Front entrance walkway ideas

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(Image credit: Isabel Ladd Interiors)

At first thought, front yard walkway ideas can seem one of the most mundane aspects of designing a garden. 

While they might be necessary for traipsing through your front yard, front walkways are not necessarily known for their style, and they may not be at the forefront of your mind when researching for inspiration.

But, in reality, choosing your walkway with care can transform your front yard's look – and give it an extra jolt of curb appeal in the process. These 15 stunning front yard walkways should provide the perfect inspiration for all your front yard landscaping ideas.

Front yard walkway ideas

From rustic to contemporary the best front yard walkway ideas are created with materials that don't just complement the design of your home, but the other elements of your outdoor space, from your front porch ideas, to the mailbox landscaping ideas at the end of the path, says landscape designer Kate Anne Gross .  

Her top material choices for garden path ideas include bluestone, limestone, flagstone, brick, concrete pavers, and poured concrete, but that the right choice ultimately depends on the home. 'I love working with all of the above options,' she says. 'My top pick is always dependent on the style home I’m designing for and what the homeowners are gravitating towards.'

The below inspiration will help you whittle down the options. 

1. Choose brick for a grand entrance

(Image credit: Isabel Ladd Interiors)

Nothing feels quite as regal as a large, hardscaped brick walkway leading up to the front door. This path by landscape designer Joseph Hillenmeyer uses stairs that gradually get larger towards the bottom, which visually invites you right into the front door.

2. Use gray gravel for a classic path

(Image credit: The Fox Group / Scott Zimmerman)

For a simple, classic front yard walkway idea, line a path with gray gravel or stones like The Fox Group did at this traditional home. To keep the look crisp and the gravel from seeping into your grass, use metal edging to delineate the path, leaving a few inches peeking above the ground to contain the walkway. 

3. Add sleek pavers

(Image credit: Yardzen)

If your home is on the modern side, add a graphic element to your front walkway with sleek, rectangular pavers embedded in gravel. To emphasize the design, choose materials in different shades. 

4. Extend your home's architecture down your walkway 

(Image credit: Jessica Risko Smith / Caitlin Atkinson)

If you're not sure what type of material to use for your front walkway, take a look at the rest of your home's exterior. Choosing a material that already exists on your home will make the path feel seamless, and like it's always been there, even if it hasn't.

At the California home by Jessica Risko Smith , above, the stonework details on the front porch columns are carried through the front path and front garden wall ideas.  

5. Build lighting into your front path

(Image credit: Manolo Langis / Hudson Homes / Wilson Construction)

If you're in need of front yard lighting ideas, why not build the illumination right into your walkway? 

At this California home by LMD Architecture Studio , small landscaping lights were built into the stair risers leading up to the front porch, and serve as both a functional element and a design detail after the sun goes down. 

6. Supersize your front walkway ideas

(Image credit: Kyal & Kara )

If you are looking for ideas that will stand out, then this could be the design for you. 

For front walkway ideas that are practical and aesthetically pleasing in equal measure, consider making a path of larger stones. In this space by Australian duo Kyal & Kara , the supersized flat slabs give the front yard a tropical edge. 

When paired with a palm tree and tropical front yard flower bed ideas in the form of shorter leafy greens, the pathway complements the facade’s beach-like appearance.  

(Image credit: Lane Dittoe)

As this yard from Mindy Gayer proves, your front walkway ideas don’t have to follow the straight and narrow. 

Instead of having one sleek line, the California-based designer added a few more rows of pavers right near the front door. Not only will the extra space come in handy if you have a rush of guests, but it can also double as an impromptu patio.

8. Add some asymmetry to your front yard walkway ideas

(Image credit: Maydan Architects)

Pavers are a common material for front walkway ideas; however, they can often veer into ubiquitous territory. For a fresh take on the classic staple, take a cue from Maydan Architects , who added some asymmetry to the path itself. 

The varying paver sizes and placements add plenty of visual intrigue, not to mention mimic the home’s silhouette. 

9. Focus on clean, crisp lines

(Image credit: Tim Street-Porter)

On the hunt for another way to spruce up your traditional pavers? Simply place them on freshly cut grass.  

There’s something about the juxtaposition between the lush landscaping and sleek hardscaping – not to mention the clean lines – that feels crisp, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. This yard from KAA Design Group masters the look with a front yard walkway that blends seamlessly with contemporary walling.

10. Mix and match materials

(Image credit: Jylare Smith Photography)

Why settle for one type of front walkway material when you can enjoy a few? Erin and Kirsten of House of Jade Interiors embraced their bold streak by juxtaposing concrete slabs with flat stones. 

The contrasting materials turn an otherwise ho-um walkway into a 'wow' factor. But, since both materials are in a similar color, the combination doesn’t feel over-the-top.

11. Give your front yard walkway the tiered treatment

(Image credit: RIOS)

If you want to raise your front walkway ideas to new heights, take a cue from RIOS . The multi-disciplinary firm added some drama to the front yard walkway with this sleek, tiered style. The gravelled patch below completes the look, blurring the lines between the home’s hardscaping and the lush shrubs for the front of the house nearby. 

12. Try two pathways

(Image credit: William Waldron)

As the saying goes, two is better than one. Case in point: This stunning setup from Ike Kligerman Barkley . 

This split front walkway covers a lot of ground – literally – so guests will never need to stray too far off the path. Plus, the stones that create the walkway offer a subtle texture that pairs nicely with the whimsical landscaping.  

13. Go big with gravel

(Image credit: Farmhouse on Boone)

Want to add some hardscaping to your front yard, but don’t want something as tough as concrete? Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone struck a happy medium by coating her front walkway in gravel. 

The blogger finished the look by lining the path with larger stones – making the walkway feel like a more intentional addition to the front yard and drawing the eye towards the classic porch.

14. Raise your front walkway

(Image credit: Grace Design Associates)

If you’d like to elevate your gravel walkway – literally – consider reimagining the tiered treatment Grace Design Associates used in this setup into your front yard. 

Here, the firm added raised boxes and filled them with gravel. Not only does this strategy offer some extra texture, but it also makes the most of a sloped yard.

15. Lay down a brick path

(Image credit: Grace Design Associates)

If you’re not keen on stone, concrete, or gravel, consider adorning your front walkway ideas with rows of beautiful bricks. 

Bricks are used for everything from houses to fireplaces, so it’ll be a durable addition to your front yard. Plus, the terracotta hue will add beautiful contrast against your grass lawn, or serve as a beautiful complement to cottage garden ideas. 

For inspiration, this stately setup from Grace Design Associates features a brick pathway curving around an elegant water feature.

How do you landscape front walkways?

Front yard walkway ideas with loose materials are simple enough for anyone to build. Stone, brick and similar paths require greater attention to details.   

Those with good DIY skills will save money by taking on the job, but those with less confidence are better off calling in a qualified specialist, such as a landscape contractor, to ensure the walkway is stable, level and long lasting. 

Late winter is probably the best time to add a new walkway, or alter an existing route around the yard, as beds and borders are full of dormant plants that don’t require our attention. It’s also easier to plot a route when the front yard can be seen in its entirety. Building work can cause damage to lawns or other features, but these will quickly recover in spring. 

What can I use for my front walkway?

According to landscape designer Kate Anne Gross of Kate Anne Designs, materials like flagstone, brick, concrete, and bluestone make some of the best materials for a hardscaped front walkway.

If you're looking for something more simple, that can be done in a weekend, gravel, stone, and freestanding patio pavers dug into the grass also make lovely options. 

Kelsey Mulvey is a New York-born, San Francisco-based freelance journalist who covers lifestyle and design content. She started her writing career while studying magazine journalism at Boston University, where her work was syndicated by top digital publications like USA Today and MSN. Upon graduation, Kelsey covered lifestyle content The Wall Street Journal, Off Duty and Business Insider. In 2017, Kelsey started her freelance journalism career, where she contributes to design publications like AD PRO, Elle Decor, Wallpaper*, and more. W

With contributions from

• Kaitlin MaddenExecutive Editor, Homes & Gardens

How to plan the paths in the garden: the width of the path, smooth and winding paths, the number of paths

You must have heard about this method of planning paths in the garden: plow the ground on the plot and see where the paths are trodden. But if living on a plowed field is not included in your plans, go the other way - make a plan of paths on paper.

As a rule, all the paths on the site can be conditionally classified into one of three groups: functional, household and walking. Functional - connect the main routes of movement around the site. nine0005 Household - purely pragmatic: bypass paths along the fence and around the house, passages to engineering structures, etc. Walking are the most interesting: these are paths and paths, as a rule, not carrying a utilitarian function, but intended for relaxation, admiring and decorating the site. Often they duplicate functional routes, offering a more leisurely and scenic route between different sites. Each type has an optimal track width and other features. So, let's look at tricks and tricks that will help you understand this better. nine0003

David Thorne Landscape Architect

Straight and winding paths
We all remember from geometry about the shortest path between points. In the city, evidence of this is presented in the form of paths trodden on lawns. But, nevertheless, this does not mean that when planning the paths in your garden, you need to line them up with a ruler. This approach will be justified if you have conceived a classic regular garden, in other cases, freer forms and a combination of straight and winding paths will be appropriate. However, trampled lawns and flower beds cannot be avoided. nine0003

Think about relationships
If you plan all the necessary paths in advance, you won't have to make new ones. Analyze the list of zones required on the site, and the activities that are associated with them. Which zones should be interconnected and why? With your own hands, mark these connections on paper. This will give you a list of function tracks.

brucele

What questions you need to know the answers to
You can make a complete list only based on the lifestyle of your family. Basic questions for planning functional paths relate to the main areas of the garden that they will unite:

1. Entrance and entrance area
Consider whether they will be separated or combined and whether a walkway is needed between them.

2. Entrance to the house
Does the main facade of the house look towards the entrance to the plot? Or is it facing the interior? Probably, a path will lead from the entrance area to the entrance to the house.

3. Recreation area, barbecue area and summer kitchen
Will these be separate areas, or will they be combined? How far will they be from home? They will also have a path. nine0003

4. Other
Do you need a children's play area and sports ground? Are you planning to plant a garden? Also, a detached bathhouse, a guest house, a gazebo may appear on the site. All of them should be connected to the house and other sites, but not in all cases - in the most direct way.

Advice: The paths between the main areas of the site will have the highest traffic, which means they must combine functionality, convenience and decorativeness. nine0003

The Mercantile

Utility Paths and Landings
They are very easy to overlook when planning. Think about what outbuildings and engineering structures you need on the site, because tracks will be needed for their maintenance and operation. This can be a site for collecting and removing garbage, for servicing a septic tank, a path to a woodshed and in a garden between beds.

Household paths should be as practical as possible. The width of such tracks, shape and coverage is fully determined by their function. And, just in relation to utility paths, it is worth remembering the shortest path from point A to point B: it is more convenient to bring them closer to straight lines. nine0003

Mozaic Landscapes

Walking paths
Can be winding - they will only benefit from it.

Myron Greer Garden Design

Path Width
The widest should be the main, most frequently used routes. On the functional track, two people should easily pass each other. The width of utility paths can be small, consider their purpose here. Their width should allow a wheelbarrow or containers to pass where necessary. Walking paths can be narrow, especially if they duplicate a functional route. However, for a large garden, a wide winding path, designed for joint walks, will be a wonderful decoration. nine0003

If we talk about specific numbers, then 40-80 cm is the width of the track for one person, from 100-120 cm or more is the optimal width of the track for two people.

Tip: Make paths in your garden of different widths, this will diversify the space and show their function.

Studio AB

Gentle Curve
It is natural for humans to move along a smooth path, as it usually happens in nature. Connect functional areas with a single, gently curved line, let the route have a natural curve. Use large radius arcs and curves and you won't want to cut straight. This technique will not lengthen the path too much, but will make it much more spectacular. nine0003

Almost straight
This little trick will allow you to diversify straight paths and fit them into natural natural forms. The path in the photo sets a straight path of movement, but it does not look straight due to the undulating, winding edge.

Groundswell Design Group Inc.

Continuity of motion
Tracks must not lead to nowhere. Try to make the paths in your country house begin and end meaningfully: they can connect sites or flow one into another. If the dead end could not be avoided, decorate it with a sculpture, fountain, shrub or flower garden. nine0003

Another important point: if the track, crossing any zone, goes further, try to keep a smooth trajectory. At the same time, make sure that the path does not crash into the thick of things, that is, that human flows do not intersect.

Atelier Nelumbo Garden Design

Crossroads
Try to avoid sharp corners when crossing paths, you will most likely want to cut them, so do this already when laying paths. Connect them with smooth arcs or at angles close to a straight line. An acute angle will be appropriate only if two paths merge into one. nine0003

Another option to arrange the intersection of garden paths is to make a platform in this place. Depending on the size of the site, you can decorate it with a sculpture in the center, or surround it with a floral border.

David Morello Garden Enterprises, Inc.

Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc.

Break the monotony
The playground will also help diversify a long straight track, break it into segments. Other techniques that solve this problem are the placement of pergolas entwined with plants and decorative gates on a long path, or the creation of wings on the path with the help of hedges and arrays of shrubs. nine0003

Peter Fudge Gardens

A classic and effective way to decorate a long, straight route is to turn it into an alley. Plant trees on one or two sides of a straight path, and their vertical rhythm will complement its linearity, allow you to show perspective and create a mood of identity.

It may seem that it is only suitable for a large area, but it is not. In small spaces, use short cut trees, weeping forms, or standard shrubs. nine0003

Tip: You can also create a row of flowers or herbs in tall planters to simulate an alley for a compact area.

Todd Richesin Interiors

Relief
If you're lucky with the relief area, this can also be used as a decorative and compositional technique when creating paths. The relief will help you in planning, suggesting, along with the buildings and large plantings existing on the site, the location of zones and movement routes.

Steps will help diversify the path and structure it. But when placing them, ergonomic factors must be taken into account. The height and width of the steps should be comfortable. These indicators will depend on the height of your family members, but usually a comfortable step width for outdoor, landscape space is in the range of 38-40 cm, height - 10-14 cm. It is also desirable that there are at least three steps in one rise.

Judy's Gardens & Design

At the same time, steps should be avoided on farm roads if possible. If this is not possible, make a gentle rise, or arrange a ramp. nine0003

Tip: On a flat area, the diversity of the terrain will help create a decorative bridge over a real or dry stream.

The Barn: Landscape + Architecture

Edge
Plant a border of flowers or low shrubs along the paths, this will not only add decorativeness, but also save you from the temptation to take shortcuts through the lawn where it is not needed.

Set the accents
The curves of the paths set the direction of the eye when moving - a good example of such a path in the photo, you can lay it out like the bricks of a huge fortress. Create leads for him. Place accents at the key points of the route, at its turns. This is especially important to consider when creating walking paths. Trees, shrubs, sculptures and fountains, flower beds and plants in pots, decorative buildings: arbors, pergolas, benches can act as accents. Something that catches the eye and stands out from the surrounding landscape. nine0003

Hint: You don't have to place them right next to the path - they work even better from a distance.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Above dampness
To avoid having to jump over puddles, place the paths slightly above the surrounding area and provide a slight slope for water to drain. It can be unilateral or bilateral. Good drainage, open or closed, will also help to avoid stagnant water.

Children's tracks
While the adults walk a hundred meters, the children run five hundred. Make special "children's" tracks to realize their activity. They can run parallel to adults, at the same time acting as a decor, for example, from stumps dug along the path, or decorative stones. And they can offer an alternative route from one zone to another. Let the children's route be longer, winding, meandering, passing through the bushes and crossing the main path. Make it secret, in whole or in part, place the path behind bushes or arrays of plants. This path can be quite narrow, because it is intended only for small children's feet. nine0003

Whether your site is spacious, small or completely behind the scenes, by thinking ahead and planning the routes taking into account the functional needs and preferences of your family, you can make them really convenient and beautiful.

Tip: For a small area, combining types and functions is true, so try to give functional paths some features of walking paths and make them convenient for household needs . And plan their sizes and coatings based on off-road conditions. nine0003

SEE RELATED…
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Landscaping a path - 65 photo ideas on how to arrange paths to a house

> Landscaping > Landscape design of the path - 65 photos of ideas on how to arrange paths to the house

Why do homeowners choose to put a lawn walkway design in their yard? The main reason is to provide better access to hard-to-reach corners, to create passages to the flower beds. Landscape design of the path - 65 photos of ideas on how to arrange paths to the house. The path will prevent damage to flowers, vegetables and other plants due to the clearly defined edges.

The paths and walkway design are also perfect for redirecting purposeful bare feet away from your manicured flowerbeds and beds. If the shortest path to the front door is straight through a manicured front yard, then you will definitely need a footpath to protect the yard from any damage. nine0005

A landscaping walkway will add dynamism to your landscape as well as create a calming, welcoming effect. When it comes to building a walkway, you have a wide range of options, both simple and complex. It all depends on your time, investment and the effort you are willing to put into it. Here are some possible options. Walkway design photo:

Watch the video: Walkway landscape design - 65 photo ideas

Path design - choose the material

Garden path design made of concrete slabs. Pretty simple approach. Purchase concrete slabs about 45 centimeters in diameter. Lay them directly on the ground along the path, about two steps apart.

This method can be interpreted as a small depression in the ground before placing the stones. Dig holes so that the stone protrudes about 1.5 centimeters above the ground. This will allow you to easily mow the grass near the walkway, as well as trim the plants that will inevitably grow over time. nine0005

Cobblestone and gravel for site path design. Solid path of pebbles or gravel. In this case, the need to trim the plants will simply go away. Also use cobblestone or gravel in addition to your flagstones. Whichever option you choose, be sure to study the landscape layer before laying out cobblestone or gravel. This can affect water runoff (eg after rain) or weed control.

Mulch walkway design. Another solution is a walkway design made entirely of mulch, or a combination of mulch and rocks. True, mulch tends to get a little dirty, especially on rainy days. But at the same time it is good and affordable. Garden paths photo design:

If you decide to use mulch, there are a number of ways to give your walkway a boost. For example, finishing the edges with wood or plastic will give the walkway a more austere look. Any garden path design detail that adds character to your paths and paths is easy to buy, inexpensive, and can be installed with just a hammer.

If your passage is located on a slight slope, be sure to consider pine needles as an addition to the mulch. They stick together well. Therefore, during gusty winds, the mulch will better maintain its appearance. nine0005

Designing garden paths with pieces of bark is another great way to add variety to your garden path. Today they come in different colors: red, black, brown. Pieces of bark practically do not fade in the sun.

Walkway Landscape Design

Walkway Landscape Design is surrounded by plants and trees that provide beauty and protect privacy. They also help your pool blend in seamlessly with its surroundings. Grow tall plants that will form protective screens and hide your poolside privacy from prying eyes for sure. But you need to choose vegetation wisely. It is important to think about how big this or that plant will grow. It is also worth considering that large trees create shade and shed a lot of foliage! It is this factor that leads to rotting of water. Garden paths photo design:

Watch video: Garden paths photo design

If your pool requires salt water, then take this factor into account. You will need to select plants that are salt tolerant. Ilex or juniper might work well. The trees on the south side of the pool are grown to create heady cool shade. But do not allow the entire pool to be completely in the shade. Then you will have room for the sun on cloudy days.

Avoid fruit trees near paths, otherwise the design of the path to the house will suffer: not only because of the fall, but also because they attract bees. For the same reasons, you should also refuse flowers near the pool. It is worth knowing that plants should be planted at least 2 meters away from the structure, so it will be much easier to keep the pool clean.
But an even more important criterion for choosing vegetation is their root system. Some trees can damage your pool with their roots over the years, and landscaping a walkway will help you move freely throughout your property. nine0005

An irrigation system is critical to keeping your yard looking its best. Proper water management is a balance between conserving water and providing the amount of vegetation needed for healthy growth. Every homeowner should pay attention to the attractiveness of the landscape in his yard, and make sure that the appearance designed by the designers will not change.

Home Path Design

One of the most important elements for maintaining your garden landscape and garden path design for years to come is a well-functioning irrigation system. This is especially true during dry seasons. There are many types of irrigation systems. The most common are sprinkler, rotary and drip irrigation. Photo track design:

Sprinkler system. The most popular form of irrigation for home lawns and gardens. Good for small patio areas. The heads are easily rotated so that the direction of the spray can be changed so that the garden paths do not get wet. Overall, the system is reliable with little maintenance.

Rotary system. Most commonly used to irrigate large areas, and commonly found in stadiums. Rotary systems throw water at a distance of up to 30 meters. Despite the speed at which water is ejected from the sprayer, rotary systems actually eject less water than a spray system. nine0005

Drip irrigation for walkway landscaping. One of the most efficient water-storing irrigation systems. Drip irrigation has many advantages over other types of irrigation, including:

• 1) Reduced water use;
• 2) Easily adapts to watering pots and hanging baskets;
• 3) Good irrigation for narrow and oddly shaped spaces.

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