Tips From Landscapers Near Me for Creating a Stunning Entrance in the Harrisburg, PA Area
The front entrance to your home sets the mood, since it’s the first impression people have of your home. Use this space to highlight what makes your home and property so special. If you’re stuck for ideas, here are five tips from “landscapers near me” for creating a stunning entrance in the Harrisburg, PA area.
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Clearly Defined Walkways
The walkway leading from your driveway or the sidewalk to your front door needs to be a high quality paved surface that is accessible to everyone; but even before your guests walk toward the front door, make sure your walkway is clearly visible, day or night (you would be surprised at how an overgrown walkway can disappear into the landscape). You can use vertical features such as low walls or plantings as well as path lighting to define the walkway.
Beautiful Masonry
Whether you choose natural stone, classic clay bricks, or concrete patio pavers, a walkway is an opportunity for creative expression using materials that will stand the test of time. Given the variety of materials and laying patterns, there’s a style that will fit the architectural aesthetic of your home.
A Curved Walkway
There’s no need to provide the shortest path to the front door. In the shape of your walkways and corresponding landscape features, take some cues from the natural curves of the landscape. A series of playful and striking curves can make your entire front yard feel more interesting and more relaxed. A straight walkway is all business (not that it can’t be beautiful); but a curved walkway adds a relaxed feeling as your guests approach your front door. It signals that your home is a place of relaxation as well as beauty.
A Comfortable Landing
The place directly outside your front door is an essential element of the overall entrance to your home. This landing should be a fairly wide flat space that allows for several people to stand on it as they wait after ringing the bell. It should be elevated from the surrounding landscape and walkway. This is an opportunity to use masonry to its greatest advantage. If the space is large enough, you can include plantings and even a small water feature to intrigue your guests. You can even add a bench or two to make the front landing a comfortable place to greet guests. Make sure to use beautiful landscape lighting around the front entry to make it prominent and gorgeous.
Layered Lighting
Every front yard needs well executed landscape lighting to ensure your friends and family are safe as they come and go after dark. Path lighting for the walkways is the best way to bring everyone to the front door, but a landscape needs to be more dynamic than that. Use other techniques such as moonlighting, backsplashing, spotlighting, and embedded masonry lighting to create a comprehensive and layered lighting system to eliminate stark contrasts between dark spaces and well-lit spaces. This will make the entire space much more beautiful and dynamic at night.
Let Plant Life Lead the Way
A lot can be said about the benefits of the classic lawn, but it’s a fairly monotonous way to welcome guests to your home. Give your guests a botanical garden experience by using a wide range of plants that grab attention from various points in the front yard. These plants should be native for minimal maintenance and resource requirements. Your landscape designer will be delighted to help you create a gorgeous welcome to your front door!
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