Front yards are the outdoor equivalent of a hallway. They are high-traffic spaces that you, your guests, your neighbors, and anyone passing by your home can get a good glimpse of. However, as with hallways, it can be a little neglected when it comes to making it pretty. We understand that these spaces can be tricky when it comes to aesthetics because they need to be functional too if you want them to be the home of your car, and they can also be tight on space, or out of shape. But regardless, front yards deserve your attention.
You don’t need to overhaul the entire area either to make it look more attractive, in fact, you can give it an upgrade without having to plant anything new – ideal if you’re dealing with more driveway space than a yard, or if a lack of square footage means you can’t plant more than The smallest flowers. We asked landscape designers for their top tips on how to spruce up a modern front yard without having to plant anything.
1. Create displays using pots
(Image credit: Richardson & Partners Landscape Architecture)
Technically, you don’t plant anything in the ground, but using planters to add some greenery to your space is a simple way to soften your front yard, giving it some texture and color without the commitment of digging your driveway. And potted plants can make as big an impact as filling in borders. Create beautiful displays by grouping multiple pots together, or add some height by using the best trees for pots.
“One of the best ways to add greenery to a front walkway without planting anything new is to bring in groups of different-sized planters that have texture and/or color,” explains Adam Sexton, senior associate at Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture. ‘The added character of the pots helps soften the entryway and warm the outdoor spaces. The must-have potted plants are a variety of annuals, perennials, and even evergreen shrubs that can be grouped together to create a dramatic statement at your front entrance.
“Adding containers to your space, perhaps with an entryway or gate, is a simple and effective way to liven up your front garden without taking up too much space,” adds Kat Ole Cervone, landscape designer and founder of Staghorn NYC. “I love surrounding a door or gate with matching planters that can be planted with evergreens or ferns, or changed up seasonally with vibrant displays of annuals – whatever your preference!” Instead, I use combinations of planters in a mix of sizes and finishes sometimes to give a less rugged, more robust presentation. I find that using odd numbers is best when creating container gardens. This is a great way to have a ‘garden’ when planting in the ground isn’t an option.’
price: $19.95
measuring: 10″ x 9.5″.
measuring: 2″D x 11.25″H
2. Update your tracks
(Image credit: Richardson & Partners Landscape Architecture)
Driveways and driveways are as much a controlling part of your front yard as planting, so pay attention to some of what’s going on in your space right now. Refreshing your tracks will instantly make your front yard look nicer. You may find that all you need is a good cleaning and weeding, says landscape designer Jennifer Hyman, “A good cleaning can make your facade look fresh and new.” However, transforming your solid facades by replacing old and tired stone materials with new ones may be more expensive but the impact will be massive.”
Right now, patio trends are all about organic and natural spaces that look like a zen garden. We see more gardening and dry rock than planting, so when choosing driveway designs for your front yard, consider natural paving instead of hard paving (it looks nice and isn’t great for nature, either). Instead, choose cobblestone paths, or combine cobblestones with stones as shown in this project by Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture.
“The landscaping objective for this unusual 1965 home included a welcoming entrance courtyard. The design, which evolved comprehensively with the renovation of the house, evokes Japanese garden design. The courtyard is a quiet, peaceful space that contrasts with the complexity of the project.” Step platforms can be seen. Interlacing concrete, river stones, and low plantings from many rooms within the house, blurring the lines where the garden begins and ends,” explains senior associate Adam Sexton.
3. Bring your inner style out
(Image credit: Red Rolls)
This is a simple way to spruce up your front yard without having to plant anything new, and turn it into an indoor/outdoor space that can double as an additional entertaining area. We often see front yards used as more social spaces, and why not? Make the most of this untapped space, bring in furniture and planters to soften the area, and make it a beautiful space to spend time like your own backyard.
“In this front yard, we expanded the furniture to create a spacious and inviting environment for outdoor dining and entertaining. “Try to think of your front yard as an outdoor foyer and don’t be afraid to take the interior style of your home and translate it to the outdoors,” explains Dan Mazzarini, Principal Creative Inc. of BHDM.
4. Go for an organic, on-trend style with rocks
(Image credit: Robson Rack)
Landscaping a front yard with rocks is a great way to give your space a modern feel without having to plant anything new. And you can be as subtle or bold as you want, bring in larger rocks for a true dry garden feel or just create layers of texture with smaller pebbles and larger stones on your paths or for your front yard area. DIY task can also be easy.
Using rocks is a great way to add interest and a sense of place to a small front entry garden. “Whether it’s a neatly placed rock, a group of small boulders, or even a polished stone rolled into a simple ball, these pieces add interest and dimension to a garden without taking up much space or requiring any maintenance,” explains Kat Ole Cervone.
“They also help give a sense of place to a space – for example, the beautifully polished boulders found along some beaches give a coastal feel to the space, while the rough, mossy rocks could suggest nearby forests or mountains. Rocks and stones can also be used in edges of a driveway or patio, or arrange them in a way reminiscent of traditional Japanese gardens.’
5. Add a stylish, weight-inducing water feature
(Image credit: Natalie Myers)
How peaceful it is to walk over this type of setup to get to your front door. If you have the budget, this could be a neat way to spruce up your front yard—and you still can’t technically grow anything new. But yeah, we understand that may not be a realistic approach for many homeowners, even the designer who renovated this home, Natalie Myers, notes, “The modern home is a new build in Beverly Hills with a pond designed by a Beverly Hills landscape architect.” “. entry policy. A fire station in a bowl in front of the door provides a layer of ease of access since most people can’t afford to add a water feature when they enter.’
male. But there are also great, smaller water feature options that are very attainable and will add that zen feel to your front yard. Again, we’re not suggesting complex features made up of plastic rocks with drops of water, think more natural with water gently flowing over stones or a stream running along your path.
“Water features are a great way to add interest and more to the senses in a small front yard. I find that clients appreciate their beauty, but also appreciate the calm that they bring with the sound of water (which can also help drown out the less pleasant sounds of urban life),” explains Kat. The first server.
A simple bowl or basin-shaped fountain can also attract more wildlife to a space. Wall-mounted fountains are an especially good option when floor space is limited. Many options require more than just a dedicated external power outlet to function. Just make sure to Clean them regularly to keep them in good shape.’
6. Use sculptures to create a focal point
(Image credit: Margaret Naif Parker)
Sculptures and decorations as part of your front yard landscaping can add serious curb appeal without having to plant anything new. Now we’re not talking about statues and the like, we mean elegant pieces that match your home’s exterior and your personal style. This can be something modern and cool, or something more subtle and organic like the stone trim used in this front yard design by Margaret Naif Parker Design.
If you’re dealing with a front yard where you can’t plant anything, say if it’s completely covered with bricks for a driveway, adding a focal point more interesting than a car will always elevate the space. Always add potted plants as well if this is the case, and create a display with pots that match the pattern of the sculptures.
“The key to an elevated landscape design and elegant front yard doesn’t always lie in the foliage alone,” says Margaret. I like to create interest by incorporating antique stone furniture and mixing old terracotta pots with a beautiful patina. The result is the feeling that the house has a rich and storied history.”
Adam Sexton agrees that adding a focal point to a front yard can instantly elevate a space, “garden sculptures!” These unique elements provide a focal point and transform the entire yard into an interesting space. Use your fixtures to thoughtfully illuminate sculptures, statuary and sundials to create a conversation starter and improve the mood of any outdoor environment.’