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Gardeners in hilly areas may face challenges when they try to landscape their front lawns and other areas that are not level. Young and small plants can literally wash away during heavy rains or irrigation, causing erosion. The goal of landscaping hilly front lawns should be to stabilize the soil, as well as to plant trees and other plants that help to bind the soil with their roots.
It's not always possible to maintain a beautiful lawn. Grass not only requires regular watering but plenty of sunlight. Tall leafy trees can make a lawn difficult to keep lush and green. Thinning the branches or removing some of the trees completely may remedy a sparse yard. However, there are alternatives to grass when planting in the shade. Several varieties of foliage don't require constant sunshine, yet are as lush and attractive as a traditional lawn.
Some property owners are content with a lush carpet of lawn covering every square inch of the lot. While not visually interesting or biologically diverse, it's a viable landscaping option. At the property line, where a corner section of lawn forms, various utility boxes, poles or unpleasant views to adjacent properties may arise. Adding visual interest to a corner lot of the lawn can block ugly views as well as frame pleasant ones, such as to a nearby lake or distant mountain range.
Erecting a fence provides an instant enclosure or boundary marker on a property, unlike planting a hedge and waiting for it to grow in. Depending on budget, fence style or material, the fence may look stark and visually hard standing alone in the yard. Designing a small planting strip in front of the fence softens the vertical lines of the fence, and may help tie in the house or yard -- from a landscape design standpoint -- to the fence.
Electric transformer boxes, while unattractive, typically replace overhead wires, which are equally unattractive. This is probably of little solace to the homeowner with a box on his front lawn. Many creative methods exist to hide the electric box but some may be against power company regulations. Some companies do not allow the construction of a permanent structure over or around the electric box; others allow this but only if enough room exists for workers to gain access and move around within. To be safe, use either latticework-type structures that allow air to circulate or landscape ornamentals to hide the box.
Creating and cultivating an attractively landscaped lawn often requires a significant investment of both time and money. In order to cut costs, you should avoid doing unnecessary work on your lawn and evaluate the needs of each project accordingly. Lawn reseeding is done when a lawn is becoming bare or not growing well. If your lawn is healthy, there is no real reason to reseed it just because you are adding landscaping.
Lawns and gardeners often have a love-hate relationship. While lawns provide an open space and create uniformity throughout a neighborhood, they may seem like a waste of valuable growing space on a small residential lot. More and more, people are converting their front yards, in whole or in part, to vegetable gardens. When converting a lawn into a garden, care must be taken to ensure that the changes will continue to be compatible with the neighborhood aesthetic.
Landscaping a sloped north-facing yard presents several challenges. A north-facing yard typically gets more shade than a yard that faces south. Soil warms up later in the spring and typically stays cooler through the summer, so you must choose hardy plants that tolerate cool temperatures and shade. In addition, you have to consider how to handle the slope. The best way to do this is to build one or more retaining walls, which will help you create planting beds and hold the soil in place.
Large homes featuring bay windows can be found in urban settings or atop country hillsides. Regardless of the home's location, a bay window offers a broad sweep of the world beyond it. Choosing how to landscape to enhance or block views doesn't have to be daunting. Experiment with design options ranging from minimalist to ultra formal.
A muddy lawn is often a result of clay in the soil. Clay prevents water from draining, creating pools of standing water. If it takes more than four hours for your soil to drain after a 15-minute rainfall, then you probably have a significant amount of clay in your soil and it should be amended. The other common cause for poor drainage is a severe compacting of the soil. This is usually found in areas where heavy machinery has recently been present. New construction often falls victim to this type of drainage problem.
Using the right kinds of natural and artificial accents can turn a small front lawn from plain to attractive without appearing uncluttered. Even if it is small, you can decorate your front lawn so it looks attractive from the street and welcomes guests to the main door. Although decorating small spaces presents issues of overcrowding, a few tips and tricks can help you perk up the front lawn and make it appear airy and expansive.
Block walls are a common feature on many homes. Whether they're part of the house structure, a retaining wall or a privacy element, how you landscape in front of them depends on whether you want to hide them or make them a landscape feature. There are several ways to do both.
Turn an unattractive block fence into a striking focal point on your landscape with flowering plants and evergreen foliage. Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine which planting zone you live in and choose plants that work best for your location.
Owning or renting a country cottage with land or garden potential around it offers many options for how to landscape. When the cottage has a porch, you can plant with pots and vines on the porch itself, or create planting beds to pass through upon entry. Choose plants that grow in your hardiness zone, and look to English cottage-style gardens for ideas.
A front doorway acts as the centerpiece of the home. It also plays a part in your home's curb appeal. Whether the space is large or small, keeping it clean and having it nicely decorated will make guests feel welcome. Combine your personal taste with the design style of your home to create a front doorway that is warm and inviting.
A modern lawn is usually an expanse of perfectly uninterrupted, neatly mowed green grasses, but lawns were originally meadows mowed by grazing sheep. These open areas around a homestead or castle allowed the occupants to see approaching visitors. As grazing sheep in the front yard became less popular in the 16th century, landowners planted lawns of low growing flowers. Flowers in the front lawn can still be an elegant, cheerful home accent.
When I'm walking up to a house, especially for the first time, a pathway lined by tall, dark shrubs doesn't feel particularly welcoming. In contrast, a walkway bordered by low-growing, compact shrubs creates an inviting atmosphere that draws me to the front door. When choosing shrubs for your front walkway, select species less than 4 feet tall that don't require much pruning to stay neat. Before planting, determine your site's sun exposure, soil type and U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone rating.
The front porch of your home can be more than just a landing pad for people entering and leaving, if you decorate it invitingly. If you have enough space to create a sitting area, furnish your front porch with attractive and comfortable pieces that make friends and family want to sit down and get comfortable. Treat your front porch as a delightful extension of your home where people can relax and spend some quality time.
Adding well placed, decorative shrubs can add curb appeal, dimension and a welcoming feel to the front of a home. Define the front porch by planting shrubbery alongside the porch's rails and steps, or add container shrubs directly onto the porch. Flowering shrubs can help add even more dimension, as the colors of the flowers will contrast with the foliage of the shrub, and complement the colors of the home.
Grass is one of the most common features of a yard and complements the landscape with the green, lush appearance. Adding flat stone to the landscape offers the yard a contrast in color and material for enhanced curb appeal, but also creates retaining walls, stepping stones or borders around walkways and planters. The two materials offer a natural look to any landscape or home style. If you want a low-maintenance yard, one option to consider is adding fountain or ornamental varieties for a casual look.
When you have a lawn surrounded by woods, it can be difficult to find landscaping options that do not take away from the natural beauty of the setting. As you plan a lawn design, look for options that do not compete with the trees; instead, choose landscaping elements that work with the natural environment and enhance the border between the lawn and the woods.
Surrounded by nature, cabins offer a year-round peaceful respite. Whether a cabin is your full-time residence or vacation home, a well-landscaped entrance makes an impressive and welcoming first impression. Built to blend in with their environments, cabins typically feature logs and warm, earthy colors. Landscaping the front entrance should accentuate the rustic qualities of the setting while offering a glimpse of the cozy interior.
Front porches can enhance curb appeal and extend your living space outdoors. Front yard landscaping should frame the front porch as a focal point while bringing balance to the rest of the yard. Consider adding fragrant plants to make guests feel welcome as they proceed down the front walkway, as well as a selection of plants that will enhance the view from the porch year-round.
The front of your home gives guests and first-time visitors their initial impression of your house. In particular, your exterior entryway can have a significant impact because it is the first area of your home that guests enter. Creating an attractive, welcoming look for the area can instantly make visitors feel more comfortable and provide you with an exterior that you are proud to show off. Many front porch and entryway options can achieve this vibe, but your home's architectural style should play a role in determining which is the best fit.
When choosing shrubs to line a walkway, you need to consider their mature height and spread. Select shrubs less than 6 feet tall so as not to create a closed-in space. Slow-growing species require less maintenance and are less likely to spread widely and overtake a walkway. For an open effect, plant deciduous shrubs; for a more formal, structured effect, chose evergreens, as they keep their foliage all year and tend to grow more densely.
Walkways can be made out of a variety of materials ranging from casual gravel or brick to more expensive flagstone. Deciding whether you want a simple pathway or something more elaborate will help determine the type of landscaping. You'll want to dress up the landscape with plants and lights to complete the look.
A combination of hardy shrubs and a rock bed is a great way to landscape around a straight walkway. Using hues that contrast with the colors from the material used to construct the walkway is a great way to add color and create a visual effect that remains appealing to the eye for a long time. Landscaping does not have to be complicated just for the sake of diversity. Sometimes, simple is best.
Most likely, your home garage was built to provide shelter for your vehicle and/or boat and lawnmower. But today's home garage doesn't just have to be a catchall for stuff you have nowhere else to put. With some creative project plan ideas, your home garage can be much more.
Landscaping your yard usually depends on creating and maintaining a healthy lawn. The lawn serves as the background for outdoor recreation, plants, seating and outdoor dining. Growing the lawn and keeping it up to snuff requires knowing the answers to several important questions about lawn care.
A front lawn garden offers several excellent opportunities for the creative landscaping designer. A homeowner who has just a touch of talent for gardening and landscaping can totally transform the look of a house by introducing just one or two small ideas that take advantage of elements like color, shape and fragrance. Many of the most transformative ideas also benefit from being inexpensive and easy to turn into DIY projects.
Give your home curb appeal by adding or revamping your walkways. Walkways add interest, color, design and convenience to your front yard. Don't forget to decorate your front step as well. This makes your home seems warm and welcoming. When designing a walkway and front step, make sure the two complement each other.
Decorating a front walkway provides an inviting and warm welcome for guests. From basic to personalized, ideas exist that can help you transform a boring and bland walkway into the object of envy amongst your neighbors and guests. Take some time to think about the ways you can improve the appeal of your entire home by paying attention to the walkway.
Most varieties of Xylosma trees grow very slowly into small to medium-sized trees. The trees work well as hedges or screens when pruned and trained regularly. Xylosma trees thrive in warm climates.
Taking proper care of your lawn involves a number of factors. Some tasks need to be performed on an ongoing basis, while others are only done once or twice a year.
The front entry needs curb appeal and common sense and you can achieve both with careful attention to its layout and the container plants you include in its design. Make sure the walk and doorway are wide enough for comfortable access and greetings. Harmonize your entry planters and foliage with your home, whether it's ultra-contemporary, Spanish colonial or Victorian gingerbread. Open up a dark porch to create some light. Use planters to define the way in and to control the greenery so it doesn't overwhelm the walk or doorstep.
Metal fences may play a useful role in protecting and enclosing your property, but they aren't always known for being attractive. Even high-end metal fences can benefit from the addition of plants, rocks and other decorative features around the base. Adding landscaping to the front of a metal fence provides a great deal of curb appeal to your home or business and may be the first thing people notice when visiting.
Front pillars form the focal point of a home's front entrance. Whether they frame a grand porch or support a small ledge to shield you from rain, pillars lend a classic, formal look to homes. Less is more when landscaping around pillars, railings and other architectural features of a home's exterior. Use plants that complement, but don't hide, your home's best features.
The front entryway is arguably one of the most important pieces of landscaping around a house. In many cases, it is the first thing a visitor sees, and it can essentially define the character of the home. Depending on the desire of the homeowner, a front entryway can be exotic, decorative or simply welcoming.
Short, sloping lawns limit your options for a pathway leading from the street or sidewalk to your door. You have three basic options for working with this layout: Cut into the slope, raise the walkway above the slope or work with the slope. One or a combination of these methods will fit any home and landscape design. Some methods are easier to achieve than others, depending on your construction and landscaping skills.
A front yard and walkway influences someone's first impression of your home. The walkway from the street to the front door should provide an inviting, safe and welcoming path to your front door. Creating this ideal scene is an important part of the design of your front yard landscape and easily can be changed if updates are needed.
First impressions are lasting, and you only get one chance to make a good one. If your front entryway is lacking in curb appeal, consider the factors involved in creating an inviting and welcoming entry. A home with a flat, open doorway has different landscaping and decorating needs than a home with a narrow entryway with steps leading up to it.
Create an engaging exterior space to frame your school with a few key landscaping tips. Just as you display your students' accomplishments in the corridors inside the building, exhibit your school spirit on the outside for the community to see. Elements of your school landscape complement the architectural structure and make the favorable first impression on visitors to the building. Plan your design with school safety your first priority. Choose shrubs and perennials suited to your local climate.
For homeowners, a lawn is an integral piece of their landscaping, offering a smooth green expanse to enhance the house and provide a play area for young and old alike. A trick to raise any lawn from a patch of grass to a garden feature is to define its edges. Much like the right frame completes a picture, the right edging sets borders, keeps grass out of flower beds and adds contrast to your lawn.
When you approach a home, the front entry is the first area you see. This makes it the most important part of your landscape. It also will be frequented year round, so it must look good all the time. Apply the same design principles you would inside the house. Make sure the door, plants and hard elements blend well. Make choices that set your front entry apart but still let it fit into the surroundings.
Gardens and hanging pots of flowers undoubtedly add character and splendor to a homeowner's lawn. But let's take it to the next level. Landscape your front and backyard with lawn art decor of handmade sculptures, intricate designs and trash-to-treasure crafts.
Landscaping can make or break a home's curb appeal. Attractive, well-maintained landscaping is a quick and easy way to boost property value, according to the National Association of Realtors. Ideally, landscaping should enhance instead of overwhelm a house, as well as blend with the home's style. Use clipped hedges and symmetrical plantings for a formal home, such as a Colonial. Use ornamental grasses and succulents in natural groupings to complement a modern home.
Porches and lawns are an extension of the home that express personality, serve a purpose, develop a perception and offer a relaxing place to unwind. Landscaping ideas for porches and homes are based on personal choices depending on needs, desires and individual preference. Some people want low-maintenance landscaping. Others need more space to entertain. Porch and lawn landscaping ideas are limitless. They can be used alone or combined to create the perfect environment for anyone.
The EPA estimates that 30 to 60 percent of urban fresh water use goes to watering lawns. Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping that can allow you to have an attractive lawn and garden without wasting a lot of water. Careful consideration of the type and placement of grasses and plants in your yard can greatly reduce the amount of water needed to maintain them and also reduce the amount of work you need to do to maintain your yard.
Front lawns can be challenging to design because they are full of micro climates. Plan your landscape by sketching the yard and marking the full sun areas and partial shade and full shade areas. Also show the cardinal directions. Choose a theme like shade garden, tropical or country. Use your diagram to make a plant list.
Your walkway at home is the first impression your visitor will get as they head toward your front door. That impression counts. But safety matters, too, for you and your guests. So consider the material your use in your walkway and its design as much as you contemplate how to tie it in decoratively with your home. Use materials that resist fire, match home decor, and enable handicapped individuals to safely travel your front walkway.
Front walkways can maximize your home's curb appeal and add warmth to the entrance of your home, according to the experts at "Front Porch Ideas and More." There are several ways to plan your walkway, whether you're creating it from scratch or simply adding landscaping or design to your current pathway, and there are many types of decorating materials that can enhance long and short front walkways and pathways. Here are some things to consider.
Whether you live on or near a golf course or your home is just close to the road, protecting your sprinkler system from damage due to vehicles and road traffic can save you cash later. Sprinkler systems consist of a buried irrigation system and a number of sprinkler heads that pop out of the ground and can become damaged by lawn mowers, vehicles and even people stepping on them.
The front border of a house is the line between the sidewalk and front edge of the front yard. The borders can be anywhere from a few inches to several feet wide and consist of many different plants. However, the border placement means that your green yard provides the backdrop and small green border plants will just fade into the green grass. To make an eye-catching border, use large green plants and/or colorful flowers to create a front border that frames your home with an attractive and inviting style.
Many modern homes include front load garages, meaning the garage is a prominent feature on the exterior and often extends beyond the rest of the facade. They are convenient as they allow the homeowner to drive directly into the garage, but they can be an eyesore from the street. There are several creative landscaping ideas that can improve the look of your home with a front-load-garage plan.
Cook top islands are kitchen islands with a set of burners in the middle of the counter top. The islands may have a stove under the burners or small cabinets. Either way, the island space is occupied, meaning the front of the island usually consists of a flat panel. The plain front area provides an ideal canvas for decorative tiling. Creating a tile accent on the front of the island adds color, changes the style or pulls together different looks in kitchens.
Nearly all homeowners take great pride in decorating and keeping an aesthetically pleasing home. Some focus on indoors, while others most enjoy working outdoors in the soil and sun. Whether you are the former or latter, many homeowners know that your front door makes a big impression on visitors and passers-by. This means that great care should be taken when landscaping your front door. A beautiful landscape reflects a homeowner who takes pride in the home, just as the style of that landscaping reflects your personality. Help your character shine through by giving your front door a beautiful landscape makeover.
Front porches function as a gathering space for families as well as the inviting entry to your home. Using this space to the maximum effect adds an enjoyable option for a family that enjoys outdoor living. A wrap-around front porch adds considerable space for entertaining. Landscape design should frame and flatter your porch to enhance this dramatic exterior feature.
Most of the time, front yard fences serve more as a landscape border than a security element. Therefore, they tend to be more loosely designed, more decorative than that of a chain link or privacy fence. The fencing should either blend in with your landscape, complement your home style or serve as a border for your property lines. There are many types of fencing that can do this, but the most typical are picket, post and rail, and stone.
A visitor gets a first impression of your home at your front porch, whether it's a simple stoop or a wrap-around front porch. You should landscaping this area to make the entrance to your home as inviting as possible. Make sure your front door is in good shape with new paint and clean windows before working on the landscape. Work from the front door out to draw visitors directly to the entryway to your home.
Landscaping at the front entryway to your home should complement the style of your house. The front of your home is visible from the curb, making your entryway landscaping even more important. Creating the perfect look for your home to bring people to your front door requires tying your landscape plan together with color, simple design and careful use of lines.
