10 Cheap Backyard Ideas: No Grass Backyard Landscaping Options

It’s no secret that the best parts of summer are barbecues, swimming pools, and patio drinks. But there's another thing we love about this season: how easy it is to transform your backyard with a few inexpensive materials.

You don't need a big budget or an expensive landscape company to create your dream space; all you need is some imagination, a little bit of greenery, and maybe a few extra hours on weekends.

And if you're looking for ideas for cheap backyard landscaping options that won't break the bank, here are 10 of my favorites:

1. Use artificial grass.

One of the best grass backyard ideas to save time and money is artificial grass. There are many benefits to using fake grass/artificial turf, including:

• It looks great

• It's easy to maintain

• It doesn't attract insects like a traditional lawn

• It's pet friendly

• Won't need to mow down grass

What's more, you don't have to worry about it growing in all directions or getting clumps of mud stuck in your lawnmower!

You won't be spending any extra time cutting down weeds or watering your yard either.

If you're looking for a new way of making your backyard look great without having to put too much effort into it, then artificial grass may be just what you need to have a green lawn with no effort!

2. Lay flat rocks in an interesting design.

Rock walls and rock gardens can be beautiful additions to any backyard, and they're also some of the most affordable ways to transform your yard into a garden oasis.

You don't have to be an expert stonemason to create a rock wall either. All it takes are some rocks, some mortar, and a little patience.

You can use flat, rounded, or natural stones of various shapes, sizes, and colors for this project—just make sure they're all level with each other (so no gaps).

If you want your garden wall to have an even more polished look, try using polished rocks that have been wire brushed or tumbled until smooth.

3. Work with what you have.

If you don’t have a large backyard, you can still make the most of your outdoor space.

You can try adding an outdoor kitchen with a grill and some seating. There are lots of portable grills that are easy to set up, but if you want something more permanent, consider building a custom deck or patio for your grill.

If you have a big enough yard, consider adding fire pits. This is great for roasting marshmallows or just hanging out with friends and family when the weather is nice.

You can also incorporate your personal style by creating an outdoor living space or adding a simple water feature.

Another great option is adding a play area for your kids or small pets. It might be a time-consuming idea, but it'll be all worth it in the end.

4. Install concrete slabs and patio pavers.

Concrete slabs are the easiest to install, durable, fireproof, and can be decorated with paint or tiles. They can also be used for patios and pathways.

Concrete is often thought of as an industrial material but it works really well in the backyard due to its durability.

If you're looking for a natural look that will last then concrete might be your best bet!

Patio pavers are another popular choice for patios. They're easy to install and can be used in any space that has concrete.

The advantage of using pavers is that you can create an interesting pattern or design that will add character to your patio.

5. Add a fire pit to your backyard.

One of the best ways to get your family together is with a fire pit. The open flame can be used for cooking, or just to warm your soul and make it feel like summer all year round. Plus, you can use it in any season!

If it’s cold outside, sit around the fire pit and roast marshmallows or hotdogs.

If it’s too hot outside and you want to cool down a bit, light up some citronella candles around the perimeter so that no one has to worry about bugs ruining their evening.

We love this idea because it provides endless entertainment—it's great for roasting food or enjoying nature. It also borders on being eco-friendly which makes us feel all warm inside.

6. Add gravel and natural stone to your backyard landscaping ideas.

Gravel is a great addition to any backyard. Not only does it add texture and interest, but it’s also cheap and easy to use in many different applications.

If you have a patio or walkway that leads up to your back door, gravel makes an excellent base material for those areas. It is available in a variety of colors and textures (like crushed rock or river rock) so you can choose something that will blend with your existing landscaping style.

The best thing about using gravel as the base for your patio or walkway is that it will prevent weed and moss growth between cracks in the concrete or brick pavers over time—you won’t have to worry about grass growing between them!

7. Create a low-maintenance backyard with pea gravel.

Pea gravel is a great choice for a low-maintenance backyard. It can be installed easily, cleaned up quickly, and doesn't require much maintenance at all.

Pea gravel comes in different textures, sizes, and colors, so you can find exactly what you're looking for. You can even get pea gravel that looks like real grass!

And best of all: it's inexpensive! Home improvement stores have pea gravel available by the bag or truckload, making it easy to get a ton of coverage without breaking the bank.

8. Sow colorful flowers in your backyard garden.

Perhaps the most obvious way to add a splash of color to your yard is to have some flower beds. You can choose whatever type or types of flowers you want, but it's important to keep one thing in mind: you want them to grow fast and be low-maintenance!

Otherwise, this might turn into a project that takes forever and ends up costing you more money than intended.

If you’re planning on building something other than an elaborate flower bed, then consider choosing plants that require minimal upkeep.

The two main things we recommend looking out for are soil drainage and sunlight levels – if these aren't correct for specific types of plants (e.g., cacti), then they're likely going to die quickly or not grow at all regardless of how much water/nutrition is given.

Conversely, if there isn't enough drainage then roots could rot from standing water which could cause those same problems above too - so it's important when choosing what goes where depending on whether there's grass underneath!

It may seem obvious at first glance but sometimes people forget about these things until later when everything starts dying off because they didn't take care beforehand.

9. Plant ground covers that grow fast to fill in spaces.

Grass is not the only option for your backyard. If you have a small space, or if you're not interested in spending time watering and mowing grass every week, there are other options that can still keep your property looking green and lush.

Ground covers are low-maintenance shrubs and trees that grow in a variety of conditions and thrive on neglect.

They fill in bare spots quickly and easily, making them an ideal choice for those just starting out with their own backyards, or who don't have the time to devote to more extensive landscaping projects.

Ground covers can be planted in the spring or summer (or both), but many ground covers are available as late-season perennials as well.

These may need some protection from cold weather before they can grow again next spring but will still give you a head start on winter color!

10. Lay out traditional bricks for a patio area and walkways.

If you're looking to make your backyard more traditional, it's time to lay out some red bricks. Everyone loves the look of an old-fashioned brick patio, and it's so easy to create!

Bricks are durable and long-lasting, which means they won't need replacing as often as other materials would.

Plus, they're easy on the eyes—the best part about laying bricks is that you can do whatever kind of pattern or design you'd like with them. The sky really is the limit when it comes to laying out a traditional brick patio area in your backyard!

If your neighbors aren't into having traditional backyards like this one, then maybe they'll appreciate a modern twist on their traditional yard design: instead of laying down regular red bricks for a patio area and walkways around their house(s), these homeowners used recycled terracotta tiles instead!

These tiles are easier than normal red ones because each piece has been broken off from larger pieces before being installed into place; no more measuring is needed at all!

It also helps reduce waste by using every last bit out there instead of just throwing away unused pieces after breaking them down.

It's Not Just About Grass!

Sometimes, you just want to throw grass seed on big patches of dirt and pretend like you have a backyard.

But what if we told you there are other options that are even cheaper than the cost of grass seed? You'd be amazed!

We hope that our list of cheap backyard ideas will help you create a beautiful and relaxing outdoor space. No matter what your budget is, there are plenty of ways to make your backyard look amazing without breaking the bank!

Finally, don't hesitate to contact ShrubHub's landscaping experts for your next yard renovation project! You can get a 70% discount on your orders and elaborate plant expert advice on how to create a fun and colorful garden.

ShrubHub.com