There’s a certain amount of pride that property owners have in their lush green lawn. However, it takes a lot of work to maintain a perfectly manicured piece of grass. Consider a low maintenance alternative that will look just and beautiful but require a lot less effort. It may require more of an upfront investment, but the reduction in ongoing maintenance is well worth the price tag. Check out these grass-free yard ideas and find an alternative for your yard. Perhaps you live in a dry climate where a desertscape will look right at home. Or maybe you have a pool and can create a lush tropical oasis with bamboo, large-leafed bushes, and blooming perennials.
- Artificial Turf Lay down artificial grass, and never worry about mowing your lawn again. Artificial turf grass looks beautiful throughout the year and requires very little maintenance. You can have green grass no matter the soil condition or amount of rain you have. Source: @a_service_for_every_season via Instagram Source: @batts_building_and_decorating via Instagram Source: @blue_trogon via Instagram Source: @culverlandscaping via Instagram Source: @earthandsole via Instagram Source: @rdb_earthmoving_landscaping via Instagram Source: @rochelles_canterbury via Instagram Modern turf lawn mimics the characteristics of real grass. Your fake turfgrass could look like buffalo grass or some other variety of grass lawn that you find appealing. Whatever type you choose, level your yard and contour the property for proper drainage. Then compact a layer of gravel to create a smooth and even base.
- Cactus Garden Living in a dry climate presents some unique challenges. You want to grow plants, but plants require water to grow and thrive. Well, not all plants. Choose drought tolerant plants and create a hardy cactus garden. Skip the lawn landscaping and instead up for pea gravel and sand. This highlights the desert feel. Source: @colwellshelor via Instagram Source: @tracysbytheyard via Instagram Source: @wellnessriadnahla via Instagram Build a smooth and stable walkway to navigate your yard. The last thing you want is to trip and fall into a cactus. Build an edging that stands up above the walkway and landscaping. This will create a natural barrier and prevent people from accidentally brushing up against your cactus plants.
- Decking Build a deck that covers your backyard. It doesn’t have to be high off the ground. Elevate it just enough to build a solid and level platform. Place potted plants around the deck to create privacy and define the space. Then add your outdoor furniture to complete the look. Source: @a_wolds_lifestyle via Instagram Source: @decked_out_cape_town via Instagram Source: @dslandarch via Instagram Source: @earthandsole via Instagram Source: @rochellemortstudio via Instagram Source: @smilecrescent via Instagram Source: @the_wooden_hill via Instagram Source: @whisk.chop_.cheers via Instagram Building a deck requires a stable and secure base that’s strong enough to support their deck. Lift the deck off of the ground and then build steps going down to ground level. Add lighting to each step’s rise for increased safety and give your deck a modern look.
- Desertscape Climates that are dry and arid make it tough to grow plants. They’re also quite hot, making a concrete patio unbearable. Embrace this climate and work with it by looking for landscaping ideas that embrace these qualities. Pour concrete to make a patio or use wood to build a deck. Then cover it with a pergola or sail shade to make a shady and cooler escape. Source: @cereusbusiness via Instagram Source: @fredricksonlandscapeinc via Instagram Source: @studioandrewtrotter via Instagram Use sand and rocks to create a mini desert in your yard. Use native plants that don’t need a lot of water. Hardy grasses and cacti are perfect for this. Use rocks to create visual interest and texture. Think about how the light will cast to highlight points of interest and make the space usable at night.
- Hardscape Minimize your lawn care by building more hardscape elements in your landscaping. Hardscape is the hard materials that you build into your landscaping design. This includes stones, bricks, or concrete. The more hardscape materials that you use, the less lawn care that you need to perform. Source: @3dlandscapearchitect via Instagram Source: @growingrooms via Instagram Source: @knaakdesigngroup via Instagram Source: @modernmetalsutah via Instagram While you could create an entire landscape design out of hardscape materials, this can look barren and dull. Instead, try to use a mix of hard and soft materials together. Add some trees in large pots or a few shrubs.
6. Japanese Create the ultimate peaceful oasis by building a Japanese inspired garden in your yard. Start with a small pond where you can have fish. Line the pone edge with rocks. Plant large maple and cherry trees that turn stunning shades of pink, purple, orange, red, and white. Cultivate moss to cover the ground below them. Source: @corneliashage via Instagram Source: @faeluuna via Instagram Source: @fusiongardens via Instagram Source: @illuminateelectric via Instagram Source: @soundsponge via Instagram Source: @tadeusz.21 via Instagram In one area you can have a rock garden. Clear out the lawn, level the ground, and lay down landscape fabric. Cover the fabric with sand and artfully rake it into a design. Place a large rock or two in the sandy area. 7. Landscaped Garden Turn your entire yard into a landscaped garden. Have tall trees, shorter bushes, and bright blooms. Cover the ground around the plants with a rich organic mulch. It’ll insulate the plant roots and protect them. Mulch blocks harmful sun rays, retains moisture, and prevents weeds from growing. Source: @whole.gardens.nw_ via Instagram Plan out your garden before you start planting. Define the areas with paver or rock edging. Then arrange your plants in each landscaping bed with the taller plants towards the back and lower ones forward. 8. Low Maintenance The ultimate in low maintenance landscaping is to cultivate a rain garden. Look for an area of your yard that’s naturally lower than everywhere else. Water will naturally gather here, making it wetter than the rest of your yard. This makes it the perfect place to grow a low maintenance garden. Source: @andrewgrantdesigngroup via Instagram Source: @casaxcasita via Instagram Source: @jmarchitecturedesign via Instagram Source: @olivierhomestyling via Instagram Encourage your garden to grow by sloping your yard towards the rain garden location. This will encourage all water to flow that way. Build an overflow zone that collects water when there’s a big rainstorm. This prevents your garden from flooding. 9. Modern Landscape Modern landscaping ideas combine several grass alternatives for a visually stunning display. Use gravel or small stones to cover the ground. Then create a crisp square of artificial turf. Decorate the yard with ornamental shrubs. Use plants sparingly as accents and don’t let them take over the yard. Use wood to create a deck area. Source: @cdladesign via Instagram Source: @earthandsole via Instagram Source: @floresartscape via Instagram Source: @laarchitect via Instagram Create multiple levels to create visual interest. Define different areas of the yard as individual usable spaces. Use water and light to highlight areas of the yard and create a focal point.
10. Paved Homeowners with a larger budget should consider paving their entire yard. This entirely eliminates the need for maintaining your yard. All you need is the occasion washing of the pavers, concrete, or stones. Occasionally spray weed killer to prevent weeds from popping up and growing from your patio. Source: @brianthehappygardener via Instagram Source: @dslandarch via Instagram Source: @mcdermottlandscapedesign via Instagram Source: @sugarcreeklandscapesllc via Instagram Source: @sunrise_landscapes via Instagram Source: @tracyfostergardendesign via Instagram For a modern feel, leave some larger spaces between some of the pavers. Then encourage moss or use artificial turf to fill in the gap. It’ll look as though stones are floating in the grass. However, you’ll know that the grass isn’t real, and you’ll never have to mow.
11. Raised Garden Turn your backyard into a flourishing garden with raised beds. Create walkways between the boxes to make it easy to navigate the yard. Assess the amount of light that each area of your garden receives. Then arrange your plants according to the height for a thriving raised garden bed. Source: @five.acre_.creek_ via Instagram Source: @ianmacall via Instagram Source: @jenmcdhome via Instagram Source: @lori_laing via Instagram Source: @nics_days_off via Instagram Source: @jimcharlier via Instagram Have a section of vegetables, fruits, lettuces, and flowers. Use decorative bins for building your beds. Wood will make beautiful rustic beds. A simple and affordable option is water troughs. Stacked stone or bricks can create durable and strong beds that are customizable to the height that you need. 12. Shrubs Skip the turf grass and use ornamental grass and shrubs. These small plants don’t grow very high, but they spread out well. This makes them perfect ground covers. They come in a range of colors and varieties to add visual interest and variety. Source: @fishtailcottage via Instagram Use mulch or gravel to cover the ground between the shrubs. A manicured yard will have individual shrubs spaced out in neat lines. A more organic look will have several shrubs all gathered together. Place them near your walkways, so they slightly hang over the path edge for a country cottage feel to your yard. 13. Slope Sloped property presents a unique challenge. Your first option is to embrace the slope. Use large rocks to slow down the flow of water and prevent erosion. This creates a natural look. Level out a path and cover it in gravel or smaller stones. For sloped years that don’t get a lot of sun and are high in moisture, try using moss for a soft yet lush ground cover. Source: @beckisemb via Instagram Source: @londongardendesign via Instagram Modern and refined backyards need structure. Use decking to create several platforms that gradually step down. You’ll have several levels that could be of different sizes and are perfect for creating separate usable levels. 14. Small Backyard A small backyard is a perfect place to take advantage of more expensive ground cover options. Use a higher quality wood for building a deck. Use a variety of materials together. Wood and stone arranged together in a pattern is a beautiful and modern lawn alternative. Source: @culverlandscaping via Instagram Source: @myscandihomeinterior via Instagram Source: @orchardcottagerestoration via Instagram Source: @sampearsongardenprojects via Instagram Source: @sel8154 via Instagram Source: @vlad.kuznetsov.wpg_ via Instagram Consider using pavers, which are a traditionally more expensive material to use for creating a patio. If you prefer the look of natural stone, then use slate, sandstone, travertine, shell stone, or quartzite. Choose a bold color that will bring life and vibrancy to your small backyard.
There’s a certain amount of pride that property owners have in their lush green lawn. However, it takes a lot of work to maintain a perfectly manicured piece of grass. Consider a low maintenance alternative that will look just and beautiful but require a lot less effort. It may require more of an upfront investment, but the reduction in ongoing maintenance is well worth the price tag. Check out these grass-free yard ideas and find an alternative for your yard. Perhaps you live in a dry climate where a desertscape will look right at home. Or maybe you have a pool and can create a lush tropical oasis with bamboo, large-leafed bushes, and blooming perennials.
- Artificial Turf Lay down artificial grass, and never worry about mowing your lawn again. Artificial turf grass looks beautiful throughout the year and requires very little maintenance. You can have green grass no matter the soil condition or amount of rain you have. Source: @a_service_for_every_season via Instagram Source: @batts_building_and_decorating via Instagram Source: @blue_trogon via Instagram Source: @culverlandscaping via Instagram Source: @earthandsole via Instagram Source: @rdb_earthmoving_landscaping via Instagram Source: @rochelles_canterbury via Instagram Modern turf lawn mimics the characteristics of real grass. Your fake turfgrass could look like buffalo grass or some other variety of grass lawn that you find appealing. Whatever type you choose, level your yard and contour the property for proper drainage. Then compact a layer of gravel to create a smooth and even base.
- Cactus Garden Living in a dry climate presents some unique challenges. You want to grow plants, but plants require water to grow and thrive. Well, not all plants. Choose drought tolerant plants and create a hardy cactus garden. Skip the lawn landscaping and instead up for pea gravel and sand. This highlights the desert feel. Source: @colwellshelor via Instagram Source: @tracysbytheyard via Instagram Source: @wellnessriadnahla via Instagram Build a smooth and stable walkway to navigate your yard. The last thing you want is to trip and fall into a cactus. Build an edging that stands up above the walkway and landscaping. This will create a natural barrier and prevent people from accidentally brushing up against your cactus plants.
- Decking Build a deck that covers your backyard. It doesn’t have to be high off the ground. Elevate it just enough to build a solid and level platform. Place potted plants around the deck to create privacy and define the space. Then add your outdoor furniture to complete the look. Source: @a_wolds_lifestyle via Instagram Source: @decked_out_cape_town via Instagram Source: @dslandarch via Instagram Source: @earthandsole via Instagram Source: @rochellemortstudio via Instagram Source: @smilecrescent via Instagram Source: @the_wooden_hill via Instagram Source: @whisk.chop_.cheers via Instagram Building a deck requires a stable and secure base that’s strong enough to support their deck. Lift the deck off of the ground and then build steps going down to ground level. Add lighting to each step’s rise for increased safety and give your deck a modern look.
- Desertscape Climates that are dry and arid make it tough to grow plants. They’re also quite hot, making a concrete patio unbearable. Embrace this climate and work with it by looking for landscaping ideas that embrace these qualities. Pour concrete to make a patio or use wood to build a deck. Then cover it with a pergola or sail shade to make a shady and cooler escape. Source: @cereusbusiness via Instagram Source: @fredricksonlandscapeinc via Instagram Source: @studioandrewtrotter via Instagram Use sand and rocks to create a mini desert in your yard. Use native plants that don’t need a lot of water. Hardy grasses and cacti are perfect for this. Use rocks to create visual interest and texture. Think about how the light will cast to highlight points of interest and make the space usable at night.
- Hardscape Minimize your lawn care by building more hardscape elements in your landscaping. Hardscape is the hard materials that you build into your landscaping design. This includes stones, bricks, or concrete. The more hardscape materials that you use, the less lawn care that you need to perform. Source: @3dlandscapearchitect via Instagram Source: @growingrooms via Instagram Source: @knaakdesigngroup via Instagram Source: @modernmetalsutah via Instagram While you could create an entire landscape design out of hardscape materials, this can look barren and dull. Instead, try to use a mix of hard and soft materials together. Add some trees in large pots or a few shrubs.
6. Japanese Create the ultimate peaceful oasis by building a Japanese inspired garden in your yard. Start with a small pond where you can have fish. Line the pone edge with rocks. Plant large maple and cherry trees that turn stunning shades of pink, purple, orange, red, and white. Cultivate moss to cover the ground below them. Source: @corneliashage via Instagram Source: @faeluuna via Instagram Source: @fusiongardens via Instagram Source: @illuminateelectric via Instagram Source: @soundsponge via Instagram Source: @tadeusz.21 via Instagram In one area you can have a rock garden. Clear out the lawn, level the ground, and lay down landscape fabric. Cover the fabric with sand and artfully rake it into a design. Place a large rock or two in the sandy area. 7. Landscaped Garden Turn your entire yard into a landscaped garden. Have tall trees, shorter bushes, and bright blooms. Cover the ground around the plants with a rich organic mulch. It’ll insulate the plant roots and protect them. Mulch blocks harmful sun rays, retains moisture, and prevents weeds from growing. Source: @whole.gardens.nw_ via Instagram Plan out your garden before you start planting. Define the areas with paver or rock edging. Then arrange your plants in each landscaping bed with the taller plants towards the back and lower ones forward. 8. Low Maintenance The ultimate in low maintenance landscaping is to cultivate a rain garden. Look for an area of your yard that’s naturally lower than everywhere else. Water will naturally gather here, making it wetter than the rest of your yard. This makes it the perfect place to grow a low maintenance garden. Source: @andrewgrantdesigngroup via Instagram Source: @casaxcasita via Instagram Source: @jmarchitecturedesign via Instagram Source: @olivierhomestyling via Instagram Encourage your garden to grow by sloping your yard towards the rain garden location. This will encourage all water to flow that way. Build an overflow zone that collects water when there’s a big rainstorm. This prevents your garden from flooding. 9. Modern Landscape Modern landscaping ideas combine several grass alternatives for a visually stunning display. Use gravel or small stones to cover the ground. Then create a crisp square of artificial turf. Decorate the yard with ornamental shrubs. Use plants sparingly as accents and don’t let them take over the yard. Use wood to create a deck area. Source: @cdladesign via Instagram Source: @earthandsole via Instagram Source: @floresartscape via Instagram Source: @laarchitect via Instagram Create multiple levels to create visual interest. Define different areas of the yard as individual usable spaces. Use water and light to highlight areas of the yard and create a focal point.
10. Paved Homeowners with a larger budget should consider paving their entire yard. This entirely eliminates the need for maintaining your yard. All you need is the occasion washing of the pavers, concrete, or stones. Occasionally spray weed killer to prevent weeds from popping up and growing from your patio. Source: @brianthehappygardener via Instagram Source: @dslandarch via Instagram Source: @mcdermottlandscapedesign via Instagram Source: @sugarcreeklandscapesllc via Instagram Source: @sunrise_landscapes via Instagram Source: @tracyfostergardendesign via Instagram For a modern feel, leave some larger spaces between some of the pavers. Then encourage moss or use artificial turf to fill in the gap. It’ll look as though stones are floating in the grass. However, you’ll know that the grass isn’t real, and you’ll never have to mow.
11. Raised Garden Turn your backyard into a flourishing garden with raised beds. Create walkways between the boxes to make it easy to navigate the yard. Assess the amount of light that each area of your garden receives. Then arrange your plants according to the height for a thriving raised garden bed. Source: @five.acre_.creek_ via Instagram Source: @ianmacall via Instagram Source: @jenmcdhome via Instagram Source: @lori_laing via Instagram Source: @nics_days_off via Instagram Source: @jimcharlier via Instagram Have a section of vegetables, fruits, lettuces, and flowers. Use decorative bins for building your beds. Wood will make beautiful rustic beds. A simple and affordable option is water troughs. Stacked stone or bricks can create durable and strong beds that are customizable to the height that you need. 12. Shrubs Skip the turf grass and use ornamental grass and shrubs. These small plants don’t grow very high, but they spread out well. This makes them perfect ground covers. They come in a range of colors and varieties to add visual interest and variety. Source: @fishtailcottage via Instagram Use mulch or gravel to cover the ground between the shrubs. A manicured yard will have individual shrubs spaced out in neat lines. A more organic look will have several shrubs all gathered together. Place them near your walkways, so they slightly hang over the path edge for a country cottage feel to your yard. 13. Slope Sloped property presents a unique challenge. Your first option is to embrace the slope. Use large rocks to slow down the flow of water and prevent erosion. This creates a natural look. Level out a path and cover it in gravel or smaller stones. For sloped years that don’t get a lot of sun and are high in moisture, try using moss for a soft yet lush ground cover. Source: @beckisemb via Instagram Source: @londongardendesign via Instagram Modern and refined backyards need structure. Use decking to create several platforms that gradually step down. You’ll have several levels that could be of different sizes and are perfect for creating separate usable levels. 14. Small Backyard A small backyard is a perfect place to take advantage of more expensive ground cover options. Use a higher quality wood for building a deck. Use a variety of materials together. Wood and stone arranged together in a pattern is a beautiful and modern lawn alternative. Source: @culverlandscaping via Instagram Source: @myscandihomeinterior via Instagram Source: @orchardcottagerestoration via Instagram Source: @sampearsongardenprojects via Instagram Source: @sel8154 via Instagram Source: @vlad.kuznetsov.wpg_ via Instagram Consider using pavers, which are a traditionally more expensive material to use for creating a patio. If you prefer the look of natural stone, then use slate, sandstone, travertine, shell stone, or quartzite. Choose a bold color that will bring life and vibrancy to your small backyard.
There’s a certain amount of pride that property owners have in their lush green lawn. However, it takes a lot of work to maintain a perfectly manicured piece of grass. Consider a low maintenance alternative that will look just and beautiful but require a lot less effort. It may require more of an upfront investment, but the reduction in ongoing maintenance is well worth the price tag.
Check out these grass-free yard ideas and find an alternative for your yard. Perhaps you live in a dry climate where a desertscape will look right at home. Or maybe you have a pool and can create a lush tropical oasis with bamboo, large-leafed bushes, and blooming perennials.
1. Artificial Turf
Lay down artificial grass, and never worry about mowing your lawn again. Artificial turf grass looks beautiful throughout the year and requires very little maintenance. You can have green grass no matter the soil condition or amount of rain you have.
Source: @a_service_for_every_season via Instagram
Source: @batts_building_and_decorating via Instagram
Source: @blue_trogon via Instagram
Source: @culverlandscaping via Instagram
Source: @earthandsole via Instagram
Source: @rdb_earthmoving_landscaping via Instagram
Source: @rochelles_canterbury via Instagram
Modern turf lawn mimics the characteristics of real grass. Your fake turfgrass could look like buffalo grass or some other variety of grass lawn that you find appealing. Whatever type you choose, level your yard and contour the property for proper drainage. Then compact a layer of gravel to create a smooth and even base.
2. Cactus Garden
Living in a dry climate presents some unique challenges. You want to grow plants, but plants require water to grow and thrive. Well, not all plants. Choose drought tolerant plants and create a hardy cactus garden. Skip the lawn landscaping and instead up for pea gravel and sand. This highlights the desert feel.
Source: @colwellshelor via Instagram
Source: @tracysbytheyard via Instagram
Source: @wellnessriadnahla via Instagram
Build a smooth and stable walkway to navigate your yard. The last thing you want is to trip and fall into a cactus. Build an edging that stands up above the walkway and landscaping. This will create a natural barrier and prevent people from accidentally brushing up against your cactus plants.
3. Decking
Build a deck that covers your backyard. It doesn’t have to be high off the ground. Elevate it just enough to build a solid and level platform. Place potted plants around the deck to create privacy and define the space. Then add your outdoor furniture to complete the look.
Source: @a_wolds_lifestyle via Instagram
Source: @decked_out_cape_town via Instagram
Source: @dslandarch via Instagram
Source: @rochellemortstudio via Instagram
Source: @smilecrescent via Instagram
Source: @the_wooden_hill via Instagram
Source: @whisk.chop_.cheers via Instagram
Building a deck requires a stable and secure base that’s strong enough to support their deck. Lift the deck off of the ground and then build steps going down to ground level. Add lighting to each step’s rise for increased safety and give your deck a modern look.
4. Desertscape
Climates that are dry and arid make it tough to grow plants. They’re also quite hot, making a concrete patio unbearable. Embrace this climate and work with it by looking for landscaping ideas that embrace these qualities. Pour concrete to make a patio or use wood to build a deck. Then cover it with a pergola or sail shade to make a shady and cooler escape.
Source: @cereusbusiness via Instagram
Source: @fredricksonlandscapeinc via Instagram
Source: @studioandrewtrotter via Instagram
Use sand and rocks to create a mini desert in your yard. Use native plants that don’t need a lot of water. Hardy grasses and cacti are perfect for this. Use rocks to create visual interest and texture. Think about how the light will cast to highlight points of interest and make the space usable at night.
5. Hardscape
Minimize your lawn care by building more hardscape elements in your landscaping. Hardscape is the hard materials that you build into your landscaping design. This includes stones, bricks, or concrete. The more hardscape materials that you use, the less lawn care that you need to perform.
Source: @3dlandscapearchitect via Instagram
Source: @growingrooms via Instagram
Source: @knaakdesigngroup via Instagram
Source: @modernmetalsutah via Instagram
While you could create an entire landscape design out of hardscape materials, this can look barren and dull. Instead, try to use a mix of hard and soft materials together. Add some trees in large pots or a few shrubs.
6. Japanese
Create the ultimate peaceful oasis by building a Japanese inspired garden in your yard. Start with a small pond where you can have fish. Line the pone edge with rocks. Plant large maple and cherry trees that turn stunning shades of pink, purple, orange, red, and white. Cultivate moss to cover the ground below them.
Source: @corneliashage via Instagram
Source: @faeluuna via Instagram
Source: @fusiongardens via Instagram
Source: @illuminateelectric via Instagram
Source: @soundsponge via Instagram
Source: @tadeusz.21 via Instagram
In one area you can have a rock garden. Clear out the lawn, level the ground, and lay down landscape fabric. Cover the fabric with sand and artfully rake it into a design. Place a large rock or two in the sandy area.
7. Landscaped Garden
Turn your entire yard into a landscaped garden. Have tall trees, shorter bushes, and bright blooms. Cover the ground around the plants with a rich organic mulch. It’ll insulate the plant roots and protect them. Mulch blocks harmful sun rays, retains moisture, and prevents weeds from growing.
Source: @whole.gardens.nw_ via Instagram
Plan out your garden before you start planting. Define the areas with paver or rock edging. Then arrange your plants in each landscaping bed with the taller plants towards the back and lower ones forward.
8. Low Maintenance
The ultimate in low maintenance landscaping is to cultivate a rain garden. Look for an area of your yard that’s naturally lower than everywhere else. Water will naturally gather here, making it wetter than the rest of your yard. This makes it the perfect place to grow a low maintenance garden.
Source: @andrewgrantdesigngroup via Instagram
Source: @casaxcasita via Instagram
Source: @jmarchitecturedesign via Instagram
Source: @olivierhomestyling via Instagram
Encourage your garden to grow by sloping your yard towards the rain garden location. This will encourage all water to flow that way. Build an overflow zone that collects water when there’s a big rainstorm. This prevents your garden from flooding.
9. Modern Landscape
Modern landscaping ideas combine several grass alternatives for a visually stunning display. Use gravel or small stones to cover the ground. Then create a crisp square of artificial turf. Decorate the yard with ornamental shrubs. Use plants sparingly as accents and don’t let them take over the yard. Use wood to create a deck area.
Source: @cdladesign via Instagram
Source: @floresartscape via Instagram
Source: @laarchitect via Instagram
Create multiple levels to create visual interest. Define different areas of the yard as individual usable spaces. Use water and light to highlight areas of the yard and create a focal point.
10. Paved
Homeowners with a larger budget should consider paving their entire yard. This entirely eliminates the need for maintaining your yard. All you need is the occasion washing of the pavers, concrete, or stones. Occasionally spray weed killer to prevent weeds from popping up and growing from your patio.
Source: @brianthehappygardener via Instagram
Source: @mcdermottlandscapedesign via Instagram
Source: @sugarcreeklandscapesllc via Instagram
Source: @sunrise_landscapes via Instagram
Source: @tracyfostergardendesign via Instagram
For a modern feel, leave some larger spaces between some of the pavers. Then encourage moss or use artificial turf to fill in the gap. It’ll look as though stones are floating in the grass. However, you’ll know that the grass isn’t real, and you’ll never have to mow.
11. Raised Garden
Turn your backyard into a flourishing garden with raised beds. Create walkways between the boxes to make it easy to navigate the yard. Assess the amount of light that each area of your garden receives. Then arrange your plants according to the height for a thriving raised garden bed.
Source: @five.acre_.creek_ via Instagram
Source: @ianmacall via Instagram
Source: @jenmcdhome via Instagram
Source: @lori_laing via Instagram
Source: @nics_days_off via Instagram
Source: @jimcharlier via Instagram
Have a section of vegetables, fruits, lettuces, and flowers. Use decorative bins for building your beds. Wood will make beautiful rustic beds. A simple and affordable option is water troughs. Stacked stone or bricks can create durable and strong beds that are customizable to the height that you need.
12. Shrubs
Skip the turf grass and use ornamental grass and shrubs. These small plants don’t grow very high, but they spread out well. This makes them perfect ground covers. They come in a range of colors and varieties to add visual interest and variety.
Source: @fishtailcottage via Instagram
Use mulch or gravel to cover the ground between the shrubs. A manicured yard will have individual shrubs spaced out in neat lines. A more organic look will have several shrubs all gathered together. Place them near your walkways, so they slightly hang over the path edge for a country cottage feel to your yard.
13. Slope
Sloped property presents a unique challenge. Your first option is to embrace the slope. Use large rocks to slow down the flow of water and prevent erosion. This creates a natural look. Level out a path and cover it in gravel or smaller stones. For sloped years that don’t get a lot of sun and are high in moisture, try using moss for a soft yet lush ground cover.
Source: @beckisemb via Instagram
Source: @londongardendesign via Instagram
Modern and refined backyards need structure. Use decking to create several platforms that gradually step down. You’ll have several levels that could be of different sizes and are perfect for creating separate usable levels.
14. Small Backyard
A small backyard is a perfect place to take advantage of more expensive ground cover options. Use a higher quality wood for building a deck. Use a variety of materials together. Wood and stone arranged together in a pattern is a beautiful and modern lawn alternative.
Source: @myscandihomeinterior via Instagram
Source: @orchardcottagerestoration via Instagram
Source: @sampearsongardenprojects via Instagram
Source: @sel8154 via Instagram
Source: @vlad.kuznetsov.wpg_ via Instagram
Consider using pavers, which are a traditionally more expensive material to use for creating a patio. If you prefer the look of natural stone, then use slate, sandstone, travertine, shell stone, or quartzite. Choose a bold color that will bring life and vibrancy to your small backyard.
What can I use instead of grass in my backyard?
You could landscape your yard with a flower garden, lay down artificial grass, cultivate a moss groundcover, or use pavers to create a large hardscape. A simple no-mow option that’s also affordable is to use mulch or pea gravel. A luxury option is to use a stone like slate, granite, or marble.
How do you build a low-maintenance yard?
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining your yard, then choose a material like rocks, pallets, wood chips, or pea gravel. None of these require a lot of maintenance. Depending on your budget, you could have concrete poured to create a large patio. Then you only need to occasionally wash the concrete.
How can I get my front yard landscape without grass?
Whatever you choose, it needs to look beautiful. Your front yard landscaping will influence your home’s curb appeal. A flower bed that’s inspired by an English garden can look beautiful and welcoming. A sand or rock garden with drought-hardy plants would be low maintenance and can create a unique look.
What can I use instead of grass in my backyard?
You could landscape your yard with a flower garden, lay down artificial grass, cultivate a moss groundcover, or use pavers to create a large hardscape. A simple no-mow option that’s also affordable is to use mulch or pea gravel. A luxury option is to use a stone like slate, granite, or marble.
You could landscape your yard with a flower garden, lay down artificial grass, cultivate a moss groundcover, or use pavers to create a large hardscape. A simple no-mow option that’s also affordable is to use mulch or pea gravel. A luxury option is to use a stone like slate, granite, or marble.
How do you build a low-maintenance yard?
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining your yard, then choose a material like rocks, pallets, wood chips, or pea gravel. None of these require a lot of maintenance. Depending on your budget, you could have concrete poured to create a large patio. Then you only need to occasionally wash the concrete.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining your yard, then choose a material like rocks, pallets, wood chips, or pea gravel. None of these require a lot of maintenance. Depending on your budget, you could have concrete poured to create a large patio. Then you only need to occasionally wash the concrete.
How can I get my front yard landscape without grass?
Whatever you choose, it needs to look beautiful. Your front yard landscaping will influence your home’s curb appeal. A flower bed that’s inspired by an English garden can look beautiful and welcoming. A sand or rock garden with drought-hardy plants would be low maintenance and can create a unique look.
Whatever you choose, it needs to look beautiful. Your front yard landscaping will influence your home’s curb appeal. A flower bed that’s inspired by an English garden can look beautiful and welcoming. A sand or rock garden with drought-hardy plants would be low maintenance and can create a unique look.
