Across Britain, the trend of replacing natural gardens with artificial lawns or paving is sparking a quiet revolution. Homeowners are increasingly opting for synthetic alternatives, and Gareth Davies, 50, stands firmly in support of this shift. His own garden transformation serves as a testament to the benefits he sees.

Residing in London with his partner, Gareth operates The Presenter Studio, a business aimed at coaching presenters. He moved into his semi-detached Victorian home 18 years ago, and from the outset, the back garden was a challenge. The initial state of the garden was chaotic, prompting Gareth and his partner to invest heavily in clearing and redesigning the space. They planted trees, installed fences, and laid down a traditional lawn, hoping to create a serene outdoor retreat.

However, Gareth’s efforts with natural grass proved disappointing. “The natural lawn we got was like a mud bath in winter,” he revealed to the Daily Mail. Repeated attempts to repair the turf yielded little success, leaving the couple frustrated and searching for a more sustainable solution.

The turning point came two years after they welcomed their dog, Logan, into the family. The wear and tear from their pet compounded the garden’s issues, prompting them to consider a more drastic makeover. This need for a durable and low-maintenance option led them to embrace an artificial lawn, which Gareth now celebrates as a practical and pleasing choice.

‘The natural lawn we got was like a mud bath in winter. We kept getting new turf to try and patch up the problems, but it didn’t work’, Gareth told the Daily Mail.  

Two years after getting a dog, Logan, the couple decided they needed to radically rethink their lawn. 

‘A poorly fitted or obviously synthetic lawn can detract from value, as buyers may factor in the cost of replacement,’ he says.

Harris-Cohen adds that what buyers are drawn to depends on location and demographics.

‘City buyers often prefer low-maintenance, structured outdoor spaces, whereas rural or family buyers tend to value greenery and space,’ he says.

There are different artificial lawns available to suit all price points and the cost depends on factors such as the size of the lawn and where you are located.

Quality is also key, with different plastics, stitch rates, backing materials and manufacturing origin all playing a part.

Higher-quality artificial grass is made with more resilient materials and has a denser stitch rate, resulting in better durability and a more realistic look.

The average cost of premium artificial grass ranges from £45 to £80 per sq metre, according to Checkatrade. Typical labour costs for installation also total between £300 to £600 per day, and larger gardens can take three days or more to complete.

Experts recommend home-owners keen to replace natural grass with artificial lawn should go for the best budget option if planning to sell the property.

Liam Gretton, owner of Liam Gretton Bespoke Estate Wirral, says: ‘If it looks obviously fake, lacks proper drainage or feels harsh underfoot, it can drag down kerb appeal. If you’re going to install artificial grass, invest in quality and keep it looking as natural as possible. Blend it with real planting or borders so the space still feels alive.’

Pet owners will also need to rinse the lawn thoroughly to prevent odours from becoming a problem. 

Experts say you should spot-clean daily, rinse weekly and deep-clean monthly. Dr Mark Gush, head of environmental horticulture at the RHS, says home-owners should consider how their decision will affect wildlife in their garden.

‘That 0.15 per cent of all of Britain’s cultivated garden space being artificial grass means millions of square metres of soil, lawn and

flower beds being replaced by plastic composites that contribute to carbon emissions and exacerbate flooding.’

Paving over gardens is urged against by the RHS, too, due to concerns it reduces space for wildlife and exacerbates flooding problems. 

‘There are water-wise alternatives to swathes of impermeable concrete, bricks and paving slabs that ensure rain is still captured in the soil and lower flood risk,’ says Gush.

However, for some home-owners, an artificial lawn helps them get more use and enjoyment out of their garden.

I’m a nanny – artificial lawns are great for kids

Kathryn Lord, 38, a self-employed nanny and owner of More to Organising, thinks artificial lawns are excellent for children. 

She told the Daily Mail that many of her clients had replaced their natural lawns with artificial ones. 

Kathryn, who lives in Kew with her boyfriend, said: ‘The reason I think artificial lawn is brilliant is because it means the garden can be enjoyed all year round. I can play football or netball with the children late into the evening. 

‘The children are able to use the garden as an extra playroom and we make dens outside or do gymnastics.’

Kathryn takes her young clients outdoors into nature for picnics and nature hunts, but believes that when the weather is grim, ‘artificial grass does work best.’

We paved over our garden after it was damaged 

Megan Lomax, 56, lives in London with her husband, Guy Eaton, 59, and their two children. The couple purchased their Victorian terraced house in 1998 and run a business called Rubbastuff together. 

In 2021, a car drove into the couple’s wall, pillar and railings in their front garden. 

Megan said: ‘After all the damage, we started thinking about how we wanted to use the front garden. We decided to replace the whole thing with paving, aside from a couple of flower beds around the edge. We also fitted some bike hoops.

‘With a bike each and teenagers often visiting by bike, we decided paving would be a sensible option.’

Megan used reclaimed Ham stone which, though not the cheapest option, was in-keeping with the house. The paving cost around £6,000, while getting the wall, pillar and railings fixed cost £12,000. 

‘I used to be so proud of my front garden. It was full of flowers, but a lot of work. Now a car can be parked in the space’, Megan told the Daily Mail. 

She added: ‘A parking permit costs between £61 and 214 a month where we live and then there’s a diesel surcharge of £57 a year. Insurance is also expensive without off-street parking.’ 

Having paved over her front garden, Megan is contemplating what to do with the garden at the back of her house. 

She said: ‘I would prefer not to pave the back garden, but we have persevered with grass for many years and it’s just not working. If we did pave over the back garden, we would make sure we included some flower beds.’

We don’t have to worry about cutting the grass

Sharan Sammi, 44, and Gursh Sammi, 47, live near Wolverhampton with their two children. 

The couple purchased their semi-detached house in 2017 and used to have a ‘beautiful’ landscaped show home garden. 

After living in the property for a while, the couple decided they wanted something more low maintenance. 

The couple told the Daily Mail: ‘We love it because it’s low maintenance, the kids can go out all year round, there’s no cleaning up and our hay fever is better. Yes, natural grass can be nice, but having an artificial lawn saves us so much time and is hassle-free. We don’t have to worry about the kids getting messy from any soil when they are playing.’ 

What’s happening to Britain’s gardens? 

The State of Gardening report published by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) last month unveiled a host of facts and figures about Britain’s gardens. 

Working with Gentian, RHS became the first to use artificial intelligence to map Britain’s growing spaces 

It revealed that 0.15 per cent of domestic gardens in Britain comprise artificial lawn, equating to around 7.5million square metres.   

The average artificial grass installation cost is between £300 to £600 per day, according to Checkatrade.

Researchers at the RHS also discovered that 42 per cent of domestic garden space is paved over, equating to 55 per cent of front gardens and 36 per cent of back gardens. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mark Gush, head of environmental horticulture at the RHS, said: ‘The paving over of the UK’s gardens and use of plastic artificial grass not only has an immediate negative impact on people, ecology and wildlife but stands to exacerbate the impact of climate change over the coming years.’

He added: ‘That 0.15 per cent of all of Britain’s cultivated garden space is artificial grass is far from good news. 

‘This still equates to 18million sq m of soil, lawn and flower beds being replaced by plastic composites. 

‘The RHS recommends avoiding its use in gardens altogether as it is known to destroy the natural habitat of wildlife and organisms that live in the soil, contribute to carbon emissions and the urban heat island effect and exacerbate flooding. 

‘Where a traditional lawn might not be desired drought tolerant low-spreading perennials such as clover, or meadow plantings for reduced mowing green cover are a great alternatives.’

The RHS has also warned against paving over gardens amid concerns paving reduces space for nature and wildlife and exacerbates flooding problems as water has nowhere to go. 

Gish, of the RHS, said: ‘We understand that paving can often serve a practical purpose – after all who doesn’t want somewhere to sit and enjoy the fruits of their labour in the garden, or have a place to park a vehicle. 

‘However, there are waterwise alternatives to swathes of impermeable concrete, brick and paving slabs, that can ensure rain is captured in the soil – your biggest water butt – and prevent reduce run off and flood risk. 

‘Porous hard surfacing such as gravel, and interlocking pre-cast permeable paving allow for water’s to percolate into the soil. 

‘Using it only where absolutely necessary such as where car tyres might be parked means more room for the plants that wildlife and us so depend on and all the benefits they provide.’

He added: ‘While we’re likely to see more front gardens given over to parking spaces for the practicality of electric car charging there are some also other ingenious solutions to ensure your gardens these spaces aren’t devoid of life. 

‘The planting of small trees and climbers tied to small pagodas ensure these spaces remain a destination for wildlife and serve the added benefit of keeping your car the space cool during hotter months and frost-free during winter.’ 

Can artificial grass affect a property’s value?

Artificial grass is being used more frequently for residential lawns. However, as well as factoring in its environmental impact, homeowners should consider the potential knock-on effect on their property’s value.

Marc von Grundherr, a director at Benham and Reeves, told the Daily Mail: ‘Artificial lawns tend to divide opinion, but when it comes to property value, they generally do more harm than good.’

He added: ‘Across the mainstream market, a well-installed fake lawn might appeal to time-poor owners or landlords who want to minimise maintenance, but for most buyers, particularly those with an eco-conscious mindset, the preference remains firmly for natural grass.

‘In higher-value markets, authenticity is also key and buyers in affluent areas will often see artificial grass as a downgrade rather than a luxury feature, and that perception can translate directly into price.’

von Grundherr said a home with artificial grass was likely to sell for around 5.3 per cent less than comparable properties with a natural lawn. Based on current house prices, this equates to a reduction of around £14,500 off the average home’s value, or close to £30,000 in London.

The property expert said: ‘While artificial grass can last seven to ten years if properly installed, it can also trap moisture, harbour bacteria, and struggle with drainage, making it less practical than it might first appear. There’s also the loss of biodiversity and the simple fact that it doesn’t offer the same sensory appeal, from the smell of freshly cut grass to the cooling effect of a real lawn in summer.

‘That said, there are specific buyer groups who find value in it. Landlords, for example, often like the low maintenance, and some families appreciate the clean, safe play surface it provides for children. 

But among younger professionals and eco-conscious buyers, artificial lawns are generally viewed as synthetic and unsustainable, which can ultimately be a deterrent.

‘While fake grass might save time in the short term, a natural garden tends to deliver the strongest long-term value and widest buyer appeal.’

There are different artificial lawns available to suit all price points. The price of the fake grass will depend on factors such as its quality, the size of the lawn and where you are located. 

For homeowners keen to replace natural grass with artificial lawn, go for the best you can afford, particularly if you plan to put your property up for sale in the future. 

The average cost of premium artificial grass ranges from £45 to £80 per m2, according to Checkatrade. 

Jason Harris-Cohen, managing director of Open Property Group, told the Daily Mail he thinks a sub-standard artificial lawn can reduce a property’s value by up to 5 per cent.

He said: ‘From an add-value perspective, fake grass doesn’t necessarily add value, but it can aid saleability if well-installed and suits the lifestyle of the target market.

‘Conversely, a poorly fitted or obviously synthetic lawn can detract from value, as buyers may factor in the cost of replacement.

‘The same applies to paved driveways or fully paved gardens, they can boost practicality and parking potential, but in my opinion they reduce visual appeal.

‘Striking a balance often gives the best outcome: a mix of hard landscaping and natural planting to achieve both low maintenance and optimum visual appeal.’

He added: ‘Ultimately, what buyers are drawn to depends on location and demographics. City buyers often prefer low-maintenance, structured outdoor spaces, whereas rural or family buyers tend to value greenery and space.’

Liam Gretton, owner of Liam Gretton Bespoke Estate Agent on Wirral Peninsula, said: ‘If it looks obviously fake, lacks proper drainage, or feels harsh underfoot, it can actually drag down kerb appeal’

He added: ‘If you’re going to install artificial grass, invest in quality and keep it looking as natural as possible. Blend it with real planting or borders so the space still feels alive.’

• What garden or household features have you used to add value to your home? Email jane.denton@dailymail.co.uk