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Landscape Design Design Dilemma

Front Yard Ideas

3 years ago

My husband and I moved into our house last year. It's been almost a year and we're finally getting around to improving the front yard/walkway. When the house was built in the 30's, I think the front door originally faced a different direction, but when someone renovated it years ago, they moved the door, making the side yard the front yard. As a result the house feels flat and the natural focus is the giant window instead of the door.

I'm thinking some landscaping would be helpful to balance out the window, maybe hide the electrical meters, though I don't have much of an eye for landscaping. We live in central Florida, so it's generally warm and the soil is pretty sandy. What's there right now is courtesy of the previous homeowners.

I'm not thrilled with the (lack of) front porch either. The walkway from the sidewalk to the steps is currently just some pavers. The walkway dips which means it gets flooded when it rains too hard. Also, as there's no overhang over the door. It becomes a waterfall when it rains and any missed packages are soaked.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO the biggest eyesore is that huge white fence and gate. Can I see what is behind there ? You need landscaping for sure and a t least some kind of cover over the front door. Maybe give us a hint as to your style that always helps, I think a metl and glass awning over the door and the door painted a nice color would accent the door.
Embothrium
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Agree - fence is so different from house that it looks like it encloses an unrelated area. Otherwise meters could be adequately obscured with a single shrub of adequate size between them and the sidewalk. Yet visible and accessible to meter readers.

Unfortunately the Norfolk Island pine is going to grow much larger over time than it is now, is already to an extent throwing the scene out of balance visually because there is nothing else of comparable height nearby. And it is off the end of the house, instead of near the center. Where its placement wouldn't then produce an appearance of having to be matched by another tree of comparable height at the other end. However it would still be too big to be in scale with the house even if so situated.

Finally in Florida there is always the possibility of high winds dumping all or part of a tree of some size located close to a structure onto it at some point.
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Comments (19)
Gobluedjm, I was thinking to put water feature in the corner formed by the side wall of garage and the "sad" window. But maybe your idea of putting it by the railing is better. My elderly mother often sits on a chair in the front porch and she would love the water feature by the railing! Would like to pick all your brains further if I may for more design ideas. Q: If I do put the water feature in front of the railing, do I plant something between the water feature and railing to sort of frame the water feature and soften the lines? Or should I remove the railing altogether? Q: would the water feature be same height as railing or higher? Q: What would you guys suggest I plant under the 2 lights flanking the garage door? Q:The problem with the "sad" window is, it is pretty close to the ground so I can't plant ANYTHING higher than maybe a foot if I want the window to be seen in its entirety from the street. Any ideas what would look best under the window and in that entire bed by the window?? Q: I would also like to plant something tall and columnar on each side of the window. I love the linear Italian Cypresses. What do you guys think? Any problems with those being so close to home? Q: what would you guys plant in front of the 3 columns? Nothing? or something vining.... thunbergia, clematis, passiflora? Q: Suggestions as to what annual flowers(begonia, petunia, impatiens etc) to plant along the border of the walkway leading to front door? Q: what specific color scheme would you recommend for the flowers in the front yard? Would it be contrasting(blue/purple) to the orange/peachy of the garage door and roof? or in the same color palette, i.e. oranges, reds and yellows? Please do not feel obligated to answer any of the questions. I have already learned so much from your posts, I feel guilty asking for more advice.
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front yard ideas needed
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Comments (4)
The two flat topped shrubs by the window are doing nothing for the overall look. Either shape them with hand pruners not hedge shears, or remove them. Many shrubs will regrow if cut back hard to near ground level, and doing this might give you a more appealing shape, though without knowing what they are I don't know if that will work. Adding a single type of evergreen groundcover that has similar water needs to what is already there will improve the look of that bed when the roses are bare and mulch until the groundcover fills in. On a practical level for the area that is currently lawn, you will want a relatively few different types of plants, both for ease of care and because it is a small space that you don't want to look like a hodgepodge. You may need to rework your irrigation system if it is currently set up for lawn. To get inspiration, drive or walk around neighborhoods that have nicely planted yards, get books relating to water wise gardening from the library or visit any local botanic gardens. Figure out what you find appealing. Do you want just low-growing waterwise groundcovers to mimic the look of your lawn, either with or without a low shrubby border? Would you want to extend the picket fence that is along the right side of the yard across the front and plant mid height flowering perennials and shrubs to create a SW style cottage garden effect? You most likely don't want anything tall since roses need sun to do well. To help with keeping things low maintenance, plan to use mulch between plants to help keep soil temperature and moisture more even, especially while the garden is becoming established. Groundcovers can help with this in the long run.
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Comments (20)
Not landscaping suggestion, but the first thing I would do is paint the garage doors the same color as the house so they are not the glaring focal point. eta: I just spent a little time googling pictures of homes in Galveston. I found many pics of homes with lots and approaches like yours, but very few with any real landscaping. I don't know if it's because beach homes are more vacation homes so low maintenance, or frequent storms/flooding or maybe the sun/heat, but almost all of them simply had planted a number of palm trees with no other beds at all. I did see these that might give you some ideas: This probably wouldn't work with your offset garage and shorter driveway, but I thought it looked great:Here's a similar one with offset garages that kind of breaks up all the concrete and makes a walkway to the front door, along with a nicely planted side yard:
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Advise on front yard ideas.
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Comments (1)
I would go with drought tolerant plants instead, such as century plants, agave, bromeliads or dwarf palms...etc
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ashtonchic
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I would get matching awnings to put over the door and windows.
frankielynnsie
3 years ago
If the house was painted white then the fence would blend with it. If it is in the budget a porch over the front door and a pergola that extended across the front of the center section of the house with seating under it would be nice.
Lindsey Zema
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the feedback!

The white fence hides the backyard, which will be it's own project. We're planning on getting rid of the gate part of the fence to widen the driveway.

I personally like colonial style houses, but I know that this is a far cry from that. I'd be willing to consider pretty much anything that helps give the house an identity.
Whitney Ramirez
3 years ago
Easy enough to paint the roof trim/fascia white to tie the house and fence together.

Window planter boxes would add a great element of charm. It's a cute house.
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
try some of these ideas. (ignore any shutters on the windows). I've tried to find similar houses like yours, but use your imagination if windows are in diff places than yours.

notice the walk ways, landscaping, especially under the large window, house color, lights, etc.

Tried to photo shop this one for you.

some wood elements on the door, stairs, railing, would go a long way. make a nice stepping stone pathway. Find suitable plants and do a flowerbed under you window

do a soft white stucco, dark trim:

Or, this combo, w/the blue door. (or blue stucco and white trim)

flower bed ideas (love the dark charcoal base color, and the creamy trim. the walkway and beds are pretty too. paint your white doors a dark color, or do a wood -look or wood garage door)

another color combo. do a darker stucco like above, w/a dark trim like Urbane bronze,,add wood elements.

or this one,,,red door, beige/cream body

These color combos would also work w/your brown roof

some other color combos. BTW, see about doing something tall to conceal the electric panel. Or, erect something like this wood screen, and do some potted plants at the base of it

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