32 front garden ideas to spruce up your home, from paving inspiration to planting techniques (original) (raw)

Front gardens are incredibly versatile spaces. Whether you have a paved driveway, a small lawn or a gravel area, there are plenty of front garden ideas that will land passers-by with a great first impression of your home.

A front garden can be treated in much the same way as a back garden – various patio ideas can be used to create a neat entryway, and front garden lawn ideas can add a touch of greenery to your home's exterior.

'Front gardens are often overlooked with function over form taking priority, but with some imagination and planning they can become welcoming spaces for homeowners and visitors alike,' says Matt Carroll, head of assured landscaping at Bradstone.

You can even learn how to make a small front garden look bigger with a few clever planting and landscaping techniques – and there are plenty of small front garden ideas if you're tight on space.

Whether you’re looking to make a feature of a sprawling front lawn or you're on the hunt for front garden privacy ideas, there are so many ways to revamp a front garden.

If you need a little inspiration, you've come to the right place. No matter what budget you're working with, we've rounded up our favourite front garden ideas to help you spruce up your space.

1. Enhance your entrance with clay pavers

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles Photography Ltd)

Looking at front gardens across the UK, you'll notice that a vast number are entirely paved. While some are allocated solely to driveway ideas, others provide an entryway into the home.

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Tapping into the style of your house's exterior can help you choose a paving material that perfectly complements your home.

'For red brick Victorian style properties, the entrance pathway will always make a statement, so consider clay pavers in a contrasting shade,' suggests Georgina Read, managing director at Paving Superstore.

2. Go for a natural stone front patio

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes Photography)

If clay pavers aren't your thing and you prefer a less uniform look but still want to pave your front garden, try natural stone. Materials like limestone and sandstone are versatile and complement a range of house styles.

'As a general rule, natural stone is very forgiving when it comes to finding a match as the gentle range of colour hues means that it isn't necessary to find an identical match,' says Georgina. 'The colours that tone in will come to the fore when positioned against your brickwork.'

You can find natural stone pavers at a range of reputable suppliers like Paving Superstore and Royale Stones.

3. Incorporate edging

(Image credit: Future PLC)

The best garden edging ideas combine style with function, and they can make a real statement as part of your front garden ideas.

'Edging adds a sense of shape and style to your front garden and keeps everything neat and tidy,' says Matt from Bradstone. 'It comes in several materials, including plastic, wood and stone. Plastic is a cheaper alternative and can sometimes look unsightly against a well-designed garden, and wood can rot, or warp once weathered.

'However, concrete or natural stone edging is not only stylish and versatile, but also durable and will stand the test of time, making it worth the investment.'

You could try lining edging around flower beds, underneath windows, or against walls and fences to highlight different areas of your front garden.

Matt joined Bradstone in May 2024 as Head of Assured Landscaping, following his successful role at Marshalls. However, Matt's affinity with gardens and the outdoors started in his early years when he ran his own landscaping business as a sole trader.

4. Frame the front door with bold flowers

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Once you've sorted your front door ideas, consider framing the porch with potted flowering plants. Opt for bold blooms and foliage to offer guests a cheerful welcome when they arrive at your home.

'For two pots framing a doorway, I often use white camellias, rhododendron ‘Cunningham’s White’, Arbutus (the strawberry tree), and Grisillinia litoralis with its lovely apple green foliage that looks so cheerful in the winter,' says garden designer Harriet Worsley. 'I always try to add a bit of Sarcococca into a front garden scheme somewhere, as it has a stealthy winter honey scent that creeps up and hits you as you pass.'

5. Line a front path with pots

(Image credit: Future PLC/Trevor Richards)

Containers are the perfect way to add greenery around a front garden if you're low on soil space, and they can also be used to zone pathways.

'Potted plants are a versatile and easy way to add colour, texture, and interest to your front garden,' says Jenny Davis, head of marketing at Forest Garden. 'They can be used to line pathways or even create a mini-garden on a porch or patio. Consider using a mix of pots in various sizes and materials to add depth and visual interest.

'Plants like lavender, rosemary, or ornamental grasses can add a touch of elegance, while flowering annuals and perennials bring vibrant colour. You can also change the plants seasonally to keep them looking fresh and inviting.'

Jenny Davis is the head of marketing at Forest Garden, the UK’s leading manufacturer of wooden garden products. With a background in communications and a previous role as head of instore arketing for Halfords, she brings extensive experience to her position. Residing in Worcestershire, UK, Jenny is a mother of two boys and an avid gardener who enjoys growing fruit and vegetables. She also actively participates in testing Forest Garden’s products.

6. Keep a neat lawn area

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

If you're lucky enough to have a lawn in your front garden, there are plenty of lawn ideas to experiment with. The most popular, though, is the traditional manicured look.

'One way of using the space is keeping it well-maintained by regularly mowing and trimming it to keep it neat and tidy,' explains Chris Bonnett, owner of Gardening Express. 'You may also want to consider installing a garden path or walkway to create a more defined space within your garden.'

Keep your lawn in tip-top condition by treating it with a feed like the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food from Amazon.

7. Consider low-maintenance lawn alternatives

(Image credit: Getty)

If you'd rather spend less time tending to your front lawn, there are plenty of low-maintenance lawn alternatives to consider.

'There are low upkeep and slow growing seed mixes which require much less mowing than most grass seed types,' says Chris Mcllroy, lawn expert at The Grass People. 'Ideal for those of us who are looking for a low-maintenance lawn, the seeds are particularly good for lawns that are shaded. Plus, they'll be hard-wearing, drought-tolerant, and can grow well in low-nutrient conditions.'

Creeping thyme and golden creeping Jenny, available at Crocus, are also popular choices. You can buy clover seeds from Amazon to cater for wildlife, too.

8. Add furniture

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

The best garden furniture ideas aren't limited to the back garden – they can enhance a front garden area, too.

'Furniture can be a fantastic addition to a front garden, transforming it into a welcoming, functional space,' says Jenny from Forest Garden. 'It can serve as an extension of your living area, offering a spot to enjoy a morning coffee or an evening chat with neighbours.

'The key is to ensure the furniture doesn’t obstruct pathways or overwhelm the space. It should enhance the garden's appeal without taking away from the natural beauty. For instance, if you have a cottage-style garden, a wooden bench or wrought iron seating can blend beautifully.'

Look out for weatherproof styles or learn how to weatherproof garden furniture to help it last longer.

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Billyoh Windsor Traditional Wooden Bench

Charles Bentley Wrought Iron Feminine Bench

9. Flank the front door with potted bay trees

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Make a smart entrance by placing a pair of clipped standard bay trees either side of the front door. Painted trellis flanks this country porch, shading the doorway and providing a home for climbing plants.

'Large feature pots by the front door or on a terrace in front of windows help to create privacy and make the garden look elegant and fun,' says garden designer Harriet Worsley.

10. Add lighting

(Image credit: Amos Lighting)

As with your other outdoor spaces, consider which garden lighting ideas you could add to your space. 'We’d recommend adding lighting to highlight specific areas like garden fences or your porch, creating a welcoming ambience,' says David Amos, founder of Amos Lighting. 'Choose energy-efficient lighting that is suitable for outdoor use and ones which complement the style of your home.'

Think about how outdoor lighting will enhance security as well as style. 'Consider wall lights on either side of the door or possibly a recessed spotlight from above for a porch,' suggests Piero De Marchis, director of Detail Lighting.

'If you are opting for one light, place it on the side where the keyhole and door handle are as it will make it easier when unlocking your door. Above all, ensure it is warm and inviting and makes guests feel safe.'

11. Plant a fragrant border

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Gardens can please all the senses, so don't just look at visuals for your front garden ideas and call it a day. Our sense of smell is so important when building the atmosphere of a space and can elevate our mood in seconds.

If you're looking for garden border ideas, planting fragrant herbs and flowers along your path will provide a pleasant welcome home every day. Think lavender, sage and primrose. If you're not sure what plants go well together, pick up a ready-made scented garden border from Crocus.

12. Change it with the seasons

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Just as with styling your indoor space, you can have fun changing up your front garden ideas with the seasons. A festive wreath, zinc tubs filled with freshly foraged foliage and pots holding seasonal blooms will do the trick.

Plus, there are wreaths for every season, and they're the perfect way to decorate a front door. We love Dunelm's selection of wreaths.

13. Utilise hanging baskets

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Hanging baskets are a simple way to brighten up your front garden and can be particularly effective if you have limited space,’ says Tom Clifford, director of Gardenstone.

While there are a number of hanging basket mistakes to avoid, this type of gardening allows you to make the most of the vertical space available to you, and there's a long list of the best plants for hanging baskets to choose from.

‘You can hang them either side of your door or garage to frame the area and add a pop of colour,’ Tom adds. When it comes to learning how to make a small front garden look bigger, incorporating flowers vertically will naturally draw the eye upwards and create the illusion of a more expansive space.

14. Swap a fence for a hedge

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Most terraced and semi-detached homes use front garden ideas that separate the space from their neighbours. The most common in urban areas is a wall or an array of garden fence ideas, but a simple switch to a hedge will add interest and extra privacy, not to mention a hangout for wildlife.

The most common choice is boxwood, which offers dense leaves that can easily be pruned into shape. Other popular options include laurel hedging, which can be purchased from Gardening Express.

15. Create a natural archway

(Image credit: Future PLC/Oliver Gordon)

You can transform the look of your front garden with a few cottage garden ideas. The house and garden should appear to flow into one another, and one way to achieve this is by training fast-growing climbing plants to create a natural arch over the front door or porch.

As well as looking pretty, this will act as shelter when you're fumbling for your keys on a damp day.

16. Include raised beds

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Raised beds don't need to be confined to the back garden. If you're looking for low-maintenance easy garden ideas, they can be the perfect addition to a front garden. Plant evergreen shrubs and include some seasonal perennials to ensure bursts of colour throughout the year.

This style is also great if your home is on a hill, as you can build the beds above one another like steps. Portable options are also available, like the Outsunny 2-Piece Raised Beds from Amazon.

17. Try a mirror

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Garden mirror ideas are a great way to make outdoor spaces seem bigger, but have you ever considered using one in your front garden? Well, Elaine Penhaul, founder of home staging company Lemon and Lime, suggests doing exactly that – not only to make the space feel bigger but also to add some instant visual interest.

‘Garden mirrors work in both front and back gardens but would work best in a private front garden,’ says Elaine. ‘Putting more than one mirror together and framing it with climbing plants will soften the edges and help to create a cohesive look.’

Plus, this can be a rather inexpensive front garden upgrade if you’re looking for budget garden ideas.

18. Encourage climbers

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Climbers are a pretty way to add interest to the front of your home. There are so many easy climbing plants to choose from, ranging from floral clematis to traditional ivy. Speak to your local garden centre for advice on which varieties work best in your area's soil and will adapt best to the positioning of your building.

There are very few plants that ooze charm more than the faithful wisteria plant, a deciduous climber with pinnate, dark green leaves and drooping racemes which grow up to one metre in length. The fragrant lilac flowers, which bloom in early summer, provide beautiful displays. You can buy wisteria plants from B&Q and many other garden suppliers.

19. Add pattern with a tiled path

(Image credit: Future PLC/Oliver Gordon)

Though often overlooked, the ground is the perfect opportunity to add colour and pattern to a front garden. With developing techniques and technology, it's now possible to get nearly any tile design in outdoor-appropriate materials for your garden path ideas.

Just remember that while some tiles may be suitable for outdoor use, they can become slippery, so ensure you speak to your supplier to make sure they will be safe to walk on in inclement conditions.

20. Play with textures

(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)

Most people head straight to mixing colours when trying to add character with front garden ideas, but there's a lot to be said for texture, too.

Mix and match plants with different shapes and sized leaves, from long and wide to tiny and narrow. This is a great way to achieve year-round interest, especially when you're using evergreen plants.

21. Add a water feature

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There are a range of benefits to adding a water feature to your front garden, from blocking out external noise from traffic, making it ideal for homes on busy streets, to attracting wildlife to your front garden.

‘Not only are water features visually appealing, but they can also transform your front garden into a calming sensory experience,' says Marlena Kaminska, designer at ValueLights. 'The gentle sound of flowing water will greet you on your return home, helping you to transition away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.'

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22. Install a rustic path to add character

(Image credit: Future PLC/Bridget Peirson)

Set the scene with a wooden decked pathway leading up to the front door. This rustic wooden design, infilled with pebbles, offers a softer approach to a front garden path, rather than paving slabs and brick alternatives.

The look can be softened even further with thoughtful planting on either side of the path, including wild overgrown foliage, plants and lavender.

23. Hide bins with a wheelie bin store

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space to begin with or are limited to a front garden only, it can be tricky to think of wheelie bin storage ideas. But that doesn’t mean you can't hide them in an aesthetically pleasing way.

'While a collection of wheelie bins and recycling boxes can immediately bring down the look of even the nicest of front gardens, you can hide bins using a wooden bin store or sit them behind some trellis that also doubles as a planting feature to keep your front garden looking clutter-free,' suggests Furniturebox’s product development lead, Laura Rich.

24. Curate a corner of thoughtful planting

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Parmiter)

Give your driveway a modest planting scheme to pretty up the exterior of your home. Carve out a corner bedding arrangement to plant a mix of perennial green foliage and seasonal flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas to add a splash of colour.

Use garden trellis ideas to extend the planting vertically, to flank the doorway, and to make the most of a compact corner plot.

25. Plant tactical topiary for privacy

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

If your small front garden doesn't offer much in the way of an outdoor space, use it to cultivate a garden that offers privacy. This is especially important if your house resides by the roadside, directly on the pavement.

Topiary is a great way to create your own piece of living architecture to create a shelter from the outside world. Add topiary balls by the front door to compliment the boxwood topiary hedge.

'We usually plant a hedge of bay, bush-form olives or Grisellinia litoralis in front troughs to act as a boundary or provide a screen between the street and the front garden,' says garden designer Harriet Worsley. 'Evergreens are essential here, as no one wants to arrive home to a hedge that is dying back in October.'

26. Dress the windowsill

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

You can keep things simple but stylish with planting ideas for window boxes.

This idea is perfect for dressing the exterior of your home but also provides a pretty view through the window from indoors, too. Go for the best trailing plants for outdoors to create a cascading effect.

27. Create a rock garden

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

‘A rock garden is a wonderful way to display small alpine plants at the front of your property,’ says PriceYourJob.co.uk’s gardening expert, Harry Bodell. And we have to agree.

There are plenty of variations of rock garden ideas, but basically, you’ll be looking to combine decorative rocks, bark chippings and drought-tolerant plants to create a low-maintenance front garden.

'While they are more suited to front gardens that face the south, as most of these plants enjoy full sun, there are shade-tolerant plants that you can use if your home faces the north,' Harry adds.

28. Use gravel for an informal and secure front garden

(Image credit: Future PLC/Debbie Patterson)

If you're looking to add security to your home, gravel is a great cheap DIY garden path idea because it will crunch as anyone approaches the door or window. As well as looking and sounding great, this is a popular choice for homeowners on a budget.

Gather together a selection of old planters to make a feature on a gravelled patio. Plant them up with bay, scented lavender and cheerful pansies.

29. Pick low-maintenance plants for colour

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Whitmore)

Above all, a front garden should be easy to keep looking tidy. Unless you have lots of time, aim for fuss-free landscaping and low-maintenance plants.

'A lot of people don’t enjoy looking after their front gardens, so low maintenance shrubs such as Choisya and Viburnum work well,' advises Chris from Gardening Express.

30. Deck an American-style porch

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Garden decking ideas are a great way to add character to your front garden.

A raised decking area with a porch swing is a quintessentially American style which translates just as well across the pond. Add a few comfy cushions and ambient lighting to create a cosy feel after dark.

31. Make a feature of a tree with a round bench

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Wooden tree benches are a quirky seating solution you'll love, and they're perfect for those wanting to build around nature. You can pick up pre-made designs from as little as £150, or potentially even less if you make use of some garden discount codes.

Alternatively, if you're a competent DIY-er, there are a number of videos on YouTube which show you how to make wooden tree benches from old pallets and more.

32. Plant rose bushes for a country look

(Image credit: Future PLC /David Morrison)

Complete a country home in picturesque style by including white-painted picket gates to mark the entrance to a charming floral-bordered driveway.

Learn how to grow roses to decorate your borders with scented blooms. The colours will pop against a white picket fence.

FAQs

How can I tidy up a small front garden?

If you have a small front garden, the good news is that it will be easier to keep on top of maintenance. Sweep away fallen leaves and trim any plants that begin to grow over doorways or paths. This will remove any trip or safety hazards and keep your front garden looking neat.

During the summer, learn how to deadhead roses and other flowering plants that are growing in your front garden to keep the floral displays coming.

And of course, if you have a paved front garden or pathway, learn how to clean paving slabs to keep your space looking fresh all year round.

How do I make my front garden look nice?

You can make your front garden look nice with small upgrades, and by simply taking the time to tend to it, with as much gusto as your would the back garden. Lay a defined path to make the entrance feel more inviting and thought out.

Ensure if you have a lawn it's well tended so it looks it's best all year round. Edge the lawn or gravel frontage with evergreen foliage that will look gloriously green throughout the seasons, adding annual bedding and plant to welcome a splash of more vibrant colour during the spring and summer months.

No matter how large or small your space and budget, there are plenty of front garden ideas to choose from – have fun seeing what works for your space!