Sarah The builder’s landscaping, which consists of a small area of grass, two trees, and some foundation shrubs, is usually not what the new homeowner has in mind. Your home’s current and future worth might be boosted by investing in streetscaping. Consider implementing one or more of these simple landscaping tips to increase your home’s kerb appeal and give you a sense of pride in your property that will last for years to come.
Verifying the Curb Appeal
Recognizing your biases is the first step in creating a new kerb appeal in your front yard. Upon returning home, you may mistakenly believe that your front yard seems different from the inside than it does from the outside. Consider taking a stroll down the road and then turning around to get a bird’s eye view. To finish, just turn around and do it backwards. You might also drive up to your house slowly and cautiously from all angles.
Does your home seem to blend in with its surroundings? What do you think? Is it appealing? Distinctive? How does it fit in with the overall design of the site? Could it benefit from some added horizontal or vertical lines? Is it a secret among the foliage? Write down all the benefits and drawbacks you can think of.
When visiting other people’s homes, pay attention to how easy it is to get in and out of them. Can you see the entrance to the drive clearly? Is the space in the driveway sufficient for you to get out of the car without stepping on any landscaping? Can you decide the door to enter a room quickly? Is it easy to navigate ramps and stairs?
Take everything you’ve learned from these exercises and apply it to designing a front yard landscape that features trees, bushes, flowers, grass, and ground cover. The edge of the verge is also something to think about (the strip between the sidewalk and the street). Think on the hardscaping features your yard will need, like paths, stairs, a driveway, a stoop, edgings, and fences.
A Landscape Plan for Your Front Yard
The structural elements you add to your yard will be the most costly and long-lasting.
To spread out the cost, you could instal the driveway one year, the steps and paths the next, and the porch or fence the year after that. The materials you use should add to the beauty of your landscape rather than distract from it. Plantings are less complicated to set up and alter, but you still need to place them correctly so that they blend in with the rest of your design as soon as possible.
Vegetation: Grass, Trees, and Shrubs
Long-term investments in trees, bushes, and ground coverings are wise since they increase in size and value with no upkeep. Fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables can be grown in an edible plant garden.
Flowers are a staple of every front yard landscaping plan, but they do require maintenance and regular replanting. However, they can serve as a bridge until your woody plants are fully mature. Shrubs can be replaced with annuals or perennials for the first year or two. Some examples include kochia, four-o’clock, strawflower, impatiens, moonflower, and angel’s-trumpet.
Trees planted for impact
If you’re planning out your front yard, the first thing you should do is think about the trees (and larger bushes). Sometimes a framed vista is more alluring than an unframed one. As a general rule of thumb in landscaping, taller trees should be placed on either side of the home and one or more should be placed behind the house. By obfuscating the second story or roofline against the sky, trees give a sense of permanency to a yard and home. Put those two big trees in the front yard if that’s all you can afford.
More time, effort, and expensive tools are needed to maintain a lawn than any other landscape element. In regions with inadequate rainfall, it is important to think about alternatives to lawns in order to save water and labour. Make islands out of trees and bushes by surrounding them with mulch or ground cover if your front yard is too large for regular mowing and watering. Create a turf area and then plant trees, grass, or a pasture in the remaining space.
Trees and shrubs of a certain size, as well as man-made structures, make up the bulk of the landscape beyond its just defining role. Pick and arrange them to provide seasonal colour interest, form, shade, and temperature control. Keep in mind the eventual form and size of the plants to make sure they fit in the space comfortably.
Color and seasonal variety can be added with flower arrangements.
Flowers are a great way to brighten up your front yard and give it a seasonal boost. If you want to have flowers blooming all year long, it’s a good idea to mix annuals and perennials in your plantings. Some flowers bloom just for a short time each year, while others like daisies, foxgloves, and black-eyed Susans can add colour to your garden every spring and summer.
Use Shrubs to Add Depth and Structure
Planting shrubs in your yard is a great way to give it some permanent structure and texture. They are versatile and can be used as a screen, a hedge, or to outline the home and yard. For the best results, select shrubs that thrive in your area’s climate and soil conditions.
Low-Maintenance Ground Covers That Reduce Erosion
Ivy, vinca, and pachysandra are all examples of ground coverings that can be used to fill up bare patches in your front yard landscaping. In addition to preventing slopes from eroding, they require little upkeep.
Mulch to reduce water use and maintenance
You can cover the ground in your front yard landscape with mulch, such as wood chips or bark. This aids in weed suppression, water retention, and temperature regulation. In addition to enhancing your landscape’s functionality, mulch can also give it a polished appearance.
Making Use of Your Front Yard’s Structures When Planning Your Landscape
Your front yard design shouldn’t only consist of plants, but also of hardscaping features like walkways, stairs, a driveway, a stoop, edgings, and fences. These features should be selected and positioned to complement your landscape’s aesthetic while also serving a practical purpose.
Escalators and Ramps
People will be able to navigate your front yard more easily if you instal walkways and stairs. They can be crafted from many different materials. The materials you use for your steps and pathways should complement both your home’s design and the natural environment.
Driveways
Driveways are practical because they allow you to park your automobile off the street. It can also serve as a focal point in the landscaping of your front yard. Choose a material that works well with the architecture of your house and the natural environment.
Drop-Off Areas and Outdoor Seating
One way to make your home more inviting is to add a stoop or porch to the front. Make your stoop or porch more enticing by adding furniture and extras like planters.
Edges and Boundaries
The use of edgings and fences can give your front yard a more finished appearance and help to define your property lines. In selecting building materials, keep in mind how they will look in relation to the architecture of your home and the landscape.
In general, there are numerous factors to think about while landscaping a front yard. You may make your front yard more attractive and useful by planning the layout of the plants, fences, and other hardscaping, as well as the general design and purpose of the yard. Don’t be hesitant to try out a few different options before settling on the perfect combination of plants, materials, and other design aspects for your front yard.
You should also think about how often you’ll need to tend to your front yard landscaping. To reduce the time and effort needed to maintain your front yard looking its best, select plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil type, and think about utilising ground coverings, mulch, and other low-maintenance options.
Finally, think about how the landscaping in your front yard will affect the kerb appeal and resale price of your home as a whole. A well-planned landscaping in the front yard can boost the value of your property now and in the future, while also giving you a sense of pride and accomplishment you can enjoy for many years to come.
