7 Landscape Design Ideas To Replace Your Lawn

So you’ve finished designing the inside of your home, and now its onto the landscaping. If you’re unsure what to do, but definitely want to move away from having a lot of lawn, Houzz Contributor, Marianne Lipanovich, provides seven landscape ideas to replace your lawn, below.

So, you’ve decided to take out your traditional lawn. Now what? Regardless of whether you leave some lawn or to entirely no-mow, that open space offers abundant design possibilities, from a plant-filled garden to an inviting new outdoor living space. Now is your chance to have an outdoor area that better suits your taste, lifestyle and climate. Take a look at the following seven ideas to help you start creating your beautiful new landscape.

1. Plant Focus

Show off your style and add year-round garden interest by choosing a landscape design that features plants you love. Browse landscape ideas on Houzz and create an Ideabook of looks you like to get started. You can also wander through your neighbourhood to get a sense of the plants that do well in your area.

Your choices for a plant-oriented design are vast. You could opt for classic garden beds, perhaps bordered by brick or stone. You could create a cottage garden with a riotous collection of flowers. You might go for something more streamlined with shrubs. Maybe you prefer a rainforest look with trees and shade-loving ferns or a soft blend of perennials and ornamental grasses.

This is also an opportunity to create a specialty garden. You may want a showcase for bulbs, a spot that will attract pollinators and wildlife, a garden to cut blooms from to arrange indoors, or a design that highlights fragrance and sound.

Tip: Add visual interest to a formerly flat expanse by building berms and adding large rocks. They’ll give the space structure and serve as a foil to the plants.

Pros: Your garden will be a one-of-a-kind space that reflects you and your style. Depending on the plants you pick, it can be a low-maintenance option that will look good year-round, even in winter. A plant-focused design may also highlight your home and help it stand out.

Cons: Establishing the garden will take some time. There will be ongoing maintenance, although it may be minor depending on which plants you choose. Plant-focussed gardens can also become overgrown as they age, so you’ll need to plan for eventual thinning and replanting.

Cost: You’ll probably spend the bulk of your money on upfront needs, from amending and enriching the soil (if needed) to adding infrastructure and buying and installing plants. You’ll likely need to replace the plants and update the watering system over the years.

Considerations: It’s tempting to head to the nursery and grab all the flowers and foliage types that catch your eye. Instead, take some time to think about the look you want as well as the plants you love, to avoid creating a jumble of plants that don’t work well together and may not grow in your space.

A landscape professional can help you determine what will suit you and your outdoor area, and can advise on how to deal with the logistics of ongoing care such as pruning, watering, and winter care.

Maintenance: This depends on the plants. Trees, shrubs and bushes may need only periodic pruning and shaping. Perennials may be fairly self-sustaining or may require regular care during their growing season. Annuals will need to be replaced yearly.

All plants require water to get established, and most require some level of water throughout the growing season. If you don’t live in an area with abundant water during those times, you’ll need to install and maintain an irrigation system or hand-water. Every garden requires some weeding and general upkeep.

When to install: Spring and autumn are generally the best planting times. You can add plants in summer, especially if the area where your lawn was is bare and prone to weeds. You’ll need to be sure that your newly chosen plants get enough water to survive. If winters in your region are very warm, you can add plants then as well.

2. Edible Approach

Combine good looks and function by turning all or part of your former lawn into an edible garden. You can grow only vegetables, add fruits and herbs, or combine edible-producing plants with ornamentals.

If you have the space, think beyond traditional farm-style rows to create a series of individual garden beds with paths between, build tiered options to highlight low-growing vegetables, or opt for decorative raised planters or containers.

Also think about mixing and matching your vegetables with other plants. Berries can add visual interest when grown on trellises. Fruit trees provide spring blossoms, summer shade and autumn colour. In addition to adding colour, some traditional flowering annuals and perennials are edible, are of medicinal use or act as pest deterrents. Well-placed shrubs can add structure and form too.

Tip: Don’t make the vegetable beds too wide or too hard to reach. You’ll want to be able to harvest your crops easily.

Pros: You’ll have a steady supply of your favourite edibles throughout the growing season and even beyond. Many edibles also are ornamental, which will add interest to your garden. If you invest in fruit trees, they will also provide shade. You can save on grocery store runs while enjoying the literal fruits of your labours.

Cons: Edible gardens require ongoing care, including watering, fertilising, protecting against pests and critters (animal and sometimes human), harvesting and storing. Most edibles are annuals, which means you will need to replant yearly (with the broad exception of shrubs and trees).

Cost: The cost of seeds, if you plan to start with those, is relatively minor. Seedlings are fairly inexpensive too. You may also have to pay for amending or enriching the soil; adding beds, paths and containers; and maintaining the garden.

Considerations: Edible gardens generally require at least six hours of full sunlight a day. If you have a more shaded garden, your plant choices may be limited. Edibles usually require regular water to be productive – the exception being most common herbs, which are more drought-tolerant. If rainfall isn’t abundant during the summer where you live, you’ll need to supplement it. You’ll also need good soil, which may mean installing raised garden beds or adding amendments prior to planting.

Maintenance: Maintaining an edible garden requires regular manual labour. Garden tasks start in spring and continue until autumn or later. These include amending and preparing the soil prior to planting, doing the actual planting, keeping up with watering, fertilising, weeding, protecting the plants from pests and diseases, and harvesting and storing produce.

When to install: Plant warm-season edibles in late spring and early summer to take advantage of the weather. You can plant cool-season edibles in spring and then again in late summer or early autumn. If you live in a region with warm winters, you may get a crop into or even throughout the winter. Fruit trees are best planted in autumn but can be added in early spring.

3. Drought-Tolerant Gardens

Looking for ways to save water, even if you’re not in an arid area? The good news is that drought-tolerant, or xeriscape, gardens have come a long way from the early days of stark, minimalistic designs. Even better news is that there are ways to cut back on water use without solely selecting drought-tolerant plants.

Focus on native plants as well as those that are naturally adapted to your climate. Once established, these will require less water for years to come. Create zones within the overall garden as well. This will give you the opportunity to group similar plants, including those with higher water needs, and give them a place of prominence.

Fill in the garden with dense plantings, rather than leaving open spaces. The mix of plants will shade the soil, keeping it cooler and helping retain moisture that otherwise could be lost to evaporation. Low-water ground covers can fill in the spots between your plantings.

Add water-saving features, such as dry stream beds, rain gardens and well-designed catch basins to capture and channel water with style. Finish the space with a mulch made of organic materials. This will not only keep the soil cooler and prevent evaporation, but will help keep weeds at bay and enrich the soil as it breaks down.

Tip: If you add paving or pathways, look for options that are permeable rather than solid to redirect water back into your soil.

Pros: A water-saving design is an earth-friendly choice that also can be colourful, inviting and cost-saving. Choosing plants that thrive in your climate also will help you save on maintenance costs, as they are well adapted to survive on their own once established.

Cons: Even with an extensive plant list, some of your favourite plants may not be included. If you do want to add those, you’ll need to provide supplemental water throughout the growing season. You’ll also need to check your irrigation systems regularly and do any required fixes in a timely manner.

Cost: The initial outlay for irrigation and water catchment systems and the plants themselves will likely be your highest costs. Once established, drought-tolerant plants that are a good match for your climate are usually fairly low-maintenance.

Considerations: Advance planning for your water-saving infrastructure is essential. You’ll want to explore irrigation, catchment and run-off systems, and choose the best option for your space, before you get into the details of designs and plants.

Maintenance: Drought-tolerant gardens are generally low-maintenance. You’ll need to stay on top of weeding, both for the health of the plants and to prevent your water resources from going to plants you don’t want to encourage. You’ll also need to do any required fertilising, pest control, deadheading and pruning, but the time requirement will be less than for a traditional lawn. Keep an eye on your irrigation systems too, as well as your watering schedule.

When to install: Spring and autumn are the ideal planting times. You also can plant in winter if you have warm winters, but the plants may take longer to get established.

4. Low-Maintenance Look

Want a great-looking garden but you’re not a gardener? Split the difference with a low-maintenance garden design. With the right approach and judicious plant selection, your outdoor area can be a relaxing spot rather than another chore on your to-do list.

Garden styles vary, but there are some overarching design tips for any low-maintenance installation. Start with a plan that works with your existing area, rather than fighting the space. Place patios and decks where they’ll get either sun in a cooler garden or shade in one that often bakes – and use flooring materials that are easy to care for, such as concrete, composite decking or timber decking.

Follow the same approach for plants, choosing tried-and-true sun- or shade-loving varieties for each area of the garden. Edit your plant list to just a few dependable and self-sufficient picks, rather than including many varieties. Use evergreen shrubs to provide continuity and a sense of structure and flow.

Tip: Use organic mulch to cut down on weeding and watering and to add low-maintenance polish.

Pros: A well-designed low-maintenance garden puts the emphasis on enjoyment of the finished space rather than working in the garden. It’s perfect for those who have little spare time, have physical challenges that limit the gardening work they can do or who simply aren’t interested in maintaining a garden. A clean, contemporary look always works for a low-maintenance outdoor area, but you can explore other options that match your home’s exterior and your personal style.

Cons: The garden can feel sparse and underplanted if you prefer a more exuberant look. It’s also not a good choice for those who want to plant many vegetables, although you can sneak a few in, or for those who are looking for a wealth of flowers.

Cost: Designing the space, adding irrigation, putting in paving and installing plants will be the initial costs, which will vary depending on the size of your redesign and the existing structures and plants. Once the garden is established, your costs should be on the low side.

Considerations: You can adapt a number of garden styles for a low-maintenance design, but the overall look will be clean and more sparse. Low maintenance also doesn’t mean no maintenance.

Maintenance: The right design and carefully chosen plants will keep labour to a minimum. You’ll still have some seasonal tasks, such as keeping the surfaces clear of dirt and debris, occasionally pruning and trimming, and checking irrigation systems.

When to install: As with most gardens, spring and autumn are ideal times for putting in this garden.

5. Back To Nature

If space permits, replacing a lawn with a meadow-style area, wildflowers or native plants – or a mix of all three – nods to the landscape’s natural history and boosts biodiversity. It’s also an environmentally friendly option, and once established, will last for years. The plants will attract birds, bees and other garden-friendly pollinators, which will help your garden and those around it thrive.

These gardens look best when allowed to spread out and fill in, although you can confine them to a smaller space if a completely untamed look is not for you. Plant a mix of grass and grass-like plants, native plants, wildflowers and small shrubs to provide visual interest throughout the year, including in winter. Stick to plants that are on the small side; lots of taller plants can overwhelm a landscape.

Tip: Add interest with a path that winds through the space, a birdbath set amid grasses, or a bench, maybe with a nearby bird feeder to entice you to spend time in the garden.

Pros: A natural garden is a sustainable choice that may become a wildlife habitat for birds, bees and other pollinators, which you can also enjoy. Native plants are adapted to local conditions, including poor soil, and will likely require less maintenance once established. These gardens don’t need much feeding or weeding, and generally are mowed only once a year.

Cons: Your choice of plants may be limited and flowers may bloom only for a short season. These gardens can take more than a year to establish, which means you’ll need to continue seeding as well as moving or replacing plants. During that time, they can look scruffy and unkempt. Once established, they can also become overgrown and need to be tamed. Furthermore, some of the creatures you attract may be unwelcome.

Cost: Starting a natural garden is a fairly low-cost project. You can sow wildflower seeds, put in small container plants or do a mix of the two. You will likely need to continue to fill in the garden for the first few years, but after that your natural garden should stand on its own.

Considerations: A natural-style garden is a landscaping statement. The look is loose, rather than neat and tidy, so it can be polarising. At the same time, native plants tend to thrive in existing soil and weather conditions, and usually require little care once established.

Maintenance: Once established, natural gardens need little care. They don’t require feeding or weeding and are resistant to local pests and diseases. They are generally mowed only once a year, if needed, in early spring. You generally don’t have to worry about winter care with plants that are naturally adapted to your environment.

When to install: Autumn is the optimal time for planting in any region, to mimic the natural cycle of the plants.

6. Outdoor Living & Gathering Places

Removing a lawn lets you reimagine how you use your outdoor space. If you’ve been feeling a little cramped when it’s time to relax or entertain outside – or you haven’t had the set-up to do so – this is the perfect opportunity to add a patio or deck or to extend one you already have.

Start with the basics. Decide how large the new space will be and how it will look. For a new patio surface, you’ll want to choose a flooring option. Stone pavers, brick and concrete are popular choices; other possibilities include tiles, decomposed granite and gravel. For a deck, you’ll need to decide between timber or composite decking. Looking through Houzz photos for patio and deck ideas will give you a good start.

Tip: Be sure to include the access space you’ll need for getting in and out of chairs around a table, and for navigating between furnishings.

Pros: Heading outside will be more inviting with a comfortable, well-designed space. When added to the front of a home, a patio or deck can also become a way to connect with neighbours. You can use these spaces to take advantage of areas where plants struggle to grow, such as under large trees or in overly wet or dry spots.

Cons: You need to think of patios and decks, even patios made of stone or gravel, as permanent hardscape additions. They can be expensive to install and expensive to remove if you change your mind. Paved patio surfaces can channel rainwater to stormwater sewers rather than back into the groundwater table, which can make them less environmentally friendly than unpaved areas. Because of this, permeable landscaping options can be helpful.

Cost: Adding a patio or deck, no matter what size and material you choose, generally will be more expensive than adding plants. A simple approach with less expensive materials will be more cost effective, while a more elaborate design or luxurious materials will increase the costs substantially.

Considerations: Building or adding on to a patio or deck requires time and money, so you’ll want to be sure you plan for what you need and want before you start. Carefully consider how you plan to use the area. Do you want a seating area around a fire pit or outdoor fireplace? An expanded dining area for family and friends? Do you need a larger outdoor cooking space or want a full outdoor kitchen or bar? You’ll also need to decide if the added gathering space is worth losing your current gardening area.

Maintenance: Most patios and decks require some yearly upkeep. It might be as simple as sweeping the space regularly and cleaning off stains as they occur. It might be more involved, such as restaining and restoring a wood deck, removing weeds from between pavers or bricks, or replacing broken stones and tiles.

When to install: Patios and decks can be installed whenever the ground can be worked.

7. Places For Playing

Your lawn may be gone – or at least some of it – but that doesn’t mean that play time has to end. Instead, you now have the option to turn that space into a venue for the games you or your kids really love, such as basketball or netball.

You can start small, with a play area where you can string a net for volleyball or badminton. You also can indulge your passion for a specific game, such as bocce or finska. You could also go big. If you’re dedicated to basketball, you may want to change out the hoop over the garage to a half-court in the yard. Even bigger? Indulge your athletic dreams with a sports court that includes markings for tennis, if space permits.

Tip: Design around the play area so it feels like an integral part of your landscape.

Pros: Having an accessible play space makes it that much more enticing to head outdoors. It’s also a great way to encourage family time and welcome friends. You’ll also know your outdoor space is being put to good use.

Cons: With the exception of a simple play area, the costs will be higher than those for a garden. You’ll need to weigh that against how often you will realistically use the space.

Cost: The low-cost option is to simply leave an area open for playing. From there, the costs increase depending on the type of project, its size and the materials needed. Sports courts are naturally the most expensive options.

Considerations: It’s great to dream about your own sports complex, but it’s best to focus on what you or your family members are likely to use on a regular basis. A playset for the kids or a sandy area for volleyball is fairly inexpensive to install, and the space can be easily reclaimed for a garden. More permanent installations, such as sports courts and pools, require more of a financial commitment and might be a drawback in the future.

Maintenance: Play areas are generally low-maintenance. If you use a soft mulch, you’ll need to replenish it regularly. You’ll also need to keep an eye out for weeds. The surfaces for bocce and volleyball also will need periodic additions. And, if you go all out, permanent courts can last for some time but eventually will need refurbishments, if only restriping lines.

When to install: These can be installed whenever the ground can be worked.

Who To Hire

If you’re planning a landscape overhaul, working with a landscape architect or designer can help enable a successful project. He or she can guide you through any challenges and ensure that your yard will look good and function well. For a more specific project, a gardener may be a good choice. You can also get planting advice from a local nursery. And if you’re planning a pool or water feature, look for a dedicated pool designer near you.

In all cases, check to be sure the people you plan to work with have experience in designing and installing the particular landscape feature you want and check their professional license number or registrations. Ask to see examples of their work and check their references and, if they will be working at your property, be sure they have adequate insurance.

Permits & Regulations

Always check with your local council to ensure that your project falls within its guidelines, especially if you are planning something less straightforward, such as an edible garden in your front yard or a meadow-style look. Many councils require a certain percentage of your outdoor area to be dedicated to plantings and some require a minimum portion of your landscaping to be permeable, so speck to an experienced landscape architect or designer near you to discuss your options.

Here at Hurst Homes we offer complete customised homes that can be as individual as the owner. We guide your through the entire process including your landscape design to ensure you create your dream home. Just another reason why we are considered Wagga’s best builder. With over 30 years in the industry as a Wagga Builder you can trust Hurst Homes with your dream home. For information on our upcoming custom Wagga house & land packages, contact us today on 0438 692 962 or fill out the contact us page on our website.

For more tips and tricks from the Houzz experts visit Houzz.com.au