Transform Your Home’s First Impression With Front Garden Design
When it comes to garden design and landscaping, many people focus their attention on the back garden as this is usually the largest and most used space they have. However, your front garden is just as – if not more – important and deserves to be renovated too.
Your front garden is the first impression people get of your home and, by extension, your family. Front garden design is a key proponent to curb appeal and should represent you well.
From the plants and turf to the paving and driveway, everything needs to be well-designed and coordinated to deliver the best first impression, and Urban Landscapes is here to help.
As a leading landscaping company, Urban Landscapes has the skills and services available to renovate any outdoor space and create an environment that you love. In this post, we are sharing some of the best tips for front garden design so you can create a welcoming haven.
Understanding The Purpose Of Your Front Garden
The first step in designing a stunning front garden is understanding the purpose of this space. As with all landscapes, the purpose of the environment will influence all future design decisions and needs to be determined early on.
While you might not have given your front garden much thought until now, the space still has a purpose of some kind. For example, do you want to create a welcoming environment that makes you happy to be home? Or are you seeking something more practical, such as an accessible entrance or a large driveway?
Whatever you decide on will be the main focus for the front garden design, informing everything from the layout of your front garden to the most suitable material choices.
As well as determining the purpose of your front garden, you also need to access the space you have available. This is all part of our garden design consultation process, where we take the time to learn as much as possible about your needs and your garden.
From here, the Urban Landscapes team will create a bespoke garden design for your landscape. All of our projects are tailored to our clients, creating unique environments that perfectly align with your needs.
Front Garden Design Layouts: Choosing The Best Fit For Your Space
With the basic theme of your front garden design in place, it is time to begin constructing the layout. There are various ways you can maximise the space you have available, and it all lies in the layout of features.
Where things will be installed and placed can increase the appeal and functionality of your garden design, so it needs to be considered carefully. Based on your front garden shape and the kind of design you want to create, you can consider the following layouts:
- Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Design: What kind of front garden you have, as well as the style of your property, will determine whether you can have a traditional or bespoke front garden design. Those with odd-shaped gardens can benefit from asymmetrical design, as this ensures all corners of the garden can be included and still contribute to a cohesive front garden design
- Open vs. Enclosed Spaces: If your front garden provides a clear view into your home, then you may want to consider an enclosed garden layout. Using tools such as hedges and fencing, you can create a private front garden design that seals your home from prying eyes while also being an attractive space. Those in more secluded areas can consider an open layout, allowing the beautiful surroundings to be appreciated from your home.
- Driveway and Pathway Integration: The main purpose of everyone’s front garden design is to provide access to the home, but how easy this needs to be can vary greatly. Your front garden may also include vehicle parking, so you need to consider how your driveway impacts the design and what this can look like.
- Lawn or No Lawn? If you do have space for turfing in your front garden, you want to consider whether this is something you desire to keep or what alternatives can be used. Real grass can look great at the front of your home, but you may also benefit from replacing this with hardscaping, such as paving or gravel. Flower beds, trees and shrubs may also be a beter alternative, based on the space you have available and the overall front garden design.
Plants For Year-Round Displays
Choosing plants with lasting appeal is a great tool for garden design in any landscape, but it is especially beneficial for the front garden. It is likely that you do not have enough time to dedicate to one, let alone two landscapes, so creating low-maintenance designs is ideal.
With a low-maintenance garden design, you can ensure your front garden looks great throughout the year and with minimal care. Plants that bloom throughout the year provide colour and interest to your front garden design organically. This means you can ensure a great welcome home in every season without having to work for it.
There are various kinds of plants you can incorporate into your front garden design, with some of the best options being:
- Evergreens for Structure: Evergreen shrubs and trees such as Boxwood, holly, and Yew offer year-round greenery to your front garden design. They remain a staple to the layout of your front garden and ensure there is always some form of natural appeal present. These are also great tools for privacy in the front garden.
- Seasonal Colour: Use perennials, annuals, and bulbs for continuous blooms in the front garden throughout the year, ensuring that with each season, you have something new to enjoy. A combination of these flower types is the best way to ensure year-round colour and appeal, as one blooms while the others die.
- Low-Maintenance Options: As we have mentioned, a low-maintenance front garden design is highly attractive and there are ways to make this more appealing. Incorporating drought-resistant plants, shrubs and native wildflowers into your front garden allows you to witness the beauty of nature without constant watering, fertilising or garden maintenance. Allow your garden to bloom naturally with these features so you have a beautiful home entrance at all times.
- Container Gardening: Planting flowers and shrubs into pots, containers, and raised beds is ideal for small spaces, as you do not have to compromise ground space. You can still have the colour and greenery you desire, even with a small front garden, by using containers. This is also a great option for flexibility, as it allows you to adjust and change the layout of your front garden design whenever you desire.
Hardscaping And Front Garden Design Features
Comprehensive garden design relies on a combination of both hardscaping and planting. This applies to front garden design too, which is why you also need to carefully consider hardscaping such as paving, pathways and driveways.
There are two main categories of hardscaping in front garden design:
Pathways & Driveways
Your front garden usually provides access to the property, which is why pathways and driveways are such a large part of front garden design. As well as considering the layout and size of these hardscape areas, the material choices play a huge role in creating a stunning front garden.
There are various options for both paving and driveways, allowing you to create a cohesive front garden design that is functional and beautiful. Materials should be chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal but how well they complement your property’s architecture as well as its functionality.
For example, block paving is a great solution for both driveways and pathways as it allows for complete customisation of your front garden design. Block paving is easy to install and cheap to repair over time, if required, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
Alternatively, resin-bound driveways are renowned for their durability and are a great surface for modern homes. Those seeking a long-lasting, seamless surface should choose resin.
Garden Borders & Edging
The borders and edging of your front garden design may seem like an option finishing touch, but they play a huge role in the appeal of the landscape overall.
Based on the paving and driveway options chosen, as well as the natural elements within your front garden, edging can be installed using bricks, sleepers or even metal borders. These are installed to define spaces and zones within your front garden design, creating a completed outdoor space that is secure and attractive.
Front Garden Accessories And Decor
Once the main layout of your front garden design is in place, such as the paving, driveway and plants, it is time to consider the decorations you desire. Garden features and accessories tie the garden design together, allowing you to add your personal stamp on the landscape and enhance the appeal.
Some garden features can also contribute to the functionality and safety of your outdoor space, such as garden lighting. When adorning your front garden design, consider the following:
- Lighting for Safety and Ambience: Garden lighting is both a decorative and functional tool within garden design. Installing features such as solar lights, wall lights, or pathway illumination creates a safe environment that remains accessible during dark hours while also highlighting the stunning design features across your front garden
- Seating: Consider incorporating outdoor seating, such as pergola-covered benches, in your front garden to enhance the welcoming environment. Sit back and relax in your newly designed front garden with the right seating and furniture!
- Decorative Elements: Enhance your front garden design with decorative items such as water features or sculptures to create a tranquil, welcoming environment that complements your home and lifestyle.
Conclusion
The front garden may not get as much attention as other landscapes, but it does play a huge role in the curb appeal of your home. Front garden design should be as carefully planned and curated as any other landscape to ensure your home gives off the right first impression.
As a leading landscaping company, Urban Landscapes can deliver a comprehensive garden design service that is tailored to suit any outdoor space and requirement. We will help you create the front garden of your dreams and ensure a warm welcome home every time.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our services or to request a quote, reach out to the team today.
