Whether your home is an Edmonton urban townhouse or a larger lakeside retreat, you may be contending with a smaller front yard that is difficult to landscape. While this might make you consider turning to the traditional sod yard with a simple planting structure along front, other options do exist. With a little creativity and some helpful tips, you can create a landscape for your Edmonton home that is unique, attractive and charming too.

Layering

Layering is one technique used by Edmonton landscaping professionals to create a multi-dimensional effect in smaller yards. Use stepping stones nestled into mulch and surrounded by colorful flowers to create this look. You can have your stepping stones lead to one location or to several, but the key is to have an ending place for your pathway. Bird baths, hammocks, a bistro table or a dwarf tree make for a wonderful and attractive ending point.

Backyard Privacy

One of the biggest problems that homeowners face when they have smaller yards is finding privacy. A beautiful way to create a privacy barrier for your front lawn is by planting an abundant supply of colorful blooms. Think hydrangeas, roses and hibiscus. Consult with an Edmonton design professional or landscape artist to find the best flowers for your particular neighbourhood, and add a small picket fence to give them a place to climb.

If you are a person who has more of a black thumb, remember that it is not necessary to rely on flowers and grass for all of your landscaping needs. A front patio adds a quaint conversation area to your Edmonton home, and it provides an easy to care for solution for a smaller front yard. Use irregularly shaped paving stones in a variety of sizes to create your patio, and fill the spaces between stones with gravel. Not only will this give your home great curb appeal, but it will also increase the eco-friendly quality of your yard because of the water conservation feature it offers.

To welcome friends and neighbours to your home, create a walkway that is lined with shorter shrubs and decorative flowers. This helps to emphasize your pathway, and it adds color and dimension to your front yard. To create additional layers of color and light, plant grass outside of the walkway, and install solar or electrical lighting fixtures to illuminate it at night.

Adding Foliage

Another beautiful addition to any Edmonton yard is a selection of dwarf trees. They provide a lush focal point and extra depth to the landscaping and a look that can be scaled up or down to perfectly match the dimensions of your home. When selecting and planting trees, it is a good idea to consult with an Edmonton general contractor or landscaping professional to help you achieve the right landscaping finished product for your home.

For lakefront homes in Edmonton, crushed stone or gravel pathways are a great option. Couple the pathway with casual plants that are easy to care for like lavender, sage or poppy bushes. While this option is not usually recommended for larger yards because it can feel overbearing, in a smaller space, it often fits perfectly and provides a great coastal feel.

Finally, consider some of the more popular exterior home renovations to give your Edmonton home the curb appeal you are after. Painting your exterior, adding a stone wall, installing a Juliet balcony or changing your roofline can enhance your landscaping additions, boost your property value and make your front yard feel more inviting.

Whether your Edmonton home is small or majestic, Alair Homes Edmonton can help you to make improvements to the curb appeal and landscaping for less than you probably expect to pay. Our knowledgeable general contracting professionals work closely with homeowners to help them to improve their homes and enhance their lifestyles with a stress-free and transparent construction experience. To learn more, contact us to request your free, no obligation consultation and estimate.