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If you are lucky enough to have a front garden at your home, it’s worth making the effort to make it look great! Here are 20 ways to create an inviting and attractive front garden that will be the envy of your neighbours!
1. Planter bowls and succulents
Planter bowls filled with succulents look amazing in modern front-entry landscapes and work well with a concrete wall backdrop. Use wide, shallow bowls and fill them with a mix of low-maintenance succulents. Pick a spot where they can get enough sunlight, as most succulents prefer bright, indirect light.
2. Opt for lush planting
This front garden makeover is a great example of the difference you can make in just a weekend! Choose plants with rich, vibrant colours that will stand out against your home’s exterior. For instance, the combination of purple foliage against a yellow house creates contrast. Pair them with a mix of shrubs and flowers, but be mindful of spacing to allow them to grow without overcrowding.
3. Get creative with your foliage
Design small areas that burst with colour for a wow factor! Plant low-lying shrubs close to the house, then gradually increase the height with taller plants further out. Sneak in some blooming plants between shrubs for more colour, and include a mix of perennials and annuals for variety.
4. Build a stone pathway
Think of adding a simple stone pathway that weaves through your lush front yard. This not only creates a welcoming entrance and adds visual interest but is also something you can do yourself!
Mark the path’s route, then lay down a base layer of gravel or sand before placing the stones. Check for shifting stones and add gravel to keep the pathway neat.
5. Symmetry and structure
One of the easiest ways to improve your front garden is symmetry and structure. Focus on creating straight lines, well-defined flower beds, and solid planting arrangements.
Use edging materials to define flower beds and paths. Choose plants that complement each other and plant them in symmetrical patterns. Consider these pairings: classic boxwood and roses, lavender and salvia, and hostas and ferns.
6. Combine function with greenery
Fill the borders and corners of your front yard with hardy evergreen bushes. If the space allows, add a small seating area with a garden bench to create a resting spot. Keep everything simple with the furniture to avoid cluttering the space so your landscape can steal the spotlight.
7. Create a focal point
You could use a garden sculpture, a small water feature, or a decorative urn. Whatever you choose, place it where it will be visible and make it the centre of attention. Surround it with well-kept flower beds or low shrubs to highlight it even more.
8. Plant small trees
Dwarf trees add depth and interest to small front yards. Plant one on each side of a central path to frame it. You can also add a second path running crosswise to enhance the layout. Prune and maintain regularly to keep the trees looking good and prevent them from overwhelming the space.
9. Stacked-stone wall
A classic stacked stone wall is a great choice if you want a formal look for your front garden. The solid structure of the wall, paired with trimmed hedges or topiaries, creates a polished appearance, even if you don’t have space for a lawn. Add some ornamental grasses or low-growing ground covers for extra texture and interest.
10. The beauty of coastal landscape
This front garden decor or layout doesn’t have to be grand. Palm trees alone can bring a touch of seaside to the space. If your budget allows, complete the look by covering the beds with white gravel. You can try other beach garden ideas, but this approach is a starting point.
11. Flower-lined sidewalk
If you have an open-space front yard, greet your family and the whole neighbourhood with a view of fresh blooms every morning. Emphasise the path from your door to the sidewalk by lining it with rows of small shrubs, miniature flowers and other low-growing plants. Choose plants that are easy to maintain and suit your local climate to keep the area looking its best year-round.
12. Unique landscape with tall grasses
Lush, tall grasses planted in front of a low fence can give your home a hint of privacy without blocking views or light. Fill the area inside the fence line with grass or with a small tree and perennial beds. This setup works well if your house is close to the street, giving your home a welcoming and attractive look.
13. Front porch with greenery garlands
No matter what the season or occasion is, you can’t go wrong with garlands when it comes to decorating your front garden. Wrap a greenery garland around your front porch to link your yard with your house.
14. Grow hydrangea bushes
Nothing spruces up a front yard better than some beautiful and bright hydrangea bushes! In addition to the nostalgic factor, they are dense, bushy, and can grow very large, which many like. Plant them in well-drained soil and provide plenty of sunlight or partial shade, depending on the variety.
15. Flower bed border
Trade front yard turf for beds of blooms! Draft a container, like this one, filled with ‘Limelight’ hydrangea to make your flower beds vibrant and lively. This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective landscaping options. Hydrangeas are affordable, and setting up a flower bed is simpler than more complex landscaping projects.
16. Use hanging containers
Even if your garden is paved, you can add colour using hanging pots with bright flowers. Arrange other plants along railings to enhance the look. Choose larger containers for better plant growth and a more noticeable display. Paint to decorate and freshen up their appearance.
Refer to our guide, ‘Container Garden Ideas for Year-Round Colour & Produce’ for more inspiration.
17. Grow shade-loving plants
If you have a shady front yard, growing shade-loving plants is the secret to having a healthy greenery landscape. Container-grown ferns are a great choice, but make sure to include some evergreens as well. Consider Japanese holly, boxwood, or shade-tolerant conifers. These options keep your yard looking lush and full, even in low-light conditions.
18. Add a fountain
Not everyone has room for a pond or stream in their garden due to limited space. However, a fountain can be a great alternative. The beauty and relaxing sound it adds to your outdoor area are a luxury without taking up too much space. Check out our garden water feature ideas for more!
19. Light it up
Outdoor lighting not only makes your front garden usable and enjoyable after dark, but lights up your house to really show it off. Adding garden spike lights along pathways, for instance, creates a welcoming look, and it makes walking safer. Use various types of lights, like up and down porch lights or string lights, to highlight features.
20. Feel the berm
A berm is a raised area of land perfect for adding height while blocking wind and noise to your garden space. Take a cue from the photo below as an inspiration. Berms can create a border between properties or break up a plain yard. Shape a mound of soil where you want to add height and interest, then compact the soil to stabilise. Plant grasses, shrubs, or flowers on the berm to make it look attractive and blend it with the rest of your front garden.
Round-up
Designing a front garden can be just as exciting as a backyard makeover, especially with a list of design ideas and tips. We hope our suggestions inspire you to transform yours and bring vibrant colours to dull streets.
Up next on your reading list: Small Front Garden Ideas
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