How to Design a Small Front Yard Without Grass

Cover the entire front yard in stone pavers after suitably preparing the area. To lay the pavers, dig roughly a food down, lay landscaping cloth, fill the yard with gravel and tamp it flat with a hand or power tamper. Lay paver stones throughout the area to give the yard the feeling of a large patio. For a rustic look, pick pavers that are cut irregularly.

Place wooden or metal planters along the perimeter of the patio and fill the planters with your favorite flowers or herbs. Adding vegetation to the area softens its appearance and also adds color. If you don't like the idea of tending to any plants, just as you don't like cutting the grass, choose low-maintenance flowers such as daisies or easy-to-grow herbs such as parsley.

Set one or two benches and a table in the space to create a comfortable sitting area. Depending on the shape of your yard, set the sitting area as close to the house as possible to avoid noise, dirt and exhaust from passing cars. Add accents such as a table umbrella and pads for the chairs if desired.

Build a fence around the perimeter of the yard if you desire privacy and if neighborhood rules allow fencing in the front of the house. The fence can be built from wood in any manner you like, but if you want to stay with the stone theme, build it with stacking stones. The fence doesn't have to be high; a knee-height stone fence adds beauty and an air of privacy without looming overhead.

Place accents around the yard that suit the style you wish to achieve. A concrete bird bath, statue or fountain add beauty to the area, while an overhead trellis is ideal for climbing vines and can also provide protection from the sun.