Help with ugly front yard, needs landscaping
sarahj512
6 years ago
Need HELP!! The door has been moved as you can see in the 2nd pic, we are getting ready to have stone crete put on. however NOW what??? I am either taking the railing off around the front of the house or widening it? we have talked to someone about stamped concrete as a walkway but I need some advice as what to do with this!!! I live in Michigan give you an idea of climate. This is also considered the back of our house, we live on the water. Any ideas would be great. I am open to anything here I am completely lost. hmmmmmm also maybe an awning?? Thank you in advance.
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (28)
Related Discussions
What would help this ugly front yard?
Comments (15)karinl- Regarding your suggestion to "Move the focus outward"...I wonder if we are thinking the same area? The dirt? While that sewer line collapse was an annoyance and financial burden at the time, it may prove beneficial as it is forcing us to do something with that area. I think this could make a huge difference. What do you see in that area that would "enhance the way the property and plantings frames and embraces the house"? What do you think about building it up some in an effort to gain some privacy? Can you picture doing something with 3 small trees...redbuds maybe, with something under them...not sure what, yet. Patty- I, also, have driven around in search of a ranch owner who has figured out how to enhance his ranch home. So far, it doesn't exist. I imagine there would be many others interested in a discussion focused on landscaping the ranch home! There are many other "very specific" forums on this site...why not one devoted to landscaping a particular style of house? But maybe it's only us ranch owners that have this problem...Some houses do seem to lend themselves more easily to a great looking yard. stevied- I read your second post this morning. Your thoughts must have stayed with me while driving to work. I noticed a house that had just what you are describing...it looked GREAT! Nice idea...thanks. annebert- Do you think that "meatball" would survive if moved? Have had differing opinions on that. Regardless, it's gotta go. Like your idea of a "sheltered walk"...this yard needs some shelter! I need some shelter...feel like I have to change my clothes with the lights off for privacy...our bedroom and bathroom are on the front of the house. lynne_melb- Yes, the house is brick and we have talked about painting that siding. What color can you see with the stark white paint, though? What do you think about a light grayish sage green? I have no problem decorating the inside...some brave colors others might shy away from, but something about the outside scares me! Maybe because I haven't had an oportunity to choose exterior colors before...certainly didn't choose this white! My last house was all brick too, but not painted. Any opinions on color choices welcome!!! Here's some more pic's of the bushes on right side of house. Recognize any of them? This is the so called "meatball" on the end :) To the left of the meatball, are three of these Same...closer up All the way to the left...(on the right side) Same... Thanks to all...you have no idea how much I appreciate you taking the time to offer your thougts!...See MoreHelp needed on ugly front yard
Comments (12)You're a long way from being "that house." Once you get the lawn greened up I think you will feel a lot better about your front yardscape. Right now you've got a bunch of overgrown shrubs under your windows that are too big for your limited space and really aren't needed to cover up anything. That's a small space, as Emmarene has noted, so you'll probably want to either put nothing there, or something smaller. Almost too small for even dwarf shrubs, but if you want, a fine space for some easy care perennials or a groundcover. Same with the shrub against the chimney, it is going to be a pain to maintain, and why do you need to cover your chimney with foliage? It's too big for that space, but could maybe work away from the house, viewed from an inside window. Your front landscape suffers from the classic mistake of thinking that everything has to be shoved up against the house. In my humble opinion, a front yard landscape should be designed to look nice from the road to folks driving by, from the driveway as you come home, and from INSIDE the house as you look out. That usually involves plantings well away from the house, judiciously placed so as not to obscure some area of the house where a burglar might be trying to enter. "Foundation plantings" are ok since that is an area to grow things if you like, but if there is nothing ugly around your foundation to hide, not necessary unless that really rings your bell. If you do want them, then think of them like jewelry and other accessories that you would "wear" to highlight your outfit. In the same sense, foundation plantings balance and soften the features of your house, highlighting what you like and downplaying the negatives. Depending on your light orientation, foundation plantings can also provide shade to cool your house or a windblock. But when planted too close, they just end up holding debris and moisture against the house and roof which can lead to moss, mold, rot, insects, etc. The area to the right of the front door as I'm looking at it, is kind of a long boring expanse of grey, so that would be where you could have some kind of plantings to spruce it up. Then in the front by the road, where it looks like something has died and been cut down, is where you could plant what is known as a "specimen tree" which is a tree that is spectacular in some way and gives pleasure when viewed from within the house or from the road. Common examples are white birches or river birches for their form and bark, a crimson maple or some other shrub or tree with bright red leaves in the fall, a crabapple or flowering cherry or dogwood, etc, some kind of flowering tree, or some cool evergreen or an island with a series of maybe three flowering shrubs or shrubs with cool foliage. You could relocate the large shrubs by your house to that spot, if they survive the move. I wouldn't recommend the classic blue spruce for your small yard, but there are some other beautiful options out there. But that's my taste, you have to figure out what is yours. You already have a magnolia specimen tree so purely up to you if you want another to contrast with it, or just let that area return to grass....See MoreFront Yard Landscaping-Need Help
Comments (8)This is not a list of plants, but is an organizational layout, involving a reshaping of the bed so as encompass the tree out of the lawn and lead the viewer to the front entrance. The colors serve to differentiate one type of material from the next; they're not suggestions for what colors you should use. That's up to you according to what is available. Eventually, you'll be forced to limb up the tree in order to avoid having it consume the porch. Not insignificant is the undersized landing, narrow steps and lack of cheeckwall, that allows either dirt to be spilled on the steps or that plant material cannot be maintained next to them .... basically a permanent "scab" next to the steps. Widen them and add a cheekwall to solve the problem and make for a nicer entrance experience. I would not enclose the steps or walk with planting. They would only serve to obscure the entrance more. While mentioning the entrance, I will say that the porch post next to the garage seems completely unnecessary and serves to create a narrow passageway ... which is not as good as a wider one. I'd remove it. Also, consider getting beefier posts to replace the remaining ones with....See MoreHelp! Need ideas/tips on front yard landscaping and entry area
Comments (5)It's a fact ... you'll not be able to get rid of the mess until you create a permanent, hard walk where there is now mulch. The magnolia roots are going to make it harder, but it must be done if there is to be a cure. I agree with others that something like concrete (simplest and cheapest) or pavers/brick are suitable. A walk laid out to acknowledge the tree will look and work better than one that doesn't. The bench only makes sense if there is a way to get to it ... i.e., use it. But because of Magnolia roots, it would add a lot of difficulty extending the walk to the bench. Therefore, I'd recommend using the bench elsewhere and having only plantings at the front of the house. Consider using a groundcover like Asiatic Jasmine to cover the magnolia roots....See Moresarahj512
6 years ago
Geneviève
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoPlease no shutters they look so fake ! lots of flowers and shrubs , a tree , time to plant some bulbs now , paint the front door , decorate with garden mums for now , do a bit at the time , get a bench a water feature a light post if you need to . It sure looks like you have a lot of room to be creative .
[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/national-style-sandy-colorful-water-wise-front-yard-traditional-landscape-salt-lake-city-phvw-vp~3300476]
sarahj512 thanked Genevièvesarahj512
6 years agoI have a sailboat water feature on order, but michigan I won't get it till spring. I will look into planting bulbs but we have tons of bunnies and they eat everything! lol I am truely not sure what I want it to look like, lol. we have been in the house for 5months and of course I want it all done. here is the picture of our actual front of our house. We worked on that this summer.
PROsarahj512
6 years ago
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago- PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago 
l pinkmountain
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
gtcircus
6 years agoHere are some thoughts. First by having the stairs not in front of the door, the front deck becomes useless. Your seating area is in the middle of the walkway. Your front door also needs to have a pop of color. You can maintain a sidewalk to the driveway but also put one to the street - i think it is more visually appealing.
Elizabeth B
6 years agosarahj512
6 years ago
Cheryl Smith
6 years agofollowing your post because we are closing on a house this week with the same problem. I can't move the door so landscaping and working on changing the deck are my priorities. I like the landscaping advice you gotten so far.
Paige Davis
6 years ago
PROOmega Brick & Landscaping
6 years ago
User
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoIt is four or more RISERS.
3 treads, and 2 floors or landings
Milly Rey
6 years ago- PRO
Omega Brick & Landscaping
6 years ago gtcircus
6 years agogtcircus
6 years agoElizabeth B
6 years agogtcircus
6 years agosarahj512
6 years agosarahj512
5 years agosarahj512
5 years ago
Related Stories
CURB APPEAL7 Questions to Help You Pick the Right Front-Yard Fence
Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNYard of the Week: Elegant Poolside Retreat and Front Yard Lounge
A landscape design-build firm gives a family in New Jersey an outdoor oasis for swimming, eating and relaxing
Full Story
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGTake Back Your Front Yard: 8 Ways to Make It Social
If only trees and squirrels gather in your front yard, you're missing out on valuable socializing space. Here's how to remedy that
Full Story
CURB APPEAL7 Finishing Touches for a Thoughtful Front Yard
Make a great first impression with artful house numbers, water features, garden art and more
Full Story
FRONT YARD IDEAS10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love
Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace
Full Story
CURB APPEAL7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard
Foster community spirit by setting up your front porch, paths and yard for social interaction
Full Story
EXTERIORSWhere Front Yards Collide: Property Lines in Pictures
Some could be twins; others channel the Odd Couple. You may never look at property boundaries the same way again
Full Story
MOST POPULARCreative Ideas for Small Front Yards
A little imagination goes a long way in a petite landscape
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGN7 Stylish Front Yard Ideas for Homes on Busy Streets
Create privacy and cut down on traffic noise while maintaining curb appeal
Full Story
COMMUNITYBook It: Bring a Mini Library to Your Front Yard
Take a book, leave a book. An ingenious lending-library idea is sweeping the nation — see if it's right for your neighborhood
Full Story
Melissa D