13 Eye-Catching Landscaping Ideas For A Small Front Yard (2024)

To make a small front yard work for you, you’ll need big ideas. Just because you’ve got limited acreage, that doesn’t mean your front yard can’t be a magical oasis. We’ve gathered some of our favorite ways to make the most of your small front yard and to make the space feel way bigger than it is.

1. Add Trellises to Play With Height

Instead of cramping your space by planting several different plants alongside each other, try using plant boxes of varying heights to create a layered effect. This will allow you to diversify the flora of your gorgeous yard, without sacrificing precious space. It’ll also make your yard look bigger by introducing new dimensions.

2. Experiment With Texture

Lush mosses, waxy succulents, blooming perennials and smooth stones come together to create a vibrant landscape for your yard, no matter its size. A diverse array of textures is a feast for the eyes, and ensures you’ll maximize your space.

3. Add Window Boxes

One of the easiest ways to add interest to your front yard is to use window boxes. Planting lovely, colorful flowers alongside your yard-facing windows creates a warm, welcoming ambiance without sacrificing precious yard space.

4. Make Use Out of an Old Wheelbarrow

Embrace the cottage core aesthetic with a shabby-chic wooden wheelbarrow (you can find these at yard sales or flea markets or on sites like Etsy or eBay). Then, plant ivy, flowers or anything else you like inside it.

The more overgrown here, the better, as plants like fuschias and petunias look gorgeous when they spill over the sides of the wheelbarrow. This is a great way to create living art in your yard without taking up too much space.

5. Consider a Climbing Wall

Trellises are a lovely way to add intrigue to your yard without giving up precious acreage. A climbing wall of clematis or ivy lends a majestic feel to the space and keeps your yard feeling positively fecund. Just make sure your soil is cool and moist and that your climbing wall is able to get plenty of sun.

6. Tier Your Flower Beds

Tiered garden beds are the perfect solution to making the most of a sloped front yard. They’ll add some structure to your garden design and create the illusion of a larger space by adding height and heft to your yard.

7. Don’t Overlook Hanging Plants and Flowers

Plant hangers or metal hanging baskets are easy to find at your local home goods store, and look great draped along your front porch. Hanging plants lend dimension and whimsy to a small front yard. Try hanging multiple plant hangers full of vibrant flowers at different heights for a playful and festive take on landscaping.

8. The Right Path

A cobblestone pathway can divide up a front yard nicely, and create the illusion of more space. It’s also a charming way to lead your guests to your front door, and make them feel more welcome.

9. Go Herbal

Planting a herb garden is a great way to make the most of your space. In addition to being pretty and great-smelling, a herb garden lends functionality to your yard space, ensuring that you make the most of every square inch.

10. Grow Up

It’s a common misconception that you can’t plant trees in a small yard. You definitely can, but be sure to choose trees that grow upward instead of outward so that they don’t eat up your precious yard space. Columnar trees, like evergreens, are a great choice here.

11. Skip The Fence

If you’re on the fence about putting up a fence, go without one. It’ll make your yard look bigger, and an unobstructed view will give you a sense of freedom.

12. Consider an Indoors-Outdoors Approach With French Doors

By adding glass sliding doors or French doors to the front of your house, you’ll create the illusion of more space. Eliminating the boundary between indoors and outdoors will create an airy, open feeling in both your front yard and your home.

13. Feature a Fire Pit

A small fire pit is a natural gathering spot for your front yard and a great way to introduce a fun new element to the space. Fire pits can be used year-round and can make your yard feel more inviting and cozy.