Modern and preferably suitable for a beginner at gardening! And being our first home our budget is fairly tight. But i'm hoping to be able to provided with a basic design/layout and we are happy to do the physical labour ourselves.

The house is still currently under construction so I felt like that was the most accurate representation of the site. But i'm more than happy to take more photos if needed.

I can usually read plans but I find that one very visually busy yet without telling me all I'd want to know to make suggestions. For starters climate, soil type and orientation would be useful to know. Are you in an estate where your landscaping must be done within a certain time?

Regarding lawn, I'd guess it's still the case that starting from seed is cheaper than having turf laid? Drawback is the amount of watering while it establishes. Unless you have an irrigation system on a timer I suppose. I don't know how it compares to establishing turf, having never gone that route ourselves. Don't assume turf avoids the work of establishing lawn entirely, I've seen too many front gardens full of dried out yellow strips of expensive turf. On the matter of work, do you in fact want lawn out the front? Unlike in a backyard it usually serves no purpose other than aesthetic and requires ongoing maintenance. Lawn-free gardens can be beautifully done.

Hi Maddy, Consider engaging a landscape designer. The drawing will cost money however it will ultimately save you a lot of costly mistakes and will hopefully give you some great ideas for spending the minimum amount to achieve an appearance of the highest quality finish. Let you designer know that you are a beginner gardener but keen and so a low maintenance garden would be best, with options to add more intensive features in, if you feel the inclination!

Maddy, show us a photo and if the house isn't finished, show a front elevation.

Hi Mandy! If you are considering DIY-ing, you could start at your nearest nursery or even Council and get advice on local hardy plants that grow well in your local suburb's conditions. This will enable to help you keep a low water and low maintenance garden. There are a number of landscape consulting offices that provide budget friendly packages, specifically for DIY-ers like yourself, in garden design to help you on your way. Might be worth investigating. Good Luck!

Maddy, you obviously have only recently started using this website. Might I suggest you search and browse "Front Garden" or similar topics and save pictures you like to an idea book. That way, you can get some inspiration, and those that want to help you can see what your inclinations are. There is a wealth of amazing garden pix from all over the world to enjoy.