Have you ever driven by a house and found yourself absolutely mesmerized by the front yard’s design? Maybe it was an arbor with beautiful flowers or vines that caught your eye. Maybe it was the way every item in the landscape complemented the others.

To say the front yard is the ambassador for your family is an understatement – it serves as an important first impression to all who visit. Anyone can have a front yard that evokes envy and admiration from passers-by. All it requires is a little planning and a lot of hard work.

The first thing to keep in mind when planning your landscape is your home itself. Landscaping should always enhance your home, adding to it, rather than distracting from it.

Plants are the easiest way to improve your property, with little investment of time and money. They also are changeable from year to year, making it easy to frequently update your look without spending thousands of dollars. The kinds of flowers, plants or ground coverings you choose should be based on your climate and environment. It is often best to consult a professional landscaper or landscape supply company before choosing flowers that are right for your area.

Walkways and paths also are important part of your front yard. Whether you’ve chosen one constructed of paver stones, concrete or pebble, accenting the walk can help make it more attractive. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this goal is to add a bench or other seat.Place a bench – like this treated pine curved bench – strategically along your walkway, so visitors can stop and rest, or simply sit and enjoy the view.

Benches also can be used to accent the landscape, rather than as a place to rest. Fill one with potted plants and outdoor décor to create a unique look.

Another easy way to accentuate your front area is with a decorative mailbox and birdhouse/feeder. A mailbox often is the first thing visitors see of your home, so why not make yours unique?

Birdfeeders also can add a nice touch to any well-landscaped front yard, making it not only attractive to human friends and family, but also to feathered friends as well.

No matter what you choose to do, take the time to truly assess what you wish to accomplish before getting started. While professional landscapers can help, upgrades and improvements also are easily achievable by novices with the right tools.

 ~Shari Berg