First impressions matter.

When we first visited this home, it already had great bones. The brick ranch sat on a beautiful Ann Arbor lot with mature trees, but the front entrance didn’t reflect the character of the home. The original front door was tucked off-center behind large, overgrown shrubs, making it difficult to traverse from both the street and the driveway. Visitors weren’t naturally guided to the entrance, and the landscaping had simply outgrown the space.

The homeowner wanted something that felt more welcoming and accessible, thoughtfully designed and better connected to the way she lives.

Rethinking the Front Entrance

Rather than simply replacing plants or updating the walkway, we looked at how the entire front elevation functioned.

Our design team created a new covered front porch that re-centers the arrival experience while respecting the architecture of the existing home. The porch creates a natural gathering point and gives guests a clear sense of where to enter. Warm lighting overhead makes the entry glow against the warm cedar ceiling. To protect the interior cove ceiling, we widened the front door visually, but not structurally. This was achieved by crafting custom AZEK composite side panels surrounding the new Palmer-Donavin fiberglass door.

It’s one of those improvements that feels like it has always belonged there.

Creating Better Flow

With the porch established as the focal point, we redesigned how people approach the home.

A gently curving Unilock Beacon Hill Smooth paver walkway now leads visitors from the driveway to a circular landing before reaching the porch. Instead of a narrow straight sidewalk, the new layout slows the approach and creates a much more welcoming experience. A place to pause and enjoy a morning coffee.

The circular feature also helps soften the long horizontal lines of the ranch home while providing visual interest throughout the front yard. The walk from the driveway is no longer an after thought, but instead, a richly-scented meander through glorious hydrangea, lilac and viburnum.

Fresh Plantings That Fit the Home

Landscape design isn’t simply about adding more plants, it’s about selecting the right plants and placing them where they’ll thrive while complementing the architecture.

New foundation plantings provide year-round structure without overwhelming the house, while flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses add seasonal color and texture.

As these plantings mature, they’ll continue to frame the home without hiding it.

Lawn Restoration Completes the Transformation

Like many landscape construction projects, the final step is patience.

We’re currently finishing the lawn restoration, allowing the new turf to establish and blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. While the lawn continues to fill in, the transformation of the home’s curb appeal is already dramatic.

It’s the finishing touches that bring an entire project together.

Looking Beyond Landscaping

Projects like this demonstrate how landscape architecture and residential construction can work together to completely change the way a home feels. As registered landscape architects, licensed builders and horticulturists, we work together in house to create a seamless process.

A front porch addition, improved walkways, and thoughtfully designed landscaping don’t just increase curb appeal, they create a better experience every time you come home.

For this homeowner, what was once a hidden entrance is now the welcoming focal point the home always deserved.

Thinking About Updating Your Front Entry?

If your home’s entrance feels hidden, dated, or disconnected from the rest of your property, a thoughtful redesign can make a remarkable difference. Whether it’s a new front porch, paver walkways, foundation plantings, or a complete front landscape renovation, our team designs and builds outdoor spaces that feel like they’ve always belonged.

If you’re planning a front yard renovation in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, Brighton, or the surrounding communities, we’d love to help you explore the possibilities.