Front Garden Design Guide From The Experts
While you may not give it much thought, your front garden is truly important to the appearance of your home as a whole.
When we discuss landscaping and garden design, a large percentage of this work takes place in back gardens as these tend to be the biggest landscapes homeowners have access to. However, with all the work making the back garden perfect, the entrance to your home may be lacking and could drastically decrease your curb appeal.
Your front garden is the first impression people get of your home. Whether this is visitors, potential buyers or even passers-by, you want to make sure that your home looks great from all angles. As a leading landscaping company, Heath Landscapes & Garden Designs has transformed a range of outdoor spaces over the years – including front gardens.
Using our expertise in the industry, we are sharing a step-by-step guide to front garden design so you can create a good, lasting impression of your home.
Planning Front Garden Design
Every beautiful garden begins with a plan and the same rules apply to your front garden design. You first need to determine what you want to do with the space, and what space you have available before any work can be done.
This is why all of our garden design projects start with a consultation, where we work with our clients to determine their desires and understand the landscape a little more. It will be easier to create a beautiful front garden is you know the dimensions of the space, as well as the condition, climate and your desires for it.
Use some time ahead of calling the professionals to mood board inspiration for your front garden design. Consider what kind of look you want to go for and how you can enhance the appeal of your home.
As well as considering the aesthetics of your front garden design, you also need to incorporate functionality. As the front garden is likely the main entrance to your home, it needs to remain accessible and safe while also looking good – which should be considered when creating a design for the space.
Finally, consider how much maintenance you can afford and whether you want to spend time gardening in the front. If you do not enjoy gardening or simply do not have time to maintain another landscape, you can design a low-maintenance space that looks good without the hassle.
Considering all of your aesthetic and practical preferences is the best way to start off your front garden design and ensure that all future work aligns with your needs.
Front Garden Design Features
Once you have defined the purpose and style of your front garden, it is time to get working on the design. There are various features that you can incorporate into your front garden to create a stunning, welcoming, and engaging environment, including:
Pathways
Paving is a key part of front garden design, as it will guide people to your front door and keep the entrance to your home functional. While it is primarily a functional addition to your garden, paving also offers aesthetic benefits such as providing structure to the design.
There is a range of paving options available, ensuring you can find the right material to complement your home and garden. When choosing paving, you should consider the style and colour of your home to find something that aligns well. For example, quaint, traditional homes cna benefit from block paving or natural stone pathways as these add character and charm.
As well as the material, the layout of the paving also needs to be considered. The garden path should lead people to your front door, so they can enter the home, but this does not mean it has to be a simple straight line. Based on the size of your front garden and the kind of style you’re going for, pathways can be curved and winding to add some charm to the space or simple and direct to make things accessible.
Plants And Turfing
To add some natural appeal to the front garden, turfing is a great option. Once the garden path has been installed, you may want to maximise the rest of the available space with fresh new turf. To border the turf or to add some colour to the front garden design, plants may also be considered.
From beautiful bordering flowers to lush shrubs, there are plenty options of for plants for your front garden design. Considering not only the appearance of your front garden but also the maintenance needs of the space is a great way to narrow down options for plants.
For example, if you are seeking a lush but low-maintenance front garden, then choosing evergreen shrubs such as boxwood or yew or native plants can add colour, texture and interest without the hassle. Having a hedge is a great way to create privacy at the front of your home, while also creating an attractive space.
Alternatively, change up your front garden design with the seasons. Planting seasonal delights such as tulips for spring, lavender for summer, and chrysanthemums for autumn can create an interesting and engaging environment that looks great no matter the weather.
The best plants for your front garden will vary based on the space available and the work you want to do. Flowers and plants can be planted directly into the ground if it is in good enough condition, or in raised planters, flower pots and hanging baskets to save space.
Fencing
While a hedge can be a great way to secure your front garden, fencing and walls can also be used. If you are looking for a low-maintenance yet effective way to make your garden private, fences, gates or even walls can be used to define the boundaries of your front garden.
From traditional timber fences to sleek metal gates, you can create a stunning, private front garden.
Driveways
A large section of your front garden design may be dedicated to the driveway. Having a secure place to park your car and keep it on your property is incredibly useful, and should be considered if you have space for it.
However, just because driveways are incredibly functional does not mean they cannot be part of the design appeal too. With a range of materials available, driveways can also enhance the appeal of your front garden and complement your home perfectly. From resin driveways to traditional block paving, the layout of your driveway can complement your home and create a beautifully useful space for your family.
Much like with planting and other front garden design features, considering not just the aesthetics but the practicality of your new driveway will make it easier to narrow down your options. Driveways will require some maintenance over time to keep them in prime condition, but how much work is needed will vary based on the type you have.
For example, resin driveways are renowned for being low maintenance as they are weed and weather resistant. This means they continue to look great throughout the year and are robust enough that only light cleaning is needed to remove stains. Alternatively, gravel driveways cna look beautiful but need constant upkeep to avoid the thinning of stones and debris.
Finishing Touches And Decor
To add some style and personality to your new front garden, consider the following:
- Lighting: Not only is lighting useful for home security, such as motion-sensor lights and spotlights, but it can also be a great design tool. Consider adding solar-powered lights along pathways or lanterns among the flower beds to create a beautiful, yet accessible, home entrance at all hours of the day.
- Seating: A small bench or seating nook can be incorporated into your front garden design to give people space to relax and enjoy the beautiful garden you have created.
- Bin Storage: If you need to keep your bins in the front garden, consider installing some kind of concealed storage so your bins do not ruin the appearance of your front garden. Concealed storage can also help prevent issues such as odours and flies.
- Statues And Ornaments: To add some personality to the front garden, consider garden structures and ornaments. From sleek minimalist metal to traditional quirky gnomes, you can incorporate beautiful decor items among the plants and lights to tie the front garden design together.
Conclusion
While the majority of our work in landscaping and garden design is focused on back gardens, the front should not be neglected. There are some beautiful ways you can make the most out of your front garden and design a space that remains functional but unique.
With paving, plants, and decor you can create a front garden that is welcoming and stands out for all the right reasons. Create a space that you’ll love coming home to by considering front garden design.
Contact Us Today
If you are looking to renovate your garden or require some additional support, reach out to the team today.
