Ideas for Decorating Your Front Yard

Lawn Ornaments

• Lawn ornaments can add a sense of whimsy and fun to your front yard or add formality and class, depending on the type of lawn ornaments you use. For a causal look, place small statues of woodland creatures such as birds, ducks, rabbits, cats or frogs along walkways, flowerbeds, bushes, trees or fences. If your taste is more quirky, decorate your front yard with garden gnomes or pink flamingos. For families looking to add sophistication to their lawn, use large statutes of lions or sphinxes, or large urns. You can also set up a tiered fountain, gazing balls or a sundial.

Religious Decor

• Devote your front yard to your religion by decorating it with religious statues. Christians can place statues of the Madonna, Jesus, Saint Francis, Saint Theresa, Saint Michael or Saint Joseph. You can also display statues of angels. Use pavers or markers with Bible quotes on them for walkways or in flowerbeds. If you're Buddhist, display a statue of Buddha meditating or laughing. Those of the Hindu faith can set up statues of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu or Krishna.

Islands

• Add visual interest to your front yard by creating islands. Islands also reduce the size of your lawn, meaning there is less grass to mow. Try creating a pine straw island. This brownish-yellow mulch not only adds color to your yard but aids in water infiltration and weed control, according to Kelly Richardson. You can plant colorful flowers or green shrubs in your pine straw island or leave it empty. You can also fill your island with rocks. Use large, oversized rocks for a dramatic look, and add color with rocks that are gray, black, red or purple.

Decorative Pots

• Line your porch, pathways or fences with decorative pots. Use mosaic pots, pots shaped like animals or painted pots. You could even decorate the pots yourself. Instead of creating a traditional flower bed, fill your flower bed with decorative pots. To add more visual drama, use pots of different sizes. Plant flowers in the pots or leave them empty. Pick a color scheme to add consistency, or mix and match colors, designs and patterns for a funky, fun look.