Front gardens play a key role in shaping the aesthetic and functional appeal of residential properties. As the first visual point of contact for visitors and passers-by, a well-designed front garden significantly enhances ‘kerb appeal’, creating a positive first impression and helping people to feel welcome and relaxed on arrival at the property. Beyond aesthetics, front gardens contribute to the environmental health of urban areas too, improving the quality of life for residents and wildlife.
Unfortunately, there has been a trend recently to pave over front gardens, with very little plant cover (if any). This is very damaging for the environment. Organisations such as the RHS have been actively campaigning for a return to soft landscaping – stressing the importance of planting up areas of hard landscaping. Benefits range from better health and wellbeing and providing food for bees and butterflies, to helping reduce flood risks. Find out more about Greening Grey Britain here.
In this blog post, my goal is to highlight the numerous benefits of a well-designed, plant-based front garden and to outline the design considerations I take into account when working with a client’s cherished space, big or small.
Firstly, the ‘why’ – the benefits of a well-designed front garden can be categorised as aesthetic, environmental and social:
1 Front garden aesthetics
The visual impact of a well-designed garden can transform a mundane frontage into an inviting, picturesque scene. This not only elevates the overall look of the property but also increases its market value. In other words, a well-designed front garden can positively transform a property’s ‘kerb appeal’. Often new clients mention to us other gardens in their area that have caught their eye, prompting them to think about improving their own gardens. In other words, they have ‘garden envy’! And the kerb appeal of your front garden can be highly relevant if you are thinking of selling at any point. New buyers expect your home’s exterior space to match the quality and style of the interior. The health and appearance of your garden can genuinely attract people to the property and enhance its value overall.
2 Environmental benefits
Beyond visual appeal, front gardens serve crucial environmental functions. They contribute to the reduction of urban heat islands by providing shaded areas and cooling the air. Plants and trees in these gardens can absorb pollutants and improve air quality, a vital benefit in densely populated urban areas. Additionally, well-planned gardens can assist in managing stormwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding. A front garden can become a piece of performing art when its plants and trees attract birds, bees and butterflies. There is often pressure on space for parking in a front garden area; however this needs to be balanced with the environmental need to provide ‘wildlife corridors’, linking core wildlife habitats and helping to restore and preserve biodiversity,
3 Social benefits
Front gardens also enhance peoples’ quality of life. They provide a semi-public green space where individuals can relax, socialize, and engage in gardening activities, which have been shown to improve well-being. The presence of greenery and natural elements has a calming effect, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You can also encourage your guests to ‘linger’ in your front garden by providing a space specifically designed to meet and greet them on arrival, and say goodbye on departure (more on this below).Community cohesion is another significant benefit. Attractive front gardens can foster social interactions among neighbours, contributing to a sense of community and belonging. People are more likely to engage in conversations and build relationships when they have lovely welcoming spaces in which to meet and interact.
Design considerations (the how)
I always enjoy designing front gardens because of the opportunity to create a strong sense of arrival and warm welcome to the clients’ home. As a professional designer, I know that I need to be able to justify every design decision to my clients. In a front garden, there is usually no hiding place for the design choices made. Every detail is on show and needs to be extremely well considered.
Here are the factors that I bear in mind when transforming a front garden:
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Consider the home’s architecture and the client’s personal taste.
It is important to choose a garden style that is in keeping with the design of the house. For example, this could be modern, traditional, cottage, or minimalist. It’s important for the homeowners to express their personal style too. I need to know what colour palettes and textures the client finds appealing. Are they keen plantspeople or would they prefer a low-maintenance space? From minimalist layouts to naturalistic plantings, the possibilities are endless.
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Think in advance about practicalities.
Typically, this includes car parking and bin storage. It may also involve access requirements. It is entirely feasible to combine a parking space with an attractive front garden. It just requires good design thinking. Usually, planning permission is not required if you are going to use permeable paving. The best way to minimise the paving required is to position two tracks within the space, situated under the vehicle’s wheels. Additionally, where space permits, carefully-planned pathways and seating areas can make the garden more accessible and enjoyable for everyday use.
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Soften the boundary between house and garden.
Use planting beds along the building’s foundation to blend the boundaries between the house’s ‘hard’ structures with the garden itself. This ‘foundation planting’ creates a softer, more pleasing effect which links the house to the garden seamlessly. By introducing a variety of plants, including shrubs, flowers and ground cover, you can add layers of texture, colour and visual interest.
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Create a ‘meet and greet’ space.
Where space permits, you can incorporate an attractive terrace near the front door where people can gather upon arrival or departure. This allows guests to remain immersed in the outdoor environment while interacting with each other and finishing those conversations that often arise at the end of a long visit! Hallways and front porches frequently lack the necessary space for group gatherings like this.
- Include focal points
Sculptures, vases, water features and garden seats all add depth and interest to a front garden. Focal points are important because they draw the eye to them, encouraging people to slow down and pause on their journey through a garden. It’s important to consider the view from the house out into the front garden too. Draw the eye away from any parked cars within sight of the house and towards more visually appealing features. Screening can be useful too for practical areas (cars, bins).
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Be bold with plant choices.
Structural planting plays a key role as it is on display all year round. However, don’t neglect ephemeral planting which will change with the seasons for more visual interest. Don’t fill the space with evergreens which can become oppressive if overused. Use specimen plants and underplant them with textural varieties to create long-lasting seasonal interest. Embrace the change in the seasons. Cut back herbaceous plants late and enjoy the emergent growth in the spring. Add bulbs to increase early colour and create layering. Add height too if possible, with small trees or ornamental grasses.
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Encourage wildlife.
You can plant a range of different flowering plants, instal an insect hotel or introduce a bird feeder. Even when space is at a premium, it is possible to use climbing plants on the house and boundary walls to attract birds and other wildlife. For example, ivy is very wildlife-friendly. A less commonly used climber in the Hydrangea family (Pileostegia viburnoides) provides lovely white flowers. It also works well in shady spaces. Using native plants, which are adapted to local conditions, reduces the need for excessive watering and chemical fertilizers. Adding a water feature is another way to attract wildlife and the sound can also create a calming effect.
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Avoid narrow borders around the garden edges.
Pushing planting to the boundaries of a small front garden will accentuate any lack of space. Instead, keep the eye in the garden. Also, fill in ‘extra’ spaces (e.g. corners between house and garden wall) with beautiful planting. This adds more depth, interest and softness. Incorporating elements such as vertical gardens, living walls, and container gardening can maximize space and add layers of visual interest.
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Choose materials with sustainability in mind.
For example, the incorporation of Suds-compliant (Sustainable draining systems) permeable surfaces for any new driveways ensures that rainwater is absorbed and filtered. This avoids overwhelming street drainage systems. Also, avoid materials with a high carbon footprint; we rely largely on timber recycled steel and natural stone.
Conclusion
People often focus their time and attention on their rear garden, but front gardens are extremely important too, especially in an urban setting. A front garden that is well-designed and cared-for can bring greenery and natural beauty to an otherwise ‘grey’ landscape. A paved-over front garden misses a great opportunity to create an inviting, green space which offers moments of tranquillity as you move towards the house. The journey – however short – to the house can be enhanced with carefully design thinking which reduces any stresses or strains from daily life. This sets the scene for a relaxing time indoors and helps people feel at ease more quickly. The best front gardens make home-owners feel at home as soon as they enter them, and help their visitors to feel calm and welcome too. They also play a vital role in providing habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife.
All of the gardens shown in this blog post were designed by James Scott and built by The Garden Company. To explore one of the gardens in more detail – and read about James’s design insights relating to this example – follow the link here.
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