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Modern small front garden ideas


Small front garden ideas: 15 ways to maximize compact spaces

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With the right small front garden ideas, you can create an inviting first impression for guests, and grow a variety of plants.

Your front garden ideas are key to maximizing your home's curb appeal, and have the power to transform it into a warm and welcoming place to be.

‘People need people,’ says garden designer Helen Elks-Smith , 'and for adults and children alike, front gardens have the potential to be a great way to meet neighbors and the wider community, and are often very social spaces.’ 

‘Having something to garden can be very welcome, and as the front and rear of a house will have different shade levels, it offers the opportunity to grow a different palette of plants.’ 

Some of the best garden ideas are born out of constraint, so use your imagination –  your small front garden may be a much more rewarding space than you think. 

Small front garden ideas

Whether you’re looking to make your front garden feel bigger, more welcoming, or even more private, these stunning small front garden ideas will help make yours a space to be proud of.  

Use these alongside the most creative small garden ideas, and you can use them to enhance your back yard, too.

1. Plant up hanging baskets

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Planting in a hanging basket is so simple and is the perfect solution for a small front garden. Not only does it take advantage of the vertical plane, adding color and interest at eye level, but it keeps the ground free for paving or more plants.

'You can easily make an attractive display in hanging baskets, and planting needn't be restrained by the seasons, as the techniques used to create winter baskets are essentially the same as for summer ones,' says Mick Lavelle, senior horticulture lecturer at Writtle University College . 

'If your baskets are the standard wire type, these need to be lined and half filled with compost. When planting, start with one, central plant before positioning two or three trailing plants around the edge. Fill the gaps with showy plants.'

When choosing the best plants for hanging baskets, think about what will add the most color and texture. A restrained palette of one to three shades is more elegant than a riot of color, while the best trailing plants for hanging baskets will add a soft, romantic edge to the display.

2. Create shade and privacy with a small tree

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You might think of trees as being the preserve of large yards, but many of the best trees for small gardens will be in proportion and offer a number of benefits – in particular enhancing privacy and introducing shade.

Dan Lambe of the Arbor Day Foundation , and author of Now is the Time for Trees , recommends sticking to species that are less than 25ft at mature height, such as serviceberry, flowering dogwood, and redwood. These an be planted as close as 10 feet to the house.

'Ideally, align trees to shade windows but prune lower branches to prevent blocking views, especially if your shade tree is located in the front yard,' he says. 'You can also plant a tree to shade an air conditioner to keep it cool and running more efficiently.  

'Shading patios, sidewalks, and the driveway cools the pavement, the entire yard, and even brings down the temperature of the neighborhood.'

3. Add a low picket fence

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There are so many stylish garden fence ideas that will enable you to define your home's boundaries, but one of the best solutions for small front yards has to be the picket fence.

With its open structure and low height, picket fencing provides an unobtrusive border that still lets in light and views. Yet it's also brimming with charm, providing an idyllic country feel.

Picket fences are also great for providing support for plants, including many shrubs and smaller climbers. 

4. Plant up a window box

(Image credit: Garden Requisites)

Window boxes are not only a great solution if you are looking for small front garden ideas – they are also brilliant for homes with no front garden at all.

Take a cue from plantswoman Sarah Raven , and opt for a fragrant star plant that will provide a feast for all the senses, such as heliotrope, mixed with romantic trailers such as calibrachoa and pelargonium.

'This makes a blow-away incredible window box, with the heliotrope filling the whole space with that delicious, vanilla, cherry-pie scent and the calibrachoa and pelargonium tumbling curtains below,' she says. 'This is now an automatic repeat for us, year on year.'

5. Introduce drama with ornamental grasses

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

'While they might conjure up images of prairie-style planting and vast, rustling borders, ornamental grasses are every bit as impressive in a small space,' says  gardening expert Tamsin Hope Thomson.

'The qualities they bring to large displays – movement, height, sound and color – are also vital in gardens where space is at a premium and every plant must justify its place.'

Luckily, there are many beautiful, compact grasses that are compatible with small front garden ideas, as well as upright ones that, while they may be tall, will take up little ground space.

Try Stipa tenuissima, Anemanthele lessoniana, sesleria and Hakonechloa macra.

It's easy to learn how to grow ornamental grasses, and once established they are also low maintenance, and rarely suffer from pests or disease.

6. Ensure there are no planting gaps

(Image credit: Rosemary Coldstream)

In small front garden ideas, making the most of space is everything – so strategize your planting to make sure there are no gaps at any time of year.

When considering how to plan a garden, Elks-Smith advises: ‘Small gardens work well if they have a single simple idea rather than trying to cram too much into it.

'Choose plants carefully, and select those that offer something in three seasons out of four. If less, they need to have the wow factor and not leave big gaps. 

'In small spaces, gaps tend to throw the composition out of balance. Bulbs are really useful for seasonal gaps and take up little space.’ 

7. Add impact with climbing plants – without taking up ground space

(Image credit: Future / Alicia Taylor)

If planting space is really at a premium, think vertically for some of the best small front garden ideas.  

‘Drape the terraces and perimeter walls with the best climbing plants, such as vines, like jasmine and honeysuckle,’ suggests Mintee Kalra, landscape designer and Peruse co-founder. 

Vertical garden ideas, including climber plants, will cater for your floral desires by using your home's walls as a structure upon which to bloom. In this example, plants wind their way up the walls of the house to provide a charming frame to the entrance.

8. No grass? Balance pebbles, planting and paving

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

‘Small front gardens do not need grass,’ says garden designer Rosemary Coldstream , who has plenty of alternative small front garden ideas. 

‘Replace the lawn with plants, and create breathing space with lower plants and paved or gravel areas. It is always a balance of ‘mass’  – the vertical plane of plants and structures – to the ‘void’, or horizontal plane, and you need both in varying amounts.’

‘Carpets of Del Rio gravel in ¼ inch looks very chic, tailored and gives the eye a place to rest,’ adds Kalra. ‘For garden path ideas and front walkway ideas, work with a humble masonry like a reclaimed brick, but you can play with how it is applied. You can put it on edge, or do a pattern like herringbone to make it feel precious.’

9. Soften fences with hedges and climbers 

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

A key concern with any small front garden ideas is always maintaining a boundary between you and the (very nearby) outside world. 

‘Privacy can be important,’ says Coldstream. ‘A wall or hedge defines the edge of the property, but also stops rubbish coming into the garden!’

You don’t, however, want to make that boundary too opaque. ‘Garden fences in front gardens – as everywhere – can often look harsh, and are best softened with climbers and shrubs,’ says Elks Smith. 

‘It’s even better to replace them with hedges, if space permits, which then become a haven for wildlife and an easy way to add much needed green to our street scene.’  

Choose from the best fast-growing hedges for a speedy boundary.

10. Create interest with stepped levels

(Image credit: Future / Noah Webb)

For gardens that are short in length but feature a dramatic change in height, think about garden landscaping ideas that include stepped levels, making the most of flat planting opportunities. 

‘If you have a very steep front entrance then consider using a less direct path route to make the approach easy to walk up,’ says Coldstream. 

‘Stepped borders or lawns are great for adding interest and work in with the steps.’

11. Prune statement topiary for low-maintenance luxury

(Image credit: Michelle Garrett)

‘Low maintenance is often interpreted as hard surfaces or grass,’ says Elks-Smith. ‘Hard surfaces need cleaning, sweeping and maintaining and lawns need cutting. 

'But what could be lower maintenance than a small tree or specimen shrub, underplanted with hardworking ornamental grasses and seasonal bulbs?’ 

Potted trees are great ways to add greenery and vertical interest to your small front garden ideas, so consider the best trees to grow in pots.  

Another low-maintenance option is topiary, which can be grown in a planter if required, and adds a sense of luxury to a small space.

12. Ditch your narrow path to make a small front garden feel bigger

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

When planning a garden path, don’t be confined by the width of your front door – a skinny path will make a small garden feel smaller, so open it up and take inspiration from patio ideas. 

‘Paths shouldn’t be too narrow, and leaving a bit of breathing space, such as an open area surrounded by plants, can help’, says Coldstream. ‘A bench or a sculpture can also add interest while creating a focal point in small front garden ideas.’

‘Don’t overcrowd the space, but also don’t leave completely blank. Plants make a garden look bigger and disguising boundaries helps with this.’ 

13. Keep it compact with planters

(Image credit: Future / Dan Duchars)

If your front garden really offers little more ground space than a path, or the majority of it needs to be used as a driveway, consider keeping your planting neatly contained and plant flowers in a pot.  

There are so many wonderful container gardening ideas. Planters or pots placed on either the exterior window sills, below the sills, or either side of the doorway can brighten up even the tiniest of entrances, all while keeping your planting compact. 

Small containers are also great for herb planter ideas, meaning you can get some practical benefits out of your small space too. 

14. Plant across three levels

(Image credit: Rosemary Coldstream)

When thinking about flower bed ideas in a garden, think in three dimensions – even in small front garden ideas.

‘Make sure the borders have three levels of planting – the tall shrubs and trees, mid-levels and perennials and lots of ground-cover to stop the weeds,' advises Coldstream. 

'Choose flowering evergreen shrubs, such as hebes, that provide interest in every season and a once a year prune, or grasses which mostly need a spring cut-back or clean out.’

15. Create a floral archway

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Don’t just plant up – plant up and over. This stepped front garden features a stunning rose arch over the pathway, which adds another vertical level to the scheme and will create the sense of a journey through long garden ideas. 

Remember to check your local regulations to see if you need a planning or building permit to build a tall structure in your front garden. 

If it’s not possible to erect an arch or you don’t have space, simply run climbers – roses or otherwise – via a trellis around your front door to create an all-encompassing floral welcome for visitors.

How do you make a small front garden look good? 

Just because your front garden is small, it doesn’t mean it deserves any less thought and attention than a larger one. Just as you would any other garden, think about focal points, variety, repetition, height and depth. 

‘Create symmetry around the perimeter using minimal, restrained repetition of colors,’ recommends Kalra. ‘Then contrast the textures, patchworking three to four species for it to feel expansive. Centralize on one focus point, like a dwarf fruit tree, a single stem olive tree or even a natural stone carved fountain.’ 

‘A more formal garden – or a touch of it – often looks best,’ says Coldstream. ‘Make sure the entrance is clearly defined and symmetrical where possible. Planting or planters can frame the front door, while borders next to the house soften architecture and provide drainage. 

'Planting should have a rhythm and repetition to it so it leads you to the entrance.’

What can I do with a small front garden? 

There are many small front garden ideas and tricks you can use to make your space feel welcoming, larger, or even cozier. Think about seasonality, use of space, and how much of the outside world you want to let in. 

‘A hedged green perimeter wall will immediately anchor the space by cocooning it,’ says Kalra. ‘Add a natural stone carved trough with a low bubbling water to drown out any sound. It will make the garden feel very private.’

‘Ditch any lawn and plant well, with a good path and entrance delineation,’ recommends Coldstream. ‘Be as colorful or subdued as you like, but include lots of evergreens so the garden looks good even in the depths of winter. 

'You want to feel calm, happy and uplifted coming home at any time of the year. Design it so it achieves this for you.’ 

Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards. She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.

Small front garden ideas: 13 welcoming ways with landscaping and plants

(Image credit: Outerspace Creative Landscaping)

Small front garden ideas are just as important as back gardens – first impressions are oh-so-important after all. And even if you've only got a very small space, there's still plenty of opportunity to make it count.

Our front gardens are often seen as functional – a place for the car, the wheelie bins, and the pathway between your door and the big wide world. But when done correctly, they can become a stunning scene that really sets the tone for your home. 

Even very small front garden ideas can elevate a space with the likes of clever storage solutions, sleek landscaping, pretty planting, and vibrant color palettes. From mini wildlife havens to uber-trendy zones, allow the front of your plot to shine, no matter its size.

To help you get inspired, take a look at these gorgeous small front garden ideas, then take a look at our other front garden ideas for more inspiration.

1. Create a wildlife haven with your small front garden ideas

Welcome wildlife into your front garden, like in this design by Fenton Roberts Garden Design

(Image credit: Fenton Roberts Garden Design)

Small front gardens don't have to be all sleek and pared-back if that isn't your style. If you love a more natural look, then take inspiration from this flower-filled haven above.

This design by Fenton Roberts Garden Design makes the most of every inch of space with tons of beautiful planting. The striking stems of verbena topped with vivid purple tones makes for an impressive display alongside echinops and grasses, and pollinators will love them too. What's more, there's even a small pond, tucked amongst the plants in the middle of the zone.

Then there's the bespoke bin storage cupboard, painted in cream to complement the exterior of the home and the light-hued paving. 'The green roof enables you to introduce plants into even the smallest front garden,' says Garden Designer Jo Fenton from Fenton Roberts Garden Design. A mix of alpines is a lovely, low-maintenance choice.

Need more clever garden storage ideas? We have plenty in our feature.

2. Opt for chic details around your front door

This striking pathway features the Chatham 'Dark Grey' brick tiles from Walls & Floors

(Image credit: Walls and Floors)

The path up to your front door, no matter how small, will inevitably see a lot of traffic. So, it's worth opting for a design that's not only sturdy, but will also make a statement.

This sleek patterned style is a stunning example. See how the tones have been chosen to tie together the whole scene. The dark greys offset the containers, the creamy tones complement the gravel, and the softer greys make a pleasing accent to the bright blue door.

The gold bee door decor makes a characterful finishing touch and along with the potted trees either side, really draws the eye. The overall result is incredibly welcoming, but smart, too.

Take a look at our garden path ideas for more inspiration.

3. Get creative with paving

Make a bold statement with paving as part of your small front garden ideas, like in this stunning design by Elly's Wellies Garden Designs

(Image credit: Elly's Wellies Garden Designs/@ellyswellies1)

Playing with bold shapes is a great way to add a contemporary edge to your small front garden ideas. This circular design makes an impressive impact, whilst allowing plenty of room for shade-tolerant plants which are suitable for the conditions of the site. Once established, the scene will be full of lush greenery and flowers, including the likes of Liriope muscari. A central topiary tree takes center stage as a focal point.

Choosing your hard landscaping materials to complement the exterior of your home is crucial for a cohesive look – these dark grey and neutral cream tones work well in this scene. Take a look at our paving ideas for more inspiration.

4. Plant front borders full of flowers

This romantic scene, designed by Outerspace Creative Landscaping , makes a lovely first impression

(Image credit: Outerspace Creative Landscaping)

Even small front gardens can be transformed into billowing borders full of life, color, and movement. This space above, designed by Outerspace Creative Landscaping , is a case in point.

Try classic cottage style plants for a romantic look – gaura, alchemilla mollis, and Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve' are good contenders. Border with small, neatly-clipped evergreen shrubs to balance the sumptuous look. A small bird bath makes a lovely touch and will welcome feathered friends into your plot.

If you're a fan of our cottage garden ideas, then this may well be the small front garden style for you.

Bring a show-stopping sculpture into your small front garden ideas, like in this design by Outerspace Creative Landscaping

(Image credit: Outerspace Creative Landscaping)

Sculptures and statues are a great way to draw the eye and provide visual interest throughout the year. Positioning one in the front of your plot will make a striking first impression.

We adore this weathering steel design which takes pride of place amongst a circular flowerbed and pathway. Pops of opulent, inky color from the tulips enhance the elegant scene even further, whilst plenty of evergreens means there will be plenty to admire even when winter comes around. Take a look at our flowerbed ideas for more pretty designs.

Providing a small bench at the far side creates a destination point, encouraging the whole space to be used.

6. Define the entrance with potted trees

Use a duo of potted trees for your small front garden ideas

(Image credit: Dan Duchars/Future)

Give your front door the definition it deserves by framing it with a duo of small potted trees. Silvery-leaved olives will bring a touch of the Med to your space, always look sophisticated, and are very low-maintenance too.

Opt for statement planters to match your individual style. These woven wicker designs add a rustic warmth to the scene, but you could go for galvanized metal planters for a more contemporary look. Take a look at our garden planter ideas for more suggestions. 

7. Fill a walled space with pretty hydrangeas

Hydrangeas steal the show in this gorgeous front garden designed by Fenton Roberts Garden Design

(Image credit: Fenton Roberts Garden Design)

Garden wall ideas are a good way to make your front garden feel more secure and defined, and this one looks fabulous as it mirrors the red brickwork of the house. Topped with grey-blue bullnose bricks, it also ties together with the path's edging and sleek tiles.

In terms of planting, shade-tolerant hydrangeas are a brilliant choice for north-facing front gardens, such as this plot. Prolific in blooms, they make a bold statement but are easy to care for. Mix with hardy geraniums for their jewel-like hues.

8. Watch the world go by from a bench

Add a good garden bench into your small front garden ideas

(Image credit: Colin Poole/Future)

One of the best garden benches can make a great addition to very small front garden ideas. They'll provide a spot to sit and watch the world go by, and when decked out with pretty cushions, make a stylish feature too.

This wooden, curved design is the perfect accompaniment to a pretty cottage scene, but there are plenty of contemporary styles available if you're after a more modern look. 

And if you're looking to add more greenery into your front garden, don't forget about the power of climbing plants. The likes of clematis, honeysuckle, or even wisteria will always look gorgeous clambering over the exterior of your walls. Take a look at our best climbing plants for more ideas.

9. Add structure with large containers

These flower-filled containers are sure to turn heads in this garden designed by The London Gardener Ltd

(Image credit: The London Gardener Ltd)

Smarten up your small front garden with structural containers, like in this stunning design by The London Gardener Ltd . 

Positioned around the borders, they really lift the space, plus there's enough room to keep on top of maintenance easily. Although the planters look like wood at first glance, they're actually made from aluminium, which means they will withstand the outdoor elements. 

An olive tree, taxus balls and lavender will provide foliage and structure to the scene all year. The likes of heather and cyclamen offer vivid color throughout autumn and winter, which can be swapped out with summer bedding as the seasons change.  

Looking for more stunning designs? Take a look at our container gardening ideas.

10. Try a touch of symmetry for very small front garden ideas

These chic steps provide a pleasing twist on a classic look

(Image credit: George W Johnson/Moment/Getty Images)

Tiny spaces can be tricky be personalize, but there are still some worthwhile very small front garden ideas to try. Take this stretch of paving, for example. It has been given a pleasingly symmetrical look with the use of a double set of steps, a smart black railing, matching wall lanterns, and a slimline planter filled with foliage.

The result is orderly and visually pleasing, and the wisteria overhead only adds to the charm. Once in flower, its purple blooms will turn this smart scene into one of true wonder.

Fancy giving your steps a refresh? Head over to our garden steps ideas.

11. Add architectural forms with topiary

Neatly-clipped evergreens add structure to this space

(Image credit: Colin Poole/Future)

Topiary is a timeless choice for both front and back gardens, and although it's popular in traditional plots, it can be very contemporary, too.

In this scene, a range of evergreen shrubs have been clipped into balls of varying heights, adding a playful look and drawing the eye around the space. Surrounded by pale cream and dark grey features, it's a bold look that will last all through the year.

Want to give it a go? You might want to check out our best garden shears buying guide first.

12. Line your pathway with lighting

Line your pathway with statement lights as part of your small front garden ideas, like these Dandelion Clock solar outdoor lights from Sparkle Lighting

(Image credit: Sparkle Lighting)

Every outdoor space can benefit from good garden lighting ideas to boost the ambience and practicality-factor. In front gardens it's especially important, to help you find your keys or greet guests when night falls.

So for part of your small front garden ideas, make your lighting count. Solar light stakes in eye-catching styles look fabulous when nestled in borders lining a pathway, and are low-maintenance too.

For very small front garden ideas that don't have a path, try weaving outdoor-friendly fairy lights around a potted tree by your front door instead.

13. Try a window box or two

Window boxes will add vibrant color to your small front garden ideas

(Image credit: Grace Cary/Moment/Getty Images)

Window box ideas are a great choice for pepping up a scene when there isn't much space. Even if you don't have deep windowsills to prop them on, you can still recreate the look with the help of supporting brackets fixed directly to the wall.

This duo is full of show-stopping color, and will bring cheer to any passers-by. Plenty of trailing greenery adds to the refreshing vibe, whilst sleek black shutters above give a modern edge.

What can I plant in a small front garden?

Opt for eye-catching planting for your small front garden ideas, like in this design by Elly's Wellies Garden Designs

(Image credit: Elly's Wellies Garden Designs/@ellyswellies1)

'If you’re aiming for a minimalist aesthetic then it's about avoiding clutter, keeping things clean and crisp and using just a few key plant species,' says Nigel Gomme, landscape designer of Cityscapers . Plant these densely to balance the hard landscaping elements, he recommends. 

'But, you only need look to cottage planting to see how much variety and color can be crammed into a small space. So it depends on your taste rather than hard and fast rules,' Nigel adds.

'If space is very limited at ground level, I use the vertical axis,' Nigel continues. 'Plant upwards. Climbers trained up fences and walls provide wonderful vertical planes of greenery and many are scented and prolific bloomers. If the aspect is sunny there are few climbers more exquisite than Wisteria sinensis or more heavenly-scented than climbing roses.' Learn how to grow wisteria with our guide.

'Evergreen jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is another great scent to add to the garden and is not bothered where you plant it. It flourishes in sun or shade, just don't let it dry out and it will reward you with perfumed white flowers all summer and shiny dark green leaves year round. I use climbers a lot to soften and balance hard surfaces and inject color and scent into small gardens. '

The team at Outerspace Creative Landscaping offers more words of wisdom: 'Front gardens tend to be smaller than back gardens, so choosing appropriately-sized trees, shrubs and planting is really important, not only to how the garden looks but also to how much future maintenance will be required.' 

'Trees can also cause costly structural problems if the wrong specimen is planted too close to houses and boundaries, so select smaller varieties of trees that won't need regular trimming to keep them under control.' Front gardens also tend to be less private, so creating a low or easy maintenance space is often a priority, they add. Take a look at our low maintenance garden ideas for inspiration.

What materials should I choose for my small front garden?

A showy display of potted succulents alongside grey pebbles is an attractive and low-maintenance choice for very small front garden ideas

(Image credit: Jason Ingram/Future)

'Materials are a key consideration within a front garden,' says the experts at Outerspace Creative Landscaping. 'The period, style and building materials of the property definitely have a bigger influence on a front garden than for other outdoor areas that may enjoy more privacy.'

Your choice of materials needs to complement the exterior of your home, the team explains, which will improve your plot's kerb appeal. Grass is often best-avoided due to the impracticalities of bringing your best lawn mower through the house. However, it's important to not focus on function alone – small front gardens, even very small front gardens, still need to feel inviting. This is where the planting comes in, to soften paved pathways and stone walls.

'Unlike back gardens, we pass through our front gardens every time we leave or return to our homes,' adds the Outerspace Creative Landscaping team. 'So, they should be feel welcoming and have the potential to provide as much pleasure and interest as a back garden.'

The garden was always a big part of Holly's life growing up, as was the surrounding New Forest where she lived. Her appreciation for the great outdoors has only grown since then. She's been an allotment keeper, a professional gardener, and a botanical illustrator – plants are her passion.

75 original front garden design ideas with your own hands

A front garden created by your own hands is a business card of a private house, the first thing that attracts attention. It should be unique and attract attention. To achieve such a result, you will have to spend a lot of effort, learn a lot. So, how to decorate the front garden in front of the house? Consider the main points and recommendations of design professionals.

The front garden is the first thing people pay attention to

The front garden should be beautiful and attract attention

To beautifully decorate the front garden, use the recommendations of specialists

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