Delaware Front Entry Gets Pavers, Plants, and Proper Drainage

New construction homes often get dropped into bare dirt with zero thought given to the front entry. No walkway, no plants, no drainage plan. Just a house sitting on a lot. That was the starting point here - patchy grass, exposed downspouts running across the yard, and nothing to draw the eye from the street to the front door.

The first thing we tackled was the drainage. Those downspouts were dumping water right at the foundation, which is a problem that gets worse over time. We rerouted everything properly so water moves away from the house the way it should. It's not glamorous work, but it's the kind of thing that protects the investment you've already made in the home.

From there, we installed an Oberfields paver walkway leading from the drive to the front steps. Oberfields makes a quality product - good color variation, solid construction, and they hold up well in this climate. The paver landing at the base of the steps gives the whole entry a grounded, finished feel that concrete alone just doesn't deliver.

The planting beds along the front of the house were designed to complement the craftsman style of the home without overwhelming it. Low-growing shrubs and ornamental grasses fill in around the porch foundation, and fresh dark mulch ties the whole bed together cleanly. Low-voltage landscape lighting stakes were placed throughout the beds so the entry reads just as well after dark. Everything was installed with room to grow - so in a season or two, it's only going to look better.

When you do all three pieces right - drainage, hardscape, and planting - the result is a front entry that actually functions. Water goes where it's supposed to go, guests have a clear and welcoming path to the door, and the curb appeal speaks for itself.