Lawns that consist of grass alone require constant upkeep.  When the weather is inconsistent, too much rain or too little rain can also damage large portions of the yard, rendering it unsightly.  Lawn alternatives give the discriminating Houston landscaping client a much better path to follow.  They ornament the yard with more interesting elements that not only look better from an aesthetic perspective, but that also play important roles in the outdoor living experience.

Gravel beds are highly ornamental lawn alternatives the work with many different styles of landscaping.  The natural composition of gravel makes it work with any traditional style that would look enhanced by the presence of stone.  White, black, and gray gravel beds also work very well in contemporary designs because black and white convey a sense of absolutes, whereas gray suggests the abstract blending of the two.

Walkways are essential to professional landscape design because they motivate people to visit the many elements that we build in your yard.  They can also be highly aesthetic lawn alternatives that compliment the architecture of your home.  Walkways built of brick help tie a brick home in with natural elements in the yard.  Walkways of stone lend formality to their environment.  Concrete walkways are great for contemporary landscapes.

Another lawn alternative is to build a series of patios in both the front and back yard.  Smaller patios can be places where you and your spouse sit to read the morning paper by a custom fountain.  Larger patios can be for open air gatherings for large groups of guests.  Courtyard patios can be for secluded conversations with special guests and close family members.  Patio design by Exterior Worlds always blends the functional with the aesthetic.  Areas covered by patios are of course not covered by grass, so this is one of the best ways to minimize the amount of mowing and weeding you have to do in your yard with a landscape element that creates a truly livable outdoor environment.

One of the most problematic areas for people to mow and weed seems to be the area right around the house.  A great lawn alternative for this area is a deck that extends outward from the edge of the house into the yard.  Decks vary in size and work with the home architecture to extend its aesthetic into the natural realm.  A deck is also one of the most practical landscape elements you can invest in.  You can tan, read, cook, hold a birthday party, or enjoy drinks while you watch the sunset—all from the comfort of your Exterior Worlds deck.

If you have a soggy area of your yard that is always wet and always overgrown with grass and weeds, the best lawn alternative to use in this spot is a rock garden.  Rocks and small plants will add a new, very natural landscape element to a previously unsightly part of your property.  The plants will have plenty of moisture, but he rocks will prevent the tall grasses and weeds from growing in the mush.  More importantly, the rocks will create better drainage and literally plug the catch basin that retains water and offers mosquitoes a place to breed.

If you really love nature and want to add a touch of wilderness to your landscape design, have Exterior Worlds build you a habitat garden in the back of your yard.  A habitat garden uses wild plants and flowers to create the equivalent of a small meadow between the trees.  Here, butterflies and small animals can find food and shelter, especially if you add a small natural pond to your garden.  To keep the garden looking neat, it will require professional maintenance.  However, this is something we do for you.  It does not require any mowing or weeding the way a typical lawn does.

If you live on a large Houston estate and posses a very large back yard, one very unique lawn alternative you can add is a labyrinth.  Labyrinths are very common in the formal estates of the European elite.  If your River Oaks or Memorial Home emulates the architecture of the Old World can benefit from such an elaborate Old World landscape element, we can certainly build you one that will soon be the center of attention of everyone who attends your summer events.