Rustic Farmhouse Front Porch Design

Becky D. of @dalydigs, hired Yardzen to elevate the front yard of her elegant farmhouse in the South. Becky dreamed of a space that welcomed visitors to their home throughout the seasons, from a springy yard with pollinator-loving blooms to a charming entry with holiday decor.

Becky, along with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, love to spend time on their extra long, covered porch, but the front yard left a lot to be desired. Previously a hodgepodge of white river rock, grasses, and no discernible walkway, on Becky’s Yardzen to-do list was adding a brick walkway, a new water feature, and transforming the planter beds with refreshed plants, mulch, and lighting.

Becky sought cohesion and function in her new front yard. Her design team added a brick walkway to frame the planting beds and add more access around the house and to the driveway. Designers brought in a mix of plants, including natives and perennials that will bloom all year long, taking advantage of the south’s mild climate. Boulders placed thoughtfully in the planting beds help anchor the scene, making the home feel nestled in its lot. Becky also sought a water feature to create a calming atmosphere and a draw to birds, and her design team found a nook between the home and driveway to place it. Lastly, the designers added some shrubbery on the side of the house to help conceal the air conditioning unit.

The new front yard is bursting with freshness. The brick walkway visually connects the front yard with the rest of the property, and adds function.. Plants are now a mix of ornamental grasses which sway in the breeze, along with other perennials that will bloom year round. Boulders in planting beds serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. They add visual interest and create shelter to wildlife. Their presence deters foot traffic and requires no maintenance, making them a versatile addition to landscaping. A water feature becomes a new gathering spot, both for birds as well as for Becky and her daughter. The sound is also soothing, adding to the overall ambiance of the front yard. Wood mulch, rather than white river rocks, add a natural, organic feel to the beds, much more in line with Becky’s farmhouse aesthetic. Lastly, new outdoor lighting serves several purposes, including enhancing safety and security, creating ambiance, and highlighting architectural and landscape features.

Being such a large part of the yard, one of Becky’s favorite features of her new yard is being able to style the front entryway. To help frame the entry, she adds statement planters with evergreens on either side of the large front doors, giving the entryway a year-round, stately appeal. Pendant lighting adds style, provides functional lighting, and enhances the overall curb appeal of the home. Rocking chairs beckon Becky and her family to take the time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. 

While the porch looks great year-round, it’s during the holiday season that it shines.For seasonal color, Becky adds a buffalo check rug to welcome guests. Fairy lights in the planters add sparkle and whimsy. Evergreen swags hung with care on the front doors offer just the right amount of festiveness to the understated, simple aesthetic. And, a basket of chopped wood at the entry exudes coziness and adds the suggestion of a lively fire burning indoors.

Yardzen’s award-winning online landscaping design is tailored to clients across all fifty states in the U.S. Our design process begins with understanding your space, your aesthetic preferences, and a discussion of your budget and vision to minimize surprises when it comes time to build.

Our top-notch designers then develop a personalized vision for your yard, shared through 3D renderings, 2D plan drawings, and plant and material lists. Your design will capture the look, feel, and function you are hoping for, all while keeping costs within range.

Once your design is complete, we’ll help you connect with a local contractor from our Pro Network of vetted professional landscapers to install your new design.

Ready to level up the landscaping of your front yard, backyard, or other outdoor space? Create your design profile or explore our design packages today!