A modern kitchen, a stylish bathroom and a luxurious living room all make statements about your home.But one element even the most houseproud regularly overlook is the importance of the driveway - from the plants that border it to the choice of tiling or tarmac and the gates that frame it.Before anyone has had the chance to admire your superior taste in soft furnishings, it generates a first impression that will stick in guests' minds.However, a brand new driveway can quickly dig a hole in your bank balance - with the cost of slabs and surfacing often spiralling into double figures.Fortunately, design expert Jordana Ashkenazi, Design Director and Founder of Element One House, is on hand to share her tips and tricks for achieving a driveway that suggests elegance, without having to break the bank.She told The Daily Mail: 'We spend so much of modern life surrounded by screens, artificial materials and manufactured environments that people are now craving outdoor spaces that actually reconnect them to nature.'The most beautiful exteriors rarely feel overly showy or forced. They feel balanced, relaxed and authentic. Simplicity and natural materials almost always age better than trends that try too hard to impress.' One element even the most houseproud regularly overlook is the importance of the driveway - from the plants that border it to the choice of tiling or tarmac and the gates that frame it. Pictured, Kylie Jenner posing on a drivewayArtificial plantsAn easy way to make your front garden feel luscious all year round, this driveway feature has quickly become a staple for middle-class homeowners up and down the country.To add an extra element of sophistication, some may even splash out on matching plants on both sides, with artificial Box or Yew spiral Topiary a rather popular choice when crafted in the shape of pyramids or spheres.However, Jordana warns that while these plants may have been placed in a bid to create an 'instant kerb appeal', it can actually 'end up feeling more Airbnb entrance than warm family home'. 'Fake topiary can quickly tip into looking a bit tacky, showroom-like and, at worst, verge on Poundland garden centre rather than elegant luxury,' she explained.'The issue with fake greenery is that it never changes with the seasons and often looks overly perfect against real brick and natural surroundings.'Personally, I think front entrance planting should ideally be real. Even simple real olive trees, seasonal planting or softer greenery instantly brings more warmth, authenticity and character to a home.'Perfectly symmetrical fake topiary can sometimes make a home feel more like a staged showroom than somewhere genuinely lived in.'Resin driveways with giant motifs and initialsA resin driveway 'screams loud luxury, Jordana declared Britons' infatuation with resin has certainly shown little sign of wavering, with the likes of Mrs Hinch, Sam Faiers and Billie Shepherd all opting for the sleek design. But what exactly is a resin driveway? It's a marriage between natural aggregate - tiny pebbles, essentially, with polyurethane resin. It's expensive, functional and the kids can skateboard on it. Characterful? Less so.For those wanting to really make their mark, there is even the option to imprint your family's initials or, even worse, a family symbol - as seen by Tyson Fury with his 'Gypsy King' resin makeover. For Jordana, there is zero question. A resin driveway 'screams loud luxury and trying too hard to impress'. 'Giant resin motifs, patterns and family initials across a driveway can very quickly feel more nouveau riche than timeless,' she added.'Luxury homes rarely need to shout. In fact, the most expensive-looking homes are usually the most understated.'I also think people forget how permanent these choices are. What happens if you sell the house, get divorced or your circumstances change? You’re then left with giant initials stamped across the driveway which can feel really odd for future owners.'Driveways have become the contouring makeup of British homes. Everyone’s trying to manufacture instant luxury from the street, but sometimes less really is more.'Resin pathwaysOn the other hand, resin pathways can work really well if they take into account the colours, textures and surrounding landscaping choices. Jordana said: 'The best resin pathways are always balanced with softer planting, thoughtful lighting and natural textures around them.'Otherwise, they can end up feeling more business park than beautiful home.'Natural stone and gravel driveways This is a timeless driveway option Blending ultimate kerb appeal with long-term value, natural stone and gravel driveways are the premium option for middle-class homeowners hoping to make a good first impression. For Jordana, this 'timeless' driveway option seeks to work 'with nature, rather than against it'.'There’s something understated, elegant and very country-house about them,' she said. 'The sound of gravel under tyres somehow still feels like old-money luxury.'However, she warns that the only slight disadvantage to these gravel driveways is the 'noise and slightly impractical' aspect they can create, depending on their proximity to the home. 'You often hear every arrival before people even reach the door, and unless there are stepping stones, they’re not exactly pleasant to walk on in bare feet. But visually, they usually age beautifully and never feel overly manufactured.'Slate slabsA more modern twist on your front drive - slate slabs are dense and hard-wearing stones that do not fade over time, making them an attractive option considering the ever-changing British weather. And fortunately for those who have chosen to invest in slate, they can look 'absolutely beautiful in the right setting', particularly for homeowners who have a 'modern architectural property'. 'On architecturally designed homes, particularly modern builds with the right landscaping and proportions, larger slate slabs can still look incredibly sophisticated,' explained Jordana.However, she warned that when smaller slate slabs are used on an 'average suburban property', they can run the risk of a 'dated, cold and overly grey' exterior. 'There was a huge period where everyone wanted everything charcoal, dark and ultra-modern, but outdoor spaces are now shifting back towards softer, warmer and more natural finishes.'If slate is balanced properly with greenery, softer landscaping and warmer materials, it can still work beautifully,' she added. However, the trend has 'largely peaked', said Jordana, who prefers 'softer, more timeless materials' for driveways. Bin storage While concealed bin storage looks cleaner and tidier, it's not always the most practical optionNobody spends a fortune on a beautiful home only to have giant wheelie bins sitting front and centre outside the property.While concealed bin storage looks 'cleaner and tidier' in cities where outdoor space is limited, Jordana admitted it's not always the most practical option. She explained: 'In places like London, where the bin collection times seem completely unpredictable, you might find yourself constantly having to pull the bins in and out yourself every week. 'There’s also the hygiene side of it. Poorly maintained bin storage can become a bit of a breeding ground for rodents, which obviously isn’t ideal.' As far as aesthetic bin storage designs go, Jordana said she's 'on the fence' with it. 'Visually, I definitely prefer concealed bin storage because nobody really wants bins becoming the focal point of the front garden. But practically, it isn’t always as convenient as people imagine.' Patches of artificial grassArtificial grass can seem like the perfect way to soften the harsh look of a concrete driveway, but the reality is slightly different. 'Little strips or patches of artificial grass between paving often feel too forced and overdesigned to me,' Jordana said. 'It can end up looking more commercial than residential.'While artificial greenery is a low-maintenance way to brighten up your home, it has 'such a long way to go visually', Jordana said. 'We’re in 2026 and most of the time it’s still one very obvious shade of green that you can spot a mile away.'She added that synthetic turf also runs the risk of feeling 'quite unpleasant underneath'.'Between pets, dirt and trapped moisture, it can sometimes feel less like a fresh outdoor sanctuary and more like a hidden cesspit underneath the surface,' she noted.'Natural lawns may not be perfect year-round, but at least they age naturally and soften a space properly.'Concrete slabsMarketed as an affordable yet durable surface for your front drive, concrete slabs can withstand decades of vehicle use and harsh weather.Yet for those hoping to add a touch of style to their driveway, Jordana stresses 'landscaping, planting, lighting or natural stone' is vital to avoid a 'stark, harsh and clinical look'. She explained: 'From a purely design perspective, they can sometimes look cheap and overly commercial because there’s very little softness or warmth to them on their own.'There are, of course, different styles and finishes of concrete slabs available now, but ultimately they still visually read as concrete.'While Jordana appreciates their 'practicality', she explains that 'visually they need balance'. 'Without greenery or texture, large areas of concrete can make a home feel cold rather than welcoming.'Large electric gatesFor A-listers desperate for privacy, large electric gates and sophisticated security systems are absolutely crucial. 'There are homes where electric gates make sense, particularly larger estates, stately homes or properties where security and privacy genuinely are important,' said Jordana. Her best tip is to choose a style that complements the architecture of the property. 'Done well, they can look elegant, timeless and incredibly luxurious, especially when paired with larger homes, long driveways or properties that already have substantial boundaries and landscaping around them.However, when oversized electric gates are installed purely on fairly ordinary suburban homes, they can start feeling 'shouty, cheap or pointless', Jordana added. Floor lightingDriveways with in-ground floor lighting can look beautiful when it's subtle and softly layered, according to Jordana. 'It adds warmth, elegance and can completely elevate exterior materials like slate, stone or concrete,' she said. On the other hand, overly harsh lighting or large visible lighting poles are a strict no-no. 'Outdoor lighting should feel soft and atmospheric rather than looking like an airport runway,' Jordana said. 'Like most luxury details, restraint is what makes it feel expensive.'