Front yard landscape designs will generally be based on an entirely different set of purposes and needs than designs created for backyards. Front yards typically follow the primary need for access and entry to the home. Additionally, front yards are usually the first part of the home that folks see and usually gives them their first impression of the home as well as the yard. Front yards are where both the residents and guests enter and leave homes though most often spend very little time there. In many instances, front yard landscaping can get a big part of its design by simply designing the necessary walkways, driveways, and other access areas and then designing the rest of the landscape around them.

The way you plant in the front yard most often depends on placement, shape, and other aspects of your home. It is important that all the plants as well as other elements like fences, side walks, and  driveways complement the home. Trees, shrubs, and some plant groups can often create unity between the house and the landscaping by making the home seem a natural addition to the landscape.

There are two major areas around the house that need special attention when you’re developing your home landscaping plans: the corners of the home and the doorway. Basically, the door is the focal point of the house and it often good practice to place short plantings on either side of it. For the corners however, the taller plants are excellent since they can funnel the viewer’s eye toward the doorway plants and the front door.

Trees can also serve to frame the view of the home which is another good reason to use them in front yard landscaping ideas. They can be used to place the main focus on the home as the most dominant element in the landscape. As a basic rule, it’s good practice to plant trees with a mature size that is in proportion with the scale of the home. Shade trees should have a mature height that will help keep the home cool but not so tall that they will end up dwarfing and overpowering the house. More so, planting shorter trees can make the house look taller than it actually is and possibly create the wrong atmosphere as well.

Consider the different tree shapes and then select the ones with a shape that will accent the style of the home. Pyramid shaped trees like Spruce and Birch will most always work best with steep angle roof homes and dormer windows. For ranch style homes, the horizontal or round maples and dogwoods are great choices.

Along with the plants and trees, lawn areas are also important in a lot of landscaping styles since they can create an excellent setting for the house. A front yard design with a lawn area surrounded by planting beds, shrubs, and other plants can often make an area seem larger that it really is. Take note that shrubs can appear floating and lost unless planted in cultivated beds or groups.

The first step in creating beautiful front yard landscaping is to have a complete and finished design. Even if you do the project in steps over a long period of time, a finished step by step design plan is important to make sure the project ends up where it’s suppose to. Without directions, you’ll most likely end up with a patch work landscape. Take the time to think about all we’ve learned in this tutorial and draw your plan first.

For the most part, landscaping the front yard can be about designing an inviting entryway while also framing and accenting the view of the home. And coming up with a great design can really be as simple as designating the necessary walkways and entries and then designing around them.