It doesn’t matter how big it is, any size or shape of front garden adds an extra level of privacy from the street, and a perfect way to elevate your properties kerb appeal.
Having recently purchased a property with its own front garden for the first time, it’s certainly been a task to try and find ways to update it, whilst doing it within a budget too.
Whilst our front garden makeover is currently pending, I’ve pulled together over 20 front garden ideas ranging from new build plots to Victorian terrace gardens so you can get a taste for something that would work in your own garden (plus, plenty of budget friendly ideas!).
21 Small Front Garden Ideas That Make A Big First Impression
1.Floral Border
If you’re looking for a cost effective way to make a concrete patch look better, gravel it! Gravel is one of the cheapest materials and can instantly lighten and elevate a look.
Enhance your space even further by adding filled planter space surrounding the gravel, it will bring colour and seasonal interest throughout the year.
2. Deep Front Planters For Seasonal Interest
If you have the space, building out deep front planters on either side of a front door creates the most beautiful pull through to your house.
Border your flowers with a hedge for a perfect divide to your path or turf.
3. Bordered Path
Double fronted house? You’re going to want to pay attention to this idea!
A tiled path to the entryway of your house creates a beautiful, streamlined approach, border either size with planters or filled planters at ground level for a gorgeous approach.
Exterior tiles can be costly, so do consider cheaper alternatives such as painting existing concrete slabs or adding gravel as another alternative.
4. Short Hedging
Alternatively, simply border your path with short hedging for a symmetrical yet lush look.
If you have the space, introduce planters on either side of the front of the door for a pop of colour.
5. Layered Planters
Filled planters, whether ground level or raised are a popular choice for front gardens as they can be updated seasonally and are just a charming way to introduce colour and greenery to a front garden.
When planning your planters, consider height. Layering with taller plants at the back and shorter ones at the front will create further visual interest in your front garden.
6. Raised Wooden Planters
This type of raised planter is another way to add some height and extra interest to your space. If you want year round interest, plant plenty of evergreen plants so you have always got something interesting going on in the approach to your house.
7. Repurposed Planters
You really don’t need to spend a lot of money to just add a bit of interest and colour to your front garden.
Repurposing items such as old Belfast sinks and even tyres make for great vehicles for planters. Look on places like Facebook Marketplace to find some cost effective ways to add some colour to your front door.
8. Add Trees For Privacy & Shade
If your front garden is overlooked, you might consider adding some larger trees which will bring privacy, style and shade.
Space them evenly apart and introduce evergreen foliage surrounding the trees to avoid dead space on the soil.
9. A Row of Buxus Ball Planters
Evergreen buxus balls are a really popular choice for front gardens, especially on either side of a front door, or bordering a front wall as shown in the garden below.
It’s worth shopping around for these as many supermarkets often run these on offer during the spring/summer season.
10. Grow A Trailing Planter
For smaller spaces, consider adding a trailing planter to the side of the door to train up your house over the years to come.
Take inspiration from the gorgeous approach to the home below!
11. Wild Inspired Planters
For all year round interest in your front garden go for evergreen shrubs and plants. They add a biophilic, wild feel, pairing beautifully against a gravel approach to a house.
12. Herringbone Tiled Entryway
If you’re looking to tile the approach to your front door, herringbone is a timeless and attractive style that looks stunning.
Add a border of flowers and gravel on either side for a symmetrical look that boosts kerb appeal.
13. Turf & Planters
For new build owners, you may have a similar plot to the one below.
If you have a small piece of turf on the side, consider cutting into it and dividing it to create a small line for trees and plants to border the path to your door.
14. A Place To Sit
Break up the monotony of floor tiles by introducing a perch to sit in front of your home. These planter filled benches are a refreshing alternative which introduce greenery and interest at the same time.
15. Curved Planter That Works With The House
Work with the shape of your home, and take note of the below bay fronted house which has created a curved planter border to mimic the shape of the house.
It creates a soft approach to the home and adds an extra level of privacy.
16. Hedging & Flowers
Another example of opting for a deeper filled planter at the front of your house. Introduce hedging to border and contain your plants and plenty of flowers for beautiful interest as the warmer seasons roll around.
17. Border With Wooden Planters
Wooden raised planters on either side of a path way helps to elevate a look, bringing it closer to eye level.
Combine both evergreen and seasonal plants so you can enjoy something a little bit different as each season comes.
18. Low Maintenance Pebble Border
A pebble border filled with evergreen shrubs is a low maintenance idea that will provide greenery all year round.
If you want something to elevate your existing space without costing the earth, this is a great middle ground.
19. Wildflower Front Garden
One of my absolute favourite ideas for front garden inspo!
Over the years fill it with plenty of wildflowers, roses and your favourite flowers for a beautiful garden all year round. This looks great in front gardens which have turf, or those that have deep filled planters surrounding the house.
20. Paving Slabs & Planters
Gravel is one of the cheapest types of flooring in a garden, but if you still want to create some kind of path, consider adding a few paving slabs throughout, you’ll keep the costs down but still have a pathway of sorts.
Border with a range of different sized planters either side for a beautiful approach.
21. Embrace Seasonal Wildflowers
Finally, another example of creating a front garden which comes to life in the warmer months.
Wildflowers are one the most cost effective ways to get some gorgeous plants for a whimsical feel. Whilst you may not see the fruits of your labour for a while, as you can see, the result is quite spectacular!
