If you live in a location like Arlington, VA, your front yard square footage might be limited, but the possibilities for landscaping certainly aren’t.

A compact front-yard landscape design can still be a high-value outdoor space that packs a punch. The key is to work with a landscaper who is familiar with small yard landscaping in Northern Virginia. Compact spaces can pose unique challenges that not all landscapers are equipped to handle.

Jump to Section

• How do you landscape a small front yard?
• What plants work best for small front entryways?
• How can I improve curb appeal for a townhome?
• What makes a small landscape look more upscale?
• How do you make a small front yard feel larger?
• What are low-maintenance landscaping ideas for small yards?
• Should I hire a landscape designer for a small property?
• Choosing Landscape Design in Arlington, VA

We know that your life is busy. Whether you’re a military family, working professionals, or just have a really active lifestyle without a ton of free time, the last thing that you want is to spend your precious spare moments taking care of your landscaping. That’s why you’re likely also interested in professionally designed and installed front-entry landscaping that won’t be more hassle than enjoyment.

We’ve got you covered.

We have plenty of entryway landscaping ideas to get you started. We asked our Senior Landscape Designer, Alan Macbeth, to share his knowledge of front-yard landscaping for small spaces. He has a plethora of smart, high-impact design ideas that make smaller entryways feel refined, welcoming, and professionally maintained.

How do you landscape a small front yard?

Landscaping a small front yard is not about filling every square inch of space with plants, says Alan. It’s about using the space that you have wisely and about making smart choices.

Elements like layered plantings, lighting, seasonal color, clean bed edges, modern hardscape details, evergreen structure, and intentional focal points near walkways and entrances can all go a long way toward maximizing the impact of a compact front-yard landscape design.

But before we can get to any of the fun design ideas, Alan says the very first step is to ask whether the property is governed by an HOA or ARC, and what limitations, if any, are imposed as a result. Many townhomes do have a governing body to answer to, and that can’t be overlooked. Once that’s considered, Alan says the ideas can start flowing.

“Personally, I think that maximizing curb appeal can be achieved in many different styles, whether it be extremely formal or less formalized as long as the space can achieve some sort of visual rhythm,” he continues. “That way, anyone looking at it, even if it’s not their own particular style or taste, can still appreciate the overall effect.”

What plants work best for small front entryways?

Entryway landscaping ideas should include smart plant choices. According to Alan, the answer to this will always depend first on the amount of space available for planting and on access to sunlight. As with any planting decision, you don’t want to install a shade-loving plant in direct sunlight (or a sun-loving plant in the shade!).

“Fortunately, there are a great number of dwarf and slow-growing plants that can be particularly effective in small spaces,” he says. “These include Boxwoods, Dwarf Pieris, and a wide variety of annuals for a blast of long-lasting color and fragrance. Plants like Sarcocca, Witch Hazel, Gardenia, and Dwarf Lilac are a few terrific and fragrant plants that become more focused in tight spaces.”

How can I improve curb appeal for a townhome?

When it comes to townhome landscaping ideas, the focus should be on curb appeal. You want your townhouse to have a wow factor and to stand out from all the others. This is particularly important in a row of townhouses, where everything looks identical.

Some curb appeal landscaping ideas include maintaining year-round appeal, selecting landscaping that complements the home's architectural style, and possibly incorporating a focal point.

With townhouse landscaping, you want to make choices that are highly visible, but you also don’t want to go too crazy. To achieve this, Alan recommends going big with color. Incorporating a lot of bright colors into the landscaping is a really easy way to achieve the wow factor. Bold color in plant beds will help your property stand out in a good way. Container gardens also work well for townhome entryways.

Many townhomes have sloped front yards, necessitating unique solutions. Tiered landscaping is one such solution. Terraces create a 'step-down' feel with multiple levels. This is often a great solution for a front yard where you want to avoid runoff into your driveway or walkways, but you’re not really using the space to hang out.

What makes a small landscape look more upscale?

A small landscape can still look upscale when it is well-maintained and has a cohesive design. Luxury landscaping for townhomes is about being thoughtful and intentional with the design.

Alan says that a focal point can help make a small landscape look upscale. This might be a feature like an elegant urn (planted or not), a specimen plant (like a topiary or a unique tree or shrub), or tasteful garden art (like a sculpture).

“Additionally, limiting the variety of plants to a select few and creating repetition tends to create a greater sense of organization and formality,” Alan continues. “The addition of well-executed lighting always adds to the upscale effect.”

How do you make a small front yard feel larger?

According to Alan, some of the best small front yard landscaping ideas include layering. Using elements of layering can also make a space feel larger than it really is.

When working with a small landscape, creating visual layers can help the space feel larger and more sophisticated, Alan explains. These layers can be established from back to front through plant groupings or from top to bottom, by incorporating vertical elements.

One effective approach is to plant a carefully selected small ornamental tree and underplant it with complementary shrubs, perennials or ground covers to add depth and dimension.

Alan also says that in the right setting, a vertical feature like a fence or trellis can support decorative elements, such as a garden mirror, which reflects light and surrounding plantings, creating the illusion of greater space.

What are low-maintenance landscaping ideas for small yards?

“The term low maintenance is one that is requested of us as designers, no matter the size of the property,” Alan says. “So, the answer to this question, specific to Arlington, is no different than any other. We discuss specific plants, colors, or effects that they're looking to achieve, and then we look at what plants can fulfill this while being as low maintenance as possible.”

Often, low-maintenance plants don’t require much extra TLC to survive and thrive. Native plant choices can be a good option as they’re already adapted to the region.

It can often be a challenge to strike a balance between a landscape that looks its best and one that is low-maintenance. For this reason, Alan says many homeowners turn to a company to maintain their landscaping.

Since Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape can design, install, and maintain landscapes, it’s the best of all worlds. You can still have a beautiful landscape without the same level of upkeep.

Should I hire a landscape designer for a small property?

Small does not equate to simple, says Alan. In fact, small-yard landscaping in Northern Virginia can be more challenging due to unique constraints. Because of this, not every landscaper will even service these properties. They need compact equipment and specialized knowledge to navigate tight streets and small spaces.

This is why it’s important to work with a landscape designer who is comfortable, confident, and experienced working with townhome landscaping.

It may sound simple, but it can present unique challenges. You also want to make sure you’re working with a landscaper who brings creative ideas to the table. After all, the whole point is to separate your landscape from every other property on the block.

Choosing Landscape Design in Arlington, VA

Making a smart choice in landscape design comes down to choosing a company with experience working on smaller landscapes. At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we have loved transforming hundreds of small spaces in the Arlington, VA area over the past 20+ years.

We meet every landscape challenge (regardless of size) with the same enthusiasm.

By handing your small front yard landscaping ideas over to a landscape designer who can run with them (while also adding some of their own ideas and expertise to the mix), you’ll be able to feel confident that your landscape will come together in a creative way that you’ll truly enjoy.

If you’d like guidance on your small-yard landscaping ideas, request a consultation, get your customized plan, and relax while we transform your space.