How to Design a Memorable Front Yard Landscape

A well-crafted front yard gives you something to look forward to coming home at the end of each day. Often a key part of our homes, having a beautiful front yard is a dream for many homeowners. Learn how to design a front yard landscape that meets your aesthetic and practical needs with our guide to creating an impressive garden. Starting with five key design considerations, let’s explore how to landscape your front of yard and look at compelling landscaping ideas that high-end landscape designers can help you achieve.

Five design considerations for front yard landscaping

Purpose: deciding functionality

Perhaps the first thing to consider for your front yard is what you envision for the space. Chances are you're not content with the space as it is currently being used. Whether it's not living up to its full potential as an entertainment area or a thriving edible garden, decide early on what you want to use it for and don't forget to include the rest of the family, too.

Lighting: use the sun

Lighting is just as important when designing outdoor living spaces as it is for indoor ones. The same principles of evaluating natural lighting and working with these conditions apply to front yards. Flowers, vegetables, and fruit have different lighting needs—planting these in the most appropriate spot is an easy way of helping them thrive before they even hit the soil.

Map out your front yard based on the sun it currently gets and decide whether you need extra shade. Hedges, trees, and even hardscaping features can create shading for ground cover plants or a place to relax.

Privacy: choosing the right barrier

One of the more practical design considerations when planning a front yard is privacy and how to achieve it. Front yards are relatively exposed compared to the rest of a home, which makes privacy a bigger priority, often achieved by fencing or other hardscaping barriers. Choosing a material, design, and style that aligns with the existing architecture is key. Front yards can also be exposed to traffic noise depending on your proximity to busy roads, creating additional privacy needs to block unwanted sounds.

You can also opt for a more organic option by installing barriers such as hedges or vertical garden planter walls. Establishing privacy doesn’t need to compromise your front yard’s natural beauty.

Maintenance: plant what is manageable

Every homeowner dreams of a picture-perfect front yard. However, designing a front yard landscape based on aesthetics alone can result in an impractical garden that requires excess time and money to maintain. When designing a front yard, choosing resilient hardscape features and plants that won’t require constant attention is a good strategy.

Striking a balance is important to avoid having a high-maintenance garden if you don’t have much time. Professional landscaping maintenance can be helpful when you need extra support.

Biodiversity: the benefits of native gardens

A traditional front yard often features a lawn as its main focal point. Although they can boost curb appeal and provide a play area, they can also be high-maintenance and aren’t the most environmentally friendly option. When designing a great front yard in New Zealand, embracing native plantings can have positive ecological impacts and make your garden more resilient to extreme weather.

A front yard that supports local biodiversity, backed by native plantings, is possible in urban environments, too. With the right plants and healthy soil, your front yard can attract native fauna and bring natural beauty to a cityscape.

Iconic front yard styles for inspiration

Cottage style front yards

Cottage-style front yards are characterised by an organic look that embraces nature. With abundant flowers, cottage-style gardens are a colourful option that plays loose with the rules while still being subtly organised. Cottage gardens aim to make the most of a space and are a great option for homeowners with limited space in their front yards. A few well-placed props, such as a garden arch, can also boost your front yard's character, making it an inviting space for guests and family.

Modern style front yards

Modern-style front yards are designed to impress at a glance. Simplicity anchors this garden style using clean lines that make these spaces easy to navigate. Hardscaping that uses a mixture of stone, wood, and other materials intersects with native gardening to create a cohesive, minimalist landscape. Thoughtful planting accents each area, helping add visual intrigue to the environment without creating clutter.

Experience Second Nature’s bespoke front yard landscaping

If you’ve been reimagining your front yard in your head but need extra help making it a reality, consider reaching out to a professional landscaping company. Second Nature is experienced in producing bespoke gardens from design to construction using expert knowledge of New Zealand's natural environment. Reach out today to discuss your front yard landscape project and how we can help.