5 Things That Make Your Front Yard Look Empty, According to Designers and Gardeners

• A front yard that lacks trees, decorative pieces, or a variety of flowers can look boring and dull.
• Layer shrubs and trees at different heights to create depth and layer in some textures using stone, gravel, and plants.
• Make a statement for your front entrance by adding a pergola or arbor with some flowers, so it creates an impression.

It’s common to treat your front yard as an afterthought, especially if you don’t spend much time in it. However, your front yard deserves way more attention since it often sets the tone for those arriving at the home, both residents and visitors alike. Although you might think your front yard is perfectly welcoming, if it possesses any of the following qualities, you may want to consider sprucing things up.

Below, pro gardeners and interior designers share the top things to avoid if you don’t want an empty-looking front yard.

A Long, Boring Lawn

Your front lawn might be the healthiest, greenest, and best-maintained on the block, but that’s not enough to boost your home’s curb appeal. A long blanket of grass devoid of plantings can look empty and unappealing, according to Laura Janney, an expert gardener and owner of The Inspired Garden. She recommends breaking up the swath of green by planting a few trees or adding decorative pieces.

Vyanca Soto, owner and lead designer of Market Studio Interiors, seconds this opinion, suggesting that structured greenery in the form of hedges, sculptural trees, and ornamental grasses can make a difference. If in-ground landscaping isn’t feasible, consider adding planters.

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No Variety

While you may think planting a single but expansive bed of your favorite flower or plant could enliven the yard, don’t stick to the one type of planting. Janney warns that having too many of the same plants, sizes, shapes, and colors can diminish curb appeal. She also advises that you research plants beforehand to make sure you have some plants blooming in each part of the growing season.

“Nothing makes a home and yard feel emptier than having no blooms,“ Janney says.

Take into account the tree species as well.

“Trees can offer seasonal color—from early spring buds and flower blooms to summer leaves, fruits, and berries, to fall foliage and winter bark textures and tones,“ Bruce John Riddell, a landscape architect and principal of Land Art, explains.

He recommends planting the trees to frame the house and roofline as well as strategically aligning them at the corners, which can make the house appear larger. As trees are also habitats, they’ll attract birds and other wildlife into the yard.

Lack of Layers

A common mistake homeowners make in their landscaping efforts is forgetting to layer. For instance, you might plant an impressive variety of flowers and shrubs, but if they’re all in one row or at the same height, they fail to create depth, which in turn can make the yard feel empty.

“After planting foundation shrubs against the house, try planting a row of shorter shrubs and perennials and smaller plants on the border to give your home dimension and interest,“ Janney says.

Don’t forget about texture, too, Soto says. She suggests using a mix of stone, gravel, and even a small seating area to introduce dimension and make the yard feel like a designed, welcoming extension of the home.

A Lackluster Walkway

Oftentimes, the front yard’s walkway is installed by the builder or homeowner to create the shortest distance between the driveway and the front door and is designed too narrow, Riddell says. When the walkway is just a narrow and straight path dissecting the lawn to the front door, it’s practically nonexistent in the visual sense.

“Adding a subtle curve to the walkway—around a boulder, tree, or planting bed, for instance—can make for a more experiential journey,” he says.

Mixing the materials, such as brick or concrete pavers with natural stone, or using different scaled patterns, can add further visual interest. Be sure to check that the walkway’s width is scaled to the home and front door.

Riddell recommends making the main path at least four to six feet wide so that two people can walk comfortably side by side or past each other. Also, take into consideration navigation of the walkway after sundown.

“We always encourage our clients to add pathway lighting to instantly enhance depth and warmth, making it feel more intentional and inviting,” Soto says.

A Bland Entrance

The front door might not be a landscape element, but it’s nevertheless a highly visible feature right on the yard that, when left sparse, can create the illusion of emptiness. Consider adding a pergola or arbor to frame the entry and to help announce where the primary entrance to the home is located, Riddell suggests.

„For a welcoming entrance, nothing beats the charm of two well-appointed pots flanking the front door and brimming with blooms,” Janney says.