If you’re looking to upgrade your small front garden in the UK, going grass-free can provide a stylish, low maintenance alternative. Removing turf grass eliminates the need for regular mowing and watering. You can transform that space into a stunning garden oasis with minimal upkeep required.
Whether you want to pave over your existing lawn or start fresh with a brand new design, there are limitless possibilities. Read on for 30 small front garden ideas without grass perfect for UK homes.
Inviting Walkways
Define your front garden with a striking walkway leading to your door Opt for materials like stone, brick, or concrete pavers for a contemporary vibe. Consider these walkway ideas
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Zigzag path with smooth grey tiles for modern flair.
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Reclaimed brick pathway for a cottage garden look.
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Bluestone pavers matching your home’s exterior brickwork.
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Stepping stone path winding through plant beds.
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Concrete tiles in geometric shapes to stand out.
Flowering Borders
Line your walkways with vibrant borders bursting with colourful blooms. Favourites like lavender, roses, pansies and geraniums enliven the space.
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Plant bulbs like tulips and crocuses for cheerful spring displays.
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Include evergreen shrubs as a backbone for year-round structure.
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Use herbs like thyme and rosemary for texture and fragrance.
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Add tropicals like canna lily for an exotic vibe.
Greenery and Texture
While flowers add pops of colour, don’t underestimate the impact of foliage. Choose plants with interesting shapes, forms and hues.
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Spiky yucca or cordyline for height and drama.
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Ornamental grasses swaying gracefully in the breeze.
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Fruit trees like dwarf citrus, apple or pear pruned as standards.
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Foliage houseplants like ferns or ivy in planters.
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Variegated plants like hostas to brighten shady spots.
Hardscaping Accents
Beyond plants, hardscaping features like benches, pots and decor personalize the space. Consider:
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A chic bench flanking the entryway.
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Eye-catching pots showcasing colourful annuals.
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Climbing vines on trellises blurring boundaries.
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Garden art, statues or unique accents.
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Lighting illuminating pathways and architectural details at night.
Creative Containers
Container gardening opens a world of possibilities in small front gardens. Have fun arranging pots on steps, walls and either side of doors.
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Match pots to your home’s exterior for cohesion.
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Cluster blue and white planters for a coastal vibe.
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Use weathered terracotta pots for a Mediterranean look.
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Include a water feature like a fountain or pond.
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Plant succulents and cacti for low maintenance style.
With creativity and the right plant choices, you can fashion a standout front garden that maximizes visual impact in a small footprint. Ditch the grass for a chic, inviting oasis you’ll be thrilled to come home to.
The complete low maintenance front garden
- No more than five or six different types of plants
- Choose small trees, shrubs, roses and bulbs. No perennials, annuals or bedding plants.
- Choose plants with different flowering seasons.
- Colour theme it. Only one or two colours as well as green.
- Artificial grass requires cleaning, weeding and some other maintenance. Check care instructions before deciding whether it’s for you.
- Pebbles, shingle, stone and gravel will also require some weeding. There is no such thing as a ‘maintenance-free surface’.
- If your front garden has a parking area, make sure it drains well and has plants in it.
- It’s always more work to plant in a pot than in the ground.
- If you want a climber, just choose one. It will need some care, but usually only two or three times a year of clipping.
- Small trees need very little maintenance. Place them three quarters of the way up away from the house. See here for the best trees for small gardens.
So is there a low maintenance front lawn option?
We have two small squares of lawn on either side of our front path. And these need mowing in the summer. It’s a small area, so it doesn’t take long. And we can do it with a hover mower. We let fallen leaves and blossom break down and be re-absorbed into the earth. Mr Middlesize also takes a dandelion weeder to the lawn before he mows it.
Of course, many people prefer a really smart green lawn, and this will need more treatment. Along with mow-ing every week, you would probably spend a few hours twice a year to scarify, aerate, feed, weed, or re-seed the lawn.
I spoke to leading lawn expert David Hedges-Gower on how to have an easy care lawn. He said that a lawn cut by robot mower is probably the easiest. A robot mower cuts the lawn regularly so it never gets very long. You don’t need to clear up the clippings because they’re reabsorbed into the lawn, feeding it. This would really be an almost maintenance-free lawn.
But I don’t think you’d want a robot mower in your front yard because it could be stolen.
22 Cheap No Grass Backyard Ideas For Low-Maintenance Garden
FAQ
How can I make my front yard look nice without grass?
What is no grass landscaping called?