Some neighbours on my street had their front walkway replaced this fall. This is what they replaced it with....
I hate to sound opinionated, but how sad! The same, boring, straight walkway they had before. If you're going to shell out a few bucks to replace it, why not shell out just a couple more and get something nice? A little wider, a little curvier, a little more creative? I don't like straight paths unless they are for a very formal, symmetrical design.
Some designers state that front pathways should be at least 1.5 m (5 ft) wide in order for 2 people to walk side-by-side. I actually think that is a little wide for some cases. It might be a little out-of-scale compared to the 1950's bungalows in my neighbourhood. But at least 4 ft would be nice.
Here's another house in my neighbourhood that just had its front walk, as well as the whole front lawn, replaced. Looks nice, doesn't it? Can't wait to see it in spring when more low-maintenance shrubs and ornamental grasses go in.
I am actually quite happy with the shape of the gently curving front walkway I inherited with my house, although it is much too narrow. Since I don't have the budget to have a professional landscaper come in and replace it for me (and I am a do-it-yourselfer anyway), I have something else in mind.
Here's a great way to widen an existing pathway without breaking the bank. This neighbour laid bricks on either side of a typical, narrow pathway and had her concrete stained to match. I am hoping to do this to my front path someday...
Sigh. So much to do, so little time!
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