If you’re considering artificial grass for your lawn, you might wonder how close it will look to the real thing. A realistic look depends on the overall aesthetics of the artificial grass, the type of the material used, and how well it matches the natural grass in your local area.

The last quality is sometimes neglected, but can be pivotal in creating a realistic look. One style of artificial grass that may look good in a geographical area, but might stick out in another. It’s a good idea to look at what types of grasses grow well in your region and then match these common types with an artificial grass that has a similar look. Some homeowners desire a unique, lush look that may not quite match the surroundings. Although it ultimately comes down to personal preference, choosing a real looking artificial grass is often about matching it to real grass in your neighborhood.

Color and Shine

Part of this process involves going through the different color options and determining how realistic each will appear. Some artificial grass is bright green, while others are paler shades of green. Multicolored blades can also be a good option to ensure the grass looks realistic. Another aesthetic consideration is the shine of the grass. Real grass typically remains dull. Choosing a less shiny artificial grass will help match the natural environment. A final factor worth considering is the thatch of the artificial grass. This is the area below the grass blades that remains visible. With artificial grass, it can come in a variety of shades. Look at the thatch in your natural grass in order to match the color.

Other Considerations

Realism can also extend to the feel of the grass and how well it holds up to the pressure that comes from foot traffic. The feel of natural grass varies based on type, and it can be matched by choosing a particular model of artificial grass that replicates it. If grass in your area is soft and this feels the most realistic to you, then look for artificial options that emphasize their softness.Choosing a realistic option is also about determining how much the grass will be used. It’s important to consider how grass holds up with foot traffic. Since natural grass will usually regrow and fill in with proper care, it’s often best to choose artificial grass with “memory.” This means that the grass returns to its original shape, even after a lot of foot traffic. Over time, this helps to prevent matting and keeps your artificial grass looking more realistic. If you install low-traffic artificial grass and then subject it to high-traffic use, the wear and tear can make the surface look less natural. In shooting for a realistic look, be sure to take this into account.The shape of the artificial grass blade affects its appearance. Certain shapes may look more like the grass near your house. Options include V-shaped, W-shaped, S-shaped, and diamond shaped. Take a look at each and see which blade shape seems to best match the type of grass prominent in your local area.Finally, location on your property also affects how realistic the artificial grass appears. If the surface is little seen or mainly seen from afar, simple ground cover is both low cost and great looking. This may be sufficient to give a realistic look. For artificial grass that will be seen up close, more exact replication of real grass would be needed to get that realistic look. Here are some options that serve this purpose:

Getting the Right Look

If you want a visually appealing grass that has a deep-green color, Vista is the way to go. Vista Natural 65 looks incredibly real and uses a high-performing yarn in V-shaped blades. The fiber is a spring bi-color, which features lighter and darker green variations with little to no yellow. It’s thick and full with a green and brown thatch. While it’s not quite as soft as other variants, its look and feel is perfect for areas where natural grass is less lush, especially warmer, drier climates. This deep-green Vista grass is also available in the higher performance Vista 70, which is thicker and looks even more natural. Vista 80, meanwhile, is top of the line in both aesthetics and performance.

Realistic and Soft

If you’re searching for very natural look that’s also soft, Nature’s Sod is a great option. Produced with an S-shaped fiber, it has almost zero shine, while also being high performance and soft. It’s so natural and healthy looking that many people may not even realize it’s artificial. (Nature’s Sod Plush is an even softer variation.) The Nature’s Sod 90 option has a warm emerald green color with a brown thatch that rivals natural southwestern-style grass. This realistic look is matched with a strength that can handle any volume of traffic.

Fescue-style Grass

Fescue grass is common in cooler climates in the Northwest, Midwest, and wetter parts of the West Coast. The artificial versions of this grass, called the Fescue family, are similarly sturdy and soft. They employs a cutting-edge, W-shaped yarn and pop right back into place after receiving foot traffic. Fescue Supreme is one of the tallest, lushes, and most durable artificial grasses on the market.

The Eco-Friendly Option

Combining a realistic look with eco-friendly manufacturing and temperature-controlled fibers, the Eco family includes Eco Olive 80, an olive-green grass, and Eco Spring 80, which features a lighter shade of green. Both are made of materials that come from renewable sources.

Southwestern Charm

If you’re looking for a very natural looking southwestern style artificial grass, then Bermuda PRO is a great choice. It’s olive bi-color using a tall fiber with green and brown thatch that uses a curly fiber. The diamond-shaped tall fiber creates a uniquely natural texture while still remaining durable.Getting the right look is all about figuring out what works best in your neighborhood and then complementing it with the other features you need, such as softness and durability. This will help you find a real looking artificial grass for your home lawn.

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