Ideas for a Front Yard Patio

Scented Border Plants

• Scented plants stimulate the senses and add to a serene atmosphere. Create a feeling of enclosure by planting scented flowers and herbs around the perimeter of the patio. Mix miniature roses with sweet peas or lily-of-the-valley for sweet floral aromas and vibrant blooms. Herbs like lemon balm, basil, mint, sage and chamomile are low-growing and fragrant. Night blooming jasmine will offer new scents and colors in the evenings.

Container Garden

• If you plan to share meals on the front patio, growing a container garden on the sunniest side will enhance your meals with the sights and scents of fresh produce. Seasonal vegetables can inspire your cooking and save you the trouble of running to the store when you can simply pluck a pepper from your own vine. A wide variety of vegetables can flourish in containers. Broccoli, cucumber, eggplant, tomato and turnip are a few examples to choose from. Set the containers on a tiered wood shelf to create a wall of vegetables.

Versatile Furniture

• Whether your patio is large or small, odds are you will use it for multiple purposes throughout the season. Choose smaller furniture that will allow you to easily rearrange tables and chairs to fit different occasions. Multiple small tables are easier to shift to the side for social gatherings, and you can move them together for large family meals. Use ottomans for additional seating or table surfaces, and slide them beneath other furniture when not in use.

Patio Cover

• Adding a cover to your front patio enables you to continue reading or enjoying a meal even if it begins to rain. Protected from the elements, guests can enjoy the day instead of scrambling to move indoors. Construct a wood trellis over the patio to block out light in areas where you want shade and a solid roof. Leave openings in the trellis over the container plants.