Front gardens tend to be greatly overlooked by the owners of properties. People renovate interiors, kitchens and bathrooms but never think about the most visible part of their home. In fact, the way of treatment of the boundaries of the front garden influences the way properties are perceived both by the visitors, neighbours and sometimes more crucially – potential buyers.
Definition Creates Character
If the properties have no boundary definitions, they appear to be unfinished even in case of high-quality architecture. Lack of definitions makes properties to seem to float in their gardens. Boundaries fix properties, saying that everything is intentionally and carefully designed.
Steel railings and gates are able to do this: unlike the solid fence that creates enclosure, railings define boundaries while keeping visual openness of the garden. Properties are revealed thanks to the appropriate boundary treatments.
Scale and Proportion
Front boundary treatment influences perceived property scale. The horizontal accent created by low-level metal railings makes properties appear to be bigger.
On the contrary, inappropriate boundary scale negatively influences properties: the overly tall solid fences shrink front spaces; boundaries that are too small for the large gardens look inadequate. It is necessary to find the right proportion between the boundary and the garden plot.
Our Classic and Regent collections work especially well for the typical residential plots as these proportions were adjusted for such boundaries. Larger designs like Warwick or Henley can be chosen for the properties with additional visual weight.
Signals of Material Quality
Material quality is another signal of the boundaries' influence. The steel railings with proper powder coating show that there is an investment and care for the property; budget material shows the lack of investment even in case of stylish design.
This mechanism works efficiently as boundaries are constantly exposed to weather conditions. If materials are resistant to these conditions, it means that there is some quality of materials; the premature deterioration shows bad decision about materials used for the property.
Before and After of Front Garden Boundary Transformation
The boundary improvements always impress people and make the properties seem to be distinguished and well-designed.
Recently the semi-detached property on the typical residential street became the object of our transformation project. The house was well-maintained: there was good condition render, recently painted windows, tidy garden. The boundary treatment included low concrete wall with no gate and broken piece on one side. It was perfectly functional but undefined.
The front boundary transformation with new Abbey collection railings and matching pedestrian gate totally changed the perception of this property. No changes were done except boundaries. Same render, same windows, same planting, but the property became different: considered, completed and well-maintained throughout.
Steps of Front Garden Transformation
The transformations of front gardens through boundaries can be done step by step.
First of all, it is necessary to define the main boundary element. In most cases, it is the front gate or entrance point of the property as it receives the concentrated attention of visitors. The improvement of this single element produces disproportionately strong effect compared to its price.
Secondly, it is necessary to check how existing elements of boundaries fit with the improved element. The mismatched elements must be corrected to avoid highlighting of these flaws with the help of contrast.
Finally, the planting integration should be taken into account. Metal railings and gates look especially impressive combined with appropriate planting: climbing roses, clematis or topiary soften metalwork without covering it. The combination of metal and considered planting gives the layered design creating transformation of the property rather than replacement of boundaries.
Perception of Properties
The boundary transformations of the front gardens can produce something that interior renovations cannot produce: the change of the perception of the properties not only by inhabitants but also by everybody else including visitors, neighbours, estate agents and random passersby.
Here at Metal Gates Direct, we provide boundary solutions to properties all over the UK for many years. The feedback that we receive is not about particular product satisfaction but about transformation surprise: customers come back saying that they are amazed how dramatically boundary improvements transform the character of their properties. This disproportionality of the effect is exactly what makes the front garden boundary treatment worth of attention.