Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks

Adding rocks is an easy, low-maintenance way to spruce up your home's curb appeal. Not sure where to start? Here are 10 front yard landscaping ideas with rocks to inspire you.

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Rock
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Create a Rock Retaining Wall

Use large rocks to create a retaining wall to increase your home’s curb appeal. A retaining wall is a DIY front yard landscaping idea that can be done with boulders or large river rock, depending on the size of the wall.

Learn how to choose the right material for your retaining wall.

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gardening
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Use Rocks Instead of Mulch

Instead of using mulch in your flower beds to keep weeds at bay, consider stones. They last longer than mulch, but be sure you don’t pile them too deep. Rocks are also great at preventing soil erosion.

Get creative when landscaping around trees with these 10 clever tips.

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stones
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Replace Grass with Rocks

There’s no rule that you have to grow grass in your yard. For a really low-maintenance front yard, consider using stone. Small stones create a neat and tidy front yard when used with large pavers and shrubs.

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Pathways
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Create Layers with Rocks

Create a layered look by using rocks or small stones as edging. Use rocks along a paved walkway or as a boarder between a flower garden and the lawn.

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Natural
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Use Large Rocks for a Path

Use large, flat rocks to create a path to your front door. This DIY landscaping idea can be done with stones of various shapes, sizes and colors for a one-of-a-kind look. You can make the path straight or try a zigzag pattern.

Learn how to make attractive pebble mosaic stepping stones that will look great in your yard.

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waterfall
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Create a Water Feature

You’ll “wow” those passing by when you use large rocks to form a water feature in your front yard. Whether it’s a stream or a fountain, rocks can help create a feature that’s a relaxing spot to enjoy the outdoors while adding a beautiful focal point for your front yard.

These are our all-time favorite Family Handyman DIY water features.

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stones
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Mix it Up

When it comes to front yard landscaping ideas with rocks, there’s no rule that says all rocks need to be the same. Try mixing it up by creating a rock garden with large rocks, river rocks and small stones for a layered look.

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steps
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Use Rocks for Steps

If your home is on a small hill, use rocks to create steps to your front door. You can use a mix of rocks and paving stones or concrete for the step treads to give the entrance to your home a unique look.

You can build this attractive stone path with sand, stone and lots of muscle.

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Pebbles
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Use Pebbles for a Path

Pebbles and small stones are a DIY friendly way to build a path in your front yard. Try using white rocks to create a path from the sidewalk to your front door, or between flower beds and around to the backyard.

Try one of these affordable garden path ideas.

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Gabion Planter

Flowers don’t need to get all the attention! This planter is created by filling the galvanized steel frame (or cage) with river rocks.

Check out these 12 DIY planter boxes you can make in a day.

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Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.