People will notice your garden and walkways before anything else, so these are the first things you should focus on improving. Use plants that don’t create a lot of natural litter, like petunias and flowering shrubs.
Add a few bushes for color and texture, but be careful not to block windows or doors with the ones that you choose. This is also an easy project to tackle yourself!
1. Plant a Flower Bed
One of the simplest ways to add curb appeal is by planting a flower bed. Choose a color that coordinates with your home, and plant a variety of flowers to create a beautiful and eye-catching garden. If you don’t have the space for a traditional flower bed, try using a container garden instead. These can be hung on a wall or on your front porch, and they’re easy to take care of.
Besides flowers, you can also use bushes and grasses to make your front yard more appealing. You can also incorporate a rock garden or waterfall to add more visual interest to your front yard landscaping. Xeriscaping is another popular option for front yard landscaping. It uses native plants that are adapted to your climate and don’t require as much water. Adding this type of landscaping can help reduce your water usage while improving the look of your front yard.
Another way to improve your front yard is by adding a bench or other seating area. This is a great way to welcome guests and show off your personality. You can also decorate your garden with baskets of flowers and other fun decorations to really make it stand out.
There are many different ways to landscape your front yard, so you can find a style that fits your taste and budget. You can go for a more traditional look with lots of greenery or opt for a more modern design with clean lines and simple colors. Whatever you choose, make sure to plan your flower beds carefully and plant them when the weather is moderate so they can acclimate to their new environment.
2. Add a Fence
Whether it’s around the front door or your mailbox, a simple fence adds polish to your home. It can also help frame your flower beds, and it’s a great way to add privacy to your yard. The best thing is that there are a lot of different options to choose from, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are many affordable picket fences and other metal fencing that can work for your front yard.
If your yard is bare, planting a few small trees and shrubs can really ramp up the curb appeal. For example, this Oakland bungalow framed its front yard with an oversize paver pathway and native plants like deergrass, white yarrow, and foxtail fern. The result is a clean, modest garden that looks dynamite from the street.
A bold, eye-catching garden bed is another surefire way to raise the beauty of your house and increase its curb appeal. This California ranch-style yard puts an elegant spin on the classic picket fence with a curving iron gate, redwood planter boxes, and native plantings in complementary colors.
Colorful flowers are a tried-and-true way to instantly spruce up the front of your home, but you can make them even more appealing with unique containers. This wooden planter from diycandy doubles as a seating area and holds beautiful blooming plants.
Water features are a lovely addition to any landscaping design, but it’s important to consider your neighborhood and its aesthetic when choosing a feature for the front of your home. If a fountain or other water feature looks out of place, it can actually take away from the overall look of your yard and your home.
3. Add a Bench
The saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” That’s certainly true when it comes to your home. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy front yard landscaping ideas that can help you create a welcoming first impression for guests or potential buyers.
The right flowers can provide a pop of color that’s sure to grab people’s attention. Choose varieties that bloom at different times so that the colors are in full swing throughout the year. For example, forsythia, tulips, and daffodils are great early spring choices while lilacs, roses, and hollyhocks add a pop of color in the summer.
Another way to add a touch of color is with decorative planters. These can be placed on your porch or in the front yard. They can be filled with anything from greenery to flowering plants and will instantly spruce up your curb appeal. To make a unique and eye-catching planter, try using an old wine barrel. This is a great DIY project that can be found on goodshomedesign.
A bench is a beautiful addition to any front yard and will add a cozy spot where people can relax. When choosing a bench, be sure it fits with the overall style of your yard. For example, a Western-style bench is perfect for a yard filled with cacti and succulents. To give the bench a more natural feel, consider using flagstones to create the seat. This creates a look that’s both rustic and refined.
Another easy and affordable way to boost your curb appeal is by adding mulch. This helps to discourage weeds and keep the soil looking fresh. Be sure to replace the mulch on a regular basis so that it stays healthy and attractive.
4. Add a Water Feature
Water features can add a sense of tranquility and beauty to your front yard. They can be as grand as a pool or pond, or as simple as a fountain. Choose a water feature that matches the style of your home and landscape. Water can also attract birds and other wildlife, so be sure to include a bird bath or feeder if you want to encourage wildlife to visit your front yard.
A water feature can have an invigorating effect, especially if it’s a waterfall or stream. However, be mindful of how much noise you are comfortable with, as water features that are louder can be a distraction for some homeowners.
Another option for a front-yard water feature is a disappearing fountain, which can be a pretty cool visual effect. This type of fountain is great for a front yard because it doesn’t require any standing water, so there’s less maintenance than a traditional fountain.
If you don’t want to invest in a water feature, consider adding some rock garden elements to your landscaping. These are a beautiful addition to any front yard, and they’re easy to maintain. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
Another budget-friendly way to spruce up your front yard is by adding flower beds. These are a simple DIY project that can be completed in no time at all, and they will immediately brighten up your home. To make your flower beds even more attractive, you can add a stone edge and mulch to match the rest of your yard.
5. Add Grass
A fresh layer of greenery enhances any front yard and can be done relatively quickly. Whether you go with the help of professional landscaping services or do it yourself, make sure to start with a plan and create a sense of symmetry throughout your landscaping. Yards that are planted with a purpose look tidier and more inviting than those that appear random or unattended.
Flower beds are the most important element of any front yard landscaping because they add an immediate burst of color and a sense of majesty to your home’s exterior. Plant flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year, such as tulips, daffodils and forsythia in spring, roses, lilacs and peonies in summer and gladiolus and black-eyed susan in fall. This gives your front yard a fresh look all year round and helps to attract butterflies and other wildlife to your yard as well.
Another simple way to improve your curb appeal is by adding a pathway into your yard that leads up to your house. You can even line the path with flowers for added beauty.
If you want a more permanent feature that will last for years to come, consider installing a water fountain or pond. You can find some great ideas for this at twotwentyone or you can go with a more natural look by flanking your door with some potted topiaries.
These are just a few of the many ways you can increase your curb appeal and make your home more welcoming to guests and neighbors. If you need a little help with the planning and implementation of your front yard landscape, contact the landscaping experts to see how they can make your vision a reality.