940-365-9165
Get A Quote

9 SMALL BACKYARD IDEAS USING ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Aug 31, 2025 | Artificial Grass

Limited backyard space? That can be an issue for homeowners, especially in big cities, but don’t let that stop you from getting creative!

The best small backyard ideas optimize the use of space with smart landscaping, allowing families to enjoy the benefits of a yard without the added work.

Artificial grass comes into its own for homeowners seeking low-maintenance spaces that are soft underfoot and add color to the yard without needing water. Practical, eye-catching solutions can deliver versatile, green spaces all year round despite the limited space.

Let’s look at some of the best small backyard ideas using artificial grass…

Why Artificial Grass is Perfect for Small Backyards

Small backyard ideas featuring artificial grass, a cozy seating area with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit, surrounded by potted plants, wooden fencing, and string lights at sunset.

Designing a yard can be challenging when you have little space to work with but that’s no reason to concede defeat! With a few smart, low-maintenance landscaping choices, you can make every square foot count without adding to your workload.

Premium artificial grass is perfect for small backyards, adding both year-round beauty and functionality:

  • Instant greenery that looks like the real thing and is soft underfoot
  • No watering, mowing, fertilizing, re-seeding, aerating or weedkilling
  • Allows year-round usage without mud, bald patches or grass stains
  • Pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and sun-friendly
  • Durable enough to withstand high foot traffic
  • Works in shaded yards as well as full sunlight
  • Can be cut to any shape within small backyards

GET A FREE ARTIFICIAL GRASS ESTIMATE 

The experienced team at DFW Turf Solutions installs premium, low-maintenance artificial grass in backyards. Get a free estimate here.

9 Creative Small Backyard Ideas With Artificial Grass

Here are nine of the best ways to get creative in your backyard using artificial grass…

1. Design a Small Play Area for Your Kids or Pets

Artificial grass is easy to clean and maintain, even if you have kids or dogs.

Professionally installed artificial grass play areas are safe, toxin-free, and low-maintenance for kids or pets. Small kids’ play areas typically feature a cushioned layer beneath the grass for extra shock absorption:

Children’s backyard play area with artificial grass, featuring a colorful slide, swings, sandbox, balls, and toy picnic table.

In case you were wondering, dogs can pee on artificial grass. Pet turf is regularly used in dog parks and pet hotels, so it works well for a small backyard dog run. Professional installations ensure the right drainage preparations and antimicrobial infill to prevent unwanted odors.

Small enclosed backyard area with artificial grass, wooden fencing, and a playful dog running freely.

2. Create a Sitting Area or Small Patio/decking Area

Not much space? You can still have a sitting area using lounge chairs on an artificial grass lawn or on a small, bricked area of the yard with synthetic turf extending beyond it.

Cozy backyard sitting area with two cushioned chairs, a wooden table, string lights, and artificial grass surrounded by plants.

If you have a little more space available, a small concrete patio or raised wooden decking area combined with artificial grass will provide a cozy, low-maintenance haven for the family to relax or guests to enjoy the breeze:

Compact patio space with a small round table, two chairs, artificial grass, and neatly trimmed green shrubs against a gray wooden fence.

3. Install a Firepit

A backyard firepit is perfect for those winter evenings that can get chilly in northern Texas. A small firepit can be set on flagstones or bricks, with an artificial grass area leading away from it.

Cozy backyard patio with Adirondack chairs around a lit firepit, a rustic round coffee table with snacks and mugs, artificial grass lawn, and colorful flower borders.

Here’s another good example of a firepit for a small backyard:

Modern backyard setup with gray Adirondack chairs surrounding a lit stone firepit, string lights overhead, artificial grass lawn, and dark wooden privacy fence.

4. Make a Vertical Garden With Artificial Grass Flooring

Can’t go horizontal? Go vertical!

Vertical gardens are ideal for areas that are pushed for space. You can combine the best of both worlds and get all-round greenery with real garden plants on a wall or trellis with artificial grass below.

Vibrant vertical garden wall with colorful plants and succulents, surrounded by potted cacti and a small artificial grass area with a wooden bench.

Here’s another example using hanging plants above a small artificial turf lawn:

Lush vertical garden with colorful flowers and succulents on a wooden fence wall, beside a small wooden bench and potted cactus on artificial grass.

5. Pair Artificial Grass With Pavers 

Stone or concrete pavers work superbly with artificial grass, providing a stylish contrast between the verdant grass-like turf and the neutral colors of the pavers. This works equally well for walkways and paths in tight spaces as in larger, more expansive examples:

Straight path made of rectangular white pavers set in green artificial grass, bordered by a black fence and a red brick wall, with a raised flower bed at the end.

For a bolder design, try a checkerboard lawn that features squares of artificial grass alternated with squares of pavers, like this:

Checkerboard-style patio with alternating square tiles of artificial grass and white pavers, surrounded by gray gravel and wooden fence, with potted plants and a modern bench.

6. Design a Compact Putting Green

Fancy practicing golf every weekend or evening without leaving home? Why not design a compact one- or two-hole putting green for your backyard to fit the available space?

Backyard putting green with artificial grass, golf holes with flags, and surrounding flowers and trees.

A small artificial grass backyard putting green adds low-maintenance greenery, practicality, and sporting interest for homeowners who love golf. Just be sure to use the right type of artificial grass with a shorter pile and strong fibres.

Artificial putting green in backyard with checkered flags, golf balls, curved edges, and surrounding natural landscaping.

7. Install an Artificial Grass Backdrop

Another great idea, if space is an issue but you still want to add low-maintenance greenery to your backyard, is an artificial grass backdrop or wall.

Modern patio with tiled flooring, potted succulents, a striped cushion chair, and artificial grass wall for privacy and greenery.

This is similar to a vertical garden but requires no watering or other maintenance once installed. You can add pavers, brickwork or gravel at the foot of the wall.

Cozy patio corner with a small wooden bistro set, potted cacti, gravel flooring, and an artificial grass wall with hanging lights.

8. Create a Rooftop or Balcony Oasis

Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some outdoor space too. Synthetic grass is ideal for rooftop areas or apartment balconies…

Rooftop patio with artificial grass, potted plants, string lights, and a lounge chair overlooking a city skyline at sunset.

The turf adds a dash of greenery to even the tightest spaces and looks great with a potted plant or two for natural garden appeal:

Balcony corner with artificial grass, colorful potted plants, and hanging ivy near a black wrought-iron railing.

9. Install Artificial Grass on Angles and Side Yards 

Some yards are just awkwardly shaped with little space to do anything. You could install artificial grass in the small angles of your yard to add greenery:

Backyard with triangular artificial grass, modern patio seating, and border landscaping along wood fencing.

Also, some homes feature a side yard that adds to the overall yard space. It can be difficult to know what to do with these spaces, especially if they receive little sunlight. Why not run artificial grass there?

Narrow side yard with artificial grass, flower pots lining the fence, and a paved walkway beside a brick house.

How Can You Make a Small Backyard Appear Bigger?

Being pushed for yard space is a problem shared by many homeowners. Thankfully, creative minds and technology have provided some ways to make the available space appear less restrictive.

Here are some ways to make your yard appear “bigger”:

  • Use light furniture (like rattan chairs) that can be moved inside and multi-functional pieces that double up with other practical uses, e.g., an ottoman that doubles as a footrest and extra storage for outdoor tools.
  • Incorporate mirrors or reflective surfaces to make the space appear bigger—but be careful if artificial grass is installed, as intense sunlight reflections can burn it!
  • Remove clutter and educate the family on how to maintain the small yard space and keep it tidy.
  • Use a cohesive color palette with greenery and neutral colors contrasting.
  • Use tall plants to create zones in your small garden.
Compact backyard with artificial grass, cozy wicker chairs, a multi-purpose ottoman table, and potted plants along a wooden fence.

Maintenance Tips for Artificial Grass in Small Spaces

As you should know by now, artificial grass requires very little maintenance compared to real grass. However, it’s not quite “set and forget”.

After your backyard synthetic turf has been professionally installed, you can keep it looking the part and ensure that it lasts for up to 15 or 20 years with occasional attention to the following:

  • Cross-brushing to keep blades upright.
  • Removal of debris, especially after storms or high winds.
  • Occasional rinsing to remove dust or mess.
  • Checking edges and seams for neatness and no lifting.

A little more maintenance will be required if you have pets using the space.

Artificial grass being professionally cleaned with a power broom in a fenced backyard — ideal for maintaining lush turf in small outdoor spaces.

FAQs

Artificial grass is more expensive to install than real grass but the lack of maintenance required means that the higher upfront costs are paid back over time—usually within five or six years.

Artificial grass can save money every month due to lower maintenance costs. Depending on the size of your space, you can save $1,000 or more every year. For smaller backyards, the savings would be lower but so would the installation costs of the turf. By most reasonable calculations, artificial grass is worth the cost of installation if you are looking for low-maintenance, year-round greenery.

There are pros and cons of artificial turf from an environmental perspective. Most arguments about synthetic grass being bad for the environment result from the challenges of recycling it. On the flip side, turf requires no water or chemicals to maintain it, and the premium grass we supply at DFW Turf is non-toxic, lead-free, and PFAS-free.

Charming small garden with artificial grass, a bistro set on a circular stone patio, string lights above, and vibrant potted flowers creating a cozy, romantic retreat.

Make the Most of Your Yard Space…

Artificial grass is versatile enough to suit a range of small backyard ideas. The limited space may be a challenge but you shouldn’t have to make too many sacrifices if you’re smart with your design choices, like those outlined above.

Speak to our experienced team of turf professionals to discuss your artificial turf options for a small yard. We’ve helped homeowners enjoy low-maintenance, landscaped yard areas for well over a decade…

Related Posts