13 cheap, simple front yard landscaping ideas
By Jordana Weiss•Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Table of Contents
- 1. Opt for perennials instead of annuals.
- 2. Purchase perennials after their flowering season.
- 3. Use ornamental grasses to fill empty spaces.
- 4. Share plants with neighbors.
- 5. Use large rocks as a focal point.
- 6. Paint your fence.
- 7. Edge your garden beds.
- 8. Add mulch to create a cohesive look.
- 9. Add curb appeal and whimsy with string lights.
- 10. Keep trees and bushes trimmed.
- 11. Add a simple water feature.
- 12. Dig some circular flower beds under your trees.
- 13. Add height to your small front yard with planters.
- Hire a landscaper on Thumbtack to spruce up your front yard.
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This guide was reviewed and verified by landscape designer Bret Douglas of Iron Clad Landscape Management.
Improving your front yard is a quick and easy way to boost your home’s curb appeal. But, unfortunately, a lot of front yard landscaping ideas can be pricey.
Let's face it: planting several trees, adding a porch and installing state-of-the-art landscape lights can really add up. Luckily, we have some suggestions for cheap and simple front yard landscaping ideas. Many of these are DIY landscaping ideas. However, you can always hire a professional to do it for you (without breaking the bank).
1. Opt for perennials instead of annuals.
While bright flowering annuals like pansies, zinnias, geraniums, and petunias are popular throughout the United States, they only last one growing season. They look great, but they don’t last long.
To stretch your gardening budget, choose perennial plants instead of annuals. When you build your garden around perennials, they come back stronger year after year.
2. Purchase perennials after their flowering season.
Many garden centers put perennial plants on sale after their main flowering season has passed. That’s because they don’t look as vibrant and are less appealing to customers.
Savvy gardeners know the flowers will come back. To save money on your garden shopping trips, look for perennials that have been marked down after flowering.
3. Use ornamental grasses to fill empty spaces.
Having a large yard can be a great opportunity, but it’s often intimidating for newer gardeners or people who don’t have much time to garden.
If you have lots of planting bed space but aren’t sure how to fill it, consider ornamental grasses for your front yard. These plants grow larger year after year, and they can often be divided and replanted to create even more coverage and privacy in your yard.
4. Share plants with neighbors.
A great way to create a beautiful front yard on a budget is to share and trade plants with your neighbors. Many common garden perennials like daylilies, asters, coreopsis, hostas, and irises can be divided at the root once the plant gets large enough.
There are online and in-person groups that exist solely to facilitate the trading and sharing of plants. All you need to do is post what you’d like and what you’re offering to trade, then wait for someone to take you up on it.
5. Use large rocks as a focal point.
A popular simple front yard landscaping idea is to use large rocks as a focal point in your yard design. These rocks can be found in nature, moved from other areas of your property, or even purchased from a quarry or stone yard. From there, it’s easy to build a design that highlights the unique shape and color of the rocks you’ve found.
6. Paint your fence.
When was the last time you painted your fence? If your white picket fence looks a little less than pristine after years of wear and tear, a simple coat of paint can make for a budget-friendly visual upgrade to your outdoor space.
Depending on the fence’s size and condition, you can either do the painting yourself or hire an exterior painting service for help.
7. Edge your garden beds.
Edging your garden beds is an easy way to take your front yard landscaping to the next level. Creating a visual division between your garden beds and the rest of your green space helps your whole yard look neater. Plus, you can do it yourself quickly and easily.
All you need is a sharp edging tool or spade to separate turf from garden soil. You can add decorative edging made of metal, rock, or plastic, or keep it neat through ongoing weeding and maintenance.
8. Add mulch to create a cohesive look.
Mulch is the unsung hero of gardening. Adding it to your garden beds immediately creates a cohesive look that can tie your yard together. Mulch also helps prevent weeds, locks moisture into your soil, prevents erosion, and can help feed everything growing around it. Plus, it’s a very affordable landscaping project — most bags of mulch only cost a few dollars.
Once you’ve purchased your mulch, spread it in a 2-inch-thick layer and let it do its work.
9. Add curb appeal and whimsy with string lights.
Adding extra lights is a great front yard landscaping idea. However, installing new permanent fixtures can be expensive, as can running cables if you don’t want them exposed to the elements. A cheaper alternative that provides plenty of coverage and adds a whimsical touch is string lights.
You don’t have to wait until the holidays to put up lights. String lights are incredibly versatile. You can wrap them around tree trunks, shrubs, or bushes. Or string them up to define a sitting area in your front yard.
10. Keep trees and bushes trimmed.
It may not be the most exciting project, but you’ll never regret taking time each year to trim and maintain your trees and shrubs. A simple clip with a pair of hedge trimmers and hand pruners can boost your home’s curb appeal.
If you have older, taller trees, you may be better off calling in tree trimming professionals. However, you can usually handle simple shrub reshaping and hedge trimming yourself.
11. Add a simple water feature.
Adding a water feature like a koi pond or waterfall can be expensive, both to install and maintain. Instead, consider adding a cost-effective and animal-friendly bird bath or small fountain.
Bird baths are a great way to support local wildlife, giving animals a place to rest and refuel that’s especially welcome in hot summer weather. You can find them at most garden centers, or you can buy a gently used one online.
12. Dig some circular flower beds under your trees.
If you have trees in your front yard, you may have noticed it’s difficult for grass to grow underneath them. That’s because the shade under the tree is often too thick for grass to thrive.
To turn this drawback into a highlight, dig circular flower beds under your shade trees and plant a variety of shade-loving plants and shrubs. Depending on your area, consider impatiens, hostas, bleeding hearts, or violas.
13. Add height to your small front yard with planters.
If you’re working with a smaller front yard, make sure you’re taking advantage of every inch of usable space by thinking vertically. A great way to do that is with planters.
You can add shrubs or ornamental grass to a tall, narrow planter to give your yard some beautiful height. Placed by your front door, they can make your entrance appear more welcoming and add undeniable curb appeal.
Hire a landscaper on Thumbtack to spruce up your front yard.
When you own a home with outdoor space, there’s never a shortage of tasks that can make your front yard beautiful. However, it can be challenging to know where to start.
If you’re looking for an expert who can offer advice, download the Thumbtack app and hire a professional landscaper today.
Note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can affect costs.
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