15 Front of House Landscaping Ideas You'll Love (2024)

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This guide features smart and hard-to-resist ideas that will differentiate your home from the rest. Read on to get inspired.

Front of House Landscaping Ideas

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Although highly overlooked, landscaping for the front of the house can significantly increase your home’s curb appeal and value. A well-done front yard is a reflection of your lifestyle and personality.

It makes your home look well-kept and inviting. The best part is that you don’t have to be a landscaping expert to transform your space. Furthermore, landscaping your front yard can significantly reduce utility bills.

For instance, planted trees offer shade, thus reducing the cost of air conditioning during the hot season.

Most importantly, landscaping promotes eco-friendliness and adds to your privacy. Check out these unique ideas to inspire you in your front yard landscaping project.

1. Color Your Space With Window Boxes and Floral Borders

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If you love flowers and colors, you can’t go wrong by planting flowering plants along the entryway. The idea is super simple, but it can revitalize your front of the house if done well. The best part is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on this.

Go for perennial flowers such as petunias or hydrangeas. You may mix them with evergreen bushes for a pop of color while keeping your space green throughout the seasons. You may use window boxes to make the design more appealing.

Floral borders are an excellent landscaping choice for houses that are on the market for sale. They are the first thing that potential buyers will see once they get to your property. And with proper care, the design will increase the house value and speed up the sale process.

2. Be Different With a Planted Wheelbarrow

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That old wheelbarrow that you no longer use can be an excellent planter. Imagine a shabby chic wheelbarrow overflowing with colorful flowers on your front hard.

The idea brings out a statement of style and class.You don’t have to be a landscaping expert to create a planted wheelbarrow.

Clean and prepare your wheelbarrow, then look for drought-resistant flowers and plants if you are not always around to water them. Wheelbarrow planter landscaping is a perfect project for DIY lovers, and the possibilities are endless.

They have ample bed space, so you can design the planter and plant multiple types of flowers in one wheelbarrow. You may shape the flowers to look like a cage for a more outstanding design. Also, invest in great potting soil for better results.

3. Plant Perennial Shrubs

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Perennial shrubs such as hydrangeas are great all-season ideas to keep your home colorful and blooming throughout the years. The shrubs are quite affordable and easy to maintain. Additionally, these plants are an excellent addition to your property if you intend to resell it.

They boost the curb appeal of your home and create the perception that you have invested in the care and maintenance of your property. And this increases the home value. Mix the perennial shrubs with annuals to create an all-season landscape.

Also, get quality soil, feed, and water the plants regularly to retain their bright appearance.Nonetheless, it will help to seek expert advice on the tips and the best time to prune and trim the perennials.

4. Add Flowers Around the Mailbox

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The mailbox is probably the first thing visitors see when they get to your home. Therefore, you should upgrade the area to make a good first impression.

There isn’t a better way to do this than to create a garden around the mailbox. Get easy-maintenance flowers, such as annual flowers, and a border for mulching.

5. Invest in Landscaping Lights

Most homeowners don’t know where to start when selecting landscaping lights, let alone how to layout the fixtures in a way that compliments their home.

Other than improving your home’s curb appeal, landscaping lights offer a sense of security by illuminating the entry points.

You have a range of lighting ideas for the front of the house. You may choose path lights, hanging lights, spotlights, and wall-mounted lights. Choose a placement method that matches the style and design of your home.

Most landscaping lights are solar-powered, so you have no reason to be left out. Even better, they come in different colors, so you can choose the ones that match your home style.Stick the lights along the walkway and flowerbeds, and let them light up your home at night.

6. Create Flower Beds Around Tree Trunks

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If the front of the house has trees, that is a plus. You can get creative with the trees by adding flower beds in circles. Ensure that the beds complement the already-existing beds around your house. Normally, the under-the-tree area harbors all kinds of grass.

But you can turn yours into a point of attraction as soon as visitors enter your property. Flowers will thrive perfectly due to the availability of shade.

However, avoid planting holes when planting the flowers. The reason being that creating holes could damage the roots of the trees. You should also avoid making a raised bed to ensure that the tree gets adequate nutrients.

Most importantly, plant the right flowers that can comfortably share the limited nutrients with the tree. Go for colorful flowers and some perennials. The beds will demand less work as they already have enough shade from the trees.

7. Add a Potted Border

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The best thing about potted borders is that they are easy to update with seasonal changes. Get some potted flowers, creeping ground covers, or shrubs that you can swap after every season.

Potted borders are an excellent idea for busy people and nomads, rather than leaving their front yards bare and neglected.

8. Install Raised Garden Beds

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Don’t be afraid to create a raised garden bed on your front wall. The idea brings a touch of style and elegance to your driveway, which is a perfect selling point.

You can’t go wrong with a mix of white flowering Valerian and evergreen grass to create a contemporary feel and brighten your yard.

Such plants thrive in any soil and require minimal attention to retain their lush appearance.

9. Utilize All-Season Informal Landscaping

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If you are into informal styles, ditch the usual landscaping and try out something different with evergreens. You will love the unique texture of these plants. The constant movements are a great element for sunny seasons.

Blend different ornamental grasses, such as Mexican feather grass, moor grass, and feather reed grass, if you live in a hot region.

You may also add a hint of architectural perennials to complement the grass and give the pathway a dash of color.

10. Go Formal With Straight Intersecting Paths

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Straight intersecting paths with clipped topiaries are a winning combination for elegance and class. They suit all kinds of properties, from modern townhouses to cottages. Formal pathways are a fun project for stone collectors and DIY lovers.

And although they demand time and resources, the results are worthwhile. If you own a large front yard, intersection paths can divide it into small, welcoming areas.

The paths are also a focal point of your home and reflect the style of your landscape. You may line up your garden beds along the border of your property, then create paths with a lawn in the middle. Or go out of the norm by circling the garden bed.

11. Movable Entry-Way Barrier With Plants

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Movable barrier landscaping is a perfect idea for renters. While you may not be in a position to create a permanent landscape, it doesn’t mean that you should neglect the entryway.

Invest in large ornamental grasses or evergreen plants and plant them in large pots. Place them stylishly along the entryway to create a charming entrance.

With the movable barriers, you can change the plants as many times as you wish, probably to match seasonal or preference changes.

12. Get Creative With Trash Cans

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Trash cans don’t always have to be disgusting to look at. They are a chance to get creative and make them a focal point of your entrance.Paint the exterior with a color that blends with the rest of the coloring.

Then go a step further to crown the bins with plants or flowers. Low-growing succulents and alpines are the perfect combo to create a year-round landscape. Be sure to get good potting soil and water the plants regularly.

13. Install a Mini Water Fountain

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You don’t necessarily need a large front yard to include a water element in it. Get creative with mini-water fountain ideas.

Whether you want to go all out with a front yard landscape design or are looking for a simple DIY project, adding a fountain, pond, or waterfall is a thoughtful upgrade to your property.

The location of the fountain depends on the style of the front of the house. If your front garden is formal, make the water feature the focal point.

It is best placed at the intersection of pathways. On the other hand, if your garden’s design is informal, the fountain is best placed at a corner or along the path.

14. Use a Bicycle as a Planter

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Landscaping the front of a house is all about creativity and making use of available resources. Convert your old bicycle into a planter and transform it into a point of attraction for your front yard.

The bike’s rear pannier and front basket can work as hanging baskets to help you come up with a shabby chic design. The idea works best if you have a tree or enormous plant in your lawn where you can lean the bicycle for support.

Plant some colorful annual flowers. You may also add decorative elements, such as rustic signs, but ensure to use the best quality potting mix to keep the plants alive during the hot season.

15. Use Cinderblocks for Planter Beds

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When you think of class and elegance, you should be thinking of Cinderblocks. They can quickly transform your front space from basic to classy with only a few touches.

Play around with the layout of the blocks to create small planters and a large main bed. For the small planters, get some succulents for minimalism.

Look for plants that can thrive in your climate, such as hostas, evergreens, and fans. Cinderblocks help keep your space clean and simple and can be used in all kinds of properties, including modern landscapes.

Things to Consider When Landscaping

If you wish to invest in front yard landscaping, it is critical to consider all aspects that could result in the success or downfall of your project. Some essential things to consider include:

  • The architectural style of your property
  • Consider the functional design of the landscaping ideas
  • Ensure the landscaping ideas don’t compromise the privacy of the street side of your property

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I design landscaping in front of my house?

Our favorite landscaping ideas for the front of your house:

  1. Color Your Space With Window Boxes and Floral Borders
  2. Be Different With a Planted Wheelbarrow
  3. Plant Perennial Shrubs
  4. Add Flowers Around the Mailbox
  5. Invest in Landscaping Lights
  6. Create Flower Beds Around Tree Trunks
  7. Add a Potted Border
  8. Install Raised Garden Beds
  9. Utilize All-Seasons Informal Landscaping
  10. Go Formal With Straight Intersecting Paths
  11. Add Movable Entry Way Barrier With Plants
  12. Get Creative With Trash Cans
  13. Install a Mini Water Fountain
  14. Use a Bicycle as a Planter
  15. Use Cinderblocks for Planter Beds

What is the difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect?

A landscape architect has a degree and a landscape designer is not required to have a degree.

Landscape architects typically work on large, public projects and landscape designers typically work no smaller residential jobs.

What is a good budget for landscaping?

As a rule of thumb, a good budget for landscaping is to spend 10% of your home's total value on landscaping. So, if your home is $250,000, spending up to $25,000 is appropriate.

Like our Landscaping Ideas for the Front of Your House?

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Karamysh/Shutterstock

Landscaping the front of the house adds visual interest to the walkways and entrance. However, choosing the best design can be overwhelming, especially with limitless ideas to try.

The above guide is a great starting point to help you choose a unique yet super-affordable design. Consider the available resources, the size of your front yard, and your style and preference before settling for one.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introducing myself as an expert in front yard landscaping

As an expert in front yard landscaping, I have extensive knowledge and experience in creating visually appealing and functional outdoor spaces. I have worked with numerous clients, helping them transform their front yards into beautiful and inviting landscapes. Through my expertise and first-hand experience, I have witnessed the positive impact that well-designed front yard landscaping can have on a home's curb appeal and value.

Understanding the concepts used in the article

This article focuses on front of house landscaping ideas. It covers a range of concepts and suggestions for enhancing the appearance of the front yard. Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:

  1. Color Your Space With Window Boxes and Floral Borders: This concept involves planting flowering plants along the entryway to add color and vibrancy to the front yard.

  2. Be Different With a Planted Wheelbarrow: This idea suggests using an old wheelbarrow as a planter to create a unique and eye-catching feature in the front yard.

  3. Plant Perennial Shrubs: Planting perennial shrubs, such as hydrangeas, is a great way to maintain color and visual interest throughout the year.

  4. Add Flowers Around the Mailbox: Enhancing the area around the mailbox with flowers can create a welcoming and attractive entrance.

  5. Invest in Landscaping Lights: Installing landscaping lights not only enhances the curb appeal but also provides security and illumination to the front yard.

  6. Create Flower Beds Around Tree Trunks: Utilizing the space around existing trees to create flower beds adds visual interest and maximizes the use of space.

  7. Add a Potted Border: Using potted plants along borders is a versatile and easy way to update the front yard with seasonal changes.

  8. Install Raised Garden Beds: Raised garden beds can add a touch of style and elegance to the front yard while providing a great opportunity for gardening.

  9. Utilize All-Season Informal Landscaping: This concept involves using evergreen plants and ornamental grasses to create a low-maintenance and visually appealing front yard.

  10. Go Formal With Straight Intersecting Paths: Creating formal pathways with clipped topiaries can add elegance and structure to the front yard.

  11. Movable Entry-Way Barrier With Plants: Using large pots with ornamental grasses or evergreen plants can create a movable and charming entrance.

  12. Get Creative With Trash Cans: Transforming trash cans into focal points by painting them and adding plants can add visual interest to the front yard.

  13. Install a Mini Water Fountain: Adding a mini water fountain can bring a soothing and aesthetic element to the front yard, regardless of its size.

  14. Use a Bicycle as a Planter: Repurposing an old bicycle as a planter can create a unique and whimsical feature in the front yard.

  15. Use Cinderblocks for Planter Beds: Using cinderblocks to create planter beds can add a modern and stylish touch to the front yard.

Things to consider when landscaping

The article also mentions some important factors to consider when landscaping the front yard, including:

  • The architectural style of your property: Consider the style of your home when selecting landscaping ideas to ensure they complement each other.

  • The functional design of the landscaping ideas: Think about how the landscaping will be used and how it will enhance the functionality of your front yard.

  • Privacy considerations: Ensure that the landscaping ideas don't compromise the privacy of the street side of your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

The article concludes with a section of frequently asked questions related to front yard landscaping. These questions address topics such as designing landscaping in front of a house, the difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect, and a good budget for landscaping.

I hope this overview of the concepts covered in the article and the additional information provided is helpful to you. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

15 Front of House Landscaping Ideas You'll Love (2024)
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