Low Cost, Low Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping Ideas
Are you sick and tired of your front yard, but don’t have a ton of time for maintenance or money for a full-blown makeover? Fear not, we will go through some simple changes with big impact for your front yard.
We will focus on landscaping and hardscaping features that are low-maintenance and on the cheaper side to implement. If you are a DIY fan, you’ll get a good idea on where to start and how to plan for your new front yard. These ideas work for small front yards, big yards, and everything in between.
Assessing Your Front Yard
First, take a look at your front yard from every angle. Up close, from inside your house, outside your house, and from down the street. Take note of what bothers you, what you like, and what you definitely want to get rid of. Here’s a quick list of things to take note of:
sun and shade spots and how that changes throughout the day
soil condition and pH levels
any areas with drainage problems
any existing features you want to take out
Questions to Consider Before Planning Your Landscape Design
Before you start planning, there are a few things to consider that will guide your decisions.
What are your budget constraints?
Consider how much you're willing or able to spend on your front yard landscaping project. If you are working with a tight budget, here are a few ideas you may want to try.
Budget-Friendly Landscaping Ideas
| Landscaping Idea | Description | Price Range | Difficulty Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Kits for Gardening, Lighting, and Hardscapes | Readily available kits contain materials and instructions for various landscaping projects such as gardening, lighting, and hardscaping | $ - $$ | Moderate |
| Upcycling Materials | Using recycled or repurposed materials for landscaping projects reduces costs and environmental impact (and makes your design more unique) | $ | Easy – Moderate |
| Perennial Sharing | Sharing perennial plants with friends or neighbors divides costs and efforts to save a good bit of money | $ (cost-sharing) | Easy |
| Seasonal Clearance Sales | Purchasing plants, tools, and materials during seasonal clearance sales at garden centers takes advantage of discounted prices | $ | Easy |
| Native Plants | Native plants that are well-adapted to the local climate and soil conditions require less maintenance and resources | $ – $$ | Easy |
| Organic Mulching | Using organic materials such as leaves, straw, or wood chips as mulch will improve soil health, retain moisture, and suppress weeds | $ | Easy |
| Seed Propagation | Starting plants from seeds or cuttings instead of buying mature specimens saves money and allows for customization | $ | Moderate |
What are your aesthetic preferences?
Think about the overall look and feel you want to achieve with your front yard design. If you've been looking for inspiration around the neighborhood or on HGTV, you probably know what you like. The key to a successful and cohesive design is choosing a theme, color palette, and set amount of materials to work with.
Here are a few popular styles with cost, difficulty, plants & materials, and water requirement ranges.
Popular Landscaping Styles
| Landscaping Style | Description | Plants & Materials | Water Requirements |
Price Range | Difficulty Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildflower Garden | Wildflowers are bright, beautiful, and do well in poor soil with very little maintenance. Go with native plants for best results | Native wildflowers, ornamental grasses | Low | $ | Easy |
| DIY Edible Herb Garden | Herbs are easy to care for aside from watering and harvesting. Use large containers for even less maintenance | Herbs, large containers, raised beds | Moderate | $ | Easy |
| Minimalist and Modern | Use clean lines and a muted, limited color palette. Use no more than three complementary design materials and consider making a dramatic hardscaping feature a focal point | Max 3 materials that work well together (ex. stone pavers, concrete, metal accents), plants with simple forms | Low | $$ | Moderate |
| Beach Getaway | Create a coastal vibe with succulents, native plants, ornamental grasses, and landscaping stones | Succulents, ornamental grasses, raised beds, stones, shrubs | Low | $ | Easy |
| Rustic Country Charm | Weathered wood, fieldstone, and native plants will evoke a rustic feel that's easy to maintain | Weathered wood, fieldstone, native plants, gravel | Moderate | $ | Easy – Moderate |
What are the existing features and challenges?
Evaluate the current state of your front yard, including any landscaping elements already in place and potential obstacles. Decide which elements you will keep and which you'd like to take out or replace. Do you have mature trees or shrubs that you want to incorporate into your design, or are you starting with a blank canvas?
Are there issues like poor drainage or soil erosion that need to be addressed? Planting water-hungry plants and shrubs will help with your drainage issues. For soil erosion, think about adding plants, mulch, or a small retaining wall.
Designing for Low Maintenance Landscaping
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu said, "Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." This means you have to have a plan before you embark on something if you want to succeed. Thoughtful planning is going to be essential for maximizing the impact of limited resources in low maintenance landscaping.
Grab a pen and paper and sketch the layout of your front yard along with features you're keeping. Designate areas for high-traffic zones, such as pathways or seating areas. Plan to use durable materials that can withstand regular use without extensive upkeep. Identify focal points or key features that anchor the design and draw attention while minimizing maintenance requirements.
Make it simple. Make it functional. Make it beautiful.
For this example, we’ll use a simple sketch for a minimalistic landscape design adding gravel beds, native shrubs, and landscape lighting.
Having a vision and plan for your front yard design will help get the results you want
Avoid overcrowding plants or adding excessive decorative elements that may become burdensome to maintain over time. Choose features and elements that are multi-purpose. Outdoor lighting illuminates and adds safety and ambiance to your outdoor space. Landscaping materials such as permeable pavers that manage water runoff while providing a stable surface for foot traffic.
Are you redesigning your backyard, too? Check out our article on hardscaping ideas for small yards to get tips on maximizing space and making smart design decisions.
Choosing the Right Low Maintenance Plants
Selecting the right plants is crucial for achieving a low maintenance landscape. Choose native or drought-tolerant plants that are well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions. To find native plants, check websites of local colleges with horticulture programs. You can also try wildflower.org or the National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder.
When planting, group plants with similar water and sunlight needs together to streamline irrigation and reduce maintenance efforts. Think about including perennial varieties that return year after year. This will minimize the need for replanting and ongoing care.
For weed suppression, add some ground cover plants to your garden beds. Creeping thyme, creeping phlox, Irish moss, and rock cotoneaster are a few good options. As always, check to see which will do best in your location.
Low Maintenance Hardscaping Features
Creating hardscaping features for your front yard doesn't have to break the bank or require professional help. All you need is a little creativity and elbow grease to create a front yard DIY masterpiece.
Gravel Pathways
Gravel is an affordable and versatile option for adding charm and functionality. Just outline your desired pathway with edging materials, then fill the space with gravel. Gravel pathways also provide excellent drainage, making them ideal for areas prone to heavy rainfall.
Retaining Walls with Concrete Blocks
Retaining walls can help define your landscape and prevent soil erosion. Walls less than 3 feet tall can be a DIY job, but it takes moderate skill and knowledge to get it done right. Only take this on if you are up for the challenge, otherwise consult a professional.
Decorative Rock Gardens
Rock gardens are an attractive alternative to traditional flower beds. You can purchase decorative stones or collect rocks from your local area (as long as you have permission). Arrange the rocks in clusters or layers, leaving space between them for planting drought-tolerant succulents or native grasses. Rock gardens are great for busy homeowners.
DIY Paver Patio
Like the DIY retaining wall, this is another feature that requires skill and knowledge (and a lot of work) to pull off right. For this project, you will have to dig, compact and level the ground with base material, and lay the pavers correctly. While not impossible, this job really requires you to roll up your sleeves to get it done.
Mulch Beds with Stone Borders
Define landscaping beds with stone borders and fill them with organic mulch for a polished and low maintenance look. Stone borders can be created using natural rocks or pre-made landscaping stones. Mulch beds help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health, requiring minimal upkeep throughout the year.
Practical Tips for Reducing Front Yard Maintenance
We don't have as much time as we'd like to spend on our outdoor projects. Life gets in the way, but it's okay! We have a few tips that will help keep your front yard as manageable as possible.
Use Organic Mulch on Your Garden Beds
Adding 2–3 inches or organic mulch to your garden and flower beds will shade the ground. This prevents weed seedlings from getting the sun they need to grow. It also has the added benefit of conserving moisture and providing plants with nutrition.
Add More Shrubs and Less Perennials
Shrubs are much easier to care for and need pruning and shaping less often a year than perennials.
Use Native Plants Whenever You Can
Native plants will be easier to care for and cheaper to maintain because they have evolved in your area’s climate and soil environment. Once these plants take root, there will be less need for pruning, watering, and fertilizing.
Less is More in Landscape Design
Keep in mind that the more you plant, the more you have to take care of. Don't overcrowd your garden beds and don't go too crazy with planting containers. Too much will look too busy anyway. Keep is simple and beautiful.
Lean More on Hardscaping Elements in Your Front Yard Design
Pavers and patios are much easier to care for than living plants and lawns. You just have to worry about occasional cleaning and sealing if necessary. Hardscaping also helps bring a landscape design together and give defined, clean lines.
Plant Water-Hungry Plants if You Have Drainage Problems
If you are having mild drainage issues in your front yard, try planting a plant that can't seem to get enough. Some shrub and plant options are inkberry, spice bush, day lily, and primrose. Check which plants are native to your area for best results.
Are You Ready For Your Low Maintenance Front Yard Makeover?
Remember, the key to a successful low maintenance front yard makeover is thoughtful planning, strategic design choices, and a willingness to embrace simplicity. Whether you're revamping an existing landscape or starting from scratch, take the time to assess your space, set realistic goals, and prioritize features that align with your budget and lifestyle.
If you hit a roadblock and are in the Greater Philadelphia area, check out Green Leaf Outdoor Services. We’d love to help!
You can also check out our other articles for more tips and tricks on landscaping, hardscaping, and general property maintenance.
