Front Yard Essentials

Front Yard Essentials

by Julie Young, House and Home Writer

Showcase Your Space Without Going Overboard

Your front yard sets the stage for a property’s overall curb appeal and it should showcase the space without stealing the spotlight from the headlining structure itself. A well-landscaped lawn not only welcomes guests to your abode, but it also complements its size and style. It should include elements such as live material, hardscape, mulch, lighting and more. The result should be a balanced presentation that looks great and is easy to maintain.

FIND YOUR FOCUS

Every space has a focal point and, when it comes to the front yard, that is traditionally the front door. Although you will want your walkway to offer guests a touch of the red carpet, you can add additional hardscape materials throughout the yard to complement your home’s style.

Jason Bontrager with Superior Hardscapes in Middlebury, says he likes to incorporate a mix of materials to add texture and depth to a space while differentiating from other areas of the yard. If your home has a lot of natural stone, then a rustic paver may be appropriate while a more contemporary look may require something more linear and streamlined.

“It really depends on what you like and what will look best with your home,” he said. “Having a 3-D rendering drawn up will help you step back and see what the finished project is going to look like before you ever get started and allows you to make any changes you need to before items are purchased and installed.”

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PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

When it comes to live material, it is important for homeowners to think about the plants they need to give their home depth and personality. Although you don’t have to overcrowd your yard with lots of ornamentals, it is important to include ground covers, foundation plants and a few pops of color that will make people look twice.

Andrew Moser, store manager at Kuert Outdoor Living in Goshen, says one of the biggest landscaping mistakes homeowners make is in not planning for the future of their live material. Often, they don’t consider how large a plant will grow over the years and they tend to place their plants based on the size they are when they are purchased. A few years later, they realize their landscape is overgrown and out of control.

“The key to staying balanced is in knowing which plants to put where,” he said. “I think it looks nice when landscaping has a good variety of materials mixed throughout, (but) on the other hand, you want to avoid just having a bunch of random items/plants/ materials in the landscape. A professional landscaper can help identify the right plants while keeping a common theme going throughout.”

LIGHT IT UP

Homeowners have an array of choices when it comes to lighting their landscape as well. While you don’t want to add too much light pollution to your neighborhood, you can get creative so that your yard looks as welcoming in the evening as it does during the day.

“No matter whether your style is minimalist, traditional, contemporary or abstract, there is a landscaping solution to meet your front yard’s needs,” Bontrager said. “Contact a professional that can help you create a vision for your front yard that will welcome you home for years to come!” n

RESOURCES:

Superior Hardscapes, Middlebury, 574-370-4002, www.superiorhardscapes.com Kuert Outdoor Living, Goshen, 574-312-7557, www.kuert.com

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