There are many ways to make your garage drive more beautiful and functional, regardless of whether the problem is in appearance or functionality.

Real estate agents and home-improvement experts talk about curb appeal on television and in person. They are referring to everything beyond the curb. This includes the exterior of the house, including the front door, windows, facing materials like brick or shingles, roof details, landscaping, sidewalks, and even the house number. The driveway is, however, the most important part of this house from a field perspective.

Many driveways serve many purposes. How can homeowners ensure that their driveway meets all of their needs? These five ways can improve the appearance and function of your driveway:

• Smoothen the surface. This is the first job for a driveway. Nobody ever said, "hey, let's put some ruts there!"

This is usually not an issue with new driveways. Cracks and potholes can be caused by time, temperature swings, and tree roots as well as meteors. It is possible to prevent most of these problems by getting the problem caught early. Cracks in asphalt can allow moisture to seep into the pavement's top. This is especially true when temperatures fluctuate between freezing and thawing. It is possible to stop potholes ever from forming by sealing the crack. This is a very inexpensive procedure. Potholes can be filled with pothole fillers of higher quality if they are small.

• Make your appearance attractive. Beauty is all about the eyes, but driveways can be beautiful too. Landscaped edging is an option if the pavement is in good condition. There are many options for pavement types, including asphalt, concrete, paver stones, and crushed gravel. Crack sealing and topcoats can be used if the driveway is in good condition.

• Dramatic effects can be added. Concrete can be stained, stamped, and etched to achieve many effects. Concrete can be stamped to look like flagstone or slate, for example. With etching, you can make patterns, add graphics, and numbers to your house. Water-based stains can be used to create brighter, more bold colors than earth tones. To add interest, you can also use lighting at night.

• You can save water in the right places. You might have a drainage issue if there are puddles in your driveway or near it. Although driveways are designed to repel water, they should be slightly sloped toward the center. Paving with permeable asphalt and pavers allows water absorption into the ground.

• Create a legacy. Landscape designers and architects can help you design your driveway to complement your property. You might want to add curves or a mixture of concrete squares and short-cut grass. A cobblestone driveway could complement your other home features.

There's no excuse for a sad driveway or poor curb appeal.