Urban Front Yard Landscaping

Landscaping a small urban front yard can be a challenge, but the results are very rewarding. By carefully choosing materials and considering possible uses for the space you can maximize any front yard's full potential and add curb appeal, no matter how small the space.

Remember when landscaping a small urban front yard that in order to create the most curb appeal, there is only room for one focal point. Pick a single tree, a plant with dramatic foliage, a trellis, a statue, a fountain, or a small seating area. Then build your design around this focal point. All other elements in the front yard landscaping should frame and complement the focal point.

A coordinating color scheme is important in a front yard landscaping. Consider the colors of your home, and either contrast the colors between the house and front yard landscaping to draw attention to both elements, or coordinate the colors in order to create a more expansive and cohesive feel. Cool colors seem more expansive, and white and pink flowers will capture the attention of people driving by, creating instant curb appeal.

Space in a small urban front year is precious. Do not waste it by planting plants that only bloom once a year. Use repeat bloomers and interesting foliage for color in your urban front yard landscaping. Create curb appeal by choosing smaller plants and dwarf specimens that look good close up, since your yard will be easily scrutinized by anyone passing by. Avoid messy plants: ones that constantly drop leaves or blooms or otherwise look ragged and create messes and detract from your front yard's curb appeal. Small-foliaged plants may create the feeling that the area is larger than it really is.

Consider adding vertical plants like climbing roses, vine, and tall thin plants like cedars in your front yard landscaping scheme. Even if all you have is a couple square feet in your front yard, vines can add much-needed greenery and curb appeal. Plants will dress up your entrance and make it more inviting. By adding greenery to the front of your home, everyone who walks by will benefit from the soothing effect and, let's face it, extra oxygen if you live in a truly urban environment! Even if you have no bare ground at all, pots added to steps and planters to the front stoop will increase your home's curb appeal by dressing up the entrance.

Boundaries can create a large impact in a small urban garden. By establish clean boundary lines you can demark the place as a special garden and make the front yard seem neater. On the other hand, if you are friends with your neighbor and they are also a gardener, blurring the boundaries between the two front yards can make the whole space seem larger.

Layer plants in your small urban front yard landscaping design in order to create a sense of depth. This also creates an exciting sense of discovery and intrigue when a visitor or passerby cannot see the whole yard from the street. Placing an unexpected item around a corner or peeking from behind a large element in the front yard can create a sense of whimsy. Drawing the eye towards the door with creative front yard landscaping makes a home seem inviting and adds curb appeal.

Slightly obscuring the windows and entrance with taller plants will create privacy. Building walls, erecting fences, or planting hedges can also create privacy. You can create a courtyard in your front yard with any of these options. Consider adding a seating area. Especially if your space inside is limited, use the extra real estate for entertaining, reading or dining. Even a single lounge chair or a small stool with a café table will make the area seem inviting and add curb appeal to your front yard. Some residents may wish to maintain clear sight-lines for safety: if this is the case, limit yourself to shorter plants.

Space is limited in a small urban front yard, and as a result the space is all the more precious. With careful planning (and planting) a small urban space can be both inviting and useful. A well-thought out solution can increase the quality of life for the current resident, and add resale value and curb appeal to the home.