Small Front Yard Decorating Ideas

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21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal

It doesn't have to take a complete overhaul to spruce your lawn up.

BRIE WILLIAMS

Once the snow melts away, the birds start chirping again, and you can leave the house without a hat and mittens, you may find yourself walking out to get the mail, turning around, looking at the front yard, and thinking, "Huh. I bet that could look a lot better than it does."

That's when you're most likely to get the urge to take your DIY ideas outdoors. Thankfully, making a more beautiful front yard doesn't require hiring expensive landscapers or breaking the bank. All you need is a little time, and a few good ideas. These front yard landscaping suggestions are perfect for the homeowner looking for some landscaping inspiration that people of any skill level can create. Your home will have the best curb appeal in the neighborhood after you've read through this list.

No matter what type of refresh you're looking to do, there are ideas for anyone who has a green thumb, such as planting hydrangea bushes or adding an "island" to your yard. You might be interested in ways to update your porch and patio, which you can also find tips for. These include adding colorful flags to your porch railings or decorating it with greenery for a natural look. There are also several ideas for anyone who's handy, including building a stone walkway and adding a water feature that won't break the bank. Trust us: Your front yard will be just as gorgeous as all your backyard ideas once you're through with these landscaping tips.

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Use a yard edger.

It may sound basic, but cleaning up the edges of your lawn—in addition to keeping it mowed—creates a cleaner look, and instantly smartens up footpaths, and actual curbs.

SHOP YARD EDGERS

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Plant rose bushes.

Rose bushes are classic yard-improvers. They're relatively easy to care for, grow well in most parts of the U.S., and of course they look and smell great. It's a simple move that will elevate your curb appeal.

SHOP PRUNING SHEARS

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Build a stone pathway.

Lay a simple stone pathway that weaves through your lush yard or garden. It's easy to create and makes a great addition to any home.

SHOP STEPPING STONES

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Display planters.

Frame your front walkway with a pair of earth-tone planters. It creates a naturalistic effect that goes well with most landscaping.

SHOP OUTDOOR PLANTERS

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Hang a greenery garland.

The addition of this garland of greenery wrapping along the front porch blends the yard and house into one cohesive concept.

SHOP GARDENING GLOVES

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Use front porch bunting.

Decorate your front porch with colorful bunting to add an extra dimension to your home's curb appeal.

SHOP BUNTING

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DIY a water feature.

Not everyone has a pond or stream on his or her property. But installing a water feature doesn't take a ton of money—and it does wonders for any outdoor aesthetic. Here, an iron tea pot and an old whiskey barrel team up to make one gorgeous DIY fountain waterfall.

Get the tutorial at Hometalk.

SHOP FOUNTAIN PUMPS

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Give your garden hose a home.

This DIY hose holder completely camouflages all of that tubing and serves as a planter. Carpentry not your thing? This DIY fencepost hose-holder may be more your speed.

Get the tutorial at DIY Candy.

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Make a path for high-traffic areas.

This blogger needed a walkway in between her back door and garage. She made this one using salvaged wood beams and concrete.

Get the tutorial at Ohio Thoughts.

RELATED: More DIY Garden Paths

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Link points of interest with a path.

Use reclaimed pallet wood to add some character to an underutilized corner or connect two points of your backyard.

Get the tutorial at Funky Junk Interiors.

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Design your edging layout with temporary spray paint.

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Light up the night.

Not only is landscape lighting aesthetically pleasing, it also increases safety by making sure paths (and obstacles) are visible after sunset. For inspiration, check out UK-based John Cullen Lighting (pictured here).

Get a tutorial at Lowe's.

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Go heavy on the evergreens.

Opt for evergreens like boxwood shrubs—often used in formal landscaping—to give your yard color year-round.

Get the tutorial at Gardening Know How.

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Use a retainer.

Retaining walls can help define flower beds, create visual areas of interest, and, most importantly, prevent soil erosion.

Get the tutorial at A Crafted Passion.

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Get on island time.

Gardening expert Mike McGroarty planted herbaceous perennials and trees of varying heights—lavender twist red bud tree and a laceleaf weeping Japanese red maple—to form this "island" in his front yard.

Get the tutorial at Mike's Backyard Nursery.

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Clean your walkway.

Sometimes, all it takes is a good cleaning to get your sidewalk looking like new.

Get the tutorial at Rain on a Tin Roof.

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Rock on!

This spiral border contains a small vegetable garden using a variety of similarly sized rocks in complementary colors.

Get the tutorial at Oh My! Creative.

SHOP RIVER ROCK

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Feel the berm.

Berms—landscaper speak for small mounds—are used to create a border between properties or break up a monotonous yard. Check out Tamarack Landscaping (pictured) for ideas and inspiration.

Get a tutorial at SF Gate.

Erin Cavoto Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.

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