Expert Landscaping Tips to Boost Front Yard Curb Appeal

If your landscaping was a book, your front yard would be the cover! It's your guests' first impression of your home and the view that welcomes you home at the end of a long day. Getting your front yard landscaping right is key to making your home feel inviting, functional, and uniquely "you."

If you're not a landscaping expert, that's okay—because we are. Here at Bower & Branch, we've tackled hundreds of landscape designs and renovations. Whether you're looking for a cozy front porch to entertain neighbors or a bright garden, we've got the answers to your common front yard landscaping questions. Plus, we’ve included some of our favorite landscaping ideas to help you get started!

How Do I Create a Design Plan for My Front Yard?

Prioritize Your Goals

Before diving into a front yard makeover, start by defining exactly how you want to use the space. Are you imagining a welcoming porch for gatherings, or is privacy more important for your urban retreat? Do you dream of pristine gardens, or do you need a lawn where kids can play? These choices will shape the entire design.

Also, think realistically about maintenance. If you’d rather relax on weekends than pull weeds, opt for low-maintenance landscaping. You don’t want to end up with a yard that requires more upkeep than you’re willing to provide.

A Bower & Branch plan in California 

Think About Functionality

The right trees, plants and flowers are important, but so are the practical aspects of your yard. What’s the most logical route from your driveway to the front door? While a winding path might look charming, you’ll likely want a more direct route. Also, think about whether you need a fence for privacy or security.

Consider the size of your yard as well. Compact spaces call for compact plants and features, while larger yards need more elements to avoid looking sparse.

Repeating plant palette for a front yard design

Complement Your Home’s Exterior

Your landscaping design should work in harmony with the style of your home. A modern landscape might clash with a traditional cottage. For a cohesive look, pull inspiration from your home’s color palette, materials, and architectural style. For example, natural wood shingles might pair beautifully with a wooden picket fence, while a house with blue trim could be enhanced with blue blooms.

Cape Cod style design plan  

Understand Your Materials

When you have the big picture down, it's time to start thinking about the smaller details. What trees and plants do you want to use? What material do you want to use for your deck? This is where doing research is essential!

The best landscaping should keep looking beautiful year after year, but for that to happen, you have to understand the materials you're working with and how they'll work in your space. For instance, you might love the look of ornate metal fencing, but if you live by the ocean, that gorgeous fence will likely corrode in the sea air after a couple of years. Before you plant a succulent garden, there's a whole host of questions you need to answer. Do you have the right desert soil? Do you get enough hours of sun each day? They might thrive in the summer, but can they survive your winters?

It can be intimidating to have to study every single item going into your outdoor space, but there are tricks you can use to make things easier. When it comes to flora, choosing native plants will help you find plants that are ideal for your region. For everything else, consult an expert! Ask at your local hardware store what materials perform best in your climate, or hire an expert landscape designer to help you navigate all the tiny details.

A modern front yard for a California bungalow

What’s the Cheapest Way to Landscape a Front Yard?

Yard updates can be expensive, and not everyone is working with the big budgets you see on HGTV. You can make beautiful upgrades to your front yard even if you're working on a shoestring budget!

There are many ways to make the renovation process more affordable:

• Install in Phases: Tackle the project step-by-step. Focus on one area, such as your patio, and save garden beds or window boxes for later. 
• Prioritize Investments: Splurge on what matters most, whether it’s durable stonework or a long-lasting porch, and save elsewhere by choosing DIY or affordable materials.
• Get Creative with Sourcing: Local stone can be much cheaper than imported options, and sometimes you can find free materials like wood or gravel. And, the more you DIY, the more money you save!

Landscape Design Principles to Follow

You can't become a master landscape designer overnight, but you can study the cliffs notes of our design fundamentals to become a stronger designer in your own right! There are several important principles we always have to consider when mapping out any landscaping plan:

• Unity: All parts of your design should work together aesthetically and functionally.
• Line & Form: Use pathways, fences, and plant shapes to guide the eye and create harmony.
• Color & Texture: A cohesive color palette and contrasting textures can add depth and interest.
• Scale: Keep plants and features proportionate to your home to avoid overwhelming or underwhelming the space.
• Balance: Achieve symmetry or a balanced distribution of elements for a polished look.
• Emphasis: Highlight focal points, such as a water feature or a vibrant plant, and let surrounding elements support it.

A simple and colorful front entry design 

Our Favorite Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Once you have the design basics down, it’s time to get creative! Here are some of our top front yard landscaping ideas:

Make Sustainable Swaps

We infuse sustainable techniques throughout all our designs. The good news is sustainability doesn't have to be intimidating. A little bit goes a long way, and you can start with easy swaps to create a more eco-friendly front yard. Opt for native plants or drought-tolerant plants in dry or drought-prone areas. This will reduce water use and benefit local wildlife. When it comes to your lawn, conventional turf grass may have the look you want, but it provides very little ecological value. Consider reducing your lawn grass in favor of more landscaping features and swap your turf grass with more sustainable alternatives. Your improved space will be better for your local ecosystem, and as an added benefit you'll have to spend much less time with your lawnmower.

A front yard landscape design in Virginia

Upgrade Your Walkway

A fresh walkway can instantly elevate your curb appeal. Whether you go for rustic stepping stones, sleek brickwork, or elegant pavers, make sure it complements your home's style.

Add Planters

Potted plants are a great way to add color and interest without the commitment of planting in the ground. Seasonal updates with flowers or evergreens keep your entry looking fresh year-round.

A sustainable front yard design in California

Update Your Lighting

Don’t forget your yard after dark! Add path lighting, uplighting for plants or trees, and string lights to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Add a New Garden Bed 

Keeping your plants contained in a garden bed makes upkeep easier and preserves green space while cutting down on your lawn! Garden beds are versatile, and you can choose the right plants for you. Make a flower bed filled with your favorite perennial flowers or create a lush vegetable bed so your garden makes a fantastic salad for dinner.

A sustainable plan with lots of grasses and native plants in California

Create a Seating Area

Incorporate a small seating area, like a bench or swing, to give your front yard a functional yet inviting element. This can also act as a gathering space or a quiet retreat for reading or relaxing outdoors.

Frame Your Driveway

If you have a driveway, enhance the look of it by framing it with attractive plants or small shrubs. This creates a more polished and cohesive look, guiding visitors' eyes towards your home and boosting curb appeal.

Install Edging for a Clean Look

Well-defined edging between your lawn, flower beds, or walkways adds a clean, professional touch. Choose materials like brick, stone, or metal to suit your home’s style while helping to contain plants and keep mulch or gravel in place. Or use a shovel cut edge if you want to skip the material all together! 

A front entry in Illinois

Your front yard is more than just a lawn—it’s an extension of your home. Whether you want a tranquil retreat, a space to entertain, or an eco-friendly garden, following these design principles will help you create a front yard that is both functional and beautiful.