Landscaping Entryways And Access Areas

Your home entryways should be created for easy access through your landscape and yard. First impressions count for a lot, so aesthetic appeal surrounding your landscaping and entryways is important. It’s easiest to start with the highest traffic access area which is usually how you’ll reach your home from your parking area. Next, assess the paths and walkways to and from all access areas of your home. The plants that surround these spots should guide a visitors eye towards your entryways or exits. If you use a side entrance as much as or more than your front door, focus some attention there as well. Shrubs, flowers, pathways, border beds, and lighting can be used.

If you’re planting areas for height, start by building up towards your house. Start lower and slowly increase the height of your plants as they get closer to the house. This will help direct attention to the entrance. Pay close attention here because garden beds bordering a sidewalk or pathway can draw attention away from your entrance. The best I can explain it is that the beginning of your walkway is a starting point leading your entry as an opening leading you towards the door.

Your entryway should be inviting as well as safe. Good lighting and visibility ensure safety at night when walking from where you park into your home. If your home has a mudroom, laundry room, or any other type of utility room that sits next to your front or rear entryway, plan for making it look good as well as functional for traffic.  

So how do you best guide folks through your access areas? Most professional landscaping designers basically follow a common pattern here. Sidewalks, privacy fences, border gardens, edging, walls, trellises, screens, and also rails are more choices. Add a planter box to frame and accent entryways to certain areas. Planting beds, screens, hedges, and fences can also be placed for hiding areas with utilities from plain view.

When using plantings to define access areas, consider their mature size and spread when spacing. This is often overlooked in landscaping ideas. Since paths, walkways, and other access areas will usually lead to or near your house, plants should be planted with enough distance from your foundation so that you can maintain both the plantings and home. Plants should be planted far enough from your house and other buildings so that you can take care of them once they are mature size. Shrubs and hedges given time to grow provide a natural boundary and screen, while fencing offers immediacy once installed.