Landscaping projects that involve both the front yard and backyard will generally follow the same theme or design style for the entire property.  And while both yards may look the same, front yard designs will usually be based on a different set of purposes and needs than designs created for backyards. In most cases, front yards are the main entrance for the home so the landscaping is usually designed with entry and access in mind. Also, the front yard is the first part of the property that visitors and friends will see so it should give them their first impression of the yard and house. Not usually an area where folks spend a lot of time, front yards will usually only serve as the entry, access, and exit of the home. Designing a front yard can often be as simple as placing walkways, sidewalks, and parking areas into the design and then designing the rest of the scheme around them.

Plants and planting ideas for the front yard usually follow the placement, shape, and position of the home on the lot. Just as the other hardscapes and design elements like fences, walkways, and driveways, it’s important that the plants also complement the home.

Two areas that usually need special consideration in your landscape design plans will be the corners of the house and the front door. To avoid obstructing the view, the door is best planted with short plants on either side of it. For the front corners however, the taller plants are a better choice since they can force the viewer’s eye toward the the front door.

Trees will usually find a welcome place in front yard landscaping because they can be used to frame the home. They can help place visual interest on the home making it the most visible feature in the landscape.  Shade trees should have a mature height that will shade the home but not so tall that they will end up dwarfing and overpowering it. And on the other hand, planting shorter trees can make the house look taller than it really is.

And just as the other plants and trees, a nice piece of lawn is an important part of front yard landscape design styles since it can help design the setting for the home. A front yard design with a lawn area surrounded by well designed and planted planting beds can often make a yard area seem larger that it really is.

Above all, creating a beautiful and working front yard always starts with a complete and detailed design plan. Even if you plan to do the project over a long period of time, a complete plan is a necessary assett. Without it, you usually won’t end up where you want to.