Artificial Grass vs Pavers or Decking: Which Is Best for Your Backyard?
If you're planning a backyard renovation, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing the right surface materials.
Should you install artificial grass, build a timber deck, lay pavers, or combine all three?
The answer isn't always straightforward. Each material has its own strengths, and the best choice depends on how you plan to use your outdoor space.
For some homeowners, creating a low-maintenance backyard is the priority. Others want a safe place for children to play, a stylish entertaining area, or a modern landscape that complements their home. That's why the most successful outdoor spaces rarely rely on just one material. Instead, they combine different surfaces to create practical, visually balanced spaces that are enjoyable all year round.
In this guide, we'll compare artificial grass, decking and pavers, explain where each one performs best, and help you decide which combination is right for your backyard.
Start with how you want to use your backyard
Before comparing products or materials, take a step back and think about how your outdoor space fits into your lifestyle.
Do you picture children running around barefoot after school? Weekend BBQs with friends? A quiet spot to enjoy your morning coffee? Somewhere your dog can play without bringing mud back inside?
These are the questions that should guide every decision throughout your renovation.
It's easy to focus on individual materials, but the most successful backyard designs begin with the way people live. Once you've identified how you want to use the space, it becomes much easier to decide where artificial grass, decking or paving will work best.
Artificial grass: ideal for everyday living
Artificial grass has become one of the most popular choices for modern backyardsbecause it creates a clean, green outdoor space that can be enjoyed throughout the year with very little ongoing maintenance.
Unlike natural grass, it doesn't need mowing, watering or fertilising, making it particularly appealing for busy families, pet owners and homeowners looking to reduce the time they spend maintaining their backyard.
Artificial grass also provides a softer surface underfoot, making it ideal for children's play areas, family lawns and spaces where people spend time relaxing outdoors.
It's especially effective in areas where natural grass struggles to grow, such as shaded sections, high-traffic spaces or backyards affected by poor drainage and muddy conditions.
Modern artificial grass products have also come a long way in terms of appearance. Premium products now combine multiple shades of green with natural brown thatch fibres, realistic blade shapes and dense construction to create lawns that look remarkably similar to natural grass.
Artificial grass is often the best choice when your priorities include:
Low maintenance
A year-round green lawn
Family-friendly play areas
Reducing mud and mess
Soft landscaping around entertaining spaces
Like any material, it's not designed to do everything. Artificial grass works best when it's used where greenery and comfort are most important rather than trying to replace every hard surface throughout the backyard.
Decking: creating warm outdoor living spaces
If artificial grass is where people play and relax, decking is often where they gather.
Timber decking naturally creates an inviting transition between your home and your backyard, making it one of the most popular choices for outdoor dining, entertaining and lounging.
Raised decks can also help solve sloping sites, define outdoor rooms and create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living.
Natural timber brings warmth, texture and character that complements both contemporary and traditional homes, while composite decking offers a lower-maintenance alternative with many of the same visual benefits.
Decking works particularly well for:
Outdoor dining
BBQ areas
Lounges
Pergolas
Poolside seating
Connecting indoor and outdoor living
It's worth remembering that timber does require some ongoing maintenance depending on the product you choose. Cleaning, staining or oiling may be needed over time, while darker decking can become quite warm during summer.
For this reason, many landscape designers use decking alongside softer materials rather than making it the dominant surface throughout the backyard.
Pavers: practical, durable and timeless
Pavers have been a favourite landscaping material for decades, and for good reason.
They provide a durable, stable surface that's ideal for pathways, patios, driveways and outdoor entertaining areas. Available in a wide range of colours, textures and sizes, pavers can suit everything from modern architectural homes through to classic garden landscapes.
Large-format pavers have become particularly popular in contemporary landscape design, creating clean lines and helping outdoor spaces feel larger and more cohesive.
Pavers are also extremely practical. They handle heavy furniture well, provide solid footing around outdoor dining areas and can cope with frequent foot traffic without wearing down.
They're often the best option for:
Patios
Walkways
Courtyards
BBQ areas
Outdoor kitchens
Pool surrounds
High-traffic spaces
One thing to keep in mind is comfort. While pavers provide a hard-wearing surface, they don't offer the same softness as grass and can become quite warm in direct sunlight during the middle of summer.
That's one of the reasons many homeowners combine them with softer landscaping materials to create a backyard that's both functional and comfortable.
There's rarely one "winner"
Many homeowners begin their renovation expecting to choose between artificial grass, decking or pavers.
In reality, the best backyard designs rarely rely on just one material.
Instead, landscape designers combine different surfaces so each one performs the job it's does best. Artificial grass creates soft, usable lawn areas, decking provides inviting spaces to entertain, and pavers add structure, durability and definition throughout the landscape.
Which material is best for different lifestyles?
Once you stop looking for a single "best" material, the decision becomes much easier. Every backyard is used differently, so the right combination depends on how you live and what matters most to your household.
For families with children
If your backyard is all about creating space for the kids to play, comfort and usability are usually the biggest priorities.
Artificial grass provides a soft, durable surface that can be enjoyed throughout the year without turning into mud after rain or wearing away in high-traffic areas. Pairing this with a deck gives parents somewhere comfortable to sit while keeping an eye on the kids, while paved pathways help connect different parts of the backyard without bringing dirt into the house.
Rather than choosing one surface, many family backyards work best with a combination of all three.
If you're designing a family-friendly outdoor space, our blogs on Artificial Grass vs Natural Grassand How to Choose the Best Artificial Grass for Your Backyard can help you decide which option best suits your lifestyle.
For entertaining
Outdoor entertaining has become one of the biggest drivers behind backyard renovations.
Whether it's hosting summer BBQs, enjoying dinner with friends or creating a quiet place to unwind at the end of the day, most entertaining spaces benefit from using multiple materials.
Decking naturally creates an extension of the home and works beautifully for dining tables, lounges and pergolas. Pavers are ideal beneath outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens and BBQ areas where a stable surface is important, while artificial grass softens the overall design and creates a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Rather than feeling like separate spaces, these materials work together to create a backyard that's functional during the day and equally inviting at night.
For pet owners
Dogs can be tough on traditional lawns.
Running, digging and repeatedly following the same paths often leave natural grass patchy and muddy, particularly through winter.
Artificial grass has become a popular choice for pet owners because it provides a durable surface that's easier to clean and doesn't require ongoing lawn repairs. Combining artificial grass with paved pathways and entertaining areas also helps reduce the amount of mud and dirt brought back inside.
If pets are a big consideration, you might also find our guides on Dog-Friendly Backyard Ideasand How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell helpful.
For low-maintenance living
For many homeowners, the biggest goal isn't creating the most impressive backyard.
It's creating one that's easy to enjoy.
Artificial grass removes many of the ongoing jobs associated with natural lawns, while decking and paving can significantly reduce the amount of mowing, edging and garden maintenance required.
When thoughtfully designed, these materials create an outdoor space that's ready to enjoy with very little ongoing effort, leaving you more time to relax and less time maintaining your backyard.
Why the best backyards combine all three
One of the biggest trends in landscape architecture is moving away from single-material designs.
Instead of choosing between artificial grass, decking or paving, designers are combining each material where it performs best.
Imagine stepping out from your home onto a warm timber deck where family and friends gather around the outdoor dining table. A few steps away, large-format pavers guide you through the garden, connecting different spaces while providing practical walkways. Beyond that, a lush green lawn creates somewhere for children to play, dogs to run and everyone to relax.
Each surface serves a different purpose, but together they create a backyard that feels balanced, inviting and effortless to use.
This layered approach also helps outdoor spaces feel more natural. The warmth of timber contrasts beautifully with the clean lines of paving, while greenery softens the harder surfaces and introduces colour throughout the year.
It's one of the reasons many contemporary landscapes feel so timeless. Rather than relying on a single material, they create interest through texture, contrast and thoughtful design.
Three popular backyard combinations
The family backyard
A large artificial lawn provides plenty of room for children and pets, while a deck directly outside the house creates an easy transition for outdoor dining. Paved pathways connect the different areas, making the backyard practical during every season.
The entertainer's backyard
Timber decking becomes the focal point, complete with outdoor furniture, a BBQ and comfortable seating. Artificial grass softens the surrounding landscape, while pavers create durable spaces beneath the dining table and outdoor kitchen.
The low-maintenance backyard
Artificial grass forms the main surface, complemented by generous paved entertaining areas and simple planting around the perimeter. The result is a clean, modern outdoor space that's easy to maintain without sacrificing visual appeal.
Common mistakes homeowners make
One of the biggest mistakes is trying to choose a single material for the entire backyard.
Every material has strengths, but each also performs better in certain situations.
Another common mistake is focusing only on appearance. While inspiration photos are a great starting point, it's just as important to think about comfort, maintenance, drainage and how you'll actually use the space throughout the year.
Finally, many homeowners underestimate the value of planning. A well-designed backyard doesn't happen because someone chose beautiful paving or premium artificial grass. It happens because every element has been considered together from the beginning.
So, which one should you choose?
The answer depends less on the material and more on your lifestyle.
If you're looking for a soft, family-friendly lawn that's easy to maintain, artificial grass is often the best solution.
If entertaining is your priority, decking creates warm, inviting outdoor living spaces that naturally connect with the home.
If durability and structure are most important, paving provides a practical foundation for patios, pathways and outdoor entertaining areas.
For most homeowners, however, the answer isn't choosing one over another. It's finding the right balance between all three.
The best backyard is one that's designed around you
There's no universal formula for creating the perfect backyard.
Every home is different. Every family is different. Every outdoor space has its own opportunities and challenges.
The most successful backyard renovations start by understanding how you want to live, then selecting materials that support that lifestyle rather than simply following trends.
Whether you're planning a complete renovation or upgrading one part of your backyard, combining artificial grass, decking and paving can help create an outdoor space that's practical, beautiful and enjoyable throughout the year.
If you're not sure where to start, our team can help you explore different ideas, compare materials and recommend a solution that's tailored to your home.
Ready to create your perfect backyard?
Whether you're replacing a tired lawn, building a new entertaining area or planning a complete backyard renovation, we're here to help. From choosing the right artificial grass to designing an outdoor space that complements your home, our team can guide you through every stage of the process.
FAQs
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The upfront cost depends on the size of your project, the materials you choose and the amount of preparation required. While artificial grass can have a higher initial installation cost than some natural lawn options, it often requires far less ongoing maintenance. Decking and paving also vary significantly depending on the product and design. The best choice is usually the one that suits your lifestyle, budget and long-term plans for your backyard.
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Absolutely. In fact, many modern backyard designs combine all three materials. Artificial grass creates soft, green spaces for relaxing and playing, decking works well for entertaining and outdoor dining, while pavers provide durable surfaces for patios, pathways and BBQ areas. Using a combination often creates a more functional and visually balanced outdoor space.
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For most families, a combination of surfaces works best. Artificial grass provides a soft, low-maintenance area for children to play, while decking and paving create practical spaces for entertaining, outdoor furniture and everyday living. The right mix depends on how your family uses the space.
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Artificial grass, quality paving and composite decking are all considered low-maintenance options. Artificial grass eliminates mowing and watering, paving is easy to clean and highly durable, while composite decking requires less upkeep than traditional timber. Combining these materials can significantly reduce the amount of ongoing backyard maintenance.
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Not necessarily. While artificial grass works well as a lawn replacement, many of the most successful backyard designs use it alongside decking, paving and planting. This creates distinct areas for relaxing, entertaining and everyday living while achieving a more natural, high-end finish.