The Difference Between Front Yard Landscaping & Backyard Landscaping

Goals of Front Yard Landscaping

In both the front and backyard landscaping Landscape architects are involved in defining the outdoor spaces, and establishing areas of use which function in isolation but are integrated in the overall landscape. The primary reason that landscaping for front yards differ from backyard landscapes is their functionality.

With the peace of backyards we often are asked to design multi-purpose areas which offer spaces for relaxing, entertaining guests and to play. For front yard landscaping located on the outside of the home Landscape architects GR Landscape says the primary purpose is to improve the appearance of the house and to show its beauty when viewed through the eyes of the passers-by. The goal is creating something of an "arrival experience" by making the walkway and driveway attractive to visitors as well for the homeowners.

Four Differentiating Principles of Front Yard Landscape Design

1. Correctly arranged the conditions of the site that hinder the way to the house or reduce the visual appeal of the home
2. Begin by welcoming guests with arrival areas and parking spaces, as well as by defining the path towards the entrance at the front
3. Make your curb appeal more appealing and create the most of your views by framing the views of the home with trees and planters, and by setting key points in the middle which draw attention to the home, while enhancing its architectural style
4. You can create privacy and seclusion, or create a "buffer" from street activity with any combination of low borders and gardens walls, taller plants to create a screen, or as an entryway to the drive

To demonstrate the ways that one or more of these ideas can fuel the front yard landscaping project We'll go through the projects that illustrate how each of these principles can change your front yard experience.

Creating Privacy & Seclusion Without Hiding the Home

These 3D renderings illustrate the concept of landscaping the front yard for a new house on a huge lot located in McLean, Virginia. The client wanted us to design a space for his family by constructing pathways that run throughout the property. The landscaping was to ensure his privacy, but the neighbors should enjoy the views of the home from the street.

We created the stone border wall as well as a custom entrance gate near the end of the drive. The walls of masonry can be found low on the level of the ground (about two feet tall) and have four foot iron fence at the top. The property's access is not permitted, but views aren't. The house can be seen far away.

We also designed an entrance service for visitors. Once they pass through the entryway into the courtyard, guests are greeted by an open area surrounded by large trees. In front, they will find another low wall as well as a gate that surrounds the courtyard. It is home to parking for guests, there is an area for sitting with a view of the lawn in front.

Due to that distance from our house to the streets We were able to identify foreground and middle ground elements that ensure privacy of the home and while also providing interesting views of the street.

Enhancing Curb Appeal

The idea behind this landscape project located situated in Dubai was developed to rejuvenate a worn-out, outdated front garden. We wanted to revitalize it to make it appealing and inviting again.

There is a design principle which suggests that instead of a straight line to your front door directly on the pavement, an walkway in front placed on a curving path can add attraction. In this instance the Landscape architect GR Landscape defied the rule. Since the front entrance is in close proximity to the main street that it was logical for him to make it clear where the house is located.

The home's architecture is symmetrical, and the plants are in keeping with that. The front walkway is now extends out from the sidewalk, inviting guests to come in. Two trees, one on each side of the home, give the view a soft frame and obscure the lines from the building.

To further emphasize his simple style of living, GR Landscape designed a new entry portico that makes an impressive design and draws attention right towards the entrance door.

Welcoming Guests by Establishing an Arrival Area

Under this category we have two projects that will improve the experience of arriving at your front door. The problem in both projects is the exact same issue: poor working driveway. But the solutions towards the development of welcome welcome areas were totally different.

Arrival area example 1. The front yard landscaping, located in Arabian Ranches was constrained by a steep, unnaturally placed driveway that didn't coincide with the front entrance. Additionally, the front yard landscaping was dull and didn't do much to enhance the architectural style of the house or lead guests to the front entrance.

Designer Howard Cohen undertook a radical transformation that included excavating the front yard in its entirety. He restored the grade from street level until the doorway. He constructed a half moon-shaped driveway that is surrounded with low walls as well as raised planting beds that draw the eye towards the new front entrance stairs. He also added the half-moon (or "eyebrow") shaped portico over the front door, making it an impressive center area.

On the street on the street, he made use of excavated earth to create a foundation for raised gardens that provide beautiful protection from street traffic but without blocking views of the entranceway to the house.

In reality the master plan of the landscaping design covered the entire front yard of the property along with the back and sides. If you'd like digging deeper into the details of how the landscaping in front differed from the landscaping in the backyard landscape of this house, check out "Landscape Design Makes Welcoming Front Entry & Secluded Backyard Patio."

Arrival area example 2. This Alexandria residence was surrounded by a long driveway, but no turn-around space to allow guests to drop by. It also did not have a clearly defined entrance area that led towards the entrance.

This solution for the problem of the driveway was to create the foundation to this front of home landscaping. The driveway could not be expanded due to its proximity to the line of the house. The only possible place for a parking pad/turnaround area was the opposite end of the driveway, where the lot dropped with a slope to the left. It was necessary to fill in and level the slope.

The curved wall curves to align with the front walkway, which connects parking pads with the front door. The front yard's new design cleverly solved the practical issue (parking) while also improving the appearance of the home with a brand new entrance space and garden that draws guests to walk through the front door.

Correcting Site Conditions

We revamped and reshaped the landscape of the front yard to fix issues that were interfering with the entrance to the house.

There was a major issue in the McLean home. The driveway swung straight to the right of the property. It was a steep and long climb to the top, and was not connected with the door until you reached the top. Additionally, due to the manner in which the builder positioned this house onto the land the view was altered. When viewed from the street below, the elevation of the house was overemphasized and not flattering.

The original driveway was replaced by plantings along the boundary of the lot. We also relocated the driveway's entrance onto the left of the property. The new driveway was designed to run across the slope with an elegantly curving upwards slope in a sweeping curve from right to left. This makes the entrance to the home appealing and attractive. The new driveway offers an easy climb to the front door. It is part of the landscaping of the front yard that has attractive retaining walls that have planters along the base and sides of the walls.

Muneeb Ur Rehman is professional in Home and Landscaping field.