Design Elements for Entrance to House

One of the purposes or function of design for the front entrance is to draw the eye for a pleasing welcome to the home. For the past four years I have placed a white picket fence bench on the front porch. Various forms of plant filled containers are placed on the bench primarily using red colored blossoms. Symetrical and asymetrical are design elements that either balance the view or provide a more natural unbalanced look. The symetrical straight lines of the sidewalk and evergreen plants lead to the front door. But the number of containers are asymetrical, 3 on the right side and 5 on the left side. This arrangement provides interest and variety. Another design element is color. Red is a bright color that can be seen from the street. I like to use annuals such as begonias, impatients, and geraniums.

 Also, I used the red geraniums in the flower bed next to the road that will invite the visitor to the front door.

Along the drive way or sidewalk leading to the front walk I have planted a variety of lilies of red, yellow and orange. The blue blossoms of Nepeta or catmint adds a cooler color in the bed.

Last year I used two plant filled containers, one on the bench and the other one in front of it.

Along side the walk to the front door I put a colorful flower arrangement in a decorative metal wheel barrow to add a bit of whimsy to the garden.