An entryway may be the most important part of your home landscape. It helps to form the image of your home as it is seen from the street. You use your entryway at least twice a day, usually more often. Your entryway also serves as a transition between indoors and outdoors and should relate to both of those as it welcomes people into your home. If you are considering changes to your front yard landscape, here are a few elements to work into the plan to make your entryway more inviting.
Create Mystery
If everything in your landscape is completely visible at first glance, it actually becomes less interesting. Inviting landscapes lead us to believe there is more to discover. While an entryway should not be completely hidden, it should contain some element of mystery.
The entry landscape shown in this photo is a good example. The route to the front door is obvious, but not everything that will be seen along the way is visible from the beginning of the walk. The landing area at the bottom of the front porch steps looks like it may be larger than it appears as part of it is in the shadows and hidden by shrubs. The front porch itself is also partially screened by the mature landscape plantings. This entryway walk invites you to come see what is there.
Provide Enclosure
We all want to feel safe and secure in our homes. Creating a sense of enclosure in the landscape will help with this. An entryway that is partially enclosed or has defined boundaries is a comfortable place to be. In the photo shown,the front porch structure partially encloses the visitor before they go through the front door. The landscape planting also contributes. In particular, the spruce tree in the foreground provides separation between the entry walk and the adjacent yard and drive. Most of the Front Landscaping photos in our Inspiration Gallery show landscape planting along entry walkways to help create enclosure.
Show the Way
While it may seem obvious, a first time visitor to your home should be able to easily figure out the best route to your front door. You might be surprised by how many landscapes do not do this! Visual clues that define an entryway also invite you to enter.
The entry walk shown in this photo comes all the way to the front sidewalk to welcome you. The unit pavers are a different material than both the sidewalk and the driveway. The mid-level landing looks like a nice place to pause; it will have more enclosure as the landscape matures. The wide steps bring you up to the front door. Even though it is a small front yard, there are different spaces that create interest along the path to the entry.
Mystery, enclosure and an interesting, defined pathway are all complementary characteristics of a successful, inviting entry. It makes the simple act of walking to your front door become an enjoyable journey for both you and your guests.
If you’re ready to get started updating your front yard landscaping now, contact us for a consultation.