The Ultimate Front Garden Makeover

Have you recently moved into a new property and noticed that the entrance needs a spruce up? Perhaps you have been giving attention to your back garden but the front garden has been a bit neglected. Maybe, the front garden simply does not look as good as it once looked – it’s time for a change. A property’s entrance is the first thing visitors see when they come by, so it’s important for it to be welcoming. In addition to this, your home’s kerb appeal also adds weight to the value of your home. According to a study by Michigan State University, “home value increased from 5% to 11% for homes with a good landscape.” So, how can you improve the look of your front garden? Front pathway. Assess your path from the viewpoint of a visitor – is it comfortable? Are the materials used difficult to walk on? Perhaps your property does not have a path laid out yet and visitors have to cut across the grass to access your property. There are countless types of paths that you can install in your front garden to lead visitors into your entrance door, from gravel paths to slate paths and even a mixture of paving slabs and gravel for a more visually interesting look. Gravel paths are simple, affordable, low-maintenance paths that will be exactly what you are looking for. Plus, due to the crunching noise of gravel, it might also be a good burglar deterrent. At Mainland Aggregates, we supply a large selection of gravel that can be used to create paths and a variety of other landscape features, including 20mm gravel, 20mm pink granite chippings and 20mm Staffordshire pink gravel. Note: Be sure to choose gravel large enough that will not stick in the soles of shoes and, in turn, be brought inside the house. Add different focal points. Adding different layers of interest along the way will make the walk up to your front door more welcoming and enjoyable. From planting flowers and plants with contrasting leaf shapes and colours to creating small rockeries that balance the beauty of plants and garden stones – the options are endless. Our decorative aggregates, such as Welsh slate chippings and pebbles and cobbles can be used alongside your favourite plants and flowers to create a beautiful entrance focal point. Available in various colours and sizes, you may choose to mix stones to create an even more interesting outdoor space. Outdoor lights. When thinking of transforming their home’s entrance many people concentrate on how it looks during the day. Which is fine. But don’t forget that it’s also nice to have a front garden that looks great at night too, and the best way to do that is to light it up. Add lights along the garden path to easily reach your front door no matter the time of night. Lights can also be added near your entrance door to effortlessly find the keyhole in no time. Update the driveway. If your driveway has fallen into disrepair, it’s time to update it. You might want to simply maintain your current driveway by cleaning it and removing unwanted weeds or you might want to fully replace it or relay it. Relaying a driveway can be done in a few different ways using a number of different materials, from affordable gravel driveways to traditional cobblestone driveways and even long-lasting asphalt driveways. Paint and re-paint. A new splash of colour can really add to that homely, welcoming feel. So, why not paint some outdoor surfaces that are looking old and worn? Or even re-paint surfaces where the paint is chipping and getting discoloured. From small painting jobs, like painting the garden gate to larger painting jobs, like re-painting your home’s exterior – there are many ways of giving your entrance some extra colour.