While neighborhoods up North have many homes where the driveways are made from asphalt as they are ideal in areas where extreme cold is more common, in the South many homeowners have discovered that paver driveways are the preferred choice.  This is because driveway pavers offer many advantages that make them a practical investment for residences, as well as many Atlanta area commercial sites. Driveway pavers, often referred to as cement pavers or concrete pavers, can be solid or open and are a great way to make the entrance to your Atlanta home or office stand out from those around you. But individuality in outdoor design is not the only reason to opt for a paver driveway. Here are 8 more reasons to choose paver driveways for you residence.

8 Benefits of Driveway Pavers

1. Durability – Driveway pavers will last for many years and are strong enough to withstand the weight of your vehicles without cracking or damages.
2. Maintenance – Unlike gravel driveways or concrete slab driveways that can require a significant amount of upkeep, driveway pavers do not need to be sealed and are resistant to stains. In the event that anything is spilled on the pavers, they can be easily cleaned with a simple cleaning solution and a water hose. In addition, unlike a concrete driveway where grass/weeds can grow up through cracks, pavers do not allow for unwanted foliage growth.
3. Replacement – In the rare event that a paver is cracked or damaged, they can be easily removed and replaced in as little as a day.
4. Value – Choosing pavers for your driveway is an easy way to add curb appeal and home value. Also, because there are many types of driveway pavers available there is a significant range of cost of paver installation.
5. Versatility – The list of driveway pavers available is exceptionally long, and the styles are varied. Be it an Old World look, a Modern style or a more casual approach, there are driveway pavers that can be used to create the look you want. From the color to the design used, you can have driveway pavers that showoff your own individuality and compliment the architecture of your home.
6. Color – As referenced above, there are many different colors available for driveway pavers. Some of these include various shades of red, brown, black or grey. This range of colors means you can have a custom designed driveway pavers that shows off your style.
7. No Spalling – Unlike a concrete driveway that can look patchy as a result of spalling due to excessive moisture, pavers are not affected by significant rainfall.
8. Installation Time – Most driveway paver designs can be installed in just a matter of days.  

If you are ready to update your Atlanta driveway with pavers, then contact the team at Outdoor Makeover and Construction and learn how we can take your driveway to the next level.

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No matter the type of design work you are considering, there is one thing that they all have in common: The need to plan and understand the space with which you are working.  Whether it be a floorplan for your new home, a room makeover or an upgrade to your landscape, having a plan is essential to having a successful result. But, in order to create the plan, there are an assortment of factors that need to be considered. For those who have never embarked on the excitement of landscape design, then it can be a bit overwhelming. After all, just because your yard is the equivalent of a blank canvas, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are ready to start adding color. So, before going to the nursery and selecting a plethora of plants and yard décor, it is important to have a well-crafted plan.

7 Tips for Determining Landscape Design Elements

1. Lines:  Understand how you can use the alignment of the plants to draw the eye where you want it to go. Vertical lines draw one’s eyes upward, while horizontal ones are great for bringing attention to small alcoves, garden areas, or paths or other focal points. In addition, keep in mind that curved lines tend to be more natural and calming while straight lines are more formal and direct.
2.  Balance: Endeavor to keep the size of garden areas, shrubbery, trees and outdoor structures in proportion to the house and space you are working with. A good rule of thumb is that the height of an element (be it shrubbery, a fence, or a fountain) should be 1/3 the height of the width of a space – so a patio area that is 24 ft2 is best paired with vertical element that is 8 feet tall.
3. Lighting:  There is a wide variety of lighting choices that can be used to set the atmosphere of your landscape, but also try to take advantage of natural lighting. For instance, planting trees and shrubs along an east-west line will often create a beautiful display at sunset/sunrise.
4. Mix it up:  Don’t be afraid to incorporate a wide range of plant types in the same space. It is totally acceptable to combine varieties of hostas with decorative grasses. Also, plant from big to small. Start by determining trees, any water features, statuary or structures to set the stage.  Need help? Our Outdoor Makeover team is happy to help you determine what types of plants will work best in your landscape design.
5. Harmony: Choose plants and design elements that suit the style of your home. It helps to determine the theme or feel of the finished product, then work to have the design be aesthetically and functionally placed.
6.  Harmony: Choose plants and design elements that suit the style of your home. It helps to determine the theme or feel of the finished product, then work to have the design be aesthetically and functionally placed.
7. Focal point:  For your landscape design to fully work, be sure to have a focal point. It might be a gazebo, a water feature, a large flowerbed or any other element but having a focal point helps set the theme.
8. Simplicity: A busy landscape with numerous features is not only difficult to keep maintained, but it can be difficult to focus on or be able to relax in. By keeping the landscape simple it is easier to find pleasure and relaxation when outside. Designing a landscape that makes you happy without adding a long list of items to the To Do is important. Our team of landscape makeover specialists knows how to turn your landscape from blasé to beautiful. Give us a call to get started on your dream landscape.

The post 7 Key Elements of Landscape Design for Your Atlanta Yard appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

A screened-in porch can be the perfect addition to your home. In recent years they have grown more popular due to their ability to provide both the openness of an outside environment and the comfort of being indoors. Screened-in porches are the perfect outdoor lounging area without the nuisances of bugs or the overbearing Atlanta sun. Whether you're having friends over to enjoy the fall weather or enjoying a cup of tea while doing some leisurely reading, adding a screened-in porch can do wonders for your home aesthetic and lowering your stress levels. Here are some ways you can vamp up your porch aesthetic.

1. Sky light: Installing a sky light is a fantastic way to bring natural light into your closed off porch. Homeowners can enjoy the sunshine without having to endure the heat and it also provides a protected view of the sky.
2. Fire place: A fire place or fire pit can be the perfect aesthetic for any outdoor living area, especially screened-in porches. It provides warmth and a visually appealing focal point around which you and your guests can socialize. Fire installations have also become immensely popular within recent years and they provide screened-in porches with the ever popular "cabin" feel.
3. Proper lighting: While a sky light may be the perfect light fixture for some, others may include more traditional installations. Homeowners are able to have such modern lighting fixtures like dimmers and even LED lighting installed in their porch area thanks to advances in outdoor construction. Electrical items, such as ceiling fans, that were once taboo in outside living areas are now easily installed creating a more comfortable lounging area for you and your family.

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