I need a more functional front yard idea... suggestions?

Try artificial grass

Xeriscape is quite beautiful. You need some knowledge of local native plants. Generally, anything native to your area is a xeriscape candidate, because the natural rainfall will be sufficient to water it. Check with your local community extension office. Most colleges have one.

There are books with photos and diagrams and plant lists ( at the library) devoted to low/ no water xeri? scaping.. landscaping with very little water.

*Typically there are lots of paths of gravel/ stone rocks,

*some sort of sculptural/ vertical element (either living or static).

*Maybe some sort of water retention feature such as a little ramp or something to guide rainwater to your " garden" section.

*Maybe , also, some sort of tree or structure to provide some shade.

***Be happy if you won't have to mow!!

I have never done this , but that topic was one of a set of books that we purchased long ago.

AS you are getting started - even before you look very much - you should probably sketch out some possibilities or restrictions based on What you are going to KEEP and how you want to USE the space such as a path to the front door, What you want to see or be able to see from INSIDE the house, where you would want to put something tall and how the shade created by that tree/ shrub/ artsy item or structure might affect the area around it. A tall item need not be a solid one - think of some sort of wire scupture or something.

In other words - start by creating some " bone structure" BEFORE you get caught up with various plants and a million possibilities.

Another neat feature is outdoor lighting, which you might install as an underground wired system, controlled with a switch from inside the house. That looks really nice / very dramatic. Can really be quite simple one spot light that shines upwards through the brances of a tree for example. Add other path lights ( maybe solar?) that basically shine down to illuminate the path. That is something to consider in cost and final project, and efficient timing. In the event you are thinking that you will dig up some of your yard to really get rid of the grass, then maybe you should dig a bit more and wire up some lights.

I saw an ad for " mini clover" instead of grass? but i don't remember the water usage- only that it is supposed to remain quite short with out mowing. :)

Good luck!