There are countless options when it comes to adding hardscape to your outdoor space. When choosing hardscaping that will be used as a low-maintenance alternative to a lawn, consider how much grass you are wanting to displace.
If you’re aiming to get rid of quite a bit of grass, patios and walkways are a great option, as both can take up a large square footage.
Walkways are an invaluable hardscape addition to your lawn. Replacing grass with another material, whether it be concrete, rock, or wood or stone pavers, can grant you more access to your yard in all types of weather.
Having good footing even in poor weather conditions will help you to get more use out of your yard. Not only that, but walkways influence the flow of your space, which helps to make guests feel at ease, allowing them to spread out when you’re entertaining.
Patios are an example of hardscape that are endlessly useful. A patio, while replacing a large area of grass, can be used as a sitting area, an outdoor dining room, a makeshift kitchen, an airy office, and even a dance floor. Rearrange some outdoor furniture, roll your grill in and out, relax, host, and have fun with this multi-purpose grass alternative.
If you are looking to replace a grassy area that’s on the smaller side, or if your goal in seeking a grass alternative is to avoid mowing a hilly or otherwise problematic area in your lawn, a retaining wall is a great option.
Retaining walls can hold back a section of earth, allowing for a drop off to another level of your yard, eliminating any sloping area that, if covered in grass, could be difficult to sow, mow, and maintain. Retaining walls can also serve as lines of demarcation in your lawn, helping you and your guests to differentiate between outdoor “rooms” when you entertain.