Front Entry Landscape Ideas to Blow Your Mind, Not Your Budget

The day has finally arrived. If you nail this interview, you land your dream job.

You wake up before your alarm even has a chance to go off, get ready in a flurry, and show up half an hour early. Every hair is meticulously in place, you’ve practiced in the mirror for weeks—you’re ready to walk in there, give a firm handshake, and secure your future.

The idea is the same when trying to make a sale, attract a new client, or welcome newcomers into your home—first impressions matter. The image you project to the outside world has a tremendous impact on the way you are perceived, and it can either open doors or shut them. You only get one shot, so you work hard to ensure the first impression you give someone is the right one.

When it comes to your property, the front entry is your first impression. We encourage you to take a moment to step outside and take a look at yours. Do you like what it says about you and your property?

If you have scraggly-looking bushes, disheveled mulch, disorganized signage, and haphazard features, your first impression could be the opposite of what you desire. Are you comfortable representing yourself and your business in such a manner?

Of course not! However, there are challenges between you and the perfect first impression. After all, not everyone can show up to an interview in custom-tailored clothes—it’s simply too expensive and too time-consuming. The same is true of creating the ideal front entry landscape.

Lucky for you, we’ve been changing the handshake of properties in Florida for over 20 years. Between the many experts who are part of the Landcrafters team, there are over 150 years of experience. In other words, we have the experience and expertise to provide creative solutions to enhancing, maintaining, and reimagining all varieties of Florida landscapes!

Rather than breaking the bank to modify your front entrance, we suggest you consider the following budget-friendly tips that will blow your mind, not your bank account. Keep in mind; these are just our favorite ideas—we’ve got plenty more, including those that may be more specific to your particular situation. The possibilities are practically limitless, so read on and let the inspiration flow!

The Epic Lead-In

If you have a walkway leading to your front entry, consider yourself lucky. This built-in feature is more than a handy way to navigate from the parking area or street to your building; it is an opportunity to provide visitors with an epic first impression.

No walkway is complete without a little drama, so consider giving yours a makeover that makes it pop. Begin with the basics by ensuring that it is well-marked and maintained, then progress to some budget-friendly upgrades.

Flowers, groundcover, and shrubs are all worthy additions to your lead-in that can help set it apart from the landscape. You may even consider adding lanterns to keep the walkway safe at night and classy at all hours. No matter what you do, try to make each side of the walkway symmetrical—you want it to guide your visitors and enhance the entry, not distract from it.

All it takes is a clear vision, some simple paving equipment and materials, and the right plants and trim to cap off the perfect walkway!

All Pavement, No Problem

Everywhere you look, Florida is teeming with green. Luscious lawns, sweeping shade trees, and flowers of every shape seem to drape the landscape in unbelievable colors, and you’re stuck with a parking lot as a front entry.

While overcoming the sea of asphalt may seem impossible, we encourage you to have hope! There are numerous Florida-friendly plants that are capable of thriving in the brutal environment that pavement provides.

Such beauties as Spanish Stoppers, Palm Trees, and Crape Myrtles are all adept at thriving in the heat while offering the beauty your front entry craves. Best of all, the options listed here (and others like them) are able to withstand common Florida threats, such as disease, drought, and insects, once they are established!

Give Them a Sign

Many establishments feature signage front and center. For visitors, this is the first impression. It’s quite literally a sign that will either attract them or drive them away, so, rather than hoping they’ll notice your lovely landscape and fantastic building, you need to focus on drawing them in from the moment they catch sight of the sign!

You can freshen up your front entry sign in a variety of ways to make sure your first impression is a favorable one. Don’t worry; you can continue using your current sign—we promised to keep things budget-friendly—and make a statement using other methods.

Planting shrubs and flowers that accentuate or complement the appearance of your sign is a great place to start. Do keep in mind that seasonal fauna and flora will require replacements, so have a plan in place to refresh your colors and textures with the seasons. Vibrant colors are appealing to the eye and sure to attract attention—just make sure they don’t distract from the sign itself!

Lighting for your sign is another key consideration. Be selective and ensure that whatever lighting you choose is effective and pleasing at all hours and from all viewing angles.

Maintenance Matters

You probably wouldn’t show up to a vital life event in a wrinkled suit or stained dress. Instead, you’d plan ahead and work hard to make sure everything was spotless.

The same principle applies to your front entry. It doesn’t matter how expensive, elaborate, or budget-friendly something is if it is unkempt. A $5 pair of shined shoes can look far better than a $300 pair caked in mud!

When it comes to your entrance, this means performing routine maintenance. Overgrown shrubs, poorly pruned trees, and messy flower beds can make even the most elegant front entrance appear sloppy and unappealing.

Of course, maintenance is time-consuming, especially when it’s not your area of expertise and you have other jobs to do. That’s where working with a local landscaping company can change your life (and, of course, your entryway).

Establishing a regular schedule complete with normal maintenance work—pruning, trimming, mowing, etcetera—and occasional updates—new features, replacing lackluster or unhealthy plants, and so on—is key to keeping your front entry alluring. It also saves you money in the long-term by keeping the landscape in check and identifying potential problems before they become full-blown issues.

Can’t-Overlook Curb Appeal

Improving your curb appeal is a lot like flashing a friendly smile. It catches people’s attention, makes them feel welcome, and comes across in a positive first impression kind of way!

While the basics—adding some gorgeous flowering plants and pops of colors is highly encouraged—taking it a step farther is even better. Consider how water features, thoughtful lighting, and some other tasteful additions can completely alter an entryway experience.

You may even want to add benches, a tiny meditation garden, and more—it all depends on your space, your tastes, and the people you are trying to attract!

Congratulations! By simply reading these easy tips and tricks, the creative gears in your head are no doubt turning, and you’re one step closer to creating the first impression you’ve always dreamed of.

Giving your property an attractive front entrance doesn’t have to complex or expensive. These ideas are a fantastic foundation to build your budget-friendly entry on, and there are plenty more where they came from.

If you’re interested in more budget-friendly ideas, including those specifically related to your property, give us a call at (727)-201-3947 or contact us via our website. Our team of landscaping professionals will be happy to consult with you, offering expert insights, and provide you with a quote for any particular projects you may have.

In the meantime, we encourage you to check out our free landscaping blog. It’s updated weekly with landscaping advice, tips, tricks, and inspiration for your Florida landscape. We hope you enjoy it and learn a little along the way!