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mikkibookmite

Curb Appeal For Front Entry?

4 years ago


I recently paid (a lot) to remove the huge tree in front of my entry door and have new river rock placed where soil had been. The result is a safer walkway and neater appearance, However, now the space is so very bland! I need suggestions on how to improve curb appeal without spending more big bucks!

Does anyone have suggestions that don’t include garden gnomes or plastic flamingos? Photo examples would be especially helpful,

Comments (22)

  • 4 years ago

    Paint your door a bright color. It's almost invisible right now. Maybe a wreath on the door. You could put a trellis with a climbing vine in the big blank wall to the left of the door. And tuck the ADT sign in the bed behind the stones.

    mikkibookmite thanked callirhoe123
  • 4 years ago

    How about an ornamental tree, like Eastern Redbud. It has beautiful lilac flowers in the spring that grow on the limbs. The leaves are beautiful color. It doesn't grow very large and would fit that space well.

    Mediterranean Garden in San Anselmo, CA · More Info


    Eastern Redbud · More Info


  • 4 years ago

    Wow! That is a pretty tree!

    Is it easy to care for? Will it cause the curb to buckle like the other tree did?

  • 4 years ago

    It's easier for us to make recommendations if we know where you are. Are you in an arid climate so you need a xeriscape? It wouldn't hurt to post a picture further back so we can see the whole front of the house, but a different front door color is certainly a good start.

    mikkibookmite thanked kandrewspa
  • 4 years ago

    Maybe google zen garden. A few well placed boulders and maybe a couple of specimen plants or a big planter if you don't mind watering . . . Here's a quick example of how one artfully placed plant can be quite enough . . . https://elizabethjournals.com/zen-garden-improve-your-mental-health/

  • 4 years ago

    Some larger boulders sunk in a little with plants appropriate to your zone would add some interest.



  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Get rid of the plastic chairs, widen the walk to the front door, and plant a garden! Some sort of ornamental tree would be perfect.

  • 4 years ago

    I suggest pots of various sizes, but all in the same color family, planted with cacti & succulents (pretty easy to care for) arranged around that area. You can add a couple of decorative rocks that will add visual interest, too. A couple of potted geraniums will add splashes of color. I’ve grown them in both dry California & humid Florida. Whatever color you choose for your pots, pick the color opposite in the color wheel for your door.

    mikkibookmite thanked yvonneleslie
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you! I like your idea, but I have a poor imagination. Do you have a photo?

  • 4 years ago

    Look up xeriscape for your state/city to see ideas.


  • 4 years ago

    widen the walk between garage and front door significantly and extend the brick path to driveway. take out the plants, put a wooden bench along the wall with varying heights of pots and plants for color and texture. widen the walk to front door as well. If budget allows, remove sidelights and replace /paint front door. get light fixtures that match by front door and garage. That massive tree has left you with gutter issues as well, and no downspout in the run of roofline in the photo.

  • 4 years ago

    I don't know where you live but I also think a smaller ornamental tree would be beautiful. In my area a lot of people like Vitex for a smaller statement. You could prune for not blocking the site line to your door.


  • 4 years ago

    I feel your pain! I had to have a 70 year old Silver Maple removed from my front yard last summer because the structure had become a squirrel condo, and mushroom factory. It was too scary in storms to keep standing close to the house. See photo.



    The plants in your photo look like daylilies. They are great for a green border, and will do well in sunny or shady locations. One idea is to dig up the daylilies and thin them out after they bloom. Daylilies can take alot of abuse and can be divided (and shared) every 3-4 years. Cut the green blades down leaving around 4 inches, dig up, and replant spacing them 4 - 6 inches apart. https://www.gardendesign.com/flowers/daylilies.html

    Another idea it to plant three containers of tall ornamental grasses such as Purple Fountain Grass. This would introduce some color and height against the blank wall.

    https://www.alsipnursery.com/product/purple-fountain-grass-1-gallon/

    If you have a theme or favorite image such as birds, clocks, antique tools, etc. you could hang one large or several small pieces for interest. The large blank wall is perfect for wall decor to reflect your personality. How about an initial? Google "outdoor wall decor ideas".

    I agree with removing the plastic lawn furniture. If you cannot replace it with something more substantial at this time due to the cost there are several brands of spray paints that can be applied to plastic to change the color.

  • 4 years ago

    Plant another tree for sure, something that flowers in the spring and turns a pretty color in the fall. I'd also fill the space with boxwoods around the tree. They keep their leaves in the winter and are green all year.

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you! I will look into applying your suggestions and I especially appreciate the photo.

  • 4 years ago

    Native grasses

  • 4 years ago

    If the area with the river rock isn't always in direct sun (if the sun moves to the right during the day, part or all of the area would eventually be shaded), place a couple benches with a small table on the river rock. Potted plants for interest.


    Removing the current chairs and foliage from the side of the house gives a wider walkway from the driveway to the front door. Removing the foliage also means less water to move into the foundation.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    No-flamingo, no gnome suggestions:

    Paint the door rusty orange to echo the roof. This one's too orange, but you get the idea. I like the string of lights and bright pot by the entry.

    Big Horn Residence · More Info


    Are you in an area where you can get some large golden rocks to position in your rock garden? Arrange some potted plants in bright pots around the rock.

    Here's a gravel garden:


    Less Lawn More Garden · More Info


    Go for this feeling. Instead of a tree, anchor and umbrella on the stones.

    Curb Appeal Ideas · More Info


    Create an Ideabook for "front yard rock garden.".

  • 4 years ago

    I just stuck these in my Front Garden Ideabook:



    This is a knockout--just for inspiration:

  • 4 years ago

    If the tree stump was ground out, the wood chips were left and covered over, that area will not be good to plant in for some time, because the wood chips will use the nitrogen that plants need to grow. However, if the wood chips were removed and the resulting hole was filled with new soil; that would mostly eliminate the problem. I am unable to tell how much area you have but if the tree was a problem, I would suggest that another tree might eventually become another problem. Good luck. You have some good suggestions here.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    You must proceed with the attached photo, as it is within your budget.



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