Dreaming of a gorgeous front yard that won’t require you to weed, trim, and toil for hours every weekend Whether you have a tiny plot or a huge yard, it’s possible to create a practical but pretty outdoor space with low-maintenance landscape ideas for your front yard.
Low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, however. Even the best-designed landscapes require some upkeep. “But with thoughtful planning, you can create a space that looks good without constant work,” says landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat. “It’s really about good design that takes into consideration your wants and your lifestyle.”
To create landscaping that’s easy to maintain, focus on three key components of your outdoor space: Hardscape, such as your patio and paths; carpentry-type elements such as decking and fencing; and plants that won’t make a huge mess or need constant trimming and babying. “All three of these design elements should be low maintenance so that your dreams of a beautiful landscape and the reality of how much time you actually have to work in your garden are in harmony,” says Cervoni.
For perennials and trees, it’s important to to do some homework before shopping. You need to choose ones that are suited to survive winters in your USDA Hardiness zone. Otherwise, you’ll just waste time and money.
Read more: Chaos Gardening Is the Easiest Way to Grow Your Dream Garden
Ahead, we’ve rounded up low-maintenance front yard landscaping ideas that you actually can put into practice—not just dream about in your garden fantasies.