Paving for the Wow Factor
Most paving is functional — it covers the driveway, the patio, the pool surround. But the best paving does something more: it genuinely improves the look of the whole property. Here's how to think about paving as a design element, not just a practical surface.
First Impressions: The Driveway
The driveway is what people see first. A tired, cracked, faded driveway makes the whole house look neglected. A well-laid driveway in a quality brick creates an immediate impression of a well-maintained home.
For genuine impact, consider:
- Clay bricks over cement: The depth of colour and natural variation in fired clay bricks looks richer than cement equivalents. Corobrick's Cederberg or Nutmeg in a herringbone pattern is a classic combination.
- A border in a contrasting colour: A single-brick border in a darker or lighter tone around the perimeter of the driveway adds definition and makes the whole thing look considered.
- Clean edging: Driveway paving that ends neatly against a concrete edge or against well-maintained grass or garden beds looks intentional. Paving that just stops or crumbles at the edges undermines the whole effect.
The Patio: Create an Outdoor Room
A patio paved with care becomes an outdoor room — somewhere that feels finished and purposeful, not just an area of ground that happens to have bricks on it. Key choices that elevate a patio:
- Flagstones for a premium look: Large-format flagstones in a three-size arrangement immediately signal quality. The natural variation of stone is more visually interesting than uniform bricks.
- Consistent level with the house floor: A patio that's flush with or just slightly below the threshold creates a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
- Defined edges: A raised planting bed, a low wall, or even just a neat edge against the lawn defines the patio as a space. Paving that just runs indefinitely into the garden feels unfinished.
The Pool Surround: The Holiday Feel
Lighter flagstones or lighter clay bricks around a pool create a bright, resort-like feel. The key here is consistency — the pool surround, the adjacent patio, and the pathways connecting them should work together as a unified scheme, not three separate decisions made at different times.
Pathways: Connecting the Dots
A well-designed pathway that connects the entrance, the house, the garden and the entertainment area is easy to overlook but makes a significant difference to how a property feels. A pathway in the same material as the driveway or patio ties the property together. See our pathway paving page for ideas.
The Single Most Important Factor
More than any material choice or pattern decision, the single thing that makes paving look good is quality of installation. Perfectly level bricks, clean straight lines, tightly fitted joints, neat edging — these things make even a modest brick look great. Poor installation undermines even expensive materials.
This is why the contractor you choose matters as much as the materials. We take pride in the finish quality of our work. Contact us to see examples and discuss your project.