Creating Real Curb Appeal with Front Yard Landscape Design
Front yard landscape design is often considered the most important component of complete home and
garden planning
. Your front yard is the first part of your home visitors see and may be the only portion of your residence seen by many. The design of your front yard also sets the theme for the rest of your outdoor space and should draw focus and attention to your home.
Your front yard serves many purposes and should be carefully planned to blend all these uses into a complementary design that brings out the beauty of your home.
Include every single area of your front yard in the design plan, from the road all the way to your front door.
But take care to keep the design simple and avoid large amounts of vegetation.
The Importance of Trees and Shrub in Your Front Yard
Trees and shrubs can provide a number of different benefits to your front yard landscape design, but you should select trees that are proportionate to your home and blend with the overall outdoor design.
• Shrubs, boxwoods, topiaries, and smaller ornamentals are excellent for creating linear patterns in your front yard and can line sidewalks, driveways, or the exterior of the home.
• Large trees, like oak, olive or poplar trees, provides shade and can aid in cooling your home during the summer.
• Fruit trees, citrus trees, and ornamentals like crepe myrtles and dogwoods are great choices for front yard designs. These varieties are typically small and fragrant, offering an elegant appearance.
Plan the location of the trees and shrubs in your front yard carefully, using trees that grow well in your climate and soil type. A new landscape design may benefit from mature trees that are transplanted or trees that grow quickly. Try to plant deciduous trees and other types that shed leaves, nuts, or other debris away from drives and walkways.
Adding Personality with Flowers
Flowers are the best way to add color to your front yard landscape design.
Select flowers that are appropriate to your overall design theme, using a color scheme that blends with your home.
Bright blooms of red, orange, and yellow hues will attract attention while calmer shades of blue and green blend into the landscape and create a relaxing atmosphere.
Create flower beds to accent walkways or to line the home’s perimeter, using curves or lines based on your garden style.
Plant a combination of perennials for year round color, selecting varieties that bloom in each season.
A lush, green lawn between your planting areas can add great curb appeal to your home.
Many Mediterranean and California design styles rely solely on perennials with a combination of textured foliage for color. Consult with your professional
landscape design firm
for what might be best for your home.
Materials, Pathways, and Drives That Make Your Front Yard Unique
Your front yard should be inviting and should encourage guests to approach your home. Driveways, sidewalks, and pathways are the most effective way to achieve this. Select materials that are durable and weather resistant, like stone or concrete. The best material will reflect your landscape style while complementing the design of your home.
Most modern neighborhoods encourage off road parking so driveways are usually an essential part of front yard landscape designs.
Regular driveways add linear effects to your front yard, may lead into a garage, and could feature a turn-around area for usability.
Circular driveways add an elegant flair and are ideal for rustic, Mediterranean style landscapes, as well as flowing designs with contemporary appeal.
Circular driveways also provide an easy way in and out of your home.
Creating Harmony Inside and Out With Porch Decorations
Decorating your front porch is the perfect opportunity to blend the style of your home with your outdoor landscape design.
Make the porch an inviting and comfortable place to sit and enjoy the beauty of your yard with benches, porch swings, and other outdoor furniture that suits your home’s appearance.
Plants can accent your porch with color, texture, and style.
Place potted plants around your entrance in decorative planters or plant creeping vines around the railings and banisters for a classic garden appearance.
Outdoor wall hangings, sculptures, weather-proofed pillows, and other matching décor can enhance your front yard as well.
Secluded Courtyards
Courtyards offer a more intimate style of landscape design and are popular in many California style homes.
Courtyards
are typically enclosed within a wall, fence or in the center of the home and feature a lush garden of relaxation that exemplifies the theme of your outdoor space.
There are many different factors involved in designing a courtyard that is both beautiful and functional, including the size of the area as well as how much natural light should enter the yard.
Many homeowners leave their courtyard design to an experienced landscape designer to ensure a plan that complements their home.
Fountains and Water Features
Fountains, garden ponds, and other water features are a wonderful way to add a sense of tranquility to your outdoor design.
You may want to use a decorative fountain as a focal point in your front yard landscape design or highlight a flower bed with a natural looking pond.
Whatever type of water features you decide to include, select items that fit your overall theme and suit your personal tastes as well. Your front yard landscape design is your home’s first impression maker.
If real curb appeal, extreme beauty, and increased value are what you want for your home, then take the time to plan a unique front yard design that invites your guests inside.
Contact us
for more advice on landscaping your front yard.
Your front yard serves many purposes and should be carefully planned to blend all these uses into a complementary design that brings out the beauty of your home. 
Flowers are the best way to add color to your front yard landscape design. 
Most modern neighborhoods encourage off road parking so driveways are usually an essential part of front yard landscape designs. 
Make the porch an inviting and comfortable place to sit and enjoy the beauty of your yard with benches, porch swings, and other outdoor furniture that suits your home’s appearance.
