Front garden ideas: How to fix up your front garden, whatever the size with top designer advice and ideas

Front garden ideas: How to fix up your front garden, whatever the size with top designer advice and ideas

Designer Charlotte Harris offers inspiration and advice on making the most of the small awkward space outside your front door

Published: April 3, 2025 at 6:00 am

While back gardens are for private enjoyment, the front is a place for people; an act of gardening altruism. It gives a little daily injection of joy, not only for us but also to passers-by and wildlife – a small contribution to the environment, and a way to minimise our impact on infrastructure. My own London front garden is tiny, but I love every inch of it, not just as a practical and planted place, but as a shared source of happiness. We make every inch count.

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Lockdown had its ups and downs, but one of the positives for us was how it reset our use of the front garden: folding chairs, a bottle of wine and visits from friends. There can be a gentle sociability to gardening here (and dare I say, it’s a more enjoyable way to catch up on news than the street WhatsApp group).

Welcoming front garden design from Stefano Marinaz
Welcoming space: A wonderful example of balancing aesthetics and ecological impact, this front garden in Groningen, the Netherlands, was designed and built by owner Marianne Fry. Upright untreated chestnut posts create a naturalistic border while enhancing biodiversity and supporting invertebrates. Taller sections offer privacy, and lower sections, while still providing enclosure, ensure a sense of welcome to the front door. The slate gravel path improves permeability while also serving as a mulch for surrounding beds. A repurposed hardwood mooring post from the local harbour forms a welcoming ‘beerwith-neighbours’ bench. Planting includes early flowering bulbs for pollinators and a small Pyrocydonia ‘Danielii’ for fruit picking and jam-making © Alister Thorpe

Front gardens have the power to make us feel good about where we live and can be spaces for happy experimentation, not just functional transitions or an afterthought. After all, this is a garden that’s experienced every day – it deserves to be more than just a place for a bike locker, EV charger, parcel box or salt tub. Reframe it as a small garden in its own right, not just a transition space or bin store. Space is limited, but you can treat it as an expression of good design.

Context and the spirit of place matter just as much in front gardens, and house styles and the surrounding character can offer insight for materials and planting. I always have a walk around the neighbourhood when starting a front garden project. Views count too, from the street and looking out.
Maximising space is critical. In a front garden, where movement is the practical priority, curved paths deliver more than a straight line from A to B. In two of the examples shown left, we’ve used this approach to optimise layout and evoke a sense of spaciousness, despite the limitations. Curves avoid awkward corners that tempt delivery drivers to take shortcuts across planting. Making the most of every inch doesn’t mean neglecting negative space – the spaces between and around plants that allow the garden to breathe and the eye to rest. A gravel path winding through planting or a small open spot surrounded by plants will create this effect.

Topiary in a front garden
Topiary delights: Nothing is off-limits in a front garden, if you reimagine it as a garden in its own right, and that includes topiary. It offers structure, year-round interest and a sense of design, without overwhelming a compact space, whether evergreen or deciduous. It also creates an excellent foil for herbaceous planting as it comes into season – as here in this garden by Tommaso del Buono and Paul Gazerwitz. As well as providing rhythm and structure, topiary can frame entrances and define pathways, and its measured growth and longevity make it a lowermaintenance option. Have in mind the scale of the property, working either with the geometry, or in a far looser, more organic way, such as the scale triangle approach. Although it’s not a hardand-fast rule, we tend to use finer-foliaged topiaryin smaller spaces. © MARIANNE MAJERUS

Making wildlife-welcoming choices is just as important as in the back garden – possibly more
so – not only providing a biodiversity pitstop but perhaps also inspiring passers-by to do the same, sending virtuous ripples throughout your neighbourhood. At home, we have a low, wide
piece of stone with a shallow dip that collects rainwater for the birds. In a recent project, we
used old tree stumps, a third sunk on their sides, which double as extra habitat.

Front garden design
Enduring design: Some years ago, we were working on a garden around the corner from this front (and rear) garden, again by del Buono Gazerwitz, in London’s Holland Park. I passed it weekly for site meetings, and was always struck by their design – the scale perfectly attuned to the imposing nature of the house; the architectural framework responding to its geometry. Now nearly 20 years old, it proves how well-structured topiary endures, and how important the relationship with the house is; how looking to the scale, the proportion and the geometry of the house will help inform design and planting decisions. Tommaso notes that the garden was made before Buxus became a challenge to care for; today, he’d consider Phillyrea instead. He is thrilled that the Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Alba Superba’ tree had, almost miraculously, survived the construction works related to the house to become the garden’s centrepiece. © Marianne Majerus

Look up, and think vertically. Consider boundary walls or fences and the house as extensions of the garden. Use climbers such as roses and clematis on frames or wires, or self-clingers such as Hydrangea seemannii, or H. petiolaris. They look glorious, support wildlife, soften façades, create a small insulating layer of air between the plant and the wall, and help cool the garden in summer. At the studio, we tend to match support structures to the property’s style: diamond or square timber trellises, or vine eyes with galvanised wire for traditional homes; stainless-steel rope systems or horizontal timber slats for modern ones.

Proportion is key in any small garden. The secret to avoiding clutter is intentionality and scale – small pots scattered against a large house elevation will feel lost. More can be more: Arthur Parkinson, Claus Dalby, Alexander Hoyle and the entrance porch display at Great Dixter are constant inspirations for me. Group pots in clusters to create impact, vary heights with stands or taller pots, and use thoughtful (but not monotonous) pot styles.

Plants and parking space in a front garden
Parking plants: This front garden, by designer Andy Hamilton, who is based in Aotearoa New Zealand, is located an hour north of Auckland. In-situ concrete beams, varying in length from 2.4-4m, sit within a mix of ‘no mow’ native turf species, surrounded by texture-rich foliage and South African restios, providing a robust yet soft and gardenesque approach to parking. © DUNCAN INNES

Similarly, material selection must be careful, but that doesn’t mean subtlety is required. If you can’t use bold colours or striking materials in your front garden, then where can you? Our sunflower-yellow front door is a constant source of joy. Our neighbours have just painted theirs pink. I’m hoping for a street of Pantone shades by the end of the year. Path materials should be slip-resistant and durable; this is a garden that is used daily. Consider textured finishes such as riven paving or brick, especially for shady or north-facing areas.

When it comes to planting, good bones are crucial. Consider a higher proportion of evergreens, paired with a simple, restrained palette, including grasses suited to the setting, punctuated by seasonal highlights. I use old galvanised buckets filled with delights such as crocuses, narcissi, Leucojum and small specimens of Corylopsis and Hamamelis we swap in and out.

Green foliage in a front garden designed by Harris Bugg
Green dream: In this wide, yet slim in depth, front garden in north London, designed by us at Harris Bugg Studio, the original high, street railings remain, but we reduced the height of the yew hedging alongside to create a more open connection with the street. This also allows the Prunus ‘Accolade’ we planted to spread gracefully, its soft-pink April blossoms visible both in the garden and from the pavement. The planting palette is restrained, with a focus on evergreens and semi evergreens, including Hakonechloa macra and Sarcococca confusa, plus spring ephemerals. Trachelospermum lines the boundary wall along the narrow path leading to rear garden access – a rare luxury in London. A discreet storage unit sits in the corner, while pale-grey, textured paving reflects the cooler conditions of the front garden. © Jason Ingram

Privacy is important, but let’s not cocoon ourselves. Creating a balance in boundaries, by giving subtle enclosure without cutting off connection, is possible by planting waist- or chest-height hedges, or swapping out solid fencing for something visually permeable. In my own garden, I’ve planted Osmanthus heterophyllus shrubs as small plants that have grown into a cloud-hedge of about 1m high. It creates a lovely foil for the herbaceous planting, plus fragrant, white flowers in October. Yew is another good option; its fine, small needles are perfect for smaller spaces. Just be mindful of drainage as it can’t handle having wet feet. A mixed hedge of Cornus mas, hawthorn and hazel would add extended seasonal beauty, resilience and wildlife value.

Front garden design by Stefano Marinaz
Small but sensible: Photographed before it was established, the bones of this front garden by Stefano Marinaz are clear to see. A cobbled approach leads straight to the front door – a strong, deliberate, primary route, using materials that feel coherent with the age of the house. Where this path bisects the secondary path, the edges soften, feathering out into slate, but with some little islands of cobble outliers. They help break up the geometry and introduce a more relaxed rhythm, while still connecting the whole. By shaping the beds with gentle curves rather than straight lines, Stefano creates depth and fluidity, ensuring that once mature, the planting will provide a sense of enclosure and intention; there’s a naturalism and informality to the layout, but also a quiet structure. The use of materials is not only aesthetic but practical. Using cobbles directly outside the door, for example, ensures that any stray slate chippings are shaken from shoe treads before reaching the hallway; a small but significant detail that makes a difference in day-to-day use.© Alister Thorpe

If depth is at a premium, consider panels of evergreen climbers such as jasmine or ivy. Tie in the former carefully and keep your shears nearby for a semi-regular disciplinarian haircut of the latter and
opt for smaller-leaved, less baggy cultivars, such as Hedera helix ‘Green Ripple’. If possible, replace a wall or fence with a hedge; or make it work harder. I’ve stacked deadwood against one of my boundary fences and planted Hedera pastuchovii ‘Ann Ala’ and Clematis ‘Bill MacKenzie’ to weave through.

If there’s room for a hero tree, it’ll be worth its weight in gold; in a small space, a deciduous tree with smaller leaves and a lighter canopy will maximise light through windows. Hawthorn and crab apples offer spring blossom, fruit, and autumn colour, all while staying at a manageable size or shaping well. Koelreuteria and Cornus mas are also lovely and climate-resilient choices. Rhus typhina, with a root barrier and attention to suckering, rewards with limey, fern-like foliage followed by spectacular autumn hues. Albizia julibrissin thrives in sheltered, warm gardens, producing showstopper feathery pink flowers on arching branches of delicate, airy leaves.

Space saver: This urban front garden by Sue Townsend makes efficient use of a narrow L-shaped site, balancing privacy, structure, and space. Existing lime trees are complemented by pleached hornbeam hedging, creating enclosure without feeling overbearing. A sinuous gravel path introduces a sense of movement through the garden, and leads to a York stone terrace, positioned to catch the afternoon sun. This warm, natural stone, in keeping with the character of the property, provides a durable setting for a simple table and chairs, demonstrating that front gardens can be just as sociable as back. Out of shot there is a bike and bin store, topped with a sedum roof and painted to match the front door. © Marianne Majerus

Our neighbours have a wonderful magnolia tree in their front garden – a legacy from previous owners that will benefit the community for generations to come. They also fit in a mature camellia and ferns, and park their car in a 3m x 4m space, showing it doesn’t have to be either/or between planting and parking.
For parking, porosity is key, starting with the right base. An open-graded sub-base (such as UK Type 3) omits the fine materials of a Type 1, which can block water flow. Once it has been compacted, a gravel system like a hexagonal stabilisation grid – ideally made from recycled plastic – is a good option for on top. Permeable block paving with spacer nibs will let rainwater drain naturally. Concrete driveway grids are durable enough for cars and promote grass growth. Cobblestones are an option we also use, but traditional sharp sand jointing can restrict water flow over time.

Grasses in a front garden
Soft separation: Carrie Preston of Studio Toop uses bold swathes of grasses in this front garden to give a frothy separation from the street, yet keep the outlook open and the space feeling immersive as you move through it. With the addition of early season bulbs, using grasses as the key plant gives visual interest across the seasons. Here she’s used Pennisetum alopecuroides, Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ and Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne'. © JOLANTHE LALKENS

A permeable material such as Steintec ensures water passes through while creating a solid, bound surface, but for this, wider joints of 10mm-plus are needed.

Finally, lighting. Excessive artificial light harms wildlife by disturbing feeding, breeding and migration, making urban ecosystems less healthy. No one needs Gatwick in their garden when streetlights already provide plenty of illumination. Opt for soft, downward-facing lights or spike lights with glare guards.

Top tips on designing a front garden

A design concept for a front garden
Harris Bugg Studio front garden designs © ILLUSTRATION HARRIS BUGG STUDIO. PORTRAIT CHRISTA HOLKA

Exploring three different sizes of front gardens of 7m, 5m and 3m depths

  • Rain garden depressions planted with suitable plants to assist in water absorption.
  • Be mindful of soil levels against the house; avoid these building up without a damp proof treatment.
  • Parking ribbon tracks, typically 300-600mm wide and here made of cobbles, are built with a permeable subbase and jointing. Always seek planning advice on hard surfacing as rules differ.
  • The gap between tracks can be filled with gravel or planted with low-growing plants such as Ajuga reptans, Mentha requienii or Soleirolia soleirolii in shadier spots, or Thymus spp in sun.
  • Water is as important in front gardens as in back; here an open agricultural-style trough is connected to the downpipe system, operating as an open dunking water butt with overflow and drainage.
  • Woven split hazel boundaries fixed to the original brick base provide privacy and enclosure, while retaining connection.
  • We often use the design device of a scalene triangle – a triangle without equal sides or angles – in our work, and have done so here in the positioning of the circular planters. The irregularity gives a more naturalistic and organic feel (as opposed to formal, geometric layouts) and is a helpful technique to connect garden elements.
  • Curved paths optimise the layout opportunities, give more balance and create a sense of space.
  • Front gardens are just as suitable for fruit, veg and herbs as the back.
  • Low espalier fruit trees can create attractive and productive boundaries.
  • There is access to this bin store both from the garden to fill the bin, and from the street to empty it, making the most of a small space.
  • A landing pad or step by the door prevents loose gravel from damaging internal surfaces.
  • Maximising what you have means looking up, not just out – against the house, on boundary walls and in window boxes.
  • In this sunny garden, drought-tolerant plants in a thick gravel mulch reduce watering, and keep the space looking good.

An example of a front garden design

Sydenham Hill front garden

Trees providing depth and scale and gentle screening in a front garden
Multi-stem Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis provide depth, scale and gentle screening, filtering key views from the house without it feeling heavy or enclosed, and thus obscuring the driveway. ©  MARIANNE MAJERUS

This front garden in London’s Sydenham Hill by designer Jane Brockbank shows how it’s possible to take a gardenesque approach to a front garden and to parking.

Thoughtful positioning of the informal woodland-edge planting combines with practicality to deliver room for parking two cars, without the garden feeling like a driveway.

Front garden design with underplanting
The dappled canopy, combined with layered underplanting, including Polystichum setiferum, Luzula nivea, Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’ and Rodgersia aesculifolia, creates depth and structure, ensuring privacy while keeping sightlines open. © MARIANNE MAJERUS

Multi-stem Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis provide depth, scale and gentle screening , filtering key views from the house without it feeling heavy or enclosed, and thus obscuring the driveway. The dappled canopy, combined with layered underplanting, including Polystichum setiferum, Luzula nivea, Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’ and Rodgersia aesculifolia, creates depth and structure, ensuring privacy while keeping sightlines open. The pathway leads naturally to the front door after passing through a beautiful gate, made of the original roof tiles of the property, which also clad the boundary walls.

A bin and bike store in a front garden
The bin and bike store is on a sliding door system – a clever space saver that avoids any clash or difficulty if a car is parked too close to open the door. © MARIANNE MAJERUS

The bin and bike store is on a sliding door system – a clever space saver that avoids any clash or difficulty if a car is parked too close to open the door.

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