Small front yard ideas

Trellises are a good way to make use of vertical space.

If you have a small front yard, you may feel constrained, and mistakenly believe there is nothing that can be done with the space. While small front yards do limit what you can accomplish with your landscaping, they are by no means impossible to work with. When designing a contemporary landscape for a small front yard, keep a few factors in mind to maximize space.

Use Your Vertical Space

Many front yards are limited in the amount of square footage, but don't forget that you can build upwards. A modern feature for a front yard is a metal and wire trellis with a vine or climbing plant trained on to the wires. Consider creating a shaded sitting area in your yard by putting up a small arbor over a garden bench and training ivy on to the arbor for shade. Opt for modern metal garden benches to give your sitting area the contemporary look you desire.

Create Distinct Zones

You may feel as though your small front yard precludes building smaller sub-gardens or installing a small patio. Breaking up the yard with distinct zones can make the yard appear larger than it is, and will allow you to get more use out of the space. Consider installing a small walking path around the perimeter of your yard. Line the path with different gardens, such as rock and shade gardens, and choose lighting with a modern look, such as polished aluminum landscape lights.

Consider Ditching Grass

Grass is an attractive element when it provides the base for other landscaping features. A well-manicured front lawn enhances the look of the house behind it. But with small front yards, grass takes up valuable real estate and doesn't always pay dividends. Small lawns are also hard to mow and difficult to maintain. Consider removing the lawn and instead installing a walkway and garden plots. To achieve a modern look, consider colorful composite stone for your path. Many modern composite materials can be installed without the need for pouring a concrete footer.

Water Features

A small front yard does not mean you need to shy away from water features. While a large koi pond is probably not possible, a small fountain or fish pond brings attractive sights and sounds to your yard. Ponds and fountains require electricity to run their pumps and filters, so placing them closer to your house will make it easier to run electrical wiring. Opt for metal or geometrically shaped stone fountains and square or rectangular ponds to create a modern look for your water feature. Consider combining lighting with your pond or fountain to create an attractive focal point for nighttime strolls through your garden.