A single cement bench sits amid the lush greenery of young trees and shrubs. The cascading water gliding down the eaves of a rock fountain brings a sense of calmness to the area. The simple smoothness of stately columns and flowing curves of arches make this a secret garden of serenity.

Best of all -- it is in your own front yard.

This is just a taste of how courtyards can set the mood and tone of a home. "A courtyard entry adds a dimension of luxury to a home," says Charlie Bowie, vice president for Geoffrey H. Edmunds. "It provides a buffer between the outside world and the interior of a house that makes a person feel almost transported."

Personalizing a front entry courtyard means tapping into your creativity. Are you looking to create a warm, comforting environment? The addition of an outdoor fireplace and wooden chairs can add a rustic but inviting arena. Is soothing serenity the mission? A mini Zen garden and water features such as fountains and ponds would add a calming mystique to a courtyard.

Some courtyards are created as a private oasis hidden behind closed doors -- others are in the center of homes, the front yard or a back yard bungalow. But all give you an ideal place to make a lasting impression.

"When it comes time to decorate a courtyard, you should think about what you want your visitor's first impression to be of your home," says Bowie. "We've seen some of our courtyards feature anything from modernistic sculptures in an art garden to timeless rose bushes in a miniature flower garden. The options are limitless, but the final result will speak volumes about the home and its owners."