Inviting Landscape Design Elements to Add to Your Front Yard Landscaping in Hinsdale, IL

If you’ve been thinking about updating your front yard, here are some inviting landscape design elements to add to your front yard landscaping in Hinsdale, IL. From a welcoming entry to increased safety and curb appeal, you could utilize some or all of these elements to put a smile on your face every time you come home.

A Warm and Safe Welcome

Your home’s entry makes a statement. You can enhance its curb appeal with a paver natural stone walkway, accent features, proper lighting, and attractive and well-maintained vegetation.

A paver or natural stone walkway has so much more appeal than any poured concrete walkway. You can choose from dozens of wonderful styles that match your home’s design. Pavers can mimic the look of natural stone, brick, tile, or wood. Whether you love the charm of brick or cobblestones; or want a sleek linear look for a modern aesthetic, pavers offer a huge variety of colors and textures that go beyond what you can find in natural stone. You can get the look of bluestone or tumbled granite in its natural form or in a concrete paver alternative.

For a walkway that’s more eco-friendly (and stays drier), some concrete pavers are available in permeable options with larger joints that allow surface water to seep into the ground below.

If you love the random and character-filled look of natural stone, be sure to choose stones with a non-slip texture such as flagstone or limestone. These will need to be sealed periodically to minimize water absorption, but you will be rewarded with an absolutely unique walkway.

If you want to add safety to the beauty, installing a heating system beneath your walkway will ensure no more slippery, icy walkways in winter.

Accent features such as a small fountain, sculpture, or gazing ball at the front entry add interest. A bench lets guests wait in comfort. Symmetrical planters on either side of the entry are an opportunity to add seasonal color or even holiday decorations.

Proper lighting is an absolute must. Instead of the traditional single post-mounted light and a light above the front door, consider a series of path lights that direct light where you need it most for safety: to the ground, not in your eyes. The effect is softer and more welcoming, yet offers plenty of illumination for safety.

A Balanced Effect

Some homes naturally lend themselves to a symmetrical entry, while others do not. But never fear, you can still achieve a balanced effect in your front yard.

Balance doesn’t have to mean perfect symmetry. While symmetry is pleasing, what’s most important is balancing visually dense elements such as a spruce tree or a large boulder with a multitude of smaller, lighter elements such as a fruit tree, ornamental grasses, flowers, a masonry planter, and even a bench.

Boxwood hedges, a circular plant bed beneath mature trees filled with shade-loving annuals and ground covers, tall ornamental grasses, and a few oversized planters could be used to balance the front yard while making it infinitely more interesting than simple foundation plantings and a large lawn.

Where possible, choose native plants. They are perfectly suited to the location, extremely low-maintenance, and will reward you with their beauty and variety.

Incorporating one or more of these elements in your front yard can make a big difference in your home’s curb appeal.