When I was house-hunting, one of my must-haves was an outdoor space. After living in an apartment for years, I dreamed of having a little lawn where I could sit outside, have a few plants, and enjoy fresh air. The house I ended up renting in Christchurch had everything I wanted—including a decent-sized lawn. I was thrilled…until I realised how much work keeping grass alive actually takes. Between dry patches, weeds, and the constant need for mowing, my so-called relaxing outdoor space became yet another chore.

I first started looking at synthetic turf lawn as a joke. It seemed like something only schools or commercial spaces used, not regular backyards. But after yet another weekend spent battling weeds instead of relaxing, I started seriously considering it. I remember watching YouTube videos, reading reviews, and going to check out different samples before finally deciding to go for it. The moment it was installed, my backyard instantly looked like something out of a magazine.

One of the biggest reasons I love it? I don’t have to do anything. No mowing, no watering, no worrying about patches of dead grass ruining the look of my garden. I wake up, look outside, and it’s just…perfect. Every single day. Even in winter, when my neighbour’s lawn turns into a muddy mess, my yard stays green and neat.

I also wasn’t expecting how much more use I’d get out of my backyard after installing synthetic turf. Before, I avoided it because it always felt messy and uninviting. Now, I find myself sitting outside with my coffee in the mornings, stretching out with a book on the weekends, and even working outdoors when the weather is nice. I’ve even thrown a few small gatherings just because my backyard looks so much better now!

A few things I’ve learned along the way—first, think about how you’ll use the space. If you have kids or pets, go for a durable option that’s designed to handle a lot of foot traffic. If you just want something aesthetic, you can focus more on the look and feel of the turf. Second, don’t cheap out on installation. Getting a proper base and ensuring good drainage makes all the difference in how long the turf lasts. Lastly, be prepared for some people to judge you for going artificial—but once they see how easy it is, they’ll probably want to do the same!

Switching to a synthetic turf lawn was one of the best decisions I made for my home. Instead of wasting time trying to maintain real grass, I now have an outdoor space that’s always ready to use, no matter the season. If you’ve been on the fence about making the switch, I can’t recommend it enough.