Lay a smart path

Keep soil and grass from being walked into your hallway with a simple path, which can be an attractive feature in its own right. Use materials that suit your home; so if you have brick walls and a slate roof, consider using brick edging and slate paving.

White pebbles or gravel will highlight your route as it gets dark, and the crunching underfoot will alert you to a visitor's arrival. You can lay new gravel (from £3 per bag) yourself if the path isn't too long, but  you might need to get the professionals in to lay paving. If so, obtain three quotes for the work and expect to pay £20 to £60 per sq m.

Chosen by Ideal Home

Photograph by Jamie Mason