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Lawn-free front yard landscaping ideas

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Benefits of having a lawn-free front yard

Lawn-free front yards are becoming increasingly popular, especially as a means of combating drought. They’re environmentally friendly, requiring less water and resources such as lawn mowers and pesticides to keep them going. These front yard landscapes can boost curb appeal while saving you the time, money and stress of maintaining real grass. If you're looking for lawn-free front yard landscaping ideas, we have you covered. 

In this article: Midwest Hearth Decorative Polished White Stones, Emsco Group Landscape Rock and Pet Grow PG1-4 Artificial Grass Rug

Lawn-free front yard landscaping ideas

Grow ground cover plants

Ground cover plants creep and spread attractively; they can act as a colorful statement or soften the appearance of a lawn-free yard. They grow no more than 3 feet above the ground and are easy to care for, hindering weed growth and even improving the health of garden soil

Add garden plots and trees

Replacing a front lawn with garden plots or planters will bring splashes of color and visual variety to the yard. Planting young trees can provide shade and privacy while adding visual appeal.

Enhance the space with decor

Beautify your yard by incorporating outdoor decor. Water features including fountains and bird baths are a great option. Garden statues can liven up your flower beds. Adding decorative garden stakes is a nice touch too.

Try landscaping with rocks

Stones, rocks and gravel can add texture and visual interest to a front yard. River stones and lava rocks for landscaping look great when paired with a paved stone walkway, ground cover or garden plots. Pebble gardens, in particular, help improve drainage and prevent soil erosion. You can go with natural or artificial rock landscaping. 

Incorporate artificial flowers and greenery

Installing artificial outdoor flowers and plants will give you the look of a lush garden without the stress of caring for real plants. Along the same lines, artificial turf saves you the hassle of maintaining a grass lawn. High-quality, artificial outdoor plants look real and are made with materials designed to withstand the elements.

Best landscaping rocks

Midwest Hearth Decorative Polished White Stones

These white landscaping stones have a paraffin wax coating that enhances their color and shine. They measure 1 to 2 inches in length, available in 5- and 10-pound bags.

CJGQ Natural River Rocks

These polished river rocks for landscaping offer attractive visual variety, ranging in length from 0.5 to 1 inch. They come in bags of various sizes from 1.8 to 18 pounds. If you’re not sold on the multicolor stones, they’re also available in polished black, white and black gravel styles.

Royal Imports River Rocks

These landscaping pebbles have a subtle, natural-looking shine to them. They come in 5-pound bags with sizes ranging from 0.25 to 1.5 or 0.75 to 2 inches long. 

Midwest Hearth Natural Lava Stones

These volcanic rocks come in four sizes from 1 to 2 inches to 3 to 5 inches in length. Each box contains 10 pounds of rocks.

Skyflame Lava Rocks

These lava rocks stand out with their eye-catching red hue. Ranging in size from 3/8 to 3/4 inches to 1 to 2 inches, each bag contains 10 pounds of rocks. They’re also available in black.

Best artificial landscaping rocks

Emsco Group Landscape Rock

This artificial landscaping rock is difficult to distinguish from natural rocks, thanks to its natural look and texture. You can place it over unattractive pipes, sprinkler valves and other fixtures to hide them from sight. They come with a sandstone or granite finish in 12 shapes and sizes.

Backyard X-Scapes Artificial Rock

The dark brown color of this fake landscaping rock blends nicely with brown mulch or garden soil. The realistic-looking hollow rock can cover unsightly fixtures. Available in sizes from 13 to 30 inches, this rock also comes in three other colors.

Suncast Landscape Design Stone Edging

This artificial stone edging is perfect for lining garden beds or patios, creating a decorative border that looks natural. Each set comes with 10 12-inch-long sections.

Best artificial grass and plants

Pet Grow PG1-4 Artificial Grass Rug

This lush-looking synthetic turf mimics the look and feel of real glass, featuring four color tones and high-density artificial blades. It’s fire-retardant with drainage holes, so water won’t accumulate on the turf when it rains. The turf mat varies in size from 28 to 850 square feet.

Turnmeon Fake Boston Fern

This set of artificial ferns has a bright green and soft-yellow color scheme for an authentic appearance. You can adjust their length, with options including 8, 10 or 18 ferns in green or red.

Fopamtri Fake Majesty Palm Plant

This life-like artificial outdoor plant can bring a tropical feel to your front yard. The multi-toned green exterior contributes to its realistic effect. This faux palm plant comes in sizes ranging from 2 to 4 feet high.

ArtBloom Outdoor Artificial Boxwood

This faux boxwood shrubbery can be placed in planter pots, along a walkway or as part of an artificial garden. The multi-toned greenery looks natural, but you can tell it’s fake when you feel it. In addition to boxwood shrubs, ArtBloom offers 14 other plant styles to choose from.

Grunyia Artificial Fake Flowers

These vibrant artificial flowers are great for placing in fake garden beds or displaying in planter pots. They seem natural until you touch them, with color variations and textures that contribute to the realistic effect. Available in bundles of 10, there are 16 color schemes to suit different preferences.

Best outdoor planters

Master Garden Products Reclaimed Wine Barrel Planter

This handcrafted wine barrel is perfect for container gardening. It'll add rustic charm to your front yard. It's made of reclaimed oak wood with a water-tight design, meaning it can even be used for an aquatic plant display. 

Fleur De Lis Living Giordano Urn Planter

An urn planter is a classic and elegant option for your front yard. It features a Roman design with botanical accents and a square base. It's made of weather-resistant faux concrete and contains a drainage hole. This planter comes in white, gray or black. 

Kante Tall Rectangular Concrete Planter

This tall planter has a sleek and modern aesthetic. It's made of durable concrete and fiberglass that'll hold up to outdoor conditions. The design includes built-in drainage holes. You can get this stylish planter in three sizes, individually or in sets of up to three, in eight neutral colors. 

Three Posts Barros Wood Outdoor Raised Garden Bed

This raised garden bed is made of solid, pre-stained cedar with framed planking throughout. You can grow nearly anything in it from flowers to shrubs and small trees. It has drainage holes and comes in four sizes.

Best front yard decor

Millwood Pines Weather-Resistant Floor Fountain with Light

This outdoor fountain will add style to your yard while the running water creates a relaxing ambience. It features realistic details and an artificial stone and fiberglass build. Three LED lights add to the display, creating a beautiful effect from day to night. It's available in brown or gray. 

Kelly Clarkson Home Albermarle Cast-Iron Pedestal Bird Bath

This vintage-style bird bath is a beautiful accent for a front yard. It's made of weather-resistant cast iron with an antique finish. Two birds perch on either side of the bowl. A tiered base and botanical elements add to its unique aesthetic. 

Exhart Solar Crackle-Glass Ball Garden Stake

This garden stake has an air of fantasy about it. When the sun goes down, the crackle-glass ball is lit from within by a solar light, casting a mystical glow. The spiralling metal finial and antique finish add to the aesthetic. This design comes with a blue, green, clear or lavender glass ball. 

Design Toscano Gazing Secret Garden Fairy Statue

Fairy gardens are popular these days, adding mystique and whimsy to outdoor spaces. This garden statue is inspired by the woodland fairies of European folklore. The fairy, with her butterfly wings and flowing locks, gazes pensively at a dew drop in her hand. The statue is made of polyresin with an antique stone look. 

Plow & Hearth Tortoise Family Resin Garden Accents

This charming family of turtles makes a cute addition to the front yard. The set of three statues is intricately detailed. They're made of weatherproof resin with an antique gold finish.

Worth checking out

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