21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (2024)

Gardening

Landscaping

Hardscaping

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Farima Ferguson

21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (1)

Farima Ferguson

Farima Ferguson began her career at HGTV where she worked with designers to write about home design. Her work has appeared in HGTV, Insider Reviews, Travel Channel, and more.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Published on 06/06/23

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21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (2)

You have many choices when it comes to designing an inviting front yard to help welcome guests to your home. From lush flower beds to symmetrical garden designs, but a landscaping feature many people may not consider is rocks.

Not only are landscaping rocks a timeless design feature, but they have other pros, too. Adding rocks to your front yard is a low-maintenance landscaping option—no green thumb needed. It's also great for leveling sloped yards.

Below, we share our favorite front yard landscaping ideas with rocks, from large stones and boulders to small, smooth pebbles, that anyone can try in their front yard.

  • 01 of 21

    Budget-Friendly Gravel

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (3)

    Gravel is one of the most budget-friendly landscaping materials. Not only does it add texture to a minimalist home exterior but it adds a color on contrast with the plants and trees. There are many types of gravel available, so you can choose one that fits your home's style.

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  • 02 of 21

    Smooth Pebble Garden Border

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (4)

    A smooth pebble border for your garden is a more visually appealing alternative than brick or plastic edging. Plus, using pebbles makes it easier to adjust the size and shape of your front garden by simply moving the pebbles.

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  • 03 of 21

    A Desert Front Garden

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (5)

    This front yard is a great example of how you can add a combination of different landscaping rocks to help make your garden stand out. The desert garden features large stones as well as gravel that create the perfect backdrop for succulents and bright color through garden art.

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  • 04 of 21

    Nothing But Rocks

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (6)

    If you love the idea of a completely maintenance-free garden, landscaping rocks are the way to go. A few large succulents can go a long way when it comes to adding greenery, and garden features like a raised cement garden bed and large boulders add visual appeal and interest without the maintenance.

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  • 05 of 21

    Rocks Instead of Mulch

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (7)

    At first glance, you may think the landscaping rocks in the plant beds of this front yard are only for visual appeal. But, these rocks are functional as well. Adding rocks to plant beds helps suffocate weeds and keeps topsoil in place.

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  • 06 of 21

    Landscaping Rocks for Sloped Yards

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (8)

    A sloped front yard is a great opportunity to create a stunning garden. This sloped yard features boulders to help level the garden while also adding a one-of-a-kind design feature.

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  • 07 of 21

    A Small Sitting Area

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (9)

    You can still add a place to relax even if your home's front exterior is too small for a porch. The landscaping rocks at this home allow this space to be used as a makeshift porch as well as a garden bed.

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  • 08 of 21

    A Polished Look

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (10)

    The perfectly manicured lawn of this California home gets some color with small shrubs and succulents and a bubblegum pink door. Landscape rocks make up the garden pathway instead of mulch for a more polished look.

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  • 09 of 21

    A Seamless Look

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (11)

    Low maintenance doesn't mean low on style. This home features beautiful concrete pavers that blend seamlessly with the rock garden leading up to the home's front entrance.

    The 8 Best Lawn Mowers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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  • 10 of 21

    Minimalistic Driveway

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (12)

    From the tall privacy fence to the simple, white exterior, this bungalow features a minimalistic design aesthetic. Landscaping rocks and concrete slabs for the driveway and front entrance stay true to the minimalistic design of the home.

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  • 11 of 21

    A Breezeway Pathway

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (13)

    This home features a breezeway that leads from the front yard to the backyard. A simple pathway made from landscaping rocks and concrete stepping stones helps tie the two spaces together.

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  • 12 of 21

    More Rocks, Less Mowing

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (14)

    Landscaping rocks are a great choice if you want to spend less time mowing the lawn and more time enjoying your backyard space. The variety of rocks in this yard add interest and texture and requires minimal gardening, which means more naps on this hammock.

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  • 13 of 21

    Stone Througout

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (15)

    The stone facade on this contemporary home is carried through to the front garden beds where you'll find small succulents bordering the home. The peach front door adds a splash of color.

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  • 14 of 21

    Complementary Colors

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (16)

    This front yard features many lush plants from shrubs to matching topiaries. The large walkway up to the front door features landscaping rocks that complement the home's white exterior and light blue front door.

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  • 15 of 21

    Natural Surroundings

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (17)

    A garden thrives when its an extension of its natural surroundings. This modern cabin on a hillside features large boulders as well as smooth pebble landscaping that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

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  • 16 of 21

    Natural Landscaping

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (18)

    In the Southwest part of the US, the natural landscaping speaks for itself. This home is surrounded by beautiful, natural stone, from the mound in the backyard to the front yard landscaping.

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  • 17 of 21

    A Variety of Textures

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (19)

    You see many textures and materials in this home's front exterior, from brick to concrete to lush greenery. For even more texture, landscaping rocks extend beyond the front pathway to help make the small yard feel larger.

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  • 18 of 21

    A DIY Walkway

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (20)

    Rocks aren't just for gardens and plant beds—they make a great minimalistic front pathway too. Add simple concrete stepping stones to create an easy, budget-friendly home entrance.

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  • 19 of 21

    Succulents and Landscaping Rocks

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (21)

    Succulents and landscaping rocks go together like peanut butter and jelly. Landscaping rocks and succulents are great options in a desert climate where many plants can't grow.

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  • 20 of 21

    Simple Landscape

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (22)

    Take advantage of your surroundings if you live in a beautiful climate. This home's backyard steals the show, so the front yard is kept minimal with some succulents, ladnscaping rocks and a large concrete front pathway.

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  • 21 of 21

    Easy Curb Appeal

    21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (23)

    A nontraditional front yard should have a nontraditional garden. This rock garden in front of this home's gate is a maintenance-free way to add curb appeal to your home.

What is the cheapest rock for landscaping?

Pea gravel is one of the cheapest types of landscaping rock available. It costs around $10 per 25 cubic inches. It's a great alternative to mulch because it lasts longer and comes in a variety of colors. It's also a popular option for driveways and high traffic areas because of its smooth texture that's easy to walk or drive on.

Is it better to use mulch or landscaping rocks?

Both mulch and landscaping rocks have their advantages and disadvantages. Landscaping rocks last for years, as opposed to mulch that needs to be replaced every year, which saves money in the long run. Landscaping rocks also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and color, so they can add a lot of curb appeal. They also don't attract pests like mulch does. However, rocks aren't an organic material like mulch, so they don't aid in plant growth, and rocks can overheat your plants and require more watering.

Do you need to put anything under landscaping rocks?

Before laying rocks down, add a layer of landscaping fabric or newspaper. This prevents weeds from growing between the rocks, and it's easier to lift the fabric to remove the rocks than dig them up.

21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks That Anyone Can Copy (2024)

FAQs

How do I create a beautiful landscape on a budget? ›

11 Cheap Backyard Landscaping Ideas
  1. Use Mulch Alternatives. ...
  2. Repurpose Old Tires. ...
  3. Go Vertical With Your Gardening. ...
  4. Add a Splash of Color. ...
  5. Plant a Functional Garden. ...
  6. Opt for Natural Perennial Ground Covers. ...
  7. Build an Outdoor Fire Pit. ...
  8. Plant a Tree.
Apr 16, 2024

How to put rocks in your front yard? ›

How to Prepare the Ground for Rock Landscaping
  1. Step 1: Remove Debris. The first step in preparing the ground for rock landscaping is to remove any debris from the area. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove Weeds and/or Grass. ...
  3. Step 3: Grade The Area. ...
  4. Step 4: Add a Lining/Underlayment. ...
  5. Step 5: Add Soil. ...
  6. Step 6: Install Your Rocks. ...
  7. Let Us Help.

How do you arrange landscape stones? ›

Keep it natural.

This will make the design more visually pleasing and cohesive with the rest of the yard. Random groupings of stones will look more natural than placing them in neat rows or organized patterns. Incorporate a water feature or stepping stones to enhance the natural appeal.

What is the cheapest landscape fill? ›

Opt for gravel, organic mulch, recycled wood, and locally sourced rocks and stones to create a beautiful, low-budget landscape.

What do you put down before rocks for landscaping? ›

However, the best landscape fabrics for rocks are non-woven or spun. Here are some of the primary benefits of placing landscape fabric under rocks: Creates a barrier to prevent rocks from sinking into the soil.

What is the cheapest rock to use for landscaping? ›

Crushed concrete, resin pieces, or river stones are all great options for the budget-conscious homeowner. River stones are one of the cheapest landscaping rocks you can buy, you can often find them for only a couple of dollars per pound.

What to put under rock landscaping? ›

Rating: Non-woven landscape fabric is a great fabric to use underneath your rock ground covers or rock pathways. If you want to install rock mulch in your flower bed, it's better to use thin spun landscape fabric or heavy-duty woven fabric.

How to design a landscape for front yard? ›

To create an amazing front yard, plan a design that combines different colors, textures, shapes and sizes. Planting beds with a variety of flowers, shrubs and trees can achieve this, but also consider elements like planters, mulch, a stepping stone walkway and even a small statue or fountain.

How do I make the front of my house look nice? ›

Here are 16 projects that will help your home make a better first impression.
  1. Go green. ...
  2. Take care of your lawn. ...
  3. Make your door pop. ...
  4. Let there be light. ...
  5. Embrace symmetry. ...
  6. Makeover your mailbox. ...
  7. Clean your gutters. ...
  8. Add some front door décor.
Sep 14, 2018

How to stack rocks for landscaping? ›

Take the time to find rocks that lock into place, without leaving gaps. Randomly lay your largest rocks along the front edge of the trench. Set the first stone, shifting it around until it sits securely without being rocked easily, and then fill with the remaining stones.

How to make a yard look nice? ›

21 Easy Ideas to Beautify Your Yard
  1. 01 of 23. Integrate Your Plants. ...
  2. 02 of 23. Play Up Texture. ...
  3. 03 of 23. Put Trees and Shrubs in Pots. ...
  4. 04 of 23. Plan for a Grand Entrance. ...
  5. 05 of 23. Leave a Spot to Enjoy Your Garden. ...
  6. 06 of 23. Grow Fragrant Herbs. ...
  7. 07 of 23. Create Drama with Plants. ...
  8. 08 of 23. Let Nature Be Your Guide.
Aug 18, 2022

How to make landscaping look professional? ›

Tips For Professional Looking Garden Design
  1. Use a variety of flower types, for texture and visual interest. ...
  2. Always mix in Ornamental Grasses and Shrubs for structure, texture, and movement. ...
  3. Plant for long-lasting color. ...
  4. Always use each plant in odd-numbered groups (3, 5, 7, 9, and so on.)

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