Inspiring Flower Bed Ideas for a Stunning Front Yard

Curb appeal is a visitor's first impression and can set the tone for what people should expect when they come inside your home. Make sure your guests have a welcoming first impression by investing some time into your home's exterior! There are a lot of factors that play into curb appeal - the paint, siding, windows, shutters, front walkway and porch... But a less expensive way to up your curb appeal can be to simply improve a garden space!

Adding or updating a garden bed is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve curb appeal. A well-designed garden bed can add color, texture, and interest to the front of a home, creating a nice attractive first impression.

By selecting plants that complement the style of the home and choosing an appropriate layout and design, a garden bed can enhance the overall aesthetic of the property.

In this article we'll dig into how to add a flower bed, what important factors you need to think about and share some fun flower bed ideas that can work in all types of spaces.

How do you make a flower bed in your front yard?

Creating a flower bed sounds simple, but there are some important things you need to consider when getting started. These include elements like:

Front Yard Flower Bed Inspiration

A flower bed is a fantastic way to express your creativity and your garden style. With a flower bed, you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of plants, flowers, and textures, so you can create the perfect look for your front yard. Whether you want to create a wildflower garden, a butterfly haven, or a tropical oasis, the possibilities are endless. So why settle for a boring front yard filled with just grass when you can add a little bit of magic with a beautiful and eye-catching flower bed!

Here are some of our ideas to spruce up your curb appeal this season.

Reduce Grass, Add a Flower Bed

Reducing the grass in your front yard and adding a flower bed is a great idea for a variety of reasons! First, as long as you plant native plants, it will cut back on the maintenance your lawn needs. No more mowing or fertilizing to try to keep your grass green. You are also benefiting wildlife by reducing grass, which actually has very little ecological value.

Pollinator Flower Beds

If you're adding flower beds - why not go native and focus on your favorite pollinator plants! Creating a space that appeals to local pollinators can provide habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds depending on where you live and what you plant. Even a small garden can make a BIG difference when it comes to providing valuable resources for our fragile friends and increasing the local biodiversity in the area.

Go one step further and add a water feature, like a bird bath to your pollinator garden as an added bonus for wildlife.

Social Front Yard Garden

Add a small bistro table and chairs or Adirondack chairs next to or into your garden so you can enjoy your space, be social with neighbors and take advantage of the front yard! Often front yards aren't used as much as backyards, but creating additional outdoor living space can be a great way to maximize your property.

Dress Up Your Mailbox

If you have a stand alone mailbox in your front yard, add a flower bed around it to freshen up the look. Whether you add a few evergreen shrubs for color year round or bright flowers for some self expression - it's up to you based on your preference. Just make sure you (and your mail person) can easily access the box!

Add a Border

Give your front yard flower beds some additional interest by adding edging or a border around them. The border can match your garden style and the architecture of your home.

Try a brick border for a cottage feel, corten steel for modern or Southwestern, a shovel edge or natural stone for a classic garden. While this is a small update, it's a change that can really organize your garden bed and visually make a huge difference to the entire space.

A Sidewalk Framed by Flowers

Sidewalks don't have to be hugged by traditional lawn. Frame your front yard sidewalk with flower beds. Fill them with your favorites and feel like you're walking down a runway when approaching your home.

Go Heavy on Perennials

Perennials come back year after year, providing long-term beauty and interest in the garden. This means that once you have established a bed of perennials, you won't have to replant every year and can enjoy the fruits of your labor.

And while perennials can be more expensive upfront than annuals, they are more cost-effective in the long run because they don't have to be replanted every year.

Simple & Symmetric

If you're feeling overwhelmed with front yard landscaping ideas, start simple and stay symmetric. A symmetrical garden has a clean and organized look that can greatly enhance the appearance of a front yard without a ton of effort. Select your favorite shrubs, plants, and ground cover that is native to your area and plant it in small repeating groupings. This will create a harmonious and balanced design that you can add to in the future if you'd like.

Layer Your Design

Don't be one dimensional! When thinking about garden design, layering is important. We recommend three layers- taller plants or shrubs in the back, medium in the middle and then low in the front. This will give your garden texture and dimension.

Minimalistic Design

Go minimalistic and embrace a modern style. A modern design features clean lines, simple shapes, and a limited color palette. Focus on a few key elements, such as geometric shapes or bold structures, and keep the overall design simple and uncluttered.

Pop of Color

If you're thinking your front yard flower beds aren't exciting - add some flowering plants and bright flowers. Think about your favorite colors or what would compliment your house and do some research on what works in your climate and sunlight conditions.

Edible Garden

Who says edible gardens can only be in the backyard? Get smart with the use of your space and plant herbs, vegetables, and fruits in a front yard flower bed for a beautiful and functional garden. The biggest concern here is sunlight- make sure you have enough sun light and then get busy planting.

Flowers Around Your Fence

If you have a front yard fence, add flower beds around the fence for a fantastic show stopping entry! This can create a warm and welcoming ambiance from the street that's hard to beat.

Moon Garden

Plant flowers that bloom at night, such as evening primrose and nicotiana, for a magical and mysterious garden. A moon garden is a type of garden that is designed to be appreciated primarily at night, when the garden is lit by the moon and stars. Moon gardens often feature white or light-colored flowers, as well as plants with fragrant foliage. Moon gardens are a great way to extend the enjoyment of your outdoor space into the evening hours and create a serene and magical atmosphere in your backyard.

Low Maintenance Flower Bed

Focus on native plants and drought tolerant plants for a low maintenance flower bed. Think smartly about your hardscape as well. You can use gravel or rocks, pavers, bricks - whatever works well in your climate and with your style . Smart choices will allow you to relax in your front yard and not spend all your time working in it.

Style Your Steps & Walkway

Moving away from a traditional green lawn, plant flower beds on either side of your entry walkway. This is another way to reduce grass, lessen your maintenance and add color and personality to your front yard.

Alternative Ideas to Flower Bed

Flower beds are a classic and popular option for adding color and beauty to a front yard, but there are many alternative ideas that can achieve a similar effect.

Window Boxes

Window boxes are a great option for adding flowers to the front of a house. They can be attached to windows or balconies and filled with a variety of flowers, herbs, and other plants.

Potted Plants

Add pots to your front entry. Potted flowers can add dimension and interest and really up your curb appeal. You can change the plants and flowers for the different seasons and have fun with different styles.

Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets are another option for adding flowers to a front yard. They can be hung from porch railings, eaves, or other structures and filled with trailing flowers, such as petunias or ferns, that spill over the sides.

Container Gardens

Container gardens are a versatile option for adding flowers to a front yard. They can be made of a variety of materials, such as clay, concrete, or wood, and they can be placed on patios, balconies, or steps.

Vertical Gardens

Vertical gardens are a unique and modern option for adding flowers to a front yard. They can be made of a series of wall-mounted planters or a system of shelves, and they are a great way to maximize space and add interest to a small front yard. Hang it on the side of your home, a front porch or even off a front yard fence.

do a gallery - photo credit, window box , Megan

Front yard garden beds are a great way to add color, texture, and interest to your outdoor space. Whether you prefer a traditional flower bed, a pollinator garden, a moon garden, or any other type of garden, there are countless ideas to choose from. With a little creativity and some careful planning, you can create a functional and beautiful garden bed that will be a source of joy and inspiration for years to come.

More on Tilly

Tilly’s easy online landscape design process has been embraced by homeowners across the country and in Canada. From Texas, Florida, Colorado to Illinois - we have a team for you! Tilly designs front yards, backyard or your entire property. We match you with a professional landscape designer who is familiar with your region to help you create the perfect custom plan for your outdoor space. 

To start our process you’ll fill out a questionnaire about your property that helps our design team understand your goals, needs and existing landscape. You can add 3d renders, lighting plans or side yards to your design package. You’ll then connect with your designer on a video call to meet them, show them your space and talk about your priorities.

When you receive your design you will be able to purchase your plants at a discounted rate through our team of plant experts and have them delivered directly to your curb. Tilly can also provide recommendations of local installers who can help you complete your landscape project.

Tilly also offers individual DIY projects. With DIY Spaces, you are matched with a landscape designer who will design a custom project for your yard. This will include a scaled drawing, lists of materials (which you can order directly through Tilly to install your project) and detailed installation instructions to help even a first time DIY’er tackle a yard project!

Wherever you are in your yard journey, we can help!