Every home has outdoor areas worth using: those awkward patches that seem to have no real purpose. The narrow strip beside the house. The bare corner behind the garage. The neglected courtyard. The slope where nothing much grows. It’s outdoor space, technically – but nobody actually uses it.

With a little imagination (and some artificial grass), these forgotten areas can become so much more useful.

The side passage

Often little more than a route from front to back, a side passage can become a neat, inviting walkway with artificial grass adding a softer, greener feel. Add planters, potted plants or discreet lighting and suddenly it feels designed rather than leftover.

The unused courtyard

A small courtyard doesn’t need a huge lawn to become an outdoor retreat. Artificial grass can introduce a splash of green without the maintenance demands of natural turf, creating an ideal spot for morning coffee, or catching a read.

The entertainment corner

If you have an underused section of the garden, turn it into a dedicated outdoor entertaining area. Combine paving or decking with artificial grass to define different zones for seating, dining and relaxing. It’s particularly useful for homes where every square metre of garden needs to earn its keep.

The kids’ zone

A patch of artificial grass can create a practical play area for children, whether it’s for kicking a ball around or setting up a paddling pool. It also provides a consistently green surface without muddy patches after winter rain.

The balcony or terrace

No garden? No problem. Artificial grass can bring a garden-like feel to balconies, terraces and other hard-surfaced outdoor areas, creating a more inviting extension of the living space. The trick is to stop thinking of these areas as dead space. They’re square metres you’ve already paid for. With a little clever planning and artificial grass from Royal Artificial Grass, they can become spaces you’ll actually want to use.