4 Landscaping Strategies for Homeowners with Large Front Yards

Homeowners with the good fortune to have a large front yard are often overwhelmed at what to do with all the extra space. Many of them have grown up in homes that were situated near the street in order to maximize the backyard so that there would be enough room for swing sets, swimming pools, gardens, and so forth. For the homeowner with an abundance of space but a shortage of ideas, here are four ideas for landscaping a large front yard. Use Bold Elements The mindset of landscaping a small yard is difficult to escape. Many homeowners think in terms of shrubs and flower beds when they should instead turn their attention toward shade trees. The presence of these larger components creates a more natural appearance for the yard, and it has the added benefit of increasing resale value and lowering energy costs. Cut Turf Patterns Many professional sports facilities have begun cutting ornate patterns in their playing surfaces. Residential lawns can also have these designs installed, often with relative ease. They not only draw attention to the lawn, they also break up large open areas, and they can work in concert with the lines of the house or sidewalks to tie the entire space together. Generate a Focal Point Most of the problem with a very large yard is that the viewer is unable to focus on anything in particular except the broad dimensions from one point to another. By building a focal point like a fountain, gazebo, or a specialty garden such as an arbor of climbing roses, the lawn has a space that attracts attention. Properly placed, such a component can establish a starting point for viewing the yard. Create Separate Spaces A large, uninterrupted space can be difficult to landscape, but a grouping of smaller areas is usually much more manageable. Functional elements like sidewalks, driveways, fences, and automatic gates will serve as boundaries that can simplify the subsequent installation of trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers. Each subdivision can even feature its own theme or grouping of plant types. Areas that lack such boundaries can be divided with major elements like fountains, shade trees, or raised beds. Regardless of its size, every lawn has its unique challenges. When the challenge is to fill a large area in a functional and attractive way, these simple tips can give any homeowner a good start on making the best use of an especially big lawn.   Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.

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