Curb appeal is not just a real estate buzzword. It is the immediate visual impression your home makes, and on Long Island, where neighborhood pride runs strong, it directly affects property value and how neighbors perceive your home. The driveway and front walkway occupy the largest and most visible portions of your front yard. Upgrading these two elements delivers more visual impact per dollar than almost any other exterior improvement. Whether you are preparing to sell or simply want your home to look its best, here are the driveway and walkway upgrades that make the biggest difference.
Driveway Upgrades That Transform the Front of Your Home
Belgian Block Borders on Asphalt Driveways
If you have an asphalt driveway and a full replacement is not in the budget, adding a Belgian block border is the single most effective upgrade you can make. Belgian block, sometimes called cobblestone, creates a clean, defined edge that elevates the entire appearance of the driveway. It also provides structural support to the asphalt edges, preventing the crumbling and deterioration that plagues borderless driveways. On Long Island, Belgian block borders typically cost $15 to $25 per linear foot installed. For a 60-foot driveway, that is roughly $1,800 to $3,000 for a dramatic visual improvement.
Paver Driveway Apron
A paver apron replaces the first 10 to 15 feet of your driveway, the section closest to the street, with interlocking pavers while keeping the remainder in asphalt. This creates a high-end look at the most visible point of your driveway without the cost of a full paver driveway. Cambridge, Nicolock, and Unilock all manufacture driveway-rated pavers in styles that pair well with asphalt. A paver apron with Belgian block borders costs approximately $3,000 to $6,000 and completely changes the street-level presence of your home.
Full Paver or Concrete Driveway Replacement
For the ultimate driveway upgrade, a full paver installation replaces the entire driveway surface with interlocking concrete pavers or natural stone. This is a significant investment, typically $20,000 to $50,000 on Long Island depending on size and material, but it delivers the most dramatic curb appeal transformation. Paver driveways from brands like Techo-Bloc and Unilock offer styles ranging from classic brick to contemporary large-format slabs. Concrete driveway replacement with a broom finish or exposed aggregate is a more moderate option at $12 to $18 per square foot.
Walkway Upgrades That Complete the Picture
A beautiful driveway paired with a cracked concrete walkway sends mixed signals. For a cohesive front-of-home appearance, your walkway upgrade should complement your driveway materials and style. In Garden City, Rockville Centre, and similar neighborhoods where well-maintained streetscapes are the norm, a coordinated driveway and walkway renovation stands out.
- Replace narrow concrete paths with wider paver walkways (at least 4 feet wide)
- Add a soldier course border in a contrasting paver color for definition
- Install coordinated paver steps and a generous landing at the front door
- Incorporate low-voltage LED path lights for nighttime curb appeal and safety
- Add masonry columns or pilasters at the walkway entrance from the sidewalk
Material Coordination Strategies
The most polished-looking properties use two to three complementary materials across the driveway, walkway, and entryway rather than a single material for everything. For example, an asphalt driveway with Belgian block borders, a bluestone walkway with the same Belgian block edge, and natural stone steps at the front door creates a layered, intentional look. Another popular combination is a Nicolock or Cambridge paver driveway and walkway in the same color family, with a contrasting border and natural stone stoop. The key is consistency in color palette while varying texture and scale.
Lighting and Finishing Details
Low-voltage LED landscape lighting is the finishing detail that separates good curb appeal from great curb appeal. Path lights along the walkway, bollard lights at the driveway entrance, and uplights on the house facade or landscaping create a welcoming presence after dark. LED fixtures use minimal electricity, last for years, and are available in styles that range from traditional lantern to sleek modern. Professional landscape lighting installation on Long Island typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 for a front-yard package, and the visual impact is immediate.
Return on Investment
According to industry data, front-yard hardscape improvements recover 50% to 75% of their cost at resale, with some high-end markets on Long Island recovering even more. Beyond the financial return, curb appeal upgrades improve your daily experience of coming home, create a safer and more accessible entry, and contribute positively to the overall appearance of your neighborhood. In communities like Merrick and Wantagh, where homes are closely spaced and front yards are highly visible, these improvements have an outsized impact.
Plan Your Curb Appeal Upgrade
Whether you want a simple Belgian block border or a complete driveway and walkway renovation, the first step is a professional evaluation of your existing surfaces and a design consultation. Brothers Paving & Masonry has upgraded driveways and walkways across Garden City, Rockville Centre, Merrick, Wantagh, and throughout Nassau County. Contact us for a free estimate and design ideas tailored to your home.