Hi Friends!!
This summer, it has been full steam ahead as we’ve worked on several outdoor landscaping projects around our home. Some have been on a larger scale, like planting our hydrangea hedge, removing the overgrown shrubs around our house, and restructuring our raised blueberry garden beds. Other projects have focused on making smaller improvements and finding practical solutions for some of the unsightly areas that can easily be overlooked.
The project I’m sharing today is one of those spaces.
For years, the narrow strip of ground between our driveway and the side of our house was little more than an awkward, weed-filled area. It wasn’t large enough to feel like a true garden bed, yet it was too visible to ignore. The large blank section of siding between our two kitchen windows only made it stand out more.
Because this area runs alongside our driveway and leads toward our side porch, we also needed it to be practical. There never seemed to be quite enough room to comfortably get in and out of our cars without stepping into the dirt or weeds.
Rather than continuing to treat it like a forgotten corner, we decided to transform it into a simple landscaped walkway. By adding a defined border, gravel, a garden trellis, and a few carefully chosen plants, this once-underused space now feels intentional and welcoming. It has added curb appeal, filled the large blank space between our kitchen windows, and given us the extra room we needed when getting in and out of our cars.
The Overlooked Space Beside Our Driveway
When we first began working on this area, it was little more than a narrow strip of exposed soil alongside the house. It collected weeds faster than anything else, and no matter how many times we cleaned it up, it never really looked finished.
The shape of the driveway also left an uneven edge beside the house. While the extra strip of ground wasn’t particularly useful as a traditional planting bed, it was still one of the first areas we saw when pulling into the driveway, which drove me nuts.
It was also a space we used more than we realized. Whenever a car was parked close to the house, passengers naturally stepped into this narrow area while getting in and out. During wet weather, that meant stepping into dirt or mud. We knew that whatever we added needed to improve the appearance of the space while also making it easier to use.
After having the house painted last summer, I knew it was finally time to tackle this area that I had wanted to for so long.
Creating a Defined Walkway Along the Driveway
The first step was giving the area a more intentional shape. A stone border was installed along the edge of the driveway, creating a gentle curve that follows the natural path toward our side porch.
That simple border made such a difference. Instead of the driveway fading into an uneven patch of weeds, the space finally had definition. The curved line also softened the hard edge of the asphalt and helped connect the driveway visually to the entrance of our home. Eventually, we want to edge the entire driveway with cobblestone. Tackling this portion of our driveway helped clean this area up, while also making that project more budget-friendly by breaking it up into two different installs.
Once the border was in place, and the weeds had been cleared away, and the trellis was securely in place, it was time to add the finishing details. We added heavy-duty weed barrier fabric before filling the area with gravel, creating a low-maintenance surface that feels clean and finished.
The gravel walkway gives us a comfortable place to step when getting out of the car, while still allowing the area to drain properly. It was such a practical solution for a space that didn’t need to become a full garden bed but deserved something more attractive than bare soil.
Adding a Trellis Between the Kitchen Windows
While the new walkway solved the problem at ground level, we still had a large blank section of siding between our two kitchen windows.
Because the wall is so tall, anything too small would have felt lost. We needed something that would add height and visual interest without competing with the windows or making the narrow area feel crowded.
A large garden trellis turned out to be the perfect solution.
The warm wood tone adds contrast against the white siding and brings in another natural element alongside the stone and gravel. Its arched top also adds a softer shape to an otherwise large, flat wall.
Eventually, we may allow something to climb the trellis, but I also love how it looks on its own. Even without being covered in greenery, it gives the eye a place to rest and makes the space between the windows feel much more balanced.
Finishing the Walkway With Potted Plants
Because this area needs to remain easy to walk through, I didn’t want to fill it with too many permanent plantings. Instead, I gathered a small collection of potted plants around the base of the trellis.
The planters add softness and bring life to the gravel without taking over the walkway. I chose plants with plenty of fresh green foliage and soft white flowers to complement the simple color palette around our home. See our Simple Summer Porch HERE.
Using pots also gives me flexibility. I can rearrange them, change the plants with the seasons, or remove them when needed. It is an easy way to add the feeling of a garden while keeping the area practical and low-maintenance.
A small watering can tucked among the planters adds one final garden-inspired touch and makes this little corner feel collected rather than overly designed.
A Small Landscaping Project With a Big Impact
This wasn’t the largest outdoor project we have completed, but it solved several problems at once.
The new landscaped walkway:
- Keeps weeds from taking over the side of the driveway
- Provides more comfortable space for getting in and out of our cars
- Creates a clean transition from the driveway to the side porch
- Softens the edge of the asphalt
- Adds interest to the large blank wall between our kitchen windows
- Gives us a flexible place to display seasonal plants
- Adds charm and curb appeal to an otherwise forgotten area
I especially love that we didn’t try to force this narrow space to become something it wasn’t. Instead, we paid attention to how we already used it and found a simple way to make it work better for our family.
Before :
After :
- Weed Barrier we used found HERE
- Crushed stone we used found HERE
- Trellis found HERE
- We purchased the cobblestone from our local stone yard, but similar style found HERE.
- Planters and watering can I already had, but you can find my favorite planters HERE.
Finding Potential in the Forgotten Areas Around Your Home
When we think about improving our home’s curb appeal, it is easy to focus only on the front entrance or the largest garden beds. But sometimes the areas that make the biggest difference are the awkward, underused spaces we pass every day.
A narrow strip beside a driveway, an empty wall between two windows, or a bare path leading to a side door may not seem especially inspiring at first. With a few thoughtful additions, however, those forgotten areas can become both beautiful and useful.
Before :
After :
For this space, a stone border, gravel walkway, garden trellis, and a handful of potted plants were all it took. What was once an overgrown patch of weeds now feels like a natural extension of our home—and gives us the extra room we needed every time we step out of the car.
It is proof that even the smallest outdoor spaces are worth paying attention to.
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