A Guide to Modern Lawn Alternatives

Keeping a lush, green lawn looking perfect is a ton of work, and with everyone thinking about water use and low-maintenance yards, it’s just not always practical.

Are you struggling to keep your grass green? Or maybe you’re just hunting for a creative new look for your outdoor space? Well, I’ve got you covered!

The gardens I’m sharing today are about so much more than just green grass. Whether they ditch the lawn completely for gravel or use clever designs to integrate just sections of lawn, I think you’ll agree the results are nothing short of fabulous.

Make a Statement Feature

For this first section, we’re diving into outdoor spaces that are all about a central statement piece. I just love this technique! It’s so dramatic, totally lovely, and often symmetrical.

It’s the perfect solution if you’re looking for an alternative to a yard that’s just… all grass.

Beautiful outdoor space with a green in the middle — A stunning outdoor space with a central green.
credit: www.wheats.com

You can make a green patch right in the middle of the yard with whatever grass you like. Or, you could go totally lawn-free and choose manicured hedges instead. How alluring is the maze-like design in this next one?

Manicured hedges provide a maze-like focal point — These manicured hedges create a gorgeous, maze-like feature.
credit: agsvc.com

If you’re going for a more modern touch, you could try making a gravel ring in the center of your yard. Then, just surround it with native grasses and other easy-to-care-for plants, just like in this amazing space below.

Modern yard with a gravel focal point — A modern yard using gravel as the main focus.
credit: www.huettldesign.com

Round focal points are just so charming, don’t you think? Especially when you accent them with a border of plants. This one has so many layers to its circular design, from concrete and flowers all the way to boxwood sprigs.

Circular design creates a lovely focal point — This circular design makes for such a lovely focal point.
credit: www.spypda.com

Are you searching for something tall to put right in the middle? You should try an urn! Fill it with a really dramatic statement plant, like in this Mediterranean garden. And, bonus points if your urn is sitting on a pedestal!

Mediterranean garden with an urn focal point — A Mediterranean garden centered around a statement urn.
credit: photos.hgtv.com

A fountain is just the perfect refreshing focal point! You could even create a few gravel paths that all lead to the center of your yard to really enhance the whole presentation of the water feature.

Lush green yard with a fountain at the center — A lush, green yard with a classic fountain in the middle.
credit: theenchantedhome.co

If you’re seriously thinking about adding a water feature to your yard, this next image is a fantastic bit of inspiration.

Graveled yard with a fountain focal point — A graveled yard with a beautiful fountain as the centerpiece.
credit: www.ebay.com

If a fountain just isn’t in the cards for you, don’t worry! You can always make a “fountain of plants.” This is just as dramatic as the water-filled version but needs no pump! Check out this example.

Create your own fountain of plants — You can create your very own fountain of plants.
credit: averygoodlife.blogspot.com

Section and Style

One of the most popular strategies I’m seeing everywhere right now is sectioning the yard into really tidy areas. This lets you show off a whole range of materials.

Sometimes, this means no grass at all! Gravel and stepping stones, or concrete pavers, can totally define the yard. This looks especially good when you sprinkle in some native plants.

Outdoor space with gravel and stepping stones — A gorgeous outdoor space using gravel and stepping stones.
credit: www.thegardenroutecompany.com

When you choose really unconventional shapes and sizes for the concrete accents, it creates this incredible look, almost like a modern art installation sitting in a sea of gravel. I love it!

Gravel and concrete strips in an outdoor space — Gravel and long concrete strips give this outdoor space a modern feel.
credit: www.shadesofgreenla.com

If you’re wanting an outdoor space that keeps the grass to a minimum, you should consider ornamental grass or border plants. It’s so much easier than trying to cultivate a whole lawn.

Gravel, ornamental grass and large planters in a modern yard — Gravel, ornamental grass, and large planters in a stylish, modern yard.
credit: www.dkdesignoutdoor.com

You can also bring in greenery by making small sections in the yard that show off different materials, like concrete, pebbles, and rows of plants in mulch. This next yard has all of those features and even more.

Modern yard with squares of concrete, gravel and plants — A modern yard with squares of concrete, gravel, and plants.
credit: www.coop15.com

What do you think about creating stripes in your yard using gravel and grass? It’s a definitely bold look, for sure! The great thing about this approach is that it saves water, since you’re only taking care of half the amount of green grass.

Alternating lawn and gravel in a contemporary outdoor space — Alternating stripes of lawn and gravel in a contemporary outdoor space.
credit: www.bernardandre.com and www.trgarch.com

Another great option is to put concrete pavers right into a grassy lawn, instead of setting them in gravel. It creates a really modern look when the grass is broken up by those clean, modern forms.

You get extra bonus points if you use a drought-tolerant grass like Dymondia, which you can see in this yard.

Backyard with large concrete pavers — A backyard with large concrete pavers set into the grass.
credit: www.shadesofgreenla.com

Maybe you’re going for an uninterrupted patch of grass but you just don’t want your yard to be “all lawn.” A simple fix is to break up the space with areas of gravel and mulch. You can define them with edging in any material you like, such as wood.