Making an Entrance – front garden design

We all know first impressions are so important and the same is true with our homes. A beautiful, inviting and well maintained front garden sets the scene for how the rest of the house is likely to look and this can add value to your property. With this in mind, it is surprising how often front gardens are overlooked. They can be reduced to a dismal mass of block paving filled with cars and bins.

5 tips for how to make your front garden look good

1.      Create an enticing entrance to your home

David Robinson Design
David Robinson Design

A bespoke crafted oak or solid wrought iron front gate can make a real statement entrance to your property. Paint your front door a contemporary grey or stylish sage green. Choose colours and materials in a style that complement your house, whether it is a rustic cottage or a minimalist contemporary dwelling.

2.      Make the approach to your house clear

North_Berwick_Front_Garden
An East Lothian front garden design

Is it obvious which door visitors are directed to? Does your postman know where to deliver your mail? Do your visitors know where to park their car? You can use the width of the garden path, style of paving and planting to indicate where to go.

 

3.      Include some Winter interestFront_garden_North_Berwick

Where you may use your back garden more in Summer, your front garden is generally seen and used every day of the year. It is good to include structure and planting that will look good throughout the seasons.

4.      Hide your bins, bikes and car

Karina_Emilie_Revsbæk_Lauesen
Karina Emilie Revsbæk Lauesen, @the.gardenroom

Often your front garden needs to be functional as well as beautiful, but you can use hedging, planting or fencing to screen the ever-increasing number of recycling bins or off-road car parking spaces.

5.      Think about the proportion of impermeable surfaces in your front gardenFront garden in Edinburgh

As a result of surface water contributing to recent flooding, you may need to apply for planning permission to use non-permeable surfaces in your front garden. A far better solution is to use porous materials such as gravel, planting and permeable paving. These surfaces allow rain water to drain.

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