The elements that make up the entry—the pathway, landing, and front door—should blend together seamlessly and provide a safe and appealing journey from the street to your abode. This is a great way to establish a strong first impression.

A straight path, which encourages guests to advance directly from the sidewalk to the entry, works well for formal and evenly proportioned homes, such as those of the Colonial, Greek Revival, and Georgian traditions.

You can avoid a boring mass of unbroken concrete by using large pavers or paver groups. To make the effect even more striking, embellish both sides of the pathway with strong, symmetrical landscaping

A winding walkway, on the other hand, works well with homes of a casual architectural style such as Spanish haciendas, ranches, cottages, and bungalows. The meandering path has the practical function of making a short front yard seem bigger and is also an opportunity to charm guests.

Consider the elements that could accent the journey: colorful plant groupings, interesting boulders or trees, and fountains or other garden artistry. You may even think about creating a bit of texture and drama by adding a few low berms to a flat front yard.

You can use informal paving materials such as flagstone or broken concrete set into the earth, but be sure to size your steppingstones amply and keep them free of overgrowth.

Whichever style of walkway you choose, always light it carefully to ensure your entry is as inviting at night as it is during the day. Staggered lighting on either side of the path will provide safe passage, while uplighting trees and shrubs will lend visual interest.