gravel Toppers

Lay the bottom 2 3 inches of your decorative gravel on the bottom. Tame it and apply a rake. To get clear edges, put metal or plastic driveway edges. It holds the gravel down and puts the driveway in a sharp, modern edge.

5. Maintain Your Driveway

Gravel driveways do not need a lot of maintenance, however it is not maintenance free. Rake it up every couple of weeks to make it even. Put in some more gravel now and then. Monitor the weeds and get rid of them fast.

Tips to have a Modern Design

• Comparison to edges: Have tidy edges by using bricks or timber.
• Combine textures: Use gravel with concrete or stepping stones.
• Add illumination: There should be low profiled lights placed at the edges.
• Select neutral colors: Gray, white or black gravel will provide a modernized appearance.

A standout design can be done using white marble chips or polished black pebbles.

Bottom Line

The decorative gravel is an up to date pragmatic way of designing a driveway. It is simple to put in, feels fantastic and handles every-day abuse with grace. With this easy to follow guide you can have a driveway which not only adds value to the look of your home but also saves you money. Just plan, select the apt materials and maintain it clean. The tone is established at the entrance to your home. It can even be practical and good-looking with decorative gravel.