What to do with a large front garden?

[DorcasLanesOneWeakness]

I'm looking at a house which has a sizeable front garden. Leafy suburb semi in a small cul-de-sac comprising 12 houses. Front garden is quite a bit bigger than the back garden. The front garden is sunny and west-facing, has a drive running along one side, and is approximately 15-18m long and the width of the house.

In my current house, ex-council on a nice little estate, the former owner created a lovely patio with seating in the small (5m wide x 2.5m deep) west-facing front garden, and even installed a sunken base for a small rotary dryer (which I absolutely use for evening sun on towels and flannels etc; all our neighbours are lovely and nobody minds). There's also a great little bin / recycling / boot storage with a tap to rinse muddy shoes etc. My current front garden, despite being 'on the street' feels like a natural extension of my indoor space.

The potential new house's location has a more austere vibe to it, and looking at Google Earth, I see that many of the residents are cramming so much into their relatively small back gardens (trampolines, sheds, greenhouses, ponds / pools / waterfeatures, patios, veg patches etc) while the spacious front gardens remain predominantly lawned with the odd shrub or ornamental tree, and zero sign of use. I know the street as it's not far from my current home; it seems quiet and serene which suits me. But would it be really 'off' to move in with a view to break with the tradition of the untouched front garden, and put it to some kind of use? I love gardening and think it may have a better aspect than the rear for the kind of garden I'd like to create, but having cultivated it, I'd like to make some kind of space in which to relax and enjoy it too. I don't have young children anymore, so wouldn't be putting up play equipment etc, but would definitely like to use the space without feeling like I was breaking the rules, however unspoken.

If you've a large front garden, visible from the street, how do you use it? Any hints as to what is an acceptable use of such a space without neighbours feeling like you become a distraction?

Could you look into some nice screening to create an area you can use, but not so it looks as obvious. I think a diagram or screenshot might be useful.

@animalculous Good idea, although my sketch is a bit rubbish. There isn't much in the front garden currently, just a large shrub and the rest laid to lawn.
A screened area sounds like a good idea. Just as much as I don't want the neighbours to think I'm too 'out there', I also would like to feel able to relax and enjoy the space without being 'on show'. I'll have to do some thinking...

My driveway is also west facing, gets all the evening sunshine. It’s huge - 15m long and 18 wide (like a massive car park!) currently gravelled - I am going to put 2 raised beds out and a bench seat, it feels like such a wasted space. I think as long as what you do is kept tidy then the neighbours have no grounds to complain

I live in a row of old stone terraced cottages. Our front gardens are 2 x 3 meters and raised up over the street. The front gardens are south facing and we have a beautiful view across the valley. We all have benches in the front garden, and plants. It's really nice to sit out there, bask in the sun, chat to people going past, tend the plants etc.

You could certainly make a nice seating area with benches etc. but if I lived in this street which sounds very well kept and you started storing bins and putting your washing out on a rotary dryer I would not be impressed at all.

I would definitely use it as somewhere to sit out in. But some people are really weird about it. There was a thread a while ago and people were aghast at the thought of sitting in their front gardens.

I've planted a box hedge across my front so that I'm not on show whilst I garden. I do have the odd coffee whilst sitting on a step there as there's no room for a bench. I think as long as you're not doing embarrassing or noisy things out there, using a front garden is fine.

A large hedge at the front. Some seating as well, we have a bench and small table. Our main outdoor furniture is out the back. Also a small bike shed in the front. Again main shed is round the back.
I think it depends on how busy the street is and how safe it feels. You may not feel as comfortable sitting out there if someone could wander up your path any moment. Or leave the kids out there playing if they could get on to the street or someone could come in.

https://diygarden.co.uk/privacy/screening-ideas

Garden screening ideas. Trellis panels with plants growing up it is nice. You could get a wisteria if you get a big enough setup. Climbing roses, honeysuckle and clematis are good options too.

Watching Gardeners’ World today and Adam has a hedge in his front garden boundary and then an ornamental kitchen garden. It looks great - definitely worth checking out.

My current front garden is right on the street (a quiet street but with a fair amount of footfall from neighbours) with just a newly re-planted hedge so very little privacy, but we're a close community so I feel completely relaxed sitting in my current front garden. I think it's the austere serenity of the front garden of the house I'm interested in which makes me think I'd feel exposed.
My DC are older now so are beyond 'playing out' age.