Landscape Design
Before and Afters
Before and After: 3 Front Yards That Invite Socializing
Get ideas for encouraging a neighborly spirit right outside your door
Many of us are craving connection these days. The good news is, you don’t have to look far and wide for it. Whether you want to build community or just wave hi once in a while, you can foster meaningful connections right in your own front yard. Get ideas from these three spaces, then let us know in the Comments at the end how you’ve set up your outdoor space for socializing.
Before Photo
After: Recalling abundant white candles, Bobo panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘ILVOBO’, USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) set an uplifting tone in beds behind a new stacked-bluestone wall. Designer Heather Sweeney placed other flowering plants around the yard as well, including pollinator attractors such as ‘Summer Beauty’ allium (Allium ‘Summer Beauty’, zones 4 to 9).
At the far right edge of the photo here is a Cor-Ten steel sculpture spelling out Beau’s name; it stands at about the height Beau was. In front of it, surrounded by bluestone pavers and Mexican beach pebbles, sits a recirculating fountain. Since these photos were taken, friends and family have left mementos here.
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At the far right edge of the photo here is a Cor-Ten steel sculpture spelling out Beau’s name; it stands at about the height Beau was. In front of it, surrounded by bluestone pavers and Mexican beach pebbles, sits a recirculating fountain. Since these photos were taken, friends and family have left mementos here.
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Taking care not to disturb the existing maple tree, the landscaping team regraded the yard to allow for this conversational seating area that can be easily accessed from the street. Composed of Greydon sandstone, the patio has four Adirondack chairs around a gas fire feature. The home’s nearby porch has chairs and a swinging seat as well, but Beau’s friends often skateboard around instead of sitting.
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Before Photo
“After” photos by Paul Dyer
2. Corner Post
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four and its Labradoodle
Location: Portola Valley, California
Size: A quarter-acre
Landscape architect and contractor: Jim Redman of Elements Landscape
Before: A steep slope with a single set of stairs led to the front entry of this Northern California home on a corner lot. The homeowners wanted to channel a casual, welcoming Santa Barbara vibe in their street-facing front yards and their backyard, and brought on landscape architect Jim Redman for the makeovers.
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2. Corner Post
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four and its Labradoodle
Location: Portola Valley, California
Size: A quarter-acre
Landscape architect and contractor: Jim Redman of Elements Landscape
Before: A steep slope with a single set of stairs led to the front entry of this Northern California home on a corner lot. The homeowners wanted to channel a casual, welcoming Santa Barbara vibe in their street-facing front yards and their backyard, and brought on landscape architect Jim Redman for the makeovers.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
After: While the yard at the front entry isn’t really a hangout spot, the new design sets a more sociable tone in two ways. Terraced stairs make it easier for guests and the family to reach the front door, and the light colors and thoughtfully arranged plantings create a more inviting look.
Before and After: 3 Creative Solutions to a Sloped Yard
Before and After: 3 Creative Solutions to a Sloped Yard
Around the corner from the front yard, this street-facing side yard encourages neighborly chats with seating nestled up against the house. Two new field-grown olive trees and other new plantings, including white cabbage roses, rosemary and agaves, join an existing Japanese maple in creating a lovely view and the feeling of being immersed in nature despite being close to the street. The team brought in several types of native plants that work with the local climate while evoking Santa Barbara’s beachy spirit.
For entertaining bigger groups, the family has a newly designed backyard with an outdoor kitchen, a dining area and a hot tub.
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For entertaining bigger groups, the family has a newly designed backyard with an outdoor kitchen, a dining area and a hot tub.
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Before Photo
“After” photos by Martin Cox Photography
3. Friendly Face
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer and Marc Trotoux and their two school-age sons
Location: South Pasadena, California
Landscape architect: June Scott
Landscape contractor: Hernan Quezada
Before: Traditional lawn took up most of this Southern California front yard, for a design that was neither sustainability-minded nor intriguing. The homeowners, who used Houzz for inspiration, wanted a yard that would focus on low-water plants while complementing the home’s Craftsman architecture, and that would include a place for neighborly interaction. They brought on landscape architect June Scott, who specializes in ecological design.
3. Friendly Face
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer and Marc Trotoux and their two school-age sons
Location: South Pasadena, California
Landscape architect: June Scott
Landscape contractor: Hernan Quezada
Before: Traditional lawn took up most of this Southern California front yard, for a design that was neither sustainability-minded nor intriguing. The homeowners, who used Houzz for inspiration, wanted a yard that would focus on low-water plants while complementing the home’s Craftsman architecture, and that would include a place for neighborly interaction. They brought on landscape architect June Scott, who specializes in ecological design.
After: Massed native field sedge (Carex praegracilis, zones 6 to 10) and a bubbling fountain create breezy-feeling movement, while an existing mature crape myrtle provides dappled shade for a new seating area. Thanks to a combination of midsize and low plantings and the crape myrtle, the seating area feels tucked in without being walled off.
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
Poured-in-place concrete pavers lead from the street to the patio, made of decomposed granite. Neighbors often stop by to chat while the homeowners are sitting out here (chairs are easily added). And dogs and birds sometimes drink from the fountain, which was made from a glazed pot the homeowners already owned.
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Read more about this project
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Read more stories about landscape design
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Find pros in your area
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
1. From the Heart
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: Kristin Taunton, a mother
Location: Excelsior, Minnesota
Size: 2,400 square feet (223 square meters)
Landscape designer and contractor: Mom’s Design Build (lead designer: Heather Sweeney)
Before: After her son, Beau, tragically passed away at age 22, this Minnesota mother wanted to create an outdoor space that would honor his memory and welcome friends and family to gather and celebrate his life. She brought on Mom’s Design Build to help her turn the front yard, which was mostly lawn, into a beautiful tribute filled with flowering plants and infused with joy.