Front gardens have to work both functionally and aesthetically. They are the first impression of your home and can greatly enhance its kerb appeal. They also need to generate a welcoming feeling to both you and your visitors. If you have a drive then easy vehicular access is crucial. Today, with the increasing number of cars in a family, parking space is at a premium.
What is often forgotten when designing a front garden area is that the layout needs to direct where people should go. Visitors need to know which door you want them to use. The easiest way to do this is with a clear path. This also needs to be wide enough so you can walk to your door with shopping bags or luggage. Big pots either side of the front door can look very attractive and welcoming but they also help make a statement to direct visitors to the correct entrance.
The amount of time spent in the front is often minimal compared to the back. It’s unusual to have seating areas unless, like one of the designs below, there is no back garden and emphasis on planting tends to be low maintenance shrubs rather than perennials.
On a lot of new developments, the amount of front garden is very minimal. Here it often makes sense to lose the lawn completely and use planting instead. Although plants need tending they do not need as much maintenance or a weekly cutting like a lawn. In lots of designs I substitute the lawn for gravel and grow plants through them. This allows you to create informal paths between the plants.
Finally, you need to be aware if you live in a conservation area as planning guidelines can affect what you can or cannot do. Some areas in Norwich like to have railings on the front rather than a fence. Where I lived in Brooke, hedges are preferred and more than one planning application has been turned down because of a hedge.
As part of a free consultation, I can take all of these factors into consideration and design a front garden that works perfectly for you. Please get in touch either by calling 07775 611047 or email [email protected].
