Published: 05/04/2023
Add kerb appeal and create a welcome entrance to your home, whatever its size, with clever planting, DIY and garden buysIf you think your front garden is a purely functional space – somewhere for your recycling bins or a bike store – then think again. No matter its size, your small front garden ideas are really an opportunity to create something that gives a great first impression and that shows your home off to its very best.
Whether it's super sunny or more shaded, you can opt for entirely different plants to that of your back garden ideas and plan something completely unique. From tiled paths to varying levels, beautiful flowers and borders to climbing plants, the options are endless – just ensure that you spend some time on it to make it an area that makes your heart sing every time you see it.
Small front garden ideas
From hanging baskets to front lawns there are a whole host of ways to revamp your small front garden ideas. If you don’t have the space for beds and borders, you can still achieve an impactful display with containers.
'Early season primroses, violas and pansies work well in pots for beautiful spring colour, and you can cluster these together for maximum effect. Hanging baskets and window boxes are another great space saver and can be filled with seasonal plants for a cheerful display.
Go formal with topiary
You'd be forgiven for thinking that small front garden ideas can't be made to feel luxurious, but you can easily elevate even the most compact area by adding some neat topiary.
Whether you create a formal 'mini' garden like this one, or add some topiary balls or trees in planters, this low-maintenance option creates an ordered and well-kept look.
2. Add hanging baskets for colour and fragrance
No space for borders or beds? Then take your planting up high by planting up a hanging basket that overflows with colourful blooms. Not only will they give passers-by or guests at your front door an attractive welcome, but you'll also be able to satisfy your gardening urges, by changing the baskets up for the seasons and playing with different flowers to mix colours and aromas.
3. Encourage climbers
If you have limited space for greenery, look to your walls for planting options. From trailing ivy to fragranced florals,easy-climbing plant ideas and vines are perfect for framing your doorway or windows and can also help disguise any ugly masonry or siding.
Trellis is ideal for varieties like wisteria or climbing roses, which you can tie to the framework to support them. You'll need to take into account how much sun the front of your property gets, and whether they can be planted in a pot – and then there's just some annual pruning involved to stop them covering your roof or windows.
4. Build up colour with potted plants
When space is at a premium you may not have room for lush garden border ideas to give your home's exterior colour, but you can still grow flowers and plants in pots. Group them together and opt for different varieties for interest. And, if floor space is limited, you could always opt for window boxes instead.
5. Squeeze in a seat
Make your front garden a place to linger with a small seat to perch on. It doesn't have to be big – even a small narrow bench will suffice as the best garden furniture option – but it will give even the most compact space a feeling of being somewhere to sit and relax, whether it's as a break from doing any weeding, or as a spot to pull off muddy wellies before going inside.
'When it comes to designing a small garden, making the most of the space you have is essential so vertical planting options are a great solution,'
'Not only will these free up room, they’ll create an instant impact and can be used to grow everything, from flowering plants and perennials, to herbs and leafy greens.
'Climbing plants are another great way to add charm and dimension without sacrificing a lot of space,' Marcus continues. 'Varieties such as Clematis Montana and Sweet peas work well with most fences and walls and will elevate your garden with their eye-catching flowers and fragrance.'
HOW DO I MAKE MY FRONT GARDEN LOOK GOOD ON A BUDGET?
You don't have to spend a lot to get a small front garden looking good – even using tiles or paint can count as budget garden ideas as the quantity needed will be smaller, and so more affordable.
'If you do have a small patch of lawn in your garden, consider creating a low-maintenance wildflower patch with pollinating plants for wildlife to thrive,'
'Affordable wildflower seeds will bloom in just a few short weeks and you’ll start seeing pollinators almost immediately, which will give your garden a wonderful buzz and sense of life just in time for spring.'
'Another way to maximise a small garden is by growing your own fruit and vegetables in containers. Carrots, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, beetroot and salad leaves all lend themselves well to being grown in pots and will allow you to reap the benefits of fresh produce, even if you’re working with limited space.'
Source Idealhome