These identical houses could stand apart from each other with additional shrubs and bedding plants to accent and individualize the front entries. Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Formal and semi-formal features accent the front entry of this Spanish style house. Photo credit: Landscape Design Advisor Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

Designing the Entryway

Entryways into buildings make a statement about a building's use.  It can convey a sense of care or of neglect.  Think of the space between the sidewalk or driveway and the building as a sequence of spaces.  Access can be direct and quick or slow and deliberate.  

In general, the main entrance should be easy to locate. Paving, plants, lighting, and other objects can be used to enhance or as a guide leading toward the entryway. Designs can be formal, informal, or a combination or styles.

Water-Wise Entryway

Using water wise plants to define access to your home is a great way to showcase your entryway.  A water wise entryway simply substitutes lower water use plants and more permeable paving materials to create a strong statement.

Combining a variety of plant forms and heights can accentuate the entryway but may also detract from it. For instance, tall large shrubs near the doorway may obstruct the entry and make it appear uninviting or insignificant.

Understanding mature plant size will help keep from trimming or replacing plants at a later date.

Design Considerations for Residential Entries

• What does the entryway say about who lives in the house?
• Is a more formal symmetrical design or a more relaxed informal look desired?
• Consider the architectural form of the building. Do plants used at the entryway attract or make the entryway uninviting?  
• Use accent plants that attracting the viewer toward the entryway

Tips for Creating a Water-Wise Entryway

• Replace high water use plants with those requiring less water
• Reduce the amount of lawn in front entryway area by expanding planting beds
• Use appropriate mulches
• Consider more permeable paving options rather than concrete. These include pavers and flagstone

General Entryway Design Considerations and Plant Lists

West

Colorado - Front Entry Design
Colorado - Xeriscaping: Perennials and Annuals
Oregon - Water-wise Flowering Perennials
Utah - Utah Water-wise Plants

Midwest

Missouri - Landscaping Your Front Yard

Southeast

Alabama - Accent Your Entryway

Browse related Articles by tag: residential landscape areas, landscape water conservation, planning and design, types of areas in water conserving landscapes