A Fresh Look for a Home's Front Entrance
Sometimes, transforming a home's appearance requires making huge changes such as attaching add-ons or an entirely new porch. But other times it's about rethinking the details. In this case, the home simply needed a new well-designed entrance, attractive new stonework, and carefully selected landscaping made an extraordinary difference.
To do this the right way (the only way we do anything), we brought in team members from all of our Kirkwood Home & Landscape divisions. Each team—Remodeling, Hardscapes, and Fine Gardening—brings something unique to the project, and we love it when we can all work together toward one end.
Our teamwork created a front entrance that feels like a natural extension of the home, with architectural details, complementary materials, and beautiful landscaping that ties it all together.
Making an Entrance Worth Remembering
The original concrete walkways served their purpose, but they looked worn and no longer matched the homeowner's vision.
After meeting with the owner and discussing their vision, our team developed a design that gives the entrance a more polished, unified look.
We replaced the older concrete walk with charcoal-colored pavers that contrast beautifully with the home's exterior. Placing a hardscape apron beneath the front windows let us extend the design across the front of the house, giving the entrance a sense of balance and openness.
The combination of stone colors, textures, and laying patterns adds visual interest without competing with the home's architecture.
Bringing the Design Together with a New Porch
One of this renovation's most important features is the new front porch.
Constructed with pavers and supported by attractive retaining wall stone, the porch provides a generous landing that complements the new walkways. Rounded capstones along the steps and porch perimeter introduce softer lines and give the stonework a finished appearance.
We selected all the materials with the larger design in mind. Rather than treating the porch, steps, and walkways as separate improvements, our team approached them as parts of a single project.
The difference is evident in the finished entrance, where each feature complements the next.
A Beautiful Welcome, Day or Night
The entrance looks just as welcoming after sunset, thanks to LED lighting incorporated into the steps. These discreet fixtures illuminate the walking surfaces, making the steps easier to navigate after dark while highlighting the stonework. This relatively small detail makes a noticeable difference in both appearance and everyday use.
One Project, Three Areas of Expertise
What makes this transformation particularly satisfying is the collaboration behind it. Our Remodeling, Hardscapes, and Fine Gardening divisions worked together to ensure that the architectural improvements, stonework, and plantings complemented one another.
From the first design decisions to the garden's finishing touches, we planned the project as a complete exterior transformation. And that's what makes the finished result so appealing. The new entrance doesn't look like a collection of unrelated upgrades. It looks like it has always belonged to the home.
Considering a change to your home's exterior?
Explore more of our patios and walkways, or take a look at another distinctive project: our custom copper-roof front porch.
When you're ready to discuss your own ideas, contact Kirkwood Home & Landscape to schedule a consultation.
