19 Appealing Front Yard Designs for Curb Appeal

Where to Start Your Personal Curb Appeal Makeover

I chose the bushes to the right of my front door and porch as my starting point. They are the furthest back moving back to front toward the sidewalk and street. I chose this as the area to start since trimming bushes and hedges can make a huge impact with little effort. Also, I knew this task would leave debris and would need to be raked up and picked out of the flower beds so it would not make sense to do this last or after progress had been made in the other areas I was planning on tackling.

I used some basic and inexpensive hedge trimmers, the ones above, to shape the bushes beneath the living room window. I also find that it's helpful, from a psychological standpoint, to see progress. It helps to give a burst of energy and insight into what a difference neatening up your landscaping can make.

Next, The Flower Beds

This "bed" is along the driveway and had been overtaken by lilies of the valley, hostas, and snow on the mountain ground cover. I have updated this area since the original posting of this curb appeal makeover and have annihilated the lilies of the valley.

I had no idea when I planted them years ago that they would become such a garden nuisance. They smelled amazing when in bloom but were choking out everything else in this area so I would highly recommend that if you do plant some you keep that in mind.

This is the same area as above (just a view from the other end) after pruning, edging, mulching, and adding some new in-ground lights. The lights were updated with sturdier lights, no more plastic, and you can see the post with the new lights plus tips for how to install garden lights so they're straight easily here.

A Simple Stone Garden Path

I have a small stone garden path beneath an old cedar arbor that needs to be "reset" every few years. It was definitely past due at this point.

I removed all of the stones using a dandelion weed puller but you could also use your hands or a crowbar for this task. I find that the leverage of a tool helps to make this easier and also helps to get a grip on the stones. I've tried it with just my hands and it is ridiculously tedious and using a tool helps to speed things along. 

Once the stones were removed, I weeded the area, laid down some fresh sand that I purchased at a local hardware store to even out the pathway, arranged the stones back in place, and added mulch.

The front flower bed was the last area I attacked. It looked so dry and parched and downright plain that it annoyed me every time I looked at it. 

I weeded this area, placed the in-ground lighting, added mulch, edged it with stones I've found on walks over the years, and moved around some garden decor from other areas of the yard to give the space a homey, warm, and cohesive feel.

Lastly, I added large plastic whiskey barrels and filled those with annuals as well as some hanging baskets for bold pops of color so that there is something to look at all summer long.

This outdoor space has evolved once again and will be doing another outdoor space/curb appeal makeover as soon as the warmer weather becomes a reality in my area! 

I curated this board for Hometalk and you can see all the details plus more pictures for my favorite Front Yard Designs over there and you can also check out my gardening tips and yard do-overs in The How To Home Gardening Section. 

What's your favorite way to add some curb appeal to your home?