Brilliant Front Garden Ideas to Increase Your Home's Value

An inviting front garden can dramatically boost your home's curb appeal. With some creative ideas and strategic planning, you can transform an ordinary front yard into an extraordinary feature that delights the senses.

Thoughtful front garden design not only creates visual interest, but also increases the value and functionality of your outdoor space. Here are some brilliant ways to make the most of your front garden real estate.

Softening Space with Plant Circles

One artistic approach is to soften the front garden with gentle curves and circles formed by plants. Instead of harsh straight lines, create free-flowing oval planting beds bordered by grasses, perennials, and colorful annuals like petunias or zinnias.

The circular shapes create a welcoming flow and help the space feel more organic. Try repeating circular motifs throughout the garden--circles of gravel accents, stone features, or patterns in pavers.

Framing the Front Door

Strategically place trees, shrubs, or tall perennials to frame or highlight the front door. This creates an entryway that draws the eye and focuses attention on the home's entrance.

Choose anchor plants like compact evergreen trees or shapely ornamental grasses to flank each side of the door. Lower-growing perennials or flowering shrubs can softly edge the path leading up to the door.

Filling Beds with Flowers & Foliage

For vibrant, eye-catching curb appeal, fill the front garden beds with a rich tapestry of colorful flowers and foliage. Use a variety of heights, textures, and colors for visual interest. Airy ornamental grasses contrast beautifully with the fullness of perennials like coneflowers, asters, or Russian sage.

Some popular annuals that give a burst of color include petunias, marigolds, verbena, geraniums, and begonias. Don't forget foliage plants like coleus, ferns, and flowering kale for depth and unique shapes.

Strategic Planting for Privacy

While visibility from the street is important, you may also want to carve out more private spots in the front garden. Strategic placement of trees, tall shrubs, trellises, or fences along the garden perimeter can help block views and create secluded sanctuaries within the space.

Some privacy-friendly plants include arborvitae, boxwood, Japanese maple, rose bushes, jasmine vines, and bamboo. Even a small private seating area tucked beside the house can feel like a sanctuary.

Path from Driveway to Door

Define a clear path from the driveway cutting straight through the garden to your front door. This allows visitors to easily navigate to the entrance. Natural stone, brick, concrete, timber, and gravel make attractive and durable walkway materials.

The path should be wide enough for two people to comfortably walk side-by-side. For privacy, edge the path with low ornamental grasses, herbs, or flowering perennials.

Low-Maintenance Ground Covers

For clean, simple lines and fuss-free care, use ground cover plants in place of turf grass. Ground covers like thyme, phlox, ajuga, sedum, and blue fescue grow low to the ground and spread readily to cover bare soil.

Once established, they form a living mulch that suppresses weeds and needs little maintenance. Some varieties add welcome color and soften harsh edges.

Extending Foundation Beds

Rather than small foundation plantings hugging the house, consider extending beds outward by at least 8 feet. Anchor them with low-growing shrubs, ornamental grasses or perennials chosen to complement the home's exterior.

Continuing one landscape design outward creates unity and a proportional, balanced look. The widened planting space also allows for trees and additional layers in the garden.

Gravel & Stone Accents

For a clean, contemporary look, incorporate gravel or crushed stone in place of some paved surfaces. Gravel is a permeable and affordable alternative to materials like brick or concrete.

Use loose pea gravel or crushed stone to create zen-like walking paths, a patio area, or a unique geometric design. Keep it simple for a minimalist, textural contrast to surrounding greenery.

Vertical Garden

Add a vertical dimension to make the most of small spaces. Mount wall planters or hang baskets on fences to add flowers and foliage without claiming valuable ground space. Use trellises, arbors or obelisks to support climbing vines and roses.

The unique shapes and upward reach of a vertical garden add eye-catching architecture and depth to the front garden composition.

Fountain/Water Feature

The sound of running water instantly creates tranquility. Even a modest tabletop fountain on a front porch or pathway brings pleasing texture and movement. Larger fountains make an elegant focal point surrounded by garden beds.

Water also helps attract birds and wildlife to your garden. The inclusion of a small pondless waterfall or recirculating fountain can elevate the ambiance of your front garden.

Seating Area

Create a dedicated seating space in the front garden to enjoy some fresh air and connect with nature. Position it in a semi-private spot screened by plants, but still visible from the street.

Comfortable and weather-resistant outdoor furniture transforms this into a coveted spot for morning coffee, evening relaxation or casual entertaining.

Strategically placed lighting extends enjoyment of the front garden into the evening hours. Up-lights on trees or LED step lights on a pathway add drama. Opt for energy efficient solar lighting.

Illuminating key garden elements at night showcases the design while offering a warm welcome to visitors. Outdoor lighting heightens curb appeal around the clock.

You can take your front garden to the next level. A standout garden design that suits your personal style can increase curb appeal as well as the value and functionality of your home.