Expert Tips for Planning a Welcoming Small Front Yard
Let the plants and pleasing aesthetics do the greeting at your home, even if your front yard is on the small side
The perfect way to create a grand, inviting entrance to a home is with a beautiful garden setting. Large front yards offer an amazing scope for creating these entries with the added potential bonus of a functional garden zone as well. Unfortunately, though, not all front yards are grand in scale, so let’s investigate the exciting options of what can be done with a small front yard that will maximise your street appeal, improve your property value and, most importantly, create that warm and inviting entry for your guests.
Decide on your design intent
The second is function; is the front yard purely a transitional space for your guests to arrive and leave, is there a space for a functional element, such as a garden seat, do you need privacy and/or security from a busy road? Front yards are often not thought of as a functional space, but if you have a small front yard then you will more than likely have a small rear space, so by designing the front space as a usable garden area you are maximising your use of all outdoor zones.
With small spaces it’s best to keep your final wish list to a minimum to ensure you don’t clutter the space.
The second is function; is the front yard purely a transitional space for your guests to arrive and leave, is there a space for a functional element, such as a garden seat, do you need privacy and/or security from a busy road? Front yards are often not thought of as a functional space, but if you have a small front yard then you will more than likely have a small rear space, so by designing the front space as a usable garden area you are maximising your use of all outdoor zones.
With small spaces it’s best to keep your final wish list to a minimum to ensure you don’t clutter the space.
Go easy
With any design of a small space my advice is very straightforward: keep it simple. Choose one main focal point and stick with it. Don’t over-design and create a space filled with features and clutter.
With any design of a small space my advice is very straightforward: keep it simple. Choose one main focal point and stick with it. Don’t over-design and create a space filled with features and clutter.
Consider security and privacy
Front fence or no front fence? This is purely a personal decision based on security and privacy requirements, along with the fact that a high fence/wall can actually open up the possibility of an area that can be used as a small sitting courtyard or even a guest bedroom courtyard.
With front fences I like to try and set the front gate at least one metre off the footpath to ensure your guests are not standing on public space when pressing the doorbell and waiting for you to let them in, which also opens you up to having some greenery by the gate. It is a nice subtle idea that is a little more personal and adds greenery to the streetscape, but it is not essential.
Front fence or no front fence? This is purely a personal decision based on security and privacy requirements, along with the fact that a high fence/wall can actually open up the possibility of an area that can be used as a small sitting courtyard or even a guest bedroom courtyard.
With front fences I like to try and set the front gate at least one metre off the footpath to ensure your guests are not standing on public space when pressing the doorbell and waiting for you to let them in, which also opens you up to having some greenery by the gate. It is a nice subtle idea that is a little more personal and adds greenery to the streetscape, but it is not essential.
The positioning of the gate to the front door is also reliant on site conditions; there is no rule of thumb to either place the gate directly opposite the door or to offset it. They both work and it is a personal decision. In a small space a direct path will leave more residual garden space whereas an offset path will add interest but consume more space.
BONUS ADVICE: If you do want a fence, check your local laws. In most municipalities any fence over 1.2m in height within 3000mm of the front boundary will require a town planning permit and, if approved, a building permit.
BONUS ADVICE: If you do want a fence, check your local laws. In most municipalities any fence over 1.2m in height within 3000mm of the front boundary will require a town planning permit and, if approved, a building permit.
Run with street presence
Not having a fence is also a great, viable option for a small front yard. This opens you up to have more of a garden feel to the streetscape and will make the front yard feel bigger. You will also be able to show off the architecture of your home a lot better and enhance it with the garden elements.
With no fence it is a nice idea to make a feature of the letterbox. Draw on the architecture of the home and have a go at trying something a little bold and different. It could be the only structural feature you are able to fit in and, if done well, it can be the recognised landmark for the property. With no fence, planting will then need to be the hero, and again your plant selection works best if it reflects the architecture/style of the home.
Not having a fence is also a great, viable option for a small front yard. This opens you up to have more of a garden feel to the streetscape and will make the front yard feel bigger. You will also be able to show off the architecture of your home a lot better and enhance it with the garden elements.
With no fence it is a nice idea to make a feature of the letterbox. Draw on the architecture of the home and have a go at trying something a little bold and different. It could be the only structural feature you are able to fit in and, if done well, it can be the recognised landmark for the property. With no fence, planting will then need to be the hero, and again your plant selection works best if it reflects the architecture/style of the home.
Choose simplicity
The more simplistic the garden design, the larger the space will feel. Maybe choose one small highlight tree, such as a Japanese maple or crepe myrtle, and complement it with some lush underplantings.
Alternatively, you may wish to choose a more structural Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) or Tree Aloe (Aloe barberae) which have a tall trunk with foliage above head height so you keep the eye line clear and open. Just remember to keep the plantings simple, uncluttered and in theme with the home.
The more simplistic the garden design, the larger the space will feel. Maybe choose one small highlight tree, such as a Japanese maple or crepe myrtle, and complement it with some lush underplantings.
Alternatively, you may wish to choose a more structural Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) or Tree Aloe (Aloe barberae) which have a tall trunk with foliage above head height so you keep the eye line clear and open. Just remember to keep the plantings simple, uncluttered and in theme with the home.
Create functionality
You can also create a sense of functionality to an open front courtyard with the introduction of a bench seat which can add a nice, inviting feel to the space and an architectural element to the garden. No matter the size, an open front yard is the face of your property and sets the style and quality of the home throughout so ensure you spend the time getting it right.
You can also create a sense of functionality to an open front courtyard with the introduction of a bench seat which can add a nice, inviting feel to the space and an architectural element to the garden. No matter the size, an open front yard is the face of your property and sets the style and quality of the home throughout so ensure you spend the time getting it right.
Follow the pathway
Ensure the front pathway is easy, safe and well-lit at night. Don’t throw in too many obstacles and paths that require too much concentration to negotiate. If you have levels to negotiate, make the steps comfortable and safe with good lighting for night-time use. Large landings can be a great effect to manage levels.
BONUS ADVICE: Ensure the front porch/landing is also generous within the scale of the space. Many conversations are had here and they will be more comfortable if you have the space.
Ensure the front pathway is easy, safe and well-lit at night. Don’t throw in too many obstacles and paths that require too much concentration to negotiate. If you have levels to negotiate, make the steps comfortable and safe with good lighting for night-time use. Large landings can be a great effect to manage levels.
BONUS ADVICE: Ensure the front porch/landing is also generous within the scale of the space. Many conversations are had here and they will be more comfortable if you have the space.
Focus on features
Water features can be an attractive, calming ambiance at the entry. Ensure it is safe from children visiting or meandering off the street, so follow the building codes here (no deeper than 300mm). You do have the grand option of floating steppers over a water feature to the front door which creates an amazing front space but it can be very expensive and you need to ensure it is safe and easy to navigate.
More: Wonderful Ways to use Water in the Garden
Water features can be an attractive, calming ambiance at the entry. Ensure it is safe from children visiting or meandering off the street, so follow the building codes here (no deeper than 300mm). You do have the grand option of floating steppers over a water feature to the front door which creates an amazing front space but it can be very expensive and you need to ensure it is safe and easy to navigate.
More: Wonderful Ways to use Water in the Garden
Add artwork
Sculpture or garden art is another element you can bring into a small front yard. From a feature urn to a metal sculpture, through to a light box on a wall of a narrow pathway, the possibilities here are endless. And unlike a feature tree the size of the sculpture is set – it won’t outgrow the small space. Not to mention maintenance is kept to a minimum.
Sculpture or garden art is another element you can bring into a small front yard. From a feature urn to a metal sculpture, through to a light box on a wall of a narrow pathway, the possibilities here are endless. And unlike a feature tree the size of the sculpture is set – it won’t outgrow the small space. Not to mention maintenance is kept to a minimum.
Stand back
Front yards are a great opportunity to complement and enhance your home no matter what the size. A warm, inviting front yard is the perfect way to set the scene for your guests when you are entertaining and also improve the streetscape of your neighbourhood.
So stand back on the other side of the road, assess the space and your home’s architecture and use some of these great ideas to create your very own front yard masterpiece.
TELL US
How have you enhanced your front yard to make it more inviting? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
All Fenced in: Find the Right Style for Your Backyard
17 Easy Ways to Maximise Your Home’s Kerb Appeal
12 Easy Ways You Can Have a Front Garden to Be Proud of
Front yards are a great opportunity to complement and enhance your home no matter what the size. A warm, inviting front yard is the perfect way to set the scene for your guests when you are entertaining and also improve the streetscape of your neighbourhood.
So stand back on the other side of the road, assess the space and your home’s architecture and use some of these great ideas to create your very own front yard masterpiece.
TELL US
How have you enhanced your front yard to make it more inviting? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
All Fenced in: Find the Right Style for Your Backyard
17 Easy Ways to Maximise Your Home’s Kerb Appeal
12 Easy Ways You Can Have a Front Garden to Be Proud of
As with all of my design work the first piece of homework to do is a wish list. The two items to cover are form and function. Form, as in assessing the architecture and style of the home and complimenting this with the garden theme, the levels that need to be negotiated, the existing foliage, front fence/no front fence, and the like.