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Do you want to increase your home’s privacy and decor all at once? The best way to do this is with a driveway gate.
Driveway gates not only increase your property value, but they look great and keep unwanted visitors away. If you’re thinking about installing a driveway gate, take a look at some of the best driveway gate designs. You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to design.
The Best Driveway Gate Designs
Every driveway gate will offer you privacy, but not every gate will look good with your home. You want a gate that compliments your home, while still remaining functional. You also want a gate made of something sturdy that can’t be easily broken down.
Here are a few of the most impressive designs.
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Choose the Best Material
The first step for any driveway gate design is picking your material. The most common materials are metal, composite, and wood. All of these offer equal amounts of privacy, with metal being the sturdiest.
Many people choose to mix these materials to make their gates unique. A wood gate, for example, can be adorned with metal designs and trim for a rustic look. If you’re really in it for the design, this is a great way to go.
A 100% metal gate is used mostly for security purposes. You can still make a fully metal gate look great, but they’re typically a little more expensive.
At the end of the day, any of these materials will work. It all depends on your budget, and the style you’re going for.
The Arched/Scalloped Gate
An arched gate has an upward curve along the top of the gate. Think of a bell shape, then apply that to your gate. The tall design hammers home the point that you don’t want unwanted visitors on your property.
If your home has a lot of arches in its design, or if it’s tall, an arched gate is an excellent choice. These are one of the best choices if you want to install a custom gate and access features, like an intercom.
The opposite of an arched gate is a scalloped gate. These gates dip downward as they reach the center, like a wide bowl. These look great on smaller homes, and in areas with a lot of trees.
Scalloped gates are more inviting, while still offering you privacy. They’re easier to hop, though, so they’re not the best for true security purposes.
The Minimalist Look
Minimalism is always in when it comes to home design, and so are minimalist gates.
Minimalist gates aren’t flashy, but they get the job done. They’re often easier to install and take up less yard space. Typically, these gates will slide across your driveway to open and shut.
For a great minimalist gate, use high-quality material to offset the simplicity. Nice wood is often the best call.
DIY Aesthetic
Maybe you want something that isn’t showy at all. Something that looks handmade.
For this look, get some simple wood and wire mesh. Don’t worry about putting any fancy electronics or speaker systems in the gate. You can even put the gate together yourself for a 100% DIY style.
Think a simple swinging gate, where each end meets in the middle. Something you might see on a country house, or a farmyard. Use quality materials and some nicely carved posts on each end and you’ve got a functional and simple driveway gate.
Pergola Gate
Pergola gates are one of the nicest looks for any home.
These gates are basically big doors, typically with an accent piece over the top. This accent piece gives the door an Asian look, and will instantly up the class of your home. A nice stained wood often looks the best on pergola gates.
Pillars & Statues
If you’re going with a metal or composite gate, statues and pillars are a great choice.
Consider setting up two stone pillars on either side of the gate to hold it in place. Then, adorn those pillars with statues. These could be statues of animals, buildings, or simply something designy.
The pillars can be as high as you’d like, but it’s typically best to match the height of your gate or go a little lower. They add a good bit of class to your home and scream “money”. These look especially good on older homes.
Folding Gate
A folding gate does exactly that: It folds.
These gates are usually made of about four separate panels, two on each side. They fold into one another to open and unfold into the center to close. It’s kind of like a brochure, or a Japanese Noren used to change behind.
Folding gates give your home a classic look, and look great with brick home designs. You can set them up on brick pillars to double-down on the design. Typically, folding gates are made out of wood.
Woven Gate
Woven gates are among the most unique.
They’re designed to look like a woven basket. Holes throughout the gate show that you’re inviting, contrasted with the privacy the gate provides. You can go tall with woven gates for a remarkable design.
You can do these in any material you want. Woven gates are thick, solid, and stylish to boot. If you want to impress your guests straight from the driveway, this is the way to go.
Window Gate
Another great way to stay inviting and private is by adding windows to your gate.
To pull this off, you want to start with a solid gate. Let the windows be the only spot where visitors can peek in. The windows look fancy and inviting, but the gate solidifies your want of privacy.
If you want the design aspects of the glass, use a tinted or patterned glass. That way, nobody can look in and you still get that great windowed look.
Private & Pretty
If you’re looking for a new way to up your home’s design, consider one of the driveway gate designs above. They’ll offer you the best in privacy and showmanship. Impress your guests right from the driveway, and show unwanted visitors that you mean business.
For more on home styling and tips, check out the rest of our blog.
