11 Social Front Yard Ideas

There is nothing I value more than being able to relax in my yard. After a long day, my family and I gather outside, talk, laugh, and just enjoy ourselves. Very often, we also invite our friends and neighbors to spend time with us. For many years the backyard was the center of our social universe. However, one day I realized that even though we have a lovely front yard, we never use its potential to hang out.

Since I had no idea how we can use this outdoor space to socialize, I started doing research. I was amazed at how many options there are to create a beautiful and practical space in your front yard for family and friends to gather. It took me a while to choose the design that suited my needs the most, but now after I transformed my front yard, I know all the effort I put in was worth it.

First, it’s because whenever someone is visiting us for a coffee, it’s more convenient to host them in the front yard rather than go around the house to the backyard. It also increased the appearance and the value of our property. But most importantly, spending time there brought us closer to our community and helped us socialize more with our amazing neighbors, especially during the pandemic restrictions.

Thanks to social front yards, we were able to hang out while still keeping the social distance. It helped us go through these difficult times because we had a company, and we didn’t feel that isolated.

Keep reading to find the social space idea that will be the most suitable for you, and make sure to check what are the most important accessories to create a social front yard. 

Build An Open Deck

This idea is maybe not the cheapest one, but it is a real game-changer when it comes to spending time in your front yard. Having a deck gives you more square footage that can increase the comfort of spending time outside. You can put outdoor furniture on it, such as chairs, tables, benches, or umbrellas. The deck will protect you from moisture from the ground. To build it, you can choose a variety of materials like wood or plastic. They all have different advantages, so make sure to check relevant information before choosing the best one.

Build An Enclosed Deck

You might think that having an open or enclosed deck is basically the same, but there are a few differences. The enclosed deck, of course, is a bit more expensive, but it adds a lot of aesthetics to your property. Take your time to find a fence that will match the style of your house to increase its appearance. It’s also a great solution if you have small kids since it gives extra protection. As with an open deck, the enclosed one also can be built with various materials, so take time to get familiar with their benefits.

Add A Porch Swing

There is nothing more majestic in your front yard than a porch. No matter the style of your house, you can always extend it with a porch that can be both practical and beautiful. You can use plenty of furniture to make yourself comfortable, but my absolute favorite one is a swing. You can find numerous swings that come in different sizes, colors, or weights, so take your time to find the one that will be the best match.

Use Your Lawn

I believe that the best place to rest and spend your free time outside is on the grass. If you have a lawn in your front yard, do not hesitate to use it as a socializing area. You can just put a blanket on it, or add some extra furniture, such as comfy chairs. This method will bring you closer to nature even though you will still be in your yard. I recommend you prepare some snacks and beverages, invite your neighbors, and have a picnic together.

Create More Socializing Areas

You already may have a porch or a patio, but it doesn’t mean you should stop adding more gathering spaces. If there is some extra space in your front yard, you can always use it to gather with others. It’s especially useful when you invite friends that come with kids. Thanks to extra seating, you can spend time with them, and kids can play separately with each other. More space also provides you with more choice. During the hot days, you can spend time resting on the grass, while during the rain you can enjoy yourself on your porch.

Add Various Plants

If you want your front yard to look as natural as possible, don’t be afraid to take an advantage of plants. Having a social area full of trees, flowers, or other plants has a lot of benefits. It provides you with extra shadow to cool down during hot days. It can bring beautiful birds, butterflies, and bees to your yard. It also changes the air around your front yard. If you live in a city, those benefits will make you feel like you live outside of it. On top of that, you can expect to have some fresh fruit in the summer.

Keep It Simple

Sometimes less means more, and in the case of front yard designs, this is certainly true. If you have a small space where you can put only two beach chairs and a table, don’t add more furniture. Use this small area to have a glass of wine with your husband or wife. You can add some decorations around it, like flowers or other plants, but do not exaggerate. If you want to receive more people, try to find another location in your yard and leave this one for smaller gatherings.

Add A Fancy Gazebo

If you want your front yard to really stand out, consider adding a fancy gazebo. This popular choice isn’t as expensive as you think, so I am confident it can fit into any budget. You can build it with cheap materials and cover it with some pretty curtains, lamps, and any other decorations you wish. You can also put some furniture inside to make yourself comfortable, such as sofas or chairs. In the case of this design, the sky’s the limit.

Build A Campfire

There are numerous activities you can do during a campfire, such as singing songs, telling stories or jokes, not to mention having tasty food. It costs almost nothing to build it, but it can open new social perspectives for you and your neighbors. Since you will probably gather during the evenings, you can think of adding some extra lights in your front yard to increase the whole experience. 

Build A Swimming Pool

While this option requires a lot of time and a large budget, it is certainly my most favorite option on this list. Having fun in the pool with your friends is something difficult to compete with. Everyone loves playing in the water or sunbathing next to it. You can add furniture and other water attractions too. Think about the possibility of heating the water so everyone can enjoy it during the evening gatherings.

Use Your Driveway

If you don’t have enough space to set up a social area in your front yard, work with what you have. You can use your driveway to hang out with your close ones.  Try to use some classic chairs and a table to make it look more vintage. However, depending on the style of your house, and driveway you can experiment with adding different furniture and decorations.

To Wrap Up

Having a lovely social front yard is very beneficial. It gives you extra space to spend time with your family and friends, and it also helps you be closer to your local community. On top of that, a nice-looking front yard can increase the value and the appearance of your property.

There are numerous designs and ideas to choose from. We made sure to include various options so anyone can find something suitable, no matter the budget. Remember that those ideas are just suggestions, and you can adjust them to match the unique style of your house.

Let us know in the comment section below which idea you like the most, and as always, please share!