Front Courtyard Ideas to Create a Memorable Entry to Your Home
Detailed stonework. Manicured plants. Artisan woodwork. And all before you step foot in the house.
Your front courtyard serves as both a functional separation from the street and an inviting first impression of your home. Here are three ways to think about your entry home design based on what you want this space to do for you.
A Place to Welcome You–and Your Guests
Larger and more flexible than a traditional porch, your front courtyard guides guests to the front door and introduces them to the look and feel of what’s inside. Make your front courtyard an extension of your overall home design by using similar colors and materials.
According to UDA Ltd. Owner and Principal Architect, Jessica Hutchison-Rough, “We often focus on designing entry courtyards in our homes to create a sense of arrival before you get to the front door. It sets the stage for how you experience the rest of the home.”
The Romantic Mediterranean Project, for example, introduces the arched doorways and intricate stonework that are continued throughout the home. The traditional Cantera stone surround makes the front entryway and door a Mediterranean masterpiece
If you enjoy beautiful artwork, your front courtyard is a great place for larger sculptures. You can create a feature wall with climbing vines and ornate tiles to add color. Use natural stone pavers to construct the path to your front door and include a conversation nook to have a quick chat with neighbors.
An Added Layer of Security
Beautiful homes can attract admirers. Your entry home design can provide additional privacy while still feeling welcoming to friends and family. The walls and gate of a front courtyard establish a visible boundary that feels cohesive with your overall home design.
If you are focused on using your courtyard to add additional security to your home, consider high walls that complement your exterior. For example, adobe or natural stone makes for a seamless extension. If you use wrought iron accents or strong vigas, you can make your gate out of similar materials to make it feel connected.
Your entry courtyard also allows you more flexibility with the design of the front of your home because you don’t have to worry as much about what people can see while driving by. It enables you to include floor-to-ceiling windows or glass walls that open to provide a sense of connection to the environment when hidden by the walls of a courtyard.
“By creating a barrier from the street, an entry courtyard gives you more flexibility to make a statement with the front door since you can be less concerned with security and privacy,” Jessica said. “We enjoy incorporating glass front doors, which wouldn’t be as possible without a courtyard.”
Even with lower walls, the Mountain Shadows Mission Project adds additional privacy by creating a long walkway and a solid gate, making it possible to use more glass. The home mixes a traditional mission style with a steel entry gate and a steel and glass front door.
And of course, having a front courtyard makes it easy to discreetly include security features, such as gate codes and cameras, without making the space feel cold.
A Place to Relax
A front courtyard can also be the perfect spot for quiet meditation. Create a mini-sanctuary to welcome you home with calming decor, lighting, and comfortable seating.
Like any patio, a water feature or firepit can add the perfect focal point while also creating soothing ambient noise. A kiva fireplace is a great addition to an Organic Pueblo-style home. An infinity pool or waterfall provides a bit of serenity to an early morning journaling session or afternoon cocktail hour.
Include seating that is comfortable and can also withstand the extreme temperatures of the Southwest. Decide how much sun exposure you want and plan your furniture accordingly. Will you have an overhang to keep the area shaded, or will you enjoy a bit of early morning or evening sun? Aluminum or recycled plastic typically stands up well to the desert climate, and pillows can help bring in the color palette from the rest of your home.
Cool desert nights are meant to be spent outdoors. So while you might enjoy your front courtyard with a cup of coffee, it can also be the perfect spot for an after-dinner digestif. If so, you want to plan for subtle lighting, such as drop scones and walkway lights, especially around your seating area.
No sanctuary would be complete without a bit of nature. Include potted plants or create a landscaped walkway with agave, sage, and other native options. The Shade Villa Project not only has a beautiful plant-guided entry with a custom shade trellis, but it also has a hidden secret garden.
Make an Inspiring First Impression
Your front courtyard and home entrance design should inspire you every time you pull into your driveway. As the first part of your home that people see, it should remind you of everything you love about your luxury custom home, from the openness of the layout to the way the architecture works with the surrounding landscape. Whether you create a front courtyard for entertaining, privacy, or relaxation, build a space that makes a lasting impression on you and your guests.
When you are ready to create a new construction home you love in Scottsdale, AZ, reach out to the architects who understand how to blend beauty with function. See our gallery of Southwest Designs to start dreaming about your next luxury custom home.