Wide front yard landscaping ideas
68 Surprising Front Yard Landscaping Ideas | Architectural Digest
AD It Yourself
Greenery beyond the generic—front yard landscaping ideas for your sprawling lawn
By Miranda Silva and Katherine McLaughlin
For optimal curb appeal, hone your front yard landscaping skills.Photograph: Image Source
Need some front yard landscaping ideas? We’ve got the cream of the crop for passersby to feast their eyes on. When it comes to the front yard, a manicured lawn isn’t the only way to go. In fact, grass may be your least interesting option, says renowned Los Angeles landscape designer Scott Shrader. “It’s been out of fashion for 25 years, in my opinion,” he says. “The fertilizer, the water, the mowing—all that energy goes into a green patch that isn’t really doing much aesthetically.”
Instead, Shrader sees front yard landscaping as a chance to set a distinct tone for your property: “Your house doesn’t start at the front door—it starts at the street. ” To up your home’s curb appeal, we’ve greenlighted the best front yard landscaping ideas—plus answers to commonly asked questions.
How can I make my front yard beautiful?
When planning your front yard design, making the space beautiful is naturally going to be top of mind. “Having an appropriate response to architecture is paramount to the success of any front yard,” says Geoff Valentino, Chicago studio director of Hollander Design, an architectural landscaping firm. The scale, form, and materiality of your home’s architecture should all be carried into the landscape design, so it’s always a good first step to learn as much as you can about the style and design of the home itself before embarking on the landscaping.
How do I make my front yard landscape?
Once you understand the design of your home and (hopefully) the style of landscaping that will suit it well, plan your specific project. “Start by developing circulation patterns for vehicles, parking areas, and pedestrian walkways in and around the architecture,” Valentino says.
“Then you can begin to layer in site features and planting that relate to the home and become an extension of it.”
How can I make my front yard look more expensive?
No matter how much or little money you put into your front yard, dying plants, patchy grass, and general disorganization will make the space look cheap. “Every yard has microclimates—sun exposure, wind, climate, soil, drainage patterns, existing plants, and habitats—that influence where plants will thrive and where you’ll be comfortable spending time,” Valentino explains. He notes that using these elements to guide design decisions will give you the best luck in creating a sustainable and long-lasting front yard.
Take the time to study plants in your neighborhood to see what’s thriving and what’s not, and pay special attention to healthy plants already growing in your yard, he suggests. Understanding the natural environment of your site will go a long way in making your yard look higher end. Here we compile front yard designs to gather ideas and inspiration.
Embrace your wild side
Wildflowers and native plants give your front yard an organic aesthetic.
Photograph: Allison Henry
For fans of a more natural look, consider growing a micro prairie or a tapestry lawn in your front yard. This type of garden makes use of native plants, flowers, and grasses to help attract birds, insects, and other wildlife and help restore natural ecosystems. Native plants are most simply defined as plants that have developed a symbiotic relationship with a specific region or environment and grow naturally without human intervention.
Micro prairies are particularly great additions for small front yards (since the smaller the space, the easier they are to manage), and when done correctly, you’ll get to see birds, butterflies, and other critters enjoying the green space you helped foster. Better yet, they’re supposed to look wild, so it takes some of the pressure off to design a specific aesthetic.
To grow one, you’ll need to plant flowers and grasses that are native to your area. If you don’t know which plants those are, you can likely find out through a quick Google search or by talking with employees at your local gardening store.
Choose an accent color
Easy to grow begonias add just the right amount of color.
Photograph: JLGutierrez
Keep things simple by anchoring your landscape with an accent color. Choosing one color for elements like the door, trim, outdoor furniture, and flowers can add continuity and cohesion to a yard while uniting the façade with the landscape. Blues, in particular, contrast beautifully with pink, yellow, and orange blooms.
Or choose an accent flower
Flowering shrubs pack a punch.
Photograph: Lisa Romerein
Let your favorite flower pop by keeping everything around it neutral. Consider flowering shrubs like lilacs, camellia, or rose of Sharon for a big statement.
Match your flower beds to your home’s exterior
Brick flower beds to match the house exterior.
Photograph: Perry Mastrovito
Looking to include flower beds in your landscaping design, but don’t know how they’ll look next to your house? Try matching the beds to your home’s façade. Using the same material will ensure a unified look, but if that’s not possible, you can find a bed color similar to that of the house. Ask your contractor to save extra brick for future projects.
Cascade terraced plant beds
Elevate your front yard landscaping design with terraced plant beds.
Photograph: JamesBrey
For homes on a hill, take advantage of the natural slope and consider terraced plant beds. Not only does the cascading effect look cool, but it’s also practical. Terraced plant beds allow for plant separation at close range, so that you’re not running all over the yard when watering and trimming them.
Go ombre
A uniform palette of flowering hydrangea can go a long way.
Photograph: Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy
When it comes to the floral design in your garden beds, it can be hard to know what plants will look good together. Consider picking flowers that are one color, but vary in hue to add visual interest and depth. If you want to get really creative, create an ombre floral design that starts dark at the edges and gradually comes to a center of white blooms. Alternatively, a pain-free way to solve a messy front yard conundrum is to focus on one monochromatic design.
Mobilize potted plants
A courtyard can never have too many potted plants.
Photograph: Jeremy Woodhouse
Consider using pots as part of your landscaping, particularly if you’re the type of person who’s always rearranging and re-decorating. Invest in ceramic pots that reflect the home’s exterior or add a burst of color that says, Hello! Matching the pots to window trim and door color, emphasizes the design narrative.
Should you change your mind, or want to swap for a festive holiday pot, you’ll have a flexible setup.
Plant in patches
Think of your front yard as a floral patchwork quilt.
Photograph: Greg Pease
Plant your stock of seeds and bulbs in patches, creating variety. As they bloom, you’ll get a tapestry of colors and textures that’s controlled, but still wild-looking.
Embrace rows of flowers
Follow the floral path of pansies.
Photograph: nikoniano
It’s hard to go wrong with classic flower rows. Try picking two to three varieties and plant them in rows in flower beds, along your sidewalk or adjacent to your home’s façade. When choosing your colors, think about colors that will complement each other once everything has bloomed.
Grow a flower gradient
Look to a color wheel when looking to plant blooms in a gradient.
Photograph: Mark Turner
For a deceptively simple design idea, consider planting flowers in a color gradient.
It’ll look impressive, but it’s actually pretty formulaic if you reference a color wheel. Select flowers that match the hues of the wheel, and you’re good to go.
Take advantage of the vertical space
Climbing plants like ivy raise your front yard to a new level.
Photograph: Mint Images
Draw the eye up by adding a trellis to your front yard for climbing plants to reach their full potential. Flowering plants and vines—like morning glory, black-eyed Susan, and climbing hydrangea—make great trellis choices.
Single out flowers
Clusters of hydrangea add volume.
Photograph: Rosmarie Wirz
If the idea of matching flowers feels intimidating, commit to a single variety. A house surrounded by hydrangea shrubs looks as if it’s nestled in a cloud. You only have to make one decision, and you’ll know for sure everything will match.
Give your porch some action
Low-maintenance ferns add inviting texture.
Photograph: Jumping Rocks/UIG
It’s up to you to decide whether your porch is part of your yard or your house, but either way, don’t neglect it when planning your landscape design. Consider hanging baskets as a way to match the flowers in your yard to those on the porch. As an added benefit, they’ll add vertical space to your design.
Plant perennial flowers
Plant perennials, like azalea bushes, for a worry-free front yard.
Photograph: Moelyn Photos
Unlike annual flowers, which only last one year, perennial flowers last at least two, sometimes more. Flowers like these are cold-resistant and usually bloom once per year (in the spring, summer, or fall). They may be a good choice for people that don’t want to plant new flowers often. Some popular perennials include azaleas, hollyhock, and garden phlox.
Refresh with annual flowers
Zinnias brighten a walkway.
Photograph: Steve Terrill
On the other hand, especially if you’re commitment-adverse, annual flowers give your front yard a refresh every year because they only last a season.
Take advantage of the versatility to dream up new landscaping design. Popular annuals include petunias, zinnias, and dahlias.
Frame with a flower arch
Nothing says welcome like a voluptuous flower arch framing the doorway.
Photograph: Andy Sotiriou
Plant flowering vines and climbers to create a flower arch above your front door. Think of vining plants, like jasmine and bougainvillea, as a fancy collar framing your entrance. You can buy arches or make your own with wood posts and wires.
Park a wheelbarrow planter
Upcycling an old wagon with geraniums adds a sustainable twist to your front yard.
Photograph: carenas1
If the idea of a traditional flower bed is too proper for your liking, consider planting blooms in a wheelbarrow. Not only will it add charm and a focal point to your yard, but you’ll also be able to give an old tool new life.
Greenery ideas for your front yardLayered greenery
Use greenery for a smooth transition from yard to home.
Photograph: AndreasWeber
Plants and shrubs grown directly in front of your house act as a transition space between the yard and the residence. Layered shrubs and greenery simulate movement and carry the eye from one place to the next. If you want to create something similar, choose plants that are of different heights, textures, and shades of green.
Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses add movement to landscaping.
Photograph: RiverNorthPhotography
Ornamental grasses—carax and pampas, for instance—make great front yard landscaping choices because they don’t require a lot of maintenance. Many tolerate heat well, don’t need a lot of water, and they don’t have recurring pests problems.
Shaped hedges
Hedges and topiary make landscaping prim and proper.
Photograph: fishysam
Why not evoke the essence of Versailles? Geometric hedges and topiary differentiate your house from all the others on the block.
They give off an ornamental and classy feel reminiscent of palace gardens.
Add a colorful border
A purple pathway rolls out like a rug in this Hollander Design project.
Photograph: Charles Mayer Photography
Give your hedges an extra boost by pairing them with a colorful border like those shown in landscaping by Hollander Design. The trees and flowers create structure and contribute to an evolving experience as you get closer to the door.
Cascading plants
Cascading ivy brings in a wild element of enchantment.
Photograph: Gareth Kirkland Photography
Although cascading plants look great in indoor settings, where they can be planted in hanging baskets or drooping off of shelves, they can also add plenty of curb appeal when used on the outside of the home. Cascading plants look romantic falling from retaining walls, window boxes, or porches.
Add garden steps
Embrace nature by allowing it to take over steps in the just right way.
Photograph: Jacky Parker Photography
Garden steps are a fun way to add greenery to an otherwise uninspired area. Stick to low-lying plants, like succulents, when planning your design. You wouldn’t want to accidentally flatten your plants on the way to the door.
Modern hedges
Think outside the box with a sinuous hedge.
Photograph: Mayabun
Look to art for hedge inspiration. Think about the shapes found in the paintings of Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee, for instance. Whether you're privy to a graphic layout or something more curvaceous, your front yard will look like a living modern sculpture. The effect is as striking when viewed from above as it is while walking its paths, especially when lined with Del Rio gravel.
Front yard ideas for tree loversEmploy privacy and shade
Shady trees in the front yard look lovely, and can reduce energy costs.
Photograph: Philippe Gerber
If shade and privacy sound good to you, consider planting a row or a collection of trees in your front yard.
To keep trees from obstructing the view of your house, include small evergreens into your design plans—think dwarf Scotch pine or the blues (Colorado spruce). You’ll get year-round coverage without the fear of branches falling on your roof. Play with dimension and shape by adding in a few evergreen shrubs too.
Sit around trees
A book nook beneath an olive tree.
Photograph: Nadtochiy
With a wraparound tree bench, you can hang out beneath the leaves and bask in the shade without having to sit on dirt or the hard ground. You can purchase tree benches where outdoor furniture is sold, or if you’re feeling up to the task, DIY the thing.
Dress up your trees
Billowy black-eyed Susan dress up tree trunks.
Photograph: Todd Ryburn Photography
Dress up your trees by adding a small flower bed around the base. Start by researching plants that won’t accidentally suffocate the tree—you don’t want a competition for water, sunlight, and nutrients.
Try layering flowers and ornamental grass for a lush look.
Source native plants beneath trees
Hollander Design creates a perimeter of native grasses to pad the trees and invite pollinators.
Photograph: Hollander Design
“Planting grasses and native plants directly beneath trees in a front yard reduces lawn and creates better habitat for pollinators,” Valentino says. Think of it like this: You’re helping the environment and minimizing the need to mow, basically a win-win.
Plant a citrus tree
Perky citrus trees send energizing vibes.
Photograph: Bluberries
If you plant a citrus tree in your front yard, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor. Imagine how much easier your commute would be if fruits for breakfast or snacks grew outside your front door. Generally, citrus trees flourish in hot, humid environments, so keep the weather in mind before planting.
Add an allée of trees
A movie-like setting by Hollander Design.
Photograph: Hollander Design
If your home’s main door isn’t facing the street, consider creating an allée like this one designed by Hollander Design. “Allées of trees or interesting paving can create more of an entry experience that doesn’t rely on lawn,” Valentino says.
Ideas for a novice front yard landscaperGive gravel a go
Gravel is a natural choice for front yard landscaping in hot weather climates.
Photograph: shank_ali
If you’re a fan of low-maintenance landscaping, consider using gravel in place of grass. Include a few bays with greenery, so the yard still has a fresh and living look. Matching the gravel’s color to your local terrain creates authenticity. For example, if you live in the southwest, red rock might be a great choice.
Manage mulch
Mulch creates contrast and keeps weeds at bay.
Photograph: posonsky
Mulch is another low-maintenance way to revamp your front yard, and it’s generally pretty cost-effective.
This might be especially helpful if you’ve got a weed-prone yard as it’s usually harder (although not impossible) for weeds to grow in mulch since it prevents them from getting the light they need to survive.
Succeed with a succulent garden
Succulent landscaping is sculptural and modern.
Catherine Ledner
Just because you don’t have a green thumb doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a front yard garden full of living plants. Even if your plant care skills are up to par, a succulent garden will add greenery with potentially less headache. Just like flowers, succulents come in all shapes and colors, so you’ll still be able to get creative with the garden design and layout.
Keep it symmetrical
A balance of greenery makes your front yard as pretty as a picture.
Photograph: i-Stockr
Food for thought: Opting for a symmetrical design is really tackling half of your yard. This balancing act comes with less work and plant maintenance.
Add a pathway right down the middle of your lawn, then put the exact same elements on both sides.
Embrace asymmetry
Greenery that tips the scale in the right direction.
Photograph: Beau Lark/Corbis/VCG
On the other hand, some houses lend themselves to an asymmetrical design, where each side differs from the other. When done incorrectly, asymmetric landscaping could feel sloppy or disorganized, and just putting everything on one side of your yard and leaving the other barren isn’t going to cut it. However, with a little planning, it becomes much easier. The key to a good asymmetrical design is balance. You want equal weight on both sides, even if the elements are different. For example, if you have a big tree like an oak on one side of your yard, think about what might balance out the heft on the other side. Maybe it’s a flower bed or a family of bushes.
Keep it simple
Keep the front yard landscaping to a minimum and let the architecture speak for itself.
Photograph: contrastaddict
Don’t confuse simple with boring. When done correctly, simple front yards can add just as much visual interest as busy ones. For an effortless design, try a straight walkway lined with shrubs and well-manicured low-cut grass.
Move toward minimalism
A simple entryway only needs a plant, or two.
JohnnyGreig
Less really is more, so don’t be afraid to scale back. Think about selecting a few statement plants and style them in an otherwise minimal setting to let them stand out. Sculptural plants, like a banana tree, against a simple house façade look more like art than landscaping.
Front yard ideas that channel a moodTap into desert mode
Less is more, when it comes to desert landscaping.
Photograph: ivanastar
Warm climate abodes can transform a basic home into an oasis by channeling the southwest in your landscape design.
Xeriscaping, a landscaping practice that reduces or eliminate the need for irrigation, relies on grasses, sandstone pebbles, and cacti to trumpet a distinctly desert look.
Play up the architecture
Channel your home's personality with blooms that complement the architecture.
Photograph: AOtzen
What works for a neighbor’s home might not look right at your house. That’s because every house will have its own unique design elements. When planning, think about the era when your home was built as well as the design ethos of that style. For example, a Victorian-style home might benefit from gravel pathways, pastel florals like hydrangeas, and manicured hedges.
Charm with cottagcore
Look to story books for cottagecore inspiration.
Photograph: KenWiedemann
Unleash your inner cottagecore with a fairytale-worthy garden. You can’t go wrong with a white picket fence, an arch or trellis covered in florals and greenery, and pastel accents.
This is just one of the privacy fence ideas that's both functional and charming.
Chill with Mediterranean style
A mix of delicate wildflower and full foliage shrubs create an organic design.
Photograph: hrstklnkr
Gravel, stone, tile, and soft-textured plants are all key elements of a Mediterranean landscape. Play around with a combination of any of these to plan a daily escape into mythical Greek gardens. Employ large pottery as a rustic vessel for your plants.
Ideas for creative walkways and driveway ideasGrass pavers for an eco-friendly design
Geometry meets nature.
Photograph: vladj55
You can use grass pavers, also known as grow-through pavers, as an alternative to concrete or asphalt pavers in your front walkway or driveway. Usually made from concrete or recycled plastic, they have holes to allow grass to grow through and around them. Once complete, you’ve got a unique design, and since they can absorb water, they reduce stormwater runoff, which is one of the most common sources of water pollution.
Cobbles and grass joints
Concrete tapestry melds greenery with function, as shown by Hollander Design.
Photograph: Hollander Design
Grass block pavers marry a driveway with a lawn. Hollander Design uses cobbles with grass joints to allow a solid space for parking while creating the illusion of a lawn and reducing stormwater runoff. Note that you’ll need to maintain the driveway by taking care of weeds and mowing.
Space out your path
For a laidback feel, keep pavers spaced, as if they just surfaced from the grass.
Photograph: dbvirago
Your walkway doesn’t necessarily have to be prim and proper to be functional. Consider spacing out the paving stones to create a more organic look, as if the path just happened to be there.
Define borders with lined pathways
Spherical shrubs counterbalance a linear path.
Photograph: Richard Bloom
A glass-fronted home calls for an outdoor space that makes an impact indoors too.
Shrader achieves this by edging a cobblestone path with structural plantings, including agave and boxwood globes. Olive trees provide a bit of romance and welcome shade.
Expand your driveway
A spacious front yard feels airy.
Photograph: PaulMaguire
If you’re parking a lot of cars or just want to simplify the front yard design, consider expanding your driveway to cover the majority of your yard space. Gravel adds contrast next to grass and shrubs, and also adds texture and intrigue.
Herringbone walkways
Bring out this favorite tiling pattern outdoors.
Photograph: Shaiith
“This garden is meant to stop you,” Shrader says. He uses reclaimed brick to create a herringbone-patterned walkway with a soothing water feature to contrast textures.
Pattern your driveway
A driveway doesn't have to be boring.
Photograph: PJ_joe
Your driveway doesn’t just have to be a slab of concrete.
You can stencil out a design—say, in a Greek meander pattern—before pouring concrete. Then seed the opening, much like grass block pavers, to liven up an otherwise predictable part of your front yard and entryway.
Outline with lines
You don't need to stay in line to have a wow-worthy front yard.
Photograph: Kwanchai_Khammuean
In landscape design, lines can serve a variety of purposes: They control movement, create patterns, and draw attention to certain objects. When planning your next walkway project, play around with lines to see how subtle differences change the entire front yard look.
Ideas for creative seatingAim for Adirondacks
You can't go wrong with this American staple.
Photograph: Scott Barrow
After you put all the effort into perfecting your front yard’s look, it only makes sense to incorporate a seating area so you can take it all in. Source classic Adirondack chairs—or any outdoor furniture of your choosing—to relax in style as you watch what’s happening in the neighborhood.
Bring the indoors out
Al fresco dining you can see from the street.
Photograph: Johner Images
Midcentury architects were all about bringing the outside world in, but who says the opposite can’t be true too? With a little planning, your front yard can act as an outdoor living room and serve as a central gathering spot for your friends and family. Think about elements like a fire pit, outdoor couches, and an eating area.
Ideas for unique lawn alternativesUse grass pavers across your entire yard
Think of your front yard as a giant grass puzzle.
Photograph: Chaloemphan
Even though grass pavers make great choices for walkways or driveways, think about putting them across your entire yard too. Leave more space for the grass to grow through to create a carpet-like lawn.
Minimize lawn and create a sanctuary
A front yard for the birds, literally.
Photograph: Charles Mayer
“This front yard alternative is designed to minimize lawn and create a habitat for nesting birds and pollinators,” Valentino says.
Crape myrtle trees provide food for birds, and grasses make a perfect habitat for butterflies.
Incorporate a clover blend
Plant clover in the front yard as a lucky charm.
Photograph: Hollander Design
If you get a good amount of sun on your front yard, forgo the lawn and opt for a fescue and clover blend—it creates a plush texture, softening the front yard aesthetic. Bonus: the soft grass is bliss for barefoot escapades.
Ideas for the water-obsessedPonder a pond
Let a lily spotted pond beckon guests.
Photograph: C.Franke
Give your front yard a splashing first impression with a pond. Not only will it look unique—since many ponds tend to be in backyards—but it can also add a focal point to center the rest of your garden design around. Refer to botanic gardens when planning your front yard landscaping.
Add a reflecting pool
Serenity now.
Photograph: charles mayer photography
A reflecting pool creates a tranquil entry experience every time you walk into your home.
This one designed by Hollander design features perennials and grasses bordering a simple reflecting pool and geometric walkway.
Focus on a fountain
The splashing of the fountain will keep your front door open all day long.
Photograph: Bahadur Ali
A water fountain or similar sculpture creates a focal point. Tiered fountains elevate the front yard by giving it a grand entrance, much like the palacial residences of Europe.
Consider “Falling Water”
A landscaped waterfall and koi pond.
Photograph: TimAbramowitz
Take note of Frank Lloyd Wright’s genius. Imagine coming home to the subtle sound of moving water every day—a peaceful welcome. Decorating the pond with plants like water lilies further extends the extra touch. For a regal touch, look into colorful koi that are sure to shimmer in the sunlight.
Ideas to add mood lightingPerimeter lighting
Lighting the front yard greenery gives your home curb appeal, even at night.
Photograph: welcomia
Updating your front yard’s landscape lighting can be one of the simplest DIYs with one of the biggest impacts. Added bonus: Unlike plants that need to grow before they fully flourish, lights are ready to use as soon as they are installed. Though rope lighting is common in under kitchen cabinets, put it in your yard along rock beds, a front porch, or retaining walls as an alternative to stakes or other common outdoor lighting. It’ll add a subtle glow across the whole area instead of drawing focus to one part of your yard.
Sculptural lighting
Light globes guarantee a grand entrance.
Bespalyi
Front yard lighting doesn't have to be a traditional lantern. Sculptural lights, like a glass orb, work especially well for a contemporary setting. A cracked glass solar light has a bit of a bohemian spin to it. You can even great spherical lights by DIYing: take a basic globe light and add an battery-operated bulb.
Alternatively, wrap string lights around objects, or have them “pour out” from a watering can to enchant your flower beds. Half art installation, half utility, this is a creative way to incorporate necessary light into your yard at nighttime.
Rain-scape to manage water
Intention puddles are part of rain-scaping.
Photographs: Oksana Akhtanina and Colors Hunter - Chasseur de Couleurs
Consider rain-scaping your front yard, which means landscape design that considers stormwater runoff and helps manage any excess water, as a solution for an area that experiences heavy rainfall. Generally, you’ll want to build rock-lined swales from your gutters that lead to a basin filled with plants. The best plants for your rain garden may vary depending on your soil and local climate, but common picks include perennial grasses, Hibiscus, and Baptisia.
Rock flower beds
Rock flower beds look as if they've plucked from nature.
Photograph: itman__47
Rock flower beds give you all the benefits of pots—like mobility and ease—while also maintaining a natural aesthetic. Usually planters like these have openings to hide pots, making it easy to revamp any potted plant you may already have growing.
Think about stone landscaping
Rocky terrains give a front yard a sculptural element.
Photograph: oday222
Rock gardens are similar to other gardens, only everything is planned around rocks, natural stone, and gravel. These stone landscapes feature alpine plants that don’t require too much soil. Though it will depend on your location, consider perennial flowers like columbine and coneflowers, mosses, or succulents.
Ideas for rethinking landscaping materialsAccent the grass
Grid-like pavers look like a fancy outdoor rug.
Photograph: Mark Adams Photography
“Rather than just laying down sod, pick the right spot to use grass,” Shrader says.
“It looks impactful and considered—not like you had no other idea what to do.” Intersperse concrete squares with grass for a grid pattern.
Reimagine concrete
Concrete is the smooth operator of your front yard.
Photograph: piovesempre
Like grass, concrete is often a default in a front yard. It’s likely part of your driveway, sidewalk, steps, or a walkway leading to your front yard. It makes sense that the bland and flat surface seems boring or basic. Not so. Smooth concrete can rise to the occasion, when used as an architectural element in the front yard, particularly in front of a modern home. It's pristine surface and angles give your front yard an orderly look that's just so.
Mix textures
Mix-and-match stone for optimal impact.
Photograph: David Papazian
When thinking about hardscaping (that is, anything human made), consider the ways you can mix textures to add visual interest to your front yard.
You can accent a midcentury home with generous concrete pavers enclosed within a stone walkway directly next to a lighter gray rock bed. The distinction helps mentally separate your yard into different sections. The color and texture contrast creates a multidimensional story that lends different sections to play off of each other.
Layer steel walls
Industrial meets organic.
Photograph: Pete Starman
Incorporating steel retaining walls into a slight hill to create layered and cascading imagery. Hollander Design adds a polished structure that is equally serene with Corten steel, fescue, and river birch. The effect is almost that of nature’s tiered cake. The industrial look suits a contemporary house that lacks fussiness.
Nurture natural stone
Create a path that looks as if it's been there all along.
Photograph: RiverNorthPhotography
Unlike sleek concrete pavers, natural stone creates an earthy and lived-in setting found in charming cottages.
It’s a durable and environmentally-friendly option with undeniable magnetism. Line the walkways with purple sage, or tulips and daffodils to create a natural border. Ornamental grass adds a cushy padding. Don't forget to add equally spaced path lighting along the way.
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Read More50 Awesome Front Yard Landscaping Ideas for 2022
Curb appeal makes the first good impression on a house.
Luckily, this is not a home improvement only specialist landscapers can do. With a little time and inspirational ideas, you can achieve it yourself.
The front yard landscaping ideas presented here are affordable and unique.
And most importantly, they will add the best curb appeal to your home to feel proud of the efforts you have put in and to make the beginning of your property inviting.
1. Pre-Formed Beds Are Quick and Affordable
Adding pre-formed raised beds to your garden will save you time cleaning the earth from weeds and will add a decorative point of interest to your front yard.
Only very little time is needed to set up the garden sets. Then, fill them with soil and plant the chosen flowers.
2. Use Desert Grasses in Place of Cactus
The clean minimalist lines of this modern home set a prerequisite for an aesthetic front yard landscaping idea. The exotic plants and ornamental grasses create a flow of tufts with an unexpected effect of the peeking desert flowers.
This landscaping idea gives an alternative to the standard cactus beds seen in draught areas.
3. Cascade Flowers Over Flower Beds
The quickest and easiest way to make the front yard beautiful and improve the general curb appeal of the property is to create a garden bed with flowers. The colorful blossoms can be a mixture of annual and perennial flowers.
Use the plant kind height to create a cascading look as well as the textures and color variety to enjoy the natural beauty of a living carpet. It is useful and clever advice to also plant evergreen shrubs to enjoy the edging front yard landscaping idea all year long.
4. Tree Surrounded With Shade-Loving Annuals
Create a point of interest around a shading tree with perennial flowers. The begonias, touch-me-not, alyssum and pansies are shade-friendly and will make front yard landscaping an easy task.
To achieve a structural and well-designed garden bed, use pavers or stones to outline their dedicated zone and to facilitate mowing.
5. Boxwood Walkway Adds Classic Appeal
If you have a walkway leading to the front door, make sure that it is well-maintained. That can be complemented with garden beds on either side creating a natural corridor to the inside of your home.
If you prefer watching a video, here it is:
Boxwood is the preferred kind of plant for such purposes as it creates thick green foliage, doesn’t require much care and can be shaped in various forms.
6. Zen Garden With White Gravel and Globes
A pinch of zen to the backyard is never redundant. The zen outdoor arrangement enhances the relaxing vibe and gives the yard a moderate exotic look.
The Zen nooks usually include stones, water features and minimum plants. The featured example follows the concept showing large concrete globes positioned on a gravel-covered bed. To make sure that this front yard landscape matches the existing green lands, evergreen bushes or ornamental grass peek out of the gravel.
via Green Cube Garden
7. Trellises Bring Plain Walls to Life
The climbing plants are usually used to create a living screen or vertical shade. There is one more application- that of masking means. If there is an ugly or unfinished wall or fence, you can always use the natural capability of vines to hide it.
For quick and best results, make sure that the plant is supported by a trellis. Need a piece of advice? Check the article below.
8. Fill Garden Beds With Hosta and Coleus
An alternative to the blooming flowers is the coleus species. The colorful leaf foliage has an advantage against the quickly fading blossoms of perennials or annuals being long-lasting and interesting.
The coleus varieties are many so that makes them the perfect plant to create a sustainable front yard landscape. Because of the shade resistance, the coleus usually goes together with hostas.
9. Build Your Patio Around a Small Garden
The front yard landscaping idea doesn’t have to cover a large piece of the yard. Instead, it can be smaller but impressive and effective.
That will also reduce the hours spent outdoors marinating the plants. This elegant example features a square of the land separated from the stone paving with bricks. They form a raised bed where different kinds of shrubs and plants thickly grow together to create a symmetric and multi-layered focal point.
10. Wheelbarrow Planter Adds Cottage Style Charm
If you are looking for a quick and unique front-yard landscaping idea, repurpose the non-functional wheelbarrow into a planter.
The shabby chic charm of the weathered wooden handles and rusty wheel instantly drag the attention.
Plant seasonal flowers that create rich blooming tufts like petunias, fuschias and pelargonium
11. Desert Homes Call for Hardscaping and Succulents
If you are living in a draught and hot region, there is still a way to create a front yard that improves the curb appeal of your home. Varieties like cactus, ornamental grass, palms are friendly to the extreme zones.
Alternate gravel, stone and sand to create an interesting garden bed. And if you insist on having a green lawn, replace the real grass with artificial instead.
12. Add LED Lighting to Garden Edging
Use lighting to make the front yard appealing also in the light. The lanterns with LED lights are a simple and affordable way to outline the garden bed. Another alternative is the built-in light that will add a modern vibe to the landscape.
The most budget-friendly light source that can create the built-in look is the rope lights. Trace the string along the edge of the bed and enjoy the glow at night.
13. Evergreens Add Flare Without Fuss
If you don’t have enough time to take care of a garden with annuals and perennials, then go for evergreen shrubs. They require minimum maintenance and stay green all year long.
Add decorative features like a birdbath, a fountain, a large light source to enhance the curb appeal.
14. Add Potted Plants to a Rock Garden
Another low-maintenance front backyard idea offers using pots instead of planting directly in the ground. That will reduce the amount of time invested in clearing the terrain from weeds and will also give you endless opportunities to change the plant varieties quickly.
To facilitate the maintenance of the garden bed, cover the ground with mulch, stones or other material that will stop the growth of the weeds.
15. Fountain and Flower Bed Brings Mediterranean Vibe
The Mediterranean landscape ideas add balance and spa-vibe to the exterior. If you want to experience these feelings in your own front yard, source inspiration from this image.
A fountain is a focal point that sets the style of the surrounding elements. Large urns are positioned on both sides of the gate to add height to the garden.
Different kinds of evergreen shrubs combine with tall blooming plants to continue the tiered design. Petunias and other groundcovers create a continuous front yard landscape.
16. Flowering Arbor Entrance Adds Instant Charm
Grow vines like climbing roses to turn the pergola into a magical tunnel. The thick foliage has a dual function as a shade provider.
And while roses create so romantic and elegant atmosphere, they fade away relatively quickly so you may consider combining them with another vine that will give the arch a point of interest after the blooming phase of the roses ends.
17. Add Late-Season Color With Fall Flowers
The front yard can be appealing and colorful not only in spring and summer. There are blooming flowers that are tolerant to lower temperatures like the chrysanthemum.
Some of the kinds create short tufts look like ready bouquets so if you want to extend the curb appeal of your home plant the autumn flowers in advance to let them change the faded summer kinds.
18. Picket Fence and Roses Have Classic Charm
Leave a small garden bed next to the fence to give it a point of natural interest during summer. Plant climbing roses or shrubs that can develop to an extent that hides the fence.
The rose family is very big so the best kind for your climate and ground specifics will be easily found.
19. Create Stately Entrance With Height and Symmetry
This simple front yard idea features a well-maintained lawn with two identical decorative trees on either side of the walkway. The minimalist approach of involving fewer plants aims to provide a simple background for the house to stand out.
It is a great idea to use the ground around the tree trunk for growing groundcovers that are shade-friendly.
20. Annuals Add Color to Evergreen Border
If you want to define the garden bed from the lawn cover the ground with mulch. It will keep the garden out of weeds and will provide textured contrast for the blooms to stand out.
To have an all-year-long front yard garden we suggest planting evergreen shrubs together with annuals.
21. Mediterranean Style Thrives in Dry Climates
Use the Mediterranean garden stereotype in case you are living in zones with dry heat. The kinds don’t require regular watering and special maintenance.
Palms and junipers are well-adapted to hot areas so choosing them for your Mediterranean front yard landscape is justified.
22. Add Tiered Look With Hosta and Hydrangeas
The lush combination of hostas and hydrangeas is simple but pleasing for the eye. Add evergreen bushes to continue the elevated landscaping design and to ensure all-year-long front yard interest.
Another advantage of this rich in foliage arrangement is the varieties’ resistance to shade and easy maintenance.
via Prairie Rose’s Garden
23. Plant a Flowerbed Around Your Mailbox
Having a small garden lane only? You can still improve the curb appeal of your home and that with a multifunctional landscape idea.
Use the mailbox as a center point that will be upgraded with a colorful garden bed to give the front yard a character and a welcoming vibe.
You can use any type of groundcovers that fit in the allowed garden bed.
24. Add Low Water Feature to Your Entryway
Having a water feature in the garden will improve the curb appeal of your home. And while you may think that you need a large space for it, we will show you that this extra can fit in small garden beds with a little creativity.
To make a fountain of small size, first, choose the item the water will flow out or through. That can be a watering can, a ceramic pot, an interesting bottle. Get a fountain set and put the pump in the chosen spot.
This idea looks especially attractive in rock gardens where the plant varieties are less and there is a need to add more interest.
25. Light Your Walkway With Craftsman Lanterns
If the walkway through the front yard is illuminated by lanterns or ground lamps, use them as points for garden beds.
To ensure the stylish and identical look is not ruined, plant the same flower in the bed of each lamp.
Combining the blooming charm of the plants during the day and the smooth warm light of the lamps at night will ensure that the front part of your yard is welcoming all-day-long.
26. Create Modern Garden Bed From Cinderblocks
This front yard landscaping idea features a DIY project with cinderblocks. At first glance they look very neutral and simple, however, when incorporated in the build of a raised garden bed for the front yard, they become a unique addition to the landscape.
The existing holes in the cinderblocks allow stacking them in an interesting pattern leaving protruding hollows for planting succulents.
27. Modern Tiered Concrete Beds
Similar to the cinderblocks, the concrete planters also add clean lines and elegance to the yard. These types of planters make the modern home feel even tidier and organized.
Any type of plant can be planted in these raised garden beds.
You can even try a combination between perennials, annuals and evergreen shrubs.
28. Annuals Add Color Through Multiple Seasons
Mix different flower varieties whose blooming phases coincide to create a floral walkway to your house. Of course, you won’t be actually stepping on it. Its function is to add a unique effect on the front yard landscape that will improve the curb appeal of your home.
To continue the colorful texture on a vertical level, use window planters to grow cascading flowers. This combination will create a unified look of the exterior.
29. Create Fresh Look for a Classic Garden
This small garden edges the front walls of the house to create an inviting landscape for the coming guests. The homeowners have decided to be classic but not in the standard perception. Instead of pansies and petunias, they have chosen to use groundcovers that spread easily and create a thick blooming carpet on the ground.
On both sides of this carpet, there are other plants.
Boxwood forms the fence of the garden and rose bushes create the center point of the front garden.
30. Change out Flowering Planters for Variety
Speaking about front yard landscaping ideas, these can be taken out of the standard ground garden beds. Use the porch ceiling to attach hanging baskets that will spread blossoms vertically.
In case there are flowers planted in the front garden, you can coordinate the baskets with them.
31. Turn Felled Trees Into Planters
This upcycling front yard idea is so creative! A log with a hollow or a stump can easily be turned into a planter, only filling the empty part with soil. This alternative to the store-bought planters is eco-friendly and unique.
Use one of them to complement an already existing garden or place a few of these planters one after the other to edge a walkway.
32. Plant Stand Created From Vintage Wagon
Making a tiered plant stand from an old wagon is a fun and easy DIY project. Add wooden or metal beams to create steps where the flower pots will stand.
To enhance the farmhouse charm of this unique planter, repurpose old vintage containers into planters. Even the rusty kitchen utensils will add to the rustic design of this front yard idea.
33. Shady Corner Becomes Stunning Water Feature
This inspiring front yard landscaping idea is suitable for areas with a subtropical climate. The cascading water feature creates a Zen calmness complemented by the plant varieties’ exotic uniqueness. All of them are planted in a particular pattern to create an organized and balanced feel.
The plants are also spread according to their height. The shortest ones cover the first lane while the tallest ones are closest to the house to add vertical interest and shade.
34. Stone Planters Are Perfect for Succulents
These succulent nests are perfect for homes of any style- from cottage to modern and minimalist. The succulents are a trendy plant kind that requires low maintenance. They can be grown in any climate and any soil.
The size of the garden bed also doesn’t matter.
The featured planters have been sourced from nature. Nature has shaped them in a way to provide hollows where small gardens can be created.
35. Add Plant Hanger to Address Sign Post
An easy way to improve the front yard landscape is to add a hanging basket with beautiful blooming flowers to an existing stand. That can be the mailbox, a lamp, pergola support.
Being placed at the entryway of the property, it is very important that it clearly says “welcome”. And what can do that better than the flowers?
via Hello Farmhouse
36. Small Lanterns Create Interesting Driveway Bed
Make the driveway look homely with a garden bed of a narrow size. Use pavers or stones to edge it from the lane and plant flowers. If you prefer an all-year-long landscape, use evergreen shrubs like boxwood that will give the front part of your home a green appeal.
37. Japanese Inspired Raised Garden Beds
If you prefer a front yard that is easy to maintain, you can combine concrete tiles and raised garden beds in the same concept.
This type of arrangement is typical for modern homes or mid-century homes where natural materials like stone are predominant.
If the raised garden bed is deep and large, create an arrangement inspired by the image. A Japanese maple takes the center point of the garden and boxwood shrubs surround it to create elevated foliage.
38. Build a Classic Cottage Garden Bed
A garden bed is created next to the well-maintained lawn to edge the walkway to the front porch. Azaleas and bulbs alternate to provide a colorful texture to the evergreen shrubs and trees covering the rest of the garden.
This landscaping idea also follows a certain height pattern where the shortest kinds are in the front and the tallest closest to the porch. They aim to create shade and a living screen.
39. Tree Stump Reimagined as Flower Planter
This stump has once been a large tree that has made a thick shade for a calming rest in the front yard. But instead of tearing it out, the homeowner has decided to give it new life by turning it into a vertical planter.
The appealing planter displays pots with flowers. Being of a cascading kind, the petunias hide the containers they are planted in and create an illusion for growing out of the dried tree.
40. Fill a Garden Bed With Evergreens
The evergreen shrubs and trees are the best solutions when it comes to permanent landscaping ideas. Plus, they can be grown in almost every type of climate. The lack of various colors can be compensated by the variety of textures and height of the kinds.
The problem with the blooms can be solved by adding seasonal plants in pots next to the evergreen trees.
41. Raised Flowerbed Covers Exposed Tree Roots
Use materials from nature to create a garden bed. That could be logs or stones stacked to create the raised garden.
Especially for a sloped front yard, stones are perfect for coping with the ground difference.
42. Upcycled Fire Bowl Becomes a Planter
If you have a low fence aiming to divide the drive lane from the front yard or other zones, you can use it as a canvas for a potted garden.
Most of the time such a fence is made of stones. The pots that will enhance the rustic look of this yard feature are made of ceramics, terra cotta and iron.
The best arrangement for an elevated pot would be a cascading one. Use an evergreen shrub for the center of the pot and use short perennials or seasonal flowers around it. The section closest to the rim should be planted with vines that will give the pot the cascading look.
43. Build Tiered Gardens From Precast Bricks
These garden beds have been designed to instantly improve the curb appeal of the front yard. They are made of the same paving material. The point of interest comes with the tiered positioning and the different shape of the flower bed section.
This type of stacked and raised garden bed is suitable for sloping yards where the inclination should be overwhelmed.
44. Large Tree Stump Becomes a Flower Garden
Another idea for reviving a dry tree is to use its trunk as a planter. Plant flowers in all hollows and watch the blooms peek out.
In addition to the visual interest, you will save money and time trying to take the roots of the tree out of the ground.
45. Vintage Bicycle Becomes Charming Garden Décor
Add a countryside touch to your front yard with a bicycle planter. The older the bicycle is, the greater the vintage effect would be. Add baskets to the front and to the back to grow directly flowers in or to place pots.
For a further decorative touch, you can use signs in the same farmhouse theme.
46. Small Urban Garden Gets Big Makeover
Urban yards can also be appealing even of the smaller size. Make a visual illusion of it being larger with geometric landscape creations. Use the ground surface materials on the one hand, and evergreen shrubs that tend to be shaped- on the other.
47. Wagon Wheel Adds Vintage Vibe to Flowerbed
To give the front yard garden a point of interest, place a wagon wheel. Its aged design and weathered look will make the landscape more personalized.
This aged piece can also be very functional as a trellis for vines and climbing flowers.
via Miss Conduct
48. Water Feature Recycles Rain Runoff
This front yard landscape idea features a rock garden where the plants cover the majority of the ground and the stones are used to give the sloped yard a continuous and unified look.
Judging by the plant kinds, this garden bed has probably been created in an area where rain is a rare phenomenon.
49. Drought Resistant Plants and Hardscaping Save Water
Most xeriscaped yards rely on the cactus kinds but hopefully, they are not the only means to improve the curb appeal in dry zones.
This garden idea proves it showing how colorful succulents, lantana and agave can create a creative and unique garden.
50. Wine Barrel Turns Into a Flower Garden
Repurposing the old wine barrel into a flower pot will add a unique rustic vibe to the outdoors. The DIY is very easy- just fill the barrel with potting mix.
To accentuate the rustic design of your pot, add a lantern to the arrangement.
51. Small Garden Gets Colorful Blooming Boost
You don’t have to be a landscape architect to create a beautiful front yard. It is even easier if you have a small yard – create some flower beds and plant colorful flowers or drought resistant plants.
Arrange them as per your liking and add some flowering shrubs.
75 modern design ideas for the courtyard of a private house
A country cottage or a private house in the city is a source of pride for the owners. Once upon a time, such housing was certainly associated with beds, a vegetable garden and greenhouses. But times are changing, and the functional use of the courtyard area has long faded into the background. Landscaping has gradually reached even the most remote villages, private houses are now real recreation parks in miniature. Where potatoes grew, now there is a decorative pond, gazebos rise in place of greenhouses, and beds have been replaced with flower beds and fountains.
It takes a lot of effort to decorate the territory adjacent to the house, and maintaining order requires a lot of time. But all the work is rewarded by the fact that in return you get a luxurious place to relax in silence or get-togethers with a noisy company.
The courtyard of a private house is made in several levels
A dining area can be arranged in the backyard
Small bridge in the courtyard of a private house
The first stage of the design of the courtyard design is the choice of a stylistic direction. This choice plays a huge role, since it determines in which direction the designer needs to move on. It is worth deciding here not only on the basis of personal preferences, but also taking into account the following factors:0003
- area at your disposal;
- the time limit that you allow to spend on maintaining the proper appearance of the yard;
- climate and soil type.
There are some of the most popular options that experts offer for the design of the yard of a private house.
Contents
- 1 English style
- 2 Japanese style
- 3 Mediterranean style
- 4 Planning the design of the yard
- 5 We lay the tracks
- 6 We plant plants
- 7 We arrange decor elements
- 8 Create water bodies
- 9 Close the territory
- 10 Organize the place of recreation with a focus of
- 11 Video: equip the courtyard of a private house
- 50 50 photos of the ideas courtyard of a private house:
- 12.1 See also
English style
This style is ideal if the house is located in the back of the site and shows an open facade. Then in the courtyard you can place an alley leading to the front door, and arrange a recreation area in the backyard.
English style suggests maximum naturalness.
The territory should look as if the human hand did not touch it. This means smooth lines, lack of asymmetry, winding paths and landscape irregularities. It is customary to place plants in tiers: first grass and flowers, then shrubs and trees.
An artificial reservoir in the form of a small pond will also fit perfectly here.
Original path made of sawn wood
Allocation of a recreation area with bushes
See alsoCreating a flower garden is a form of creative expression
Japanese style
Here the reservoir is not just desirable, but an obligatory element. Usually it is the central object, and everything else is built around it. The pond is decorated with bridges, stones, gazebos are installed on its banks. The main representatives of the flora are rhododendron, juniper and dwarf pine.
The Japanese style is quite complex in design and perception, its beauty is deeper and is revealed gradually.
Such a courtyard sets one up for philosophical reasoning, relaxes and gives a person peace of mind.
Paths connect all functional areas on site
Backyard with dining area
Recreation area in the courtyard of a private house
See alsoCountry design with your own hands from improvised materials
A harmonious combination of ancient Greek and Roman styles, this Mediterranean style is a favorite of landscape designers and recalls the wondrous beauty of southern nature.
Its distinctive feature is the abundance of stone in all its manifestations: marble chips, sea pebbles, and simply raw rocks.
The Mediterranean-style yard should be associated with the mountain coast, so it is customary to place various hills on it. It can be a staircase, a retaining wall or a slope with a terrace located on it.
Plants are of great importance here. In such gardens, topiary is widely used - curly haircuts of plants and giving them bizarre shapes.
In addition, the Mediterranean flora pleases with delicious fruits: citruses, pistachios and olives. Small palm trees, flower beds planted with roses or colorful perennial flowers, and herb lawns are also used.
As for architectural elements, there are enough of them here. In the inner part, a patio is arranged, the territory is decorated with arches, terraces and hedges, and, of course, fountains.
In the backyard, you can organize a small fountain and put a dining table
Arbor can be arranged in the yard
See also Creating a harmonious garden design
Planning the design of the yard
A beautiful yard plays a very important role, because it is from it that the first impression of the house and its owners begins. Therefore, the backyard should be given no less attention than the cottage itself.
In order to save time and money, avoid alterations and reconstructions, starting planning, it is worth answering a couple of questions.
| What is more important to you - beauty or practicality? | If the need for practical use prevails, then first place the most necessary things in the yard, and only after that fill the free space with decorative elements. |
| What will you use the yard for? How often do you get together with friends and arrange gatherings in the fresh air? | Are you planning to relax alone? Take care of a shady corner, install a fountain or a pond. Gathering groups of friends? Build a gazebo, equip the territory with a place for cooking. |
| Do you have children and pets? | Take care of their safety. Refuse deep water, be careful with fire and electrical wiring. |
| How do you imagine a beautiful courtyard? | Choose a style according to your own preferences, add decorations, plant plants. |
Thematic corners in the courtyard
Zoning of different parts of the yard
can be done with plants
Recreation area on the plot of a private house
It is on the answers to these questions that all your subsequent decisions depend. This is especially true for small yards, where there is no way to arrange everything at once, and you have to prioritize.
Having in mind some plan for creating a landscape design, you can start placing objects on the ground. It is recommended to mentally divide the site into squares that are responsible for various functional areas. Each zone will correspond to one key figure - a gazebo, rock garden, pond, flower bed or patio. In this way, all objects will be distributed evenly and balanced throughout the yard.
Before proceeding directly to the construction, check the condition of the territory. If water accumulation is found, lay a drain.
At the same stage, all communications necessary for watering plants and the operation of reservoirs are laid.
The courtyard of a private house is made into several levels
A dining table can be arranged in the backyard
See alsoDo-it-yourself front garden: where to start decorating and what to look for?
Laying tracks
After we have divided the territory into zones, it is necessary to make it possible to move between them safely. To do this, it is worth equipping special paths in the yard. They can be completely different: someone will like winding paths, someone will prefer straight paths, and some will like something in between.
Track material also offers a huge selection:
- large flat stones;
- brick;
- gravel;
- concrete slabs;
- cobblestone.
Paths can be left unguarded or accentuated with a small fence or decorative border.
If the territory is uneven, it can be arranged in different planes by connecting adjacent segments with the help of stairs.
Planting plants
At first glance it may seem that planting is a matter that cannot cause much difficulty. However, many garden crops are quite capricious and excessive self-confidence here can lead to the fact that after a while all the work done will have to be redone again. To prevent this from happening, when gardening the yard, it is recommended to be guided by a number of rules.
- Keep conifers and shrubs away from covered areas. Despite the fact that they look quite impressive here, removing their needles from the terrace every morning is far from the best thing to do.
- Do not torment yourself with unnecessarily whimsical plants that require constant care. If you don’t feel a particular craving for gardening in your soul, then opt for more modest bushes and trees.
- The pond implies an elegant decor, but not the plants rinsing their leaves in it. Therefore, deciduous plants should be removed from it away.
- There is a growing trend to replace fences with hedges. In this case, the plants used should be thick enough and have an average height, since too high ones will look sloppy, and low ones will not be able to hide the territory from prying eyes.
- There is no such area that would not be decorated with a beautiful flower bed. You can split one large one or several small ones. But remember that if you plant several at once, it is important that they are combined with each other.
- A small area is not a reason to refuse landscaping. Use a vertical arrangement, using alpine slides, ledges and cascades.
A decorative well can be placed in the yard
Japanese style house design with forest background
The stone fountain in the middle of the courtyard looks very nice
See alsoGarden design 4 acres.
How to equip a small area with your own hands?
Arranging decorative elements
In order for the view of the backyard plot to be complete and to make it clear that professionals had their hand here, some decorative elements should be added to the landscape design.
Classics of the genre - garden sculptures. They should resonate in style with the overall design of not only the site, but also the house. It can be both classical statues and abstract installations. Of great importance is their size, which is selected depending on the free space that you have. They can advantageously fill the free space of a large yard, and it is better not to clutter up a small area with them.
Decorative arches look good in almost any area. To create an additional effect, they are entwined with ivy or other plants, and special lighting is selected for them. You can arrange them one by one, one after another or in one row.
Be sure to maintain the overall style with decor.
If this is Provence, then clay pots and wicker fences will come in handy, amphoras of different sizes will be appropriate for the Mediterranean style, and a drop of magic in the garden can be added with the help of figures of animals, gnomes and other fairy-tale characters. The last option is sure to be appreciated by your children.
Stones combined with flowers will perfectly complement the design of the yard
You can make a path out of stones, and plant flowers nearby
See alsoDesign ideas for decorating the terrace
Creating ponds
Just imagine how pleasant it is to enjoy the coolness of a clean pond in a shady corner of your own garden on a hot summer afternoon. The construction of a reservoir is a rather laborious, but worth it, process.
Artificial reservoir can be made in completely different variations.
- Small pond. Populate it with fish, decorate it with stones and water lilies, and this place will become of great interest to guests, and will also become a favorite place for games for the younger generation.
- Graceful fountain. This structure can take up very little space and is suitable for small yards. But its pleasant spray will be a real salvation from the summer heat.
- Mischievous brook or miniature waterfall. Their murmur relaxes and creates a unique atmosphere of relaxation alone with nature.
To make it pleasant to be in the yard, you need to keep it clean
Well-groomed flowers and trees will look great in the yard
Flowers can be planted next to the path
See alsoBeautiful landscape design of a country house: we create it ourselves
Artificial courtyard lighting performs several important functions at once.
- Allows movement in the absence of natural light.
- Favorably highlights decorative elements, creating their aesthetic appearance.
Lighting must be installed so that it covers the entire perimeter without leaving dark corners and equips all stairs and paths.
The mandatory lighting program also includes the following items:
- facade of a house;
- outbuildings;
- car park;
- main entrance;
- recreation area.
After that we move on to decorative elements. It would be a shame if all this beauty can only be enjoyed during daylight hours. Therefore, we also shed light on all fountains, alpine slides, sculptures and flower beds.
LED strips will be a real find for decorating the night garden. They can emphasize the beauty of trees or place them along the edge of the stairs.
For reasons of economy and convenience, it is recommended to use solar-powered lamps in the yard. They do not waste your electricity, and therefore do not require electricity to be supplied to them.
You can decorate the yard with flowers
Design of the courtyard of a private house with a gazebo
See also Big ideas for landscape design of a small area
On the territory of a personal plot, a place for cooking on an open fire is requested.
The most common options for such a place are barbecue and barbecue, but you can find a more non-standard approach.
- Tandoor. This Asian oven is quite bulky, so be sure to consider your capabilities when installing it. You can fold this oven with your own hands, or purchase it ready-made.
- Outdoor fireplace. It creates an amazing impression, as if you were just sitting in the living room, and were transferred to the garden in some magical way. Place upholstered furniture near it and make yourself comfortable, enjoying both the beauty of nature and the warmth of the hearth at the same time.
The owners of private houses with adjacent territories are really lucky - landscape design opens up many opportunities for their aesthetic and functional arrangement. In the courtyard of your own house you will find a garden for walking, a relaxation area, and even a place for cooking.
Expert opinion
Alina Kvileva
Landscape designer
Ask an expert
Hello, my name is Alina and I am a landscape designer, if you have any questions regarding landscape design, ask with pleasure I will answer them.
See alsoFacade design as an integral part of house design
Video: Equipping the courtyard of a private house
See alsoRequirements for the interior of the bath
50 photos of private house courtyard design ideas:
Landscape design of the courtyard of a private house: 90 photos with ideas But complete freedom often leads to confusion: where to start and what should be done in general? This article will detail the basic steps that will help you plan your ideal site on your own.
Tips for designing and furnishing the yard of a private house
General rules
Yard layout
— Front
— Rear
— Recreation area
Landscaping
- Trees
– Shrubs
— Flowers
— Lawn
If you plan to design the courtyard of a private house, as in the photo below, with your own hands, then the general principle of action will be the same for a large area, and for several acres.
Social networks of blogger Elena Denisenko
Even if the adjoining area is very tiny, you need to draw up a design project or at least draw a schematic plan.
But before that, analyze the territory. Find information about what type of soil is here, find out the level of groundwater, track how natural light changes during the day, note the features of the relief, as well as local flora and fauna. It's great if you collect a mini-dossier on your site, writing out all the important details. After all, it is from them that you will build on, thinking through the future landscape.
Once you have all the necessary information, draw a plan of the area to the exact scale and take into account existing buildings (if you do not plan to demolish them). Then add to the drawing everything that should appear around the house: paths, greenhouses, beds and flower beds, outbuildings, a recreation area, gazebos and ponds. It is not necessary to do all this at once - give yourself time to prepare and supplement the project gradually, each time you decide on a new object.
At the same time, create a folder on your computer or start a board on Pinterest, where you can add your favorite photos and ideas as you plan.
Social networks of blogger Elena Denisenko
Any house territory is divided into the front part and the backyard. Also, most often, space is allocated for a place to relax and a utility block. Let's take a closer look at how to plan the main zones.
Front part
Social networks of the blogger Zelenaya Komnata
The area in front of the house is the hallmark of the entire site. It includes the front gate, the porch and everything in between. It is this part of the landscape that guests and neighbors see, so the design should be as aesthetic as possible. What should be in front of the yard:
- Flower beds, vertical landscaping of facades or curly shrubs in front of the porch.
- Neat paths - can be made of wood, concrete, gravel, paving slabs (choose material depending on the overall style).
- Lawn and small garden trees.
- Lanterns and decorative lighting.
If there is enough space and the terrain allows, a small lounge area can also be arranged in the front.
Or make a decorative pond, stream or a beautiful fountain.
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Design of the backyard of a private house
Depending on the shape and size of the plot behind the house, there can be either a very tiny nook or a vast area with enough space for several full-fledged zones.
Social media blogger Laperuzaa
If you have at your disposal a couple of meters between the wall and the fence, you can plant fruit trees, shade-loving plants there, or simply make a flat lawn with a path. Don't forget to add some lights so you don't have to find your way in the dark.
If the space behind the house is large enough, this is an ideal place to set up a recreation area, a playground or, for example, a swimming pool. If the door from the kitchen opens onto this side, you can organize a barbecue area or put an additional dining table in order to move to fresh air in good weather.
Social networks of blogger Ekaterina Derkacheva
For a relaxation zone, it is important to choose the right location. The place should be quite secluded, protected from wind and sun. If the natural landscape cannot provide this, it makes sense to consider the design of the courtyard of a private house with a gazebo, a small terrace or a light canopy. The filling of this zone of the site depends on the composition of the family and the lifestyle of the household.
Most popular options:
- Soft group - usually consists of a garden sofa, armchairs or pouffes with a small table. Often a decorative hearth is also installed here.
- Pool or fountain.
- Chaise lounges for sunbathing.
- Dining group for breakfasts and lunches in the fresh air.
- Barbecue place with barbecue.
If children live or often visit the house, you can put a swing next to the adults' resting place, make a sandbox or, if there is enough space, organize a full-fledged playground. This is convenient, because the kids will always be in front of their parents. In the gallery below - a photo of design ideas for a modern courtyard of a private house with a seating area.
Social networks of blogger Ekaterina Derkacheva
Plus it's just practical: less cluttered greenery means less weed problems and easier garden maintenance. The tracks are easy to make with your own hands, besides, the choice of materials is large:
- Tree cuts.
- Gravel.
- Paving stones.
- Stone.
- Tiles.
- Concrete plates.
Only one can be used, or several can be combined. For example, gravel paths with paving stones look colorful. Or pebbles combined with wooden elements. Sometimes a small fence is added to the paths - in this case, choose a safe structure that will not get lost in the greenery and will not create a risk of tripping over it.
Do not forget to think over the route of the paths at the planning stage: they should simplify the logistics in the local area, and not complicate it.
13a photo
Social networks of blogger Ekaterina Derkacheva
Social networks of Rolling Stone Landscapes studio
Social networks of blogger Marina Shchelkova
Social networks of blogger Ekaterina Derkacheva
Social networks of Rolling Stone Landscapes studio
Trees
Landshaft Maykop Social Media
All trees can be classified either by type (deciduous and coniferous) or by purpose (fruit and ornamental).
They perform several important tasks at once: they form a natural landscape, help to zone space, protect from the sun, and some of them bring a crop. To put together a set for your site, first decide which of these features are most important to you. Are you planning to grow your own fruit, or do you just want to enjoy the beautiful view? Do you like softwoods or hardwoods? Also consider the natural topography and soil type so that the plantings take root well and it is easier for you to care for them.
Beginning gardeners and those who do not like to work hard in the country should pay attention to unpretentious trees:
- Fruit trees - apple, cherry plum, cherry, bird cherry.
- Decorative deciduous - birch, silver maple, chestnut, mountain ash, larch.
- Decorative conifers - spruce, thuja, pine.
a photo
Social media blogger Irusia
Beautiful ornamental bushes, especially flowering ones, can not only be distributed over the territory of the site, but also made the basis of a flower bed.
Try to plant perennial varieties in the area so as not to do extra work every season. For example, pay attention to cinquefoil, spray rose, cistus, jasmine, heather. From the berries you can plant raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, sea buckthorn, dogwood.
If you like a regular garden style with its strict forms and symmetry, take a closer look at topiary breeds that are grown for shearing. For beginner gardeners, for example, brilliant cotoneaster, barberry, vesicle and alpine currant are suitable.
Flowers
Flowers become the decoration of any garden, breathing bright colors into it and creating a special mood.
Social media blogger My Summer Cottage Garden
When choosing varieties for your site, be guided by:
- Your own tastes and preferences.
- Type of soil in the area.
- Illumination.
- Your experience in gardening and the amount of time you are willing to devote to caring for the flower garden.
When choosing flowers, remember a few tricks. First, the rule of contrast. Plant nearby plants of different sizes, shapes, colors, group them and create colorful compositions. Secondly, try to choose crops so that they bloom at different times - otherwise there is a risk that your flower corner will be bright and fragrant only in the first or, conversely, the last month of the summer season. Finally, add at least a few perennials - they will greatly simplify your work for the next year.
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Social networks of blogger My Summer Cottage Garden
Lawn
Landscape design of the courtyard of a private house (photo below) is impossible to imagine without fresh green grass.
