skip to main content

Landscape Design

HELP! I need to do something with my front yard.

8 years ago

I have an older (1959) split level ranch house. I am looking
for ideas to increase the curb appeal and functionality of my front yard.
Looking to do the work myself. I like gardens, but tend to kill everything in
them. So I wouldn’t mind keeping a smaller
garden. I hate the bushes on the right.

My husband can build almost anything, but stone work is out of his expertise. I
hate the walkway we have, and was thinking of a front deck, we cannot afford to
add an overhang to make a porch. This is an old picture, the roof we have now is not even a year old.

I have no creative bone in my body. Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or
pictures!?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

C. L. Sleger
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I would start with hardscaping to create a little mystery and anticipation in that flat plain. For example, you don't need to know much about masonry to lay out and construct a curvaceous and intriguing path of dry-laid brick or flagstone with perhaps an arbor to mark an entrance, a berm or speciman boulders to add some contour. Once you have the backbone in, other ideas begin to suggest themselves - such as a serpentine border of low groundcover along the path, a vine climbing up the arbor, plants with complementary foliage paired with the rocks, and shrubs or grasses to coyly disguise your path's progress (where does it go next? let's follow it and see!)
Dani thanked C. L. Sleger
PRO
Yardvaark
8 years ago
You should remove all shrubs that are presently part of your "foundation" planting. The ones at right are the worst, but none of the others are adding positive benefits. Need to learn the proper way to trim shrubs, too, as how it's being done now is the reason why they have no foliage at their lower portions.

The front walk looks like a camping path relative to the home. For the best look, the walk should be the same width as the stoop.

From about halfway up the walk, need a picture that aims to show what's at & beyond the right end of the house.
Dani thanked Yardvaark
Related Discussions
I need help with my front yard ! (with photos)
Q
Comments (16)
IÂm usually a lurker and am a plantaholic type so feel free to ignore my comments. I love your view! And the house looks pretty interesting tooÂ.:-) mad gallicaÂs comments on side shrub border are the ones that resonate most with me. To that list of shrubs IÂd add the old-fashioned favorites of Bridalwreath Spirea and Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) for a great old-fashioned mixed flowering shrub hedge in combination with the shrubs mad gallacia suggested. Since all the shrubs on that combined list are spring or early summer bloomers, IÂd plant group 3 clematis to climb over them for some later flowers. Then IÂd line the path from the gate and along the fence with a nice wide perennial border heavy on later flowering perennials and interesting annuals. IÂd add a Downy Serviceberry tree or two for spring bloom, berries for the birds (and people if you can get to them before the birds do!) and great fall color. I'm not a big fan of most evergreens but others are so I'm sure there'll be suggestions of what to add for 'winter interest'.... Deciduous trees and shrubs are effective wind screens by slowing down and filtering the wind to reduce its force.
...See More
help my front yard needs some tlc..where to begin?
Q
Comments (6)
On the right side, looks like a nice hedge. But blocking the house is some kind of low tree? That's a bad spot for that. Your big trees are beautiful and will provide shade in summer. Just give them a haircut. I would aerate and reseed that lawn to make it all nice and green. But, it's a very nice lawn! I love your planter! The left side is too overgrown and needs some trimming. We had something at that at this house we bought. It took days to rip it all out, and we still encounter roots, but we get the thumbs up from happy neighbors all the time! Suzi
...See More
Help with doing something in my tiny back yard!
Q
Comments (5)
Sorry Richie, you're not getting your Hakuro Nishiki back, lol! But maybe jant is right. Just plant something, off to the left. If your neighbor never really looks back there, maybe she won't notice. Or maybe she'll like it. Of course, maybe she won't, but as you told me just the other day "you can always move it!" LOL! Another option is to plant something all along your property line with your next-door neighbor, and then turn that planting left into your garage at the boundary with the gold house. The problem there is that it will enclose your yard and may make it seem even smaller. Or wait a minute... maybe that's what you want - to enclose the back yard completely? I went back and re-read your post and I'm not sure now if you want to enclose the whole yard, or are more concerned with blocking out the gold house... :) Dee
...See More
Need Help Identifying Grass in My Front Yard. Pic Included.
Q
Comments (5)
So far, the Tall Fescue has appeared to do very well. It could obviously be better, but I honestly just did not do anything with it the first summer I was here. I am going to add some seed to it this year as well as add some fertilizer. The Tall Fescue is under two pretty large trees so I never had an issue during the hottest days of the year. I really like the grass as well as it stays green all year long. Even after we had 3 inches of snow fall, when the snow melted, the grass was still green. As I mentioned, I am going to be actually working on taking care of the lawn this year, so I expect to see great results!
...See More
laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
Absolutely agree with Yardvaark about the shrubs. They need to go. Nor should there be any shrubs at all on the right blocking windows. And by all means, widen that path, even if it's just gravel. If your gardening skills are minimal, a bed of groundcover might be sufficient, but also important: How do people get from the driveway to the house?
Dani thanked laceyvail 6A, WV
Dani
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for all your ideas! I really do hate those bushes too. Behind them, the old woman tried to start a rock garden so it is just a disaster in that area. Their is a cement walk way from the top of the driveway to the front stoop. That looks much better than the paved walkway from the road to the house, but still something needs to be done with it.
Dani
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh and this is the view to the right of the house. the only difference now is that we installed a split rail fence, that encloses the side yard.

Related Stories

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

CURB APPEAL 7 Questions to Help You Pick the Right Front-Yard Fence

By Matthew Ankeny

Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

FUN HOUZZ Decorated Houses Help Save a Detroit Neighborhood

Art's a start for an inner-city community working to stave off urban blight and kindle a renaissance

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

Sponsored

More Discussions

Landscaping Around a Red Lace Weeping Maple on the Corner of the House

17

Suggestions needed for backyard

6

Help with curb appeal

10

Help with plants for sitting wall near pool

5

What is the usual soil ph of my area in NE OH?

0