How Can I Landscape My Front Yard? Simple Tips to Start

A tidy lawn is nice, but for a real wow factor, a hardy and easy-to-maintain   front yard landscaping   can take your front yard from fine to fabulous. Does the idea of DIY landscaping seem overwhelming? With some pre-planning and creativity, you can have an eye-catching front lawn that boosts your curb appeal, property value, and personal pride in your home. 

Whether you’re dealing with a small patch of lawn or a wide-open canvas, this guide will walk you through practical, budget-conscious ways to give your yard a fresh new look.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:

• How to make a simple plan and create a standout focal point
• Which plants are easiest to care for and thrive in your area
• Tips for small spaces, affordable upgrades, and quick visual wins
• Easy ways to improve your yard’s look without breaking the bank
  

Landscaping Your Front Yard Is Easier Than You Think

Plan Your Space and Create a Focal Point

If you’re new to DIY, you might wonder, “How can I landscape my front yard?” when I’m not sure where to start. One benefit of DIY front yard landscaping is that you can work on it in stages, allowing you to nurture your creativity while keeping on budget. 

First, consider the style you want for your front yard. Do you want something modern with clean lines, something more traditional, or a yard that invokes whimsical and cozy? 

Next, sketch a basic layout of your yard, including general measurements of width and length. 

Are you removing any existing landscaping? Plan for that first, you might even be able to repurpose some of the materials! Next, it’s time to start laying out where you want the new landscaping to go. It’s important to make sure your front yard landscaping leaves you enough room to enjoy and maintain the space easily without feeling crowded. 

Plan for a focal point, such as a decorative planter, a tree, or a water element such as a fountain or birdbath. A focal point doesn’t have to be in the center of your yard, but it will help set the tone for your overall design. Including edging helps to shape walkways, create defined garden beds, and keep everything looking tidy. Contrasting textures between grass, mulch, and stone add visual interest and give your design structure and cohesion. If you want small front yard landscaping ideas or are looking to keep as much open space as possible, consider vertical elements such as trellises, vertical flower planters, window box planters on fences or railings to avoid a cluttered look. 

Use Low-Maintenance and Native Plants for Effortless Beauty

For best results, we recommend native plant choices for your region for front yard landscaping. Native plants offer a lot of positives, low maintenance, less watering, fewer pests, and are built to withstand the local climate. 

The right plant choices can make your yard beautiful and easy to care for, leaving you more time to enjoy your hard work. 

Here are great plant options by broad USDA zone:

Zone 3–4 (Northern U.S.)

• Ground Cover: Creeping Phlox, Ajuga, Snow-in-Summer
• Bushes: Dwarf Arctic Willow, Red Twig Dogwood, Boxwood
• Decorative: Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susan, Bleeding Heart

Zone 5–6 (Midwest/Northeast)

• Ground Cover: Pachysandra, Liriope, Lamb’s Ear
• Bushes: Spirea, Ninebark, Hydrangea arborescens
• Decorative: Daylilies, Sedum, Shasta Daisy

Zone 7 (Mid-Atlantic/Southern Transition)

• Ground Cover: Creeping Jenny, Mondo Grass, Sweet Woodruff
• Bushes: Azaleas, Beautyberry, Boxwood
• Decorative: Coreopsis, Russian Sage, Lantana

Zone 8 (Southeast/Southwest/PNW)

• Ground Cover: Asian Jasmine, Frogfruit, Sedum kamtschaticum
• Bushes: Loropetalum, Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Indian Hawthorn
• Decorative: Salvia greggii, Gaillardia, Texas Sage

Zone 9–10 (Deep South, SoCal, Desert)

• Ground Cover: Dwarf Lantana, Ice Plant, Blue Daze Evolvulus
• Bushes: Hibiscus, Oleander, Bird of Paradise
• Decorative: Agapanthus, Bougainvillea, Canna Lily

Also Read: Galvan’s Offers Flower Bed Maintenance

These are broad recommendations; check with your local garden store or nurseries for more detailed guidance.

Budget-Friendly Tips That Make a Big Difference

You don’t need to uproot your entire life and budget to create a beautiful front yard. There are several landscaping ideas on a budget that can offer visual impact without draining your wallet:

• Decorative gravel and edging can create a base for a birdbath or other decorative element, while mulch can refresh tired garden beds and help with moisture control
• Paint or upcycle old planters for a fun, custom touch
• Install solar lights along walkways or around focal points
• Add symmetry with matching pots, shrubs, or path accents
• Layer perennials with mulch and stone for simple front yard flower bed ideas
• Evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant flowers require less upkeep and still look great year-round.
  

What’s the Easiest Way to Landscape a Front Yard Cheaply?

If you don’t have the time or budget to completely overhaul your front yard landscaping, there are ways to make a big difference without a big up-front investment. The key is to focus on the most visible areas. Even one small improvement—like refreshing mulch or planting a colorful container garden—can completely change the feel of your front yard.

Here are easy ways to start:

• Clean up borders and remove weeds
• Add one or two new plants near your entryway
• Paint your mailbox or front steps for an instant boost
• Use repetition or matching decor to create visual harmony
  

Create a Front Yard You’ll Be Proud Of

If you are ready to invest a little time in planning, gathering a few materials, and the sweat equity to do it yourself, front yard landscaping is achievable and rewarding. Whether you’re refreshing your space with new plants or adding some simple structure, every step you take brings new life to your home’s exterior.

On the other hand, if you're short on time, overwhelmed by the idea of doing it yourself, or want a more hands-off approach, Galvan’s Lawn & Landscaping is here to help you take your yard to the next level. Contact the team at Galvan’s; we do it all from landscape design (including in-house designers who will bring your vision to life!) to flower bed planting and maintenance, seasonal landscaping cleanups, and commercial landscaping and snow removal. We have over 30 years of landscaping experience in and around Lee’s Summit, MO, and the wider Kansas City area. Contact us today!