Ina Garten's Stylish Front Yard Design Sets a New Trend for 2026

I've always seen privacy planting as a necessary compromise. Often, it sacrifices beauty for seclusion, leading to a stiff, overly manicured appearance. However, the landscape at Ina Garten's East Hampton residence shows that this doesn't have to be the norm. An archival photo of the Barefoot Contessa's privacy planting approach is simply breathtaking.

Her front yard showcases four rounded topiaries, a red maple tree bursting with new buds, and low-growing plants like lavender. Medium-height hydrangeas hint at lush greenery as spring 2026 approaches.

What makes her outdoor space captivating is the harmony between structured and wild elements. While many think of privacy screens as dense walls of foliage or towering bamboo, Ina's design feels refreshingly casual.

Discover the Privacy Planting Collection

Japanese boxwoods are low-maintenance and provide lasting structure and elegance in any garden. They work beautifully as privacy screens when grouped together.

Spring gardening gets a chic upgrade with Martha Stewart's four-piece trowel and cultivator set. Designed to be robust and weather-resistant, it includes a trowel, transplanter, and two cultivators for effortless garden care.

This evergreen shrub is ideal for creating a natural privacy hedge, making your outdoor space feel more intimate and inviting, perfect for designing a tranquil garden retreat.

An excellent choice for climbing plants, vining hydrangeas deliver impressive displays with their cloud-like flowers on sturdy vines, creating a rich and layered visual impact.

The classic American arborvitae serves as a fantastic foundation for achieving Ina's natural privacy style. Its lush foliage and upright growth lend vertical interest and height to any garden.

From spring planting to autumn clean-up, these reusable, tear-resistant bags simplify the collection and transport of garden waste. They're spacious and weatherproof, making them a practical addition for any season.

As spring 2026 nears, the untrimmed maple tree provides a gentle canopy of fresh leaves, while the hydrangeas lining the edges signal a garden designed purely for enjoyment.

I admire how the curves of her front shrubs enhance her home's design; the rounded plants reflect the soft lines of her arched garden doorways. By incorporating a small tree's vibrant life, she avoids a design that feels too rigid or unbalanced.

If you're inspired to replicate this look this spring, now's the perfect time to start digging. While experts suggest that fall is ideal for planting, early spring months are also crucial for establishing perennials.

Choosing the right variety allows you to enjoy a garden filled with evolving colors and subtle fragrances from the first blooms of spring until year's end.

Privacy planting can transcend tired designs. Whether you're in the Hamptons or beyond, you can craft a privacy screen that's both imaginative and uniquely yours.