20+ Best Low Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping  

A beautiful lawn can be a great addition to your home. It will make the space more lively and welcoming as well as add to the overall house aesthetics.

But, maintaining a lawn can be costly as well as time-consuming.

Do you know?

An average American spends around 3.4 hours every week on lawn maintenance

Moreover, it can cost you anywhere around $100 to care for the lawn.

If you still want a lawn but don’t have the time and money, look for low maintenance front yard landscaping ideas.

This type of lawn needs minimal effort and can make your house look really good.

In this article, we are going to discuss about low maintenance front yard landscaping ideas.

1. Choose Native Plants

The type of plants you choose directly affects the time it takes to maintain your lawn. If you choose exotic plants that don’t grow in your area, they will need a lot of care.

Because of this reason, you need to choose native plants that naturally grow in the region. They require little to no care and are not affected by the weather conditions. Moreover, they have the ability to fight against the common pests. You can also use a snake plant in your house.

Using native plants is a great low maintenance front yard landscaping ideas. Before decorating your front yard, remember to research native plants. You can visit any local nursery to get these plants and grow them on your lawn.

2. Install Artificial Grass

We all love a front yard with beautiful green grass, but growing and maintaining the grass can be a big hassle. You need to water and mow the grass regularly to keep the lawn in the best condition.

To avoid this, you can install artificial grass instead. It is one of the best low maintenance front yard landscaping techniques. While it doesn’t have the same appeal as real grass, it is a labor-saving choice. You don’t have to cover the entire space with it, as just a small patch will be enough.

The best thing about artificial grass is that it doesn’t require any maintenance. On top of that, it looks just like real grass. Artificial grass is extremely durable and can last up to 20 years, helping you save hundreds of dollars on lawn mowing.

3. Use Stone and Concrete

Another great idea is using stone and concrete in your front yard. Instead of using it just for the pavement, you can add it to your lawn to create a timeless appeal. While it is more costly than growing grass and plants, it doesn’t really need much maintenance.

You don’t have to cover the entire lawn with stone and concrete. Instead, you can just make a big pathway out of it and cover the rest of the space with flowers and grass. Colorful flowers will highlight the dull shade of the pathway and make your lawn look really beautiful.

With these materials, you can create a more durable and sophisticated lawn. You can even create a seating area or install a barbeque in the corner to make it functional.

4. Plant Succulents

The best type of plants you can add to your lawn are the succulents. These are drought-resistant plants and have the ability to survive in dry and arid environments. These plants retain water within them, which helps them survive in any climatic condition.

This means you don’t have to water them constantly, as every 14 to 21 days is enough. While many people use these plants indoors, you can also keep them in your lawn. These plants are vibrant and will add a pop of color to your lawn.

There are different types of succulent plants available in the market. The best thing about these plants is that they last for a long time, and you won’t have to replant them again. You can simply plant it and forget it.

5. Plant Perennials

Most people choose annual flower plants to keep the lawn looking bright and lively in all seasons. But these plants need a lot of maintenance and must be replanted every year. It can take a lot of time to remove and add new plants. So, instead, you can add perennials in your yard.

These plants only bloom during the season and don’t need replacement every year. They will last longer than two years and grow naturally on their own. Some common perennials you can use are daises, hibiscus, and Russian sage.

These plants have beautiful colors and can even survive in hot climates. They will give you an ever-changing view with different flowers. You can plan perennials in high-traffic areas of your lawn to create a nice look.

6. Use Low Maintenance Plants

As the name goes, these plants don’t need much care and maintenance. Choose plants that don’t require pruning or frequent water to save you time.

Some common plants you can use are plantain lilies, creeping thyme, Chinese silver grass, stonecrop, etc. All these plants are suitable for front yards and are easy to look after.

You can easily add these plants to your lawn to improve its overall look. Apart from plants, you can also choose grass that is low-maintenance. You can save a good amount of time with these plants.

7. Install Irrigation System

If you have a big lawn with lots of green space, it is best to install an irrigation system. It will help you to automatically water the plants at the right time. Nowadays, irrigation systems are available for regular lawns.

You can choose a sprinkler system to water the plants. It will also help you to save water by strategically watering your plants. The best thing is that you can adjust the irrigation system according to the climate conditions.

It is a great low maintenance front lawn landscaping technique for busy people. You don’t have to hire a gardener to do the water work, as the irrigation system will suffice.

8. Focus on Placement and Sun Exposure

When you plan the landscape for your lawn, it is necessary to consider the placement and sun exposure. You need to place the plants strategically to make them last longer. Sun exposure is necessary for plants and grass, but too much exposure can kill them.

It will cause the grass and plants to dry out and die quickly. Because of this reason, you may need to place the plants under an area with shade.

You can plant the flowers in the corners around the line of the fence to keep the harsh sunlight away. The rest of the space, you can cover with concrete or any other material.

9. Go for a Flowering Tree

One of the best small front yard landscaping ideas for low maintenance is to use a flowering tree. You can plant two trees on the opposite side of your lawn to make it look beautiful.

Tresses don’t need much maintenance, and they look really pretty with colorful flowers during the season. They can work as a focal point on your lawn and perfectly complement the green grass.

You don’t need to use plants on the surface, as the tree will do the job. Some of the best flowering trees you can use are Kousa dogwood and redbud trees. 

10. Choose Durable Materials

When it comes to landscaping projects, it is best to use durable materials. It will help you to make a lawn that lasts for a long time. Don’t compromise on the quality of the materials, as it will help you to save money in the long run.

Choose strong and durable wood for fencing and building a deck. You also need to use good quality concrete or stone to build the pathway or pavement. It will help you to save on frequent repair and replacement costs. 

Apart from that, you also need to paint your fence and stain your deck every 1 to 2 years to keep it in the best condition. It will help you to keep your lawn looking good all the time.

11. Plant Ornamental Grasses

One great low maintenance landscaping ideas is to plant ornamental grass in your yard. These are plants with grass-like appearance that look very aesthetically pleasing.

These plants are very hardy and can survive easily in any type of condition. They are also deer-resistant, so there is no risk of any animal eating them. The best thing about ornamental grasses is that they look really beautiful when the wind blows.

They are versatile and can survive in any season. These plants are a great alternative to artificial turf. You can keep things natural and low-immanence with these plants.

12. Invest in Mulch

If you don’t want to use grass in your lawn, you can invest in mulch. It will help you to conserve the soil as well as improve fertility. Most people use it for visual appeal, but it is also a practical solution for landscaping.

Mulch will add a finished touch to your lawn as well as protect the soil against temperature changes. Moreover, it can prevent the growth of weeds. It will save you time on lawn maintenance. You can add a three to four-inch layer of mulch to your lawn to make it look good. 

13. Use Potted Plants

Using potted plants is one of the best small front yard landscaping ideas. If you don’t have much space in your lawn for making a full-fledged garden, you can always keep plants in pots. 

It will make your yard low-maintenance as well as save space for other things. You can color the pots to give your lawn a more vibrant look. Potted plants are easy to care for. You can water them easily without creating a fuss.

Apart from that, you can also arrange the post nicely around your yard. You can create a beautiful arrangement of plants and even change their position from time to time.

14. Add Gravel for Landscaping

You can also add gravel for low maintenance front yard landscaping. It lasts for a long time and doesn’t need any maintenance. 

To create a balance, you can plant grass in one part and cover the rest with gravel. Pea gravel is a more aesthetic option as it is available in different colors.

Gravel is also a good option for people with pets. If you have a dog, you can use gravel to keep your grass safe. Dogs often pee in the grass, which often leads to damage. Gravel can help prevent the dead spots in the grass. 

15. Create Raised Flower Beds

One of the best front yard landscaping ideas is creating raised flower beds. They are a perfect addition to give a modern look to your lawn. You can create different planting spaces by creating a raised bed using wood or stone.

It will help you to keep your look more organized and separate the plants from one another. You can have a beautiful look by adding multi-color flower plants in the raised bed.

A combination of red, pink, blue, purple, and green will make the flower bed the biggest highlight of your lawn. It will also increase your house curb appeal.

16. Make a Relaxation Space

Front yards are not just for planting flowers and trees. You can make the space useful by creating a relaxation space in the corner. To do this, you can install a comfortable couch on the deck. Use comfortable lounging chairs with a small coffee table in the corner.

This way, you can relax on your lawn and even host a small get-together. To make the space more beautiful, you can put fairy lights on top of a tree. If there is no tree, you can install other floor lights on the deck. 

17. Make a Kitchen Garden

One of the most unique landscape ideas for front of house low maintenance is adding a kitchen garden. If you are someone who is big on sustainability, create a small vegetable garden on your lawn.

It is a great idea to save money on groceries. You can choose easy-to-grow plants such as basil, coriander, tomatoes, lemon, etc. While these plants may need regular care, they will help you save time on grocery visits.

The best thing is that you will get fresh and organic ingredients for cooking food. Make sure you choose the right seeds for growing vegetables.

18. Decorate with Non-Living Elements

The trick to low maintenance landscaping lies in the usage of non-living elements. As they are not alive, you don’t have to spend time on maintenance. So, instead of using grass, trees, flowers, and plants, you need to incorporate other elements.

You can decorate your lawn with lights, pathways, water fountains, sculptures, and gnomes. All these items just need cleaning from time to time. You don’t have to water them or even worry about the changing weather conditions.

19. Line Plants around Deck

If you are looking for low maintenance front yard landscaping, try planting around the deck area. You can use most of the space in your yard to create a deck and simply line plants around. It will make your yard look beautiful.

You can choose colorful plants to add a bright touch to your dark shade deck. It will make your yard look organized as well as help you keep it low maintenance. You can easily care for your lawn when there are fewer plants.

20. Grow Lavender Plant

Lavender is one of the best plants for your lawn if you don’t have time to look after it. They are low-maintenance plants and need water only once or twice a week. Moreover, these plants have a beautiful lilac color that will make your lawn stand out.

Lavender plants for low maintenance front yard landscaping also offer other benefits. These plants have a pleasant smell that will create positivity around your garden. You can plant them near your patio, where you can sit and enjoy your coffee.

21. Build a Strong Foundation

When you plan and build your lawn, remember to build a strong foundation. It will help you to save on costly repairs and restructuring. Make sure the base is solid if you are using stone or concrete.

If the foundation isn’t strong, your lawn won’t last for a long time, and you’ll have to spend a lot on maintenance. So, it is best to use good quality materials for construction.

22. Make a Vertical Garden

You can make a vertical garden for low maintenance front yard landscaping. Instead of planting on a horizontal surface, you can keep the plants vertically. There are two ways to do this.

You can either use climber plants to grow on the walls or use shelves to stack up your plants outdoors. You can also use a clothesline to create a makeshift support and put plants on it to create your vertical garden. Similarly, you can also use a ladder.

FAQs

Conclusion

Here are the low maintenance front yard landscaping ideas you can use. If you are busy and don’t have time to decorate your lawn, these ideas can help. You can create a beautiful lawn with these methods without much effort. All these options are practical and will also help you save money in the long run. Remember to consider your lawn size before using any of these ideas.

Explore Further

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Proper Landscaping
• 6 Essential Elements to Add to a Modern Landscape Design
• What’s Next in Sustainable Landscaping? 5 Trends to Follow