You live in a friendly neighborhood filled with activity. Friends come to visit; neighbors stop by; kids, joggers and dogs travel the sidewalks daily; and Halloween is a particularly busy night. Packages are delivered, and the occasional Scout or solicitor knocks on your door. No doubt about it: You have a busy street – and the fastest way to get from the sidewalk to your front door is by cutting through the boring lawn.

The fact is, while you may not spend a lot of time gazing at your front yard, a lot of other people do. Not only is it simply nice to offer friendly visitors easy access to your door, remember that how your yard is viewed from the street is a reflection on you and your tastes.

They’re just two little words, but they speak volumes: curb appeal. Real estate agents are especially attentive to this term, as well as what it means for their clients. And rightfully so, because “curb appeal” is at the top of the list when it comes to what homebuyers look for in a landscape.

So instead of leaving vast amounts of boring space between your home and the sidewalk, consider adding a curved, inviting path or walkway down the center of your yard that leads right to the curb. Lining the entire pathway with a favorite mounding perennial or groundcover adds extra beauty and interest, as well as leads the eye to the areas of your yard you’d like to highlight. (Or you could pick a quality edging material that matches the architectural design of your home’s exterior.) A few accent plants at the base of your pathway creates nice balance, which in turn offers a sense of calmness.

Don’t be afraid to add a little color to the mix, too. (A few complementary hues work well, or try a single-color garden to create a more sophisticated look.) Just follow the walkway design shown here and select the plants that you like that meet the appropriate function and properly match your site conditions (shade-tolerant plants for shady areas, etc.).

Let this inviting design for a beautiful front walkway help you create a welcoming yard that matches your personality and tastes. Even if you don’t have a large area to work with, this simple design can be modified to fit your needs and still bring the same amazing result: a welcoming front yard with great curb appeal!

Remember, when you shop for plants, pick the ones you like that match the functions identified on the plan!