As the first thing a guest will notice when arriving at your home, it’s crucial to perfect the look of your driveway to optimise your curb appeal. Not only do you need to choose the most appropriate layout and materials, but you need to consider the ideal colour scheme as well.

These days, a contractor can stain a concrete driveway any colour under the sun, giving homeowners the freedom to choose whichever they please. Selecting a suitable colour will add immeasurable aesthetic appeal to your driveway and increase the value of your home. But how do you determine which concrete colour is right for your home?

Take a look at the following 5 tips to find the option that’s best for you.

 

Consider the Colour of Your Home

The paint job of your home should strongly influence your choice of coloured concrete driveway. Think of your home exterior as like a piece of art; every element must work in unison to reach a common objective.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should rush out and purchase the exact same shade of concrete stainer that you’ve used on the exterior walls. On the contrary, it’s often best to choose a complementary shade that matches but doesn’t mimic your home. If you have an earthy coloured paint job, for example, you might try using the same primary colour but in a warmer shade. Likewise, a grey home would look great with a subtle light blue tinge on the driveway.

Another excellent option is to match your driveway to the colour of the accents on your home exterior, such as the gutter trimmings or the garage door. That way, you can tie these elements in together to create a pleasing sense of uniformity. An essential factor to consider is the architectural style of your home. Modern or minimalist homes would benefit from a crisp neutral colour. White may appear too bright, so you could opt for a shade of grey instead.

 

Factor In the Natural Surroundings

If you’ve got an immaculate front yard that you love showing off to your neighbours and friends, then you’re probably better off choosing a concrete colour to complement your landscape instead.

Leafy green plants, shrubs, and trees look great lined up alongside a natural and earthy coloured driveway. Although numerous options are available, most agree that terracotta is the ideal backdrop to a lush garden. There’s a reason why it’s the go-to colour for virtually every pot plant in existence – it looks fab alongside plants of any shape and size. Another option is to match the driveway with a prominent element of your front garden, such as a water fountain or a giant sculpture.

 

Make It Feel Wider or Longer

If your driveway is a little too big or too small, you can choose the corresponding shade to even out the aesthetics. Darker hues tend to make oversized driveways look shorter and narrower. On the other hand, lighter shades make driveways feel longer and wider.

 

Consider the Environmental Factors

If your driveway will spend most of its life under the harsh Aussie sun, you should opt for a lighter shade. Darker colours absorb more heat, which will ultimately cause your driveway to and require more maintenance.

In the same vein, visibility could influence the ideal driveway colour. If your driveway is in a poorly lit place, then you should also opt for a lighter colour to make it easier to see. Remember, you’ll be parking your car there almost every day, so it makes sense to ensure the process is as easy as possible.

 

Set the Mood

Colours can influence our mood, so it’s helpful to consider the kinds of emotions you want to evoke in the front of your home. Bright colours such as orange and yellow are energetic, while darker colours like black feel sophisticated, greens and blues add a tranquil touch, and reds create a sense of urgency.

There are lots of things to consider when selecting the ideal driveway colour for your home, so it’s worth making an effort to get it right. For best results, get in touch with the professionals at Simply Driveways to obtain a bit of expert industry advice.