Small front gardens are just as important as back gardens – first impressions are oh-so-important after all. And even if you've only got a very small space, there's still plenty of opportunity to make it count.
Our front gardens are often seen as functional – a place for the car, the wheelie bins, and the pathway between your door and the big wide world. But when done correctly, they can become a stunning scene that really sets the tone for your home. And, even when space is limited, there are still plenty of opportunities to make an impact.
From mini wildlife havens to modern entrances, these ideas show you how to allow the front of your plot to shine, no matter its size.
1. Create a wildlife haven in a small front garden
Small front gardens don't have to be all sleek and pared-back if that isn't your style. If you love a more natural look and lean towards eco-friendly garden ideas, then take inspiration from this flower-filled haven above.
This design by Fenton Roberts Garden Design makes the most of every inch of space with tons of beautiful planting. The striking stems of verbena topped with vivid purple tones makes for an impressive display alongside echinops and grasses, and pollinators will love them too. What's more, there's even a small pond, tucked amongst the plants in the middle of the zone.
Then there's the bespoke wheelie bin storage, painted cream to complement the exterior of the home and the light-hued paving. "The green roof on the bin also enables you to introduce plants into even the smallest front garden," says garden designer Jo Fenton, from Fenton Roberts Garden Design. A mix of alpines is a lovely, low-maintenance choice.
2. Opt for chic details around your front door
Your front path, no matter how small, will inevitably see a lot of traffic. So, it's worth opting for a design that's not only sturdy, but will also make a statement.
This sleek patterned tiling style is a stunning example. See how the tones have been chosen to tie together the whole scene. The dark greys offset the containers, the creamy tones complement the gravel, and the softer greys make a pleasing accent to the bright blue door.
The gold bee door decor makes a characterful finishing touch and along with the potted trees either side, really draws the eye. The overall result is incredibly welcoming, but smart, too.
Shop for front garden path tiles
This pretty paver look lovely paving the way towards your front door and add character to your small front garden.
Low-maintenance stone effect tiles that will resist moss and algae making them a good option for heavily-tread front garden paths
3. Get creative with paving in a small space
Playing with bold shapes is a great way to add a contemporary edge to your small front garden. This circular design makes an impressive impact, whilst allowing plenty of room for shade-tolerant plants which are suitable for the conditions of the site. Once established, the scene will be full of lush greenery and flowers, including the likes of Liriope muscari. A central topiary tree takes centre stage as a focal point.
Choosing your hard landscaping materials to complement the exterior of your home is crucial for a cohesive look – these dark grey and neutral cream tones work well in this scene. As an alternative to having plants and soil on display, check out these gravel garden ideas for a different approach.
4. Plant front borders full of flowers
Even small front gardens can be transformed into billowing garden borders full of life, colour, and movement. This space above, designed by Outerspace Creative Landscaping, is a case in point.
Try a cottage garden approach with gaura, alchemilla mollis, and Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve' all good contenders for your planting scheme. Border with small, neatly clipped evergreen shrubs to balance the sumptuous look. A small bird bath makes a lovely touch and will welcome feathered friends into your plot.
If this style is for you, don't forget to factor in a cottage garden path idea too.
5. Make a sculptural statement
Sculptures and statues are a great way to draw the eye and provide visual interest throughout the year. Positioning one in the front of your plot will make a striking first impression to help boost your kerb appeal.
We love this weathering steel design which takes pride of place amongst a circular flowerbed and pathway. Pops of opulent, inky colour from the tulips enhance the elegant scene even further, whilst plenty of evergreens means there will be plenty to admire even when winter comes around.
Providing a small bench at the far side creates a destination point, encouraging the whole space to be used.
Shop for statement features
Add some Californian ambiance to your small front garden with an agave plant sculpture.
For a more traditional feel, this freestanding bird bath will encourage regular feathered visitors to your front garden.
Add light and sound to your small front garden with this stylish water feature.
6. Define the entrance with small potted trees
Give your front door the definition it deserves by framing it with a duo of small potted trees. Silvery-leaved olives will bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your space, always look sophisticated, and are very low-maintenance trees too.
Opt for statement planters to match your individual style. These woven wicker designs add a rustic warmth to the scene, but you could go for galvanised metal planters for a more contemporary look. Take a look at our garden planter ideas for more suggestions, or for a wicker planter try this Large Square Rattan Planter on Wheels from Crocus.
7. Fill a walled space with pretty hydrangeas
Front garden wall ideas are a good way to make your front garden feel more secure and defined, and this one looks fabulous as it mirrors the red brickwork of the house. Topped with grey-blue bullnose bricks, it also ties together with the path's edging and sleek tiles.
In terms of planting, shade-tolerant hydrangeas are a brilliant choice for north-facing front gardens, such as this plot. Prolific in blooms, they make a bold statement but are easy to care for. Mix with hardy geraniums for their jewel-like hues.
8. Watch the world go by from an outdoor seat
Adding a garden bench or even a small bistro set can make a great addition to even the smallest of front gardens. It will provide a spot to sit and watch the world go by, and when decked out with pretty cushions, makes a stylish feature too.
This wooden, curved design is the perfect accompaniment to a pretty cottage scene, but there are plenty of contemporary styles available if you're after a more modern look.
And if you're looking to add more greenery into your front garden, don't forget about the power of climbing plants. The likes of clematis, honeysuckle, or even wisteria will always look gorgeous clambering over the exterior of your walls. But take heed if your climbing plants start to encroach on your neighbour's walls – it could cause them problems you won't want to be responsible for.
9. Add structure to a small space with large containers
Even if your front garden is small and fully paved, you can still add planting and colour with structural containers for a low-maintenance garden idea.
Positioned around the borders, they really lift the space, plus there's enough room to keep on top of maintenance easily. Although the planters look like wood at first glance, they're actually made from aluminium, which means they will withstand the outdoor elements.
An olive tree, taxus balls and lavender will provide foliage and structure to the scene all year. The likes of heather and cyclamen offer vivid colour throughout autumn and winter, which can be swapped out with summer bedding as the seasons change.
Shop for front garden planters
These modern rust planters would work well in a group, or as a standalone feature under a front window.
These square wooden planters have pre-drilled holes to help water drain away naturally.
These grey contemporary planters would provide a striking background to a jewel coloured planting scheme.
10. Try a touch of symmetry for a very small front garden
Tiny spaces can be tricky be personalise, but there are still some worthwhile very small front garden ideas to try. Take this stretch of paving, for example. It has been given a pleasingly symmetrical look with the use of a double set of front door steps, a smart black railing, matching wall lanterns, and a slimline planter filled with foliage.
The result is orderly and visually pleasing, and the wisteria overhead only adds to the charm. Once in flower, its purple blooms will turn this smart scene into one of true wonder.
11. Add architectural forms with topiary
Topiary is a timeless choice for both front and back gardens, and although it's popular in traditional plots, it can be very contemporary, too.
In this scene, a range of evergreen shrubs have been clipped into balls of varying heights, adding a playful look and drawing the eye around the space. Surrounded by pale cream and dark grey features, it's a bold look that will last all through the year.
12. Line your pathway with lighting
Every outdoor space can benefit from good garden lighting ideas to boost ambience and practicality. In front gardens it's especially important to help you find your keys or greet guests when night falls.
The best outdoor solar lights, such as stakes in eye-catching styles, look fabulous when nestled in borders lining a pathway, and are low-maintenance too.
For very small front gardens that don't have a path, try weaving outdoor-friendly fairy lights around one of the best trees for pots by your front door instead.
13. Try a window box or two
Window box ideas are a great choice for pepping up a scene when there isn't much space. Even if you don't have deep windowsills to prop them on, you can still recreate the look with the help of supporting brackets fixed directly to the wall.
This duo is full of showstopping colour, and will bring cheer to any passers-by. Plenty of trailing greenery adds to the refreshing vibe, whilst sleek black external window shutters above give a modern edge.
FAQs
What can I plant in a small front garden?
"If you’re aiming for a minimalist aesthetic then it's about avoiding clutter, keeping things clean and crisp and using just a few key plant species," says Nigel Gomme, landscape designer at Cityscapers. Plant these densely to balance the hard landscaping elements, he recommends.
"But, you only need look to cottage planting to see how much variety and colour can be crammed into a small space. So it depends on your taste rather than hard and fast rules,"Nigel adds.
"If space is very limited at ground level, I use the vertical axis,'" Nigel continues. "Plant upwards. Climbers trained up different types of fences and walls provide wonderful vertical planes of greenery and many are scented and prolific bloomers. If the aspect is sunny there are few climbers more exquisite than Wisteria sinensis or more heavenly-scented than climbing roses."
"Evergreen jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is another great scent to add to the garden and is not bothered where you plant it. It flourishes in sun or shade," says Nigel. "Just don't let it dry out and it will reward you with perfumed white flowers all summer and shiny dark green leaves year round. I use climbers a lot to soften and balance hard surfaces and inject colour and scent into small gardens."
The team at Outerspace Creative Landscaping offers more words of wisdom: "Front gardens tend to be smaller than back gardens, so choosing appropriately sized trees, shrubs and planting is really important, not only to how the garden looks but also to how much future maintenance will be required.
'Trees can also cause costly structural problems if the wrong specimen is planted too close to houses and boundaries, so select smaller varieties of trees that won't need regular trimming to keep them under control," advise the team. "Front gardens also tend to be less private, so creating a low- or easy-maintenance space is often a priority."
What materials are best for a small front garden?
"Materials are a key consideration within a front garden," say the experts at Outerspace Creative Landscaping. "The period, style and building materials of the property definitely have a bigger influence on a front garden than for other outdoor areas that may enjoy more privacy."
Your choice of materials needs to complement the exterior of your home, the team explains, which will improve your plot's kerb appeal. Grass is often best-avoided due to the impracticalities of bringing your lawn mower through the house. However, it's important to not focus on function alone – small front gardens, even very small front gardens, still need to feel inviting. This is where the planting comes in, to soften paved pathways and stone walls," continue the experts.
"Unlike back gardens, we pass through our front gardens every time we leave or return to our homes. So, they should be feel welcoming and have the potential to provide as much pleasure and interest as a back garden," they conclude.
As your front garden inevitably leads to your front door, make sure you also pick the best front door colour to complete your scheme. And, if you're considering using hedging to define your boundaries rather than a front garden fence or wall, check out our guide to the best hedging plants.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding & Renovating.
