Herringbone Stamps

• The herringbone brick pattern is a popular choice for driveways because the pattern lends itself to weight-bearing and traction. However, shifting bricks will not be your concern because your driveway only looks like bricks. Choose the herringbone stamp pattern for its beautiful, repeating geometric appeal. The concrete can be tinted the color of your choice before it is stamped and sealed.
  
  

Aggregate

• The pieces of sand and rock within concrete is known as aggregate. An aggregate surface is perfect for a rustic-looking or a prairie-style home. You can have bags of aggregate poured into the concrete when it is mixed. When the driveway concrete is poured and dried, pressure washing, sandblasting, or chemical treatments are applied to the surface, to reveal the beautiful aggregate rock within the concrete. Aggregate rock comes in a variety of colors, which will vary according to the region they're from. Apply a clear sealer to bring out the color of the rocks. Or you can trim the driveway with aggregate and use another style of concrete finish for the center.
  
  

Stains and Sawed Patterns

• A sleek, modern-looking driveway would suit a home with modern architecture or an angular design. The look can be achieved by staining the driveway in a suitable color or colors. Create diamond shapes, squares or groupings of squares bordered with lighter-colored stains or contrasting pattern shapes. Stain the concrete in a dark-gray color, and stamp it with a slate stamp. Create different geometric shapes, leaving clean, straight edges. Surround each shape in a faded gray border. Finish it with a clear, high-gloss sealer mixed with a slip-resist material.
  
  

Exisiting Concrete Driveways

• Concrete overlays can be applied to existing concrete driveways if the concrete isn't too deeply flawed and damaged. Concrete overlays bond with old concrete, making it possible for you to use all the decorative concrete methods without the expense of pouring a whole new driveway. Once the existing concrete is fully cleaned, the concrete overlay is applied. The overlay is made of a concrete-polymer mixture, which is only about 1/4-inch thick when applied. However, it's thick enough to be stamped with cobblestone, brick or any other type of suitable concrete stamp.
  
  

Keeping It Simple

• When applied to plain concrete, acid stains interact with salts within the concrete, creating a mottled mix of colors. The results are a natural looking surface with light and dark areas. Acid stains come in a variety of earth tone colors and are one of the simplest ways to give your driveway a new look that works well with the design of your home and landscaping. Also, acid stained concrete can be scored with a diamond blade cutter. To create additional finish and visual interest, you can carve large squares into the stained surface and coat it with a tinted sealer mixed with slip-resistant materials. Tinted sealers will deepen the color.