17 small front yard landscaping ideas
By Jordana Weiss•Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Table of Contents
- 1. Add outdoor seating.
- 2. Utilize your side yard.
- 3. Don’t add a white picket fence.
- 4. If you do build a fence, consider a dark color.
- 5. Go vertical.
- 6. Create a focal point.
- 7. Choose colorful flowering over turf.
- 8. Incorporate drought-friendly landscape features.
- 9. Go minimal and maintenance-free.
- 10. Install a short pathway to your front door.
- 11. Add a small water feature.
- 12. Edge your front lawn.
- 13. Refresh your landscape lighting.
- 14. Create depth with levels.
- 15. Add plants of different textures and heights.
- 16. Create a grass bed surrounded by rocks.
- 17. Stay on top of basic maintenance.
- Find landscapers and gardeners on Thumbtack
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You might think that having a small front yard means you can’t create an outdoor seating area, add a water feature or plant a garden. But that’s not the case.
There are many creative landscape design tactics you can try to maximize your front yard and improve your home's curb appeal.
Not sure where to start? Let us help. Here are some of our best small front yard landscaping ideas that may work for your space.
1. Add outdoor seating.
You don’t need a front porch to create a seating area in your small front yard. Place bright Adirondack chairs or a delicate bistro set on your lawn.
If you have just enough space, you could chat with a landscaper about creating a small paver or gravel patio.
2. Utilize your side yard.
If you don’t have room to create a small seating area in your front yard, use your side yard instead. Lay down some turf, and place a few chairs, a table, and planters to take advantage of that extra space.
You don't necessarily have to create a seating area on the side of your house, though. Instead of chairs, focus on planting and gardening in this area to make your front yard seem bigger. Plant shrubs in various shades of green, vibrant flower beds, and even a few trees.
3. Don’t add a white picket fence.
Sure, a white picket fence is often considered a suburban stereotype. And it does add a classic touch that also makes your home stand out from your neighbors.
But if your goal is to make your front yard seem bigger, you may want to skip this feature. A fenced-in front yard can make your yard appear smaller.
4. If you do build a fence, consider a dark color.
Do you have your heart set on a fence? If so, you may want to consider darker color options instead of classic white.
A darker fence can help your landscape features and plants stand out more. This draws the eye away from the boundary of your front yard, making it appear bigger than it actually is.
5. Go vertical.
A mistake that too many homeowners make is not taking advantage of vertical space in their front yards. While shrubs and trees are interesting, you can have much more room if you use vertical space.
Start by exploring trellises, hanging baskets, window boxes, and other growing mediums to get your greenery going vertical.
6. Create a focal point.
If you don’t already have a focal point in your front yard, make one. A focal point can be anything from a bird feeder or statement piece of art to a small tree or plant. By placing this object and shaping your landscaping around it, you can create a more visually appealing front yard.
7. Choose colorful flowering over turf.
If you have a small front yard, you may want to forgo grass and artificial turf altogether. Instead, add color to your front yard and stick to planting flowers, shrubs, and ground cover. Stick with native plants that can easily adapt and thrive in your region.
8. Incorporate drought-friendly landscape features.
Save money on water and keep your yard beautiful during warm days by using drought-tolerant landscaping features. Examples include gravel, rocks, succulents, and other plants that don't require a lot of water or maintenance.
9. Go minimal and maintenance-free.
If you have a tiny front yard, you may not have enough space — or the desire — to spend a lot of time out there. So, why spend the time, energy, and money on maintaining a green, weedless lawn?
Trade in your lush grass for a minimal, nearly maintenance-free landscape design. Pull out your turf, and add rocks or gravel. Talk to your landscaper or gardener about adding a few native, low-maintenance plants as well.
10. Install a short pathway to your front door.
Photo credit: JP's Landscaping and Construction
Consider adding a short walkway in your front yard that leads to your front entrance. You can choose either paver stones or gravel.
Your pathway might be shorter than most, which means it may require less labor and materials. See if you can splurge on a high-quality flagstone, such as bluestone or slate. Chat with a landscaping professional to discuss your options.
Also, they may not always seem noticeable, but weeds in your pathway can disrupt this front yard focal point. Make sure you’re staying on top of maintaining this area.
11. Add a small water feature.
Adding a water feature is a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere with minimal effort. A koi pond, rock garden, or even a simple tabletop waterfall adds serenity to your outdoor space. The soothing white noise and added visual interest immediately make your small yard a more welcoming place.
Having trouble finding space for a water feature in your small front yard? Consider a sphere or jar fountain that won’t take up too much room.
12. Edge your front lawn.
Edging around your lawn, walkway, or garden beds can take your front yard to the next level. This is a great way to visually differentiate your grass from the rest of your landscape.
13. Refresh your landscape lighting.
Have you had the same landscape lighting — or none to speak of — since you moved in? If so, now is an excellent time for a change.
Swap out existing fixtures for more modern alternatives. Adding twinkly string lights or even installing lighting to showcase your plants can make a small yard appear bigger.
14. Create depth with levels.
Adding levels to your small front yard can help it look a bit bigger. Talk to a professional about implementing terraced landscaping techniques. Add steps, small retaining walls, raised garden beds, hanging baskets, tall hedges, and other features that will draw the eye.
15. Add plants of different textures and heights.
Planting bushes, trees, flowers, and shrubs of various textures and heights can add depth to your small front yard, as well. Consider adding different types of ornamental grass, tall flowers, evergreen shrubs, and more.
Consult a local gardener if you need help finding native plants, perennials, or annuals that can work well in your yard.
16. Create a grass bed surrounded by rocks.
Instead of creating a colorful flower bed, try incorporating a grass bed in your small front yard. Plant a few different types of ornamental grass like blue fescue, purple fountain grass, maiden grass, and more. Surround your grass bed with rocks or gravel for minimal upkeep.
17. Stay on top of basic maintenance.
Keep your front yard clean and clutter-free. Overhanging branches, piles of leaves, and tall grass blades can diminish your front yard’s appearance and make it look even smaller.
Stay on top of these landscape maintenance tasks:
- Lawn mowing and trimming
- Trimming back tree branches and bushes
- Raking leaves (or using them for mulch)
- Pressure washing pavers and porches
If you need help creating a lawn care schedule, hire a professional gardener or lawn care service for the job.
Find landscapers and gardeners on Thumbtack
Tackling projects in your front yard is a fun weekend activity for some, but sometimes we’re just too busy or more inclined to do other chores. In that case, download the Thumbtack app and check out some of the top landscapers in your area. They can help you create a welcoming, relaxing space in your small front yard for everyone to enjoy.
A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
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