Until a few years ago, the lawn was considered one of the most important parts of your garden. That's why designing a garden without a lawn is still simply unimaginable for many people today. What would a garden actually look like without a lawn? In this case, should you avoid greenery altogether? What are the alternatives to the spacious lawn? We reveal the answers to these and other questions in the article!
A lawn in your own outdoor area only looks beautiful if it is properly and adequately maintained. The lawn usually requires a lot of care. It should be constantly mowed, fertilized and watered to keep it looking good. This intensive care takes a lot of time and effort and is simply not worth it for many hobby gardeners. In the end, the work is often more than the benefit. That's why modern garden design is increasingly abandoning the lawn and repurposing the available space. Below we would like to present the best alternatives to conventional lawns, which you can use as inspiration for your own garden design.
What alternatives to lawn are there?
Since the trimmed blades of grass no longer play a major role in modern garden design, you can replace them with other garden design elements. In order to find the right alternative, you should first think about how you imagine the garden. If you want a vegetable garden, a playground for the children or a cozy relaxation oasis, then you should adapt your decision accordingly. In this case, the size of the garden also plays an important role.
Small gardens have limited space anyway, so in this case you can do without the lawn completely and make better use of the small space. The narrow terraced house garden often only covers a few square meters, which can be designed according to your own needs. For such a small garden, a garden design without a lawn is recommended, as this frees up space for a terrace, a small water feature or small flower beds.
Although larger gardens offer significantly more space, they can also be designed without the lawn. However, this requires good planning and a clear idea for your own garden area. The large garden area allows a lot of creative freedom and you can transform the available space into your own oasis.
Terrace or courtyard as an alternative
The terrace is a popular alternative for the garden without a lawn because it becomes the focal point of the garden. A terraced garden can be designed like an outdoor living room, combining the cosiness of the house with the freshness of nature. This can be done with comfortable seating, sun protection and some plant pots on the edgeTransform the terrace into a cozy place to relax. If available space allows, you can create a barbecue area, fire pit or outdoor kitchen on the terrace and grill with friends and family in summer and when the weather is nice.
Terraces are usually laid with either natural stone slabs or a wooden deck. So that this area does not appear cold, it should be furnished with the right furniture. Cozy garden furniture gives the garden a homely touch that invites you to linger. We recommend furniture made of rattan or another weather-resistant material that is suitable for outdoor use. The overall picture on the terrace is rounded off with the right accessories such as cushions and outdoor rugs.
Small gardens without lawn can still be designed as a courtyard. The yard creates a feeling of security and offers privacy from the neighbors. If you want a garden without lawn, you can convert it into an inner courtyard and cover it with gravel or chippings, for example. Paving stones and natural stones offer an equally beautiful choice and can be perfectly combined with small flower beds and plant stones.
With a paved courtyard, even the smallest garden without a lawn can be made cozy. The first thing you should do is find the right furniture that fits the style of the garden. Then you need a few plants and flowers in pots to freshen up the atmosphere. With a sun sail or small pergola you can provide reliable sun and privacy protection and give the area that popular Mediterranean flair.
If the garden is laid without lawn but with stones and pebbles, then it requires significantly less maintenance. Such an easy-care garden design is the dream of every urban garden owner and can cope with any climate, soil and location. Garden design like this is particularly popular at the moment and speaks for the popular minimalist style.
Water in focus for the garden without lawn
If you have a medium or large garden, you should definitely consider water for the outdoor area. A small garden pond, great water features or a narrow stream create a natural feeling and invite nature into your garden. In this way, the lawn can be successfully replaced with another natural element. Water has a special impact on the entire outdoor area and can be used in many different forms.
If you would like to integrate water into your own garden area, you can do this in a variety of ways. In the slightly larger garden area, a garden pond can be created and planted accordingly so that a natural feeling prevails in the outdoor area. If you wish, you can design the garden pond like a swimming pond and swim in your own garden in summer.
A swimming pool is without a doubt one of the best alternatives to grass. Whether paved or with a wooden deck, the pool offers significantly greater benefits than the green lawn. With a few sun loungers, umbrellas and plant pots, the pool area becomes an absolute highlight on your property. As a real luxury, this variant also has a corresponding price. The swimming pool is a big investment that you need to think carefully about.
Even if there isn't enough space for a pond or pool, you shouldn't go without water. A small garden without a lawn will certainly benefit from some water features that will positively influence the atmosphere outside. Even a small fountain can appeal to all the senses and create a feel-good ambience. In combination with beautiful plants and charming garden furniture, the overall picture is rounded off.
Plants for the lawn-free garden
A well-maintained lawn is not the only option for a green oasis in your own garden. You can create a natural garden area with a beautifully planted area of perennials instead of a lawn. In this case, the grass is replaced by green and colorful beds, which create a successful play of colors on the terrace or in the courtyard.
For a garden without a lawn, a few green beds and small trees are the best alternative to blades of grass. You can combine the perennials with flowering plants that provide colorful accents in spring and summer. However, some plants require more complex care and are therefore rather unsuitable for the city garden. If you are looking for a truly low-maintenance alternative to lawns that doesn't completely eliminate the greenery, then you should consider hardy perennials. When choosing, pay attention to easy-care varieties that do not require too much care.
If you really want to get a lot of use out of the garden design, you can plant it with fruits and vegetables. Depending on the climate, different types of vegetables can be grown in different areas and they certainly taste better than those from the supermarket. If the available space is enough, then you can consider growing vegetables for the garden without a lawn.
If you like the look of a lawn but don't have enough time for the necessary maintenance, you can create a colorful meadow instead. A large area or just a small strip can be left as a meadow and planted with varieties such as loosestrife. With a meadow garden like this you won't have any problems with weeds and mowing is only necessary every now and then. The maintenance effort is significantly lower than with a lawn, but the result is a green area outside.
Unusual ideas for garden design
If you are looking for great ideas for garden design without a lawn, then you canbe inspired by Japanese gardens. A Japanese garden style doesn't need a lawn to appear natural and relaxing. Gravel paths and sandy areas provide a basic structure and are therefore the most important design elements for this style. Rocks with moss, a koi pond with decorative fish and shaped plants such as bonsai and grasses offer a great alternative to lawns. Decorative elements such as lanterns and garden figures complete the Far Eastern atmosphere and create a real oasis of peace in your own garden without a lawn.
Just like gravel, bark mulch can be used perfectly in the garden for decorative purposes. On the one hand, this suppresses weeds and makes planting much easier. The mulch is also perfect for creating garden paths, which play a major role in modern garden design without lawn.
Sand presents an unusual alternative for the garden without lawn. Using sand instead of lawns creates a real holiday feeling outdoors, which is ideal for the summer months. Bring the beach home with suitable furniture, accessories and plants. This unusual garden design without lawn is particularly recommended for families with children, because in this case the outdoor area is perfect as a playground for the little ones.
