Artificial grass

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It's not an opinion that fake grass is bad for the environment: it really is bad for the environment.  Not only does it not provide any of the environmental benefits of grass – like soaking up moisture; absorbing dust and carbon dioxide; providing food and a home for insects; feeding birds – its life span isn't that long and then it has to be sent to landfill.  The decline in butterflies and urban bees is partly due to the increase in fake lawns.  

If you do decide to put down a fake lawn, maybe try to offset it with new plantings elsewhere?  Maybe you're able to grow climbing plants up a previously bare fence/wall?  Plant small, ornamental trees (something that won't grow out of control) or perhaps dwarf fruit trees along your garden's perimeter?

TheProfessional

We moved in to a house which had artificial grass already installed. It's bordered by lots of bushes/flowers etc so still lots of living greenery.

I wouldn't have chose it myself but it has been handy with the small child not traipsing mud into the house all winter like our last place. It was weird having a snowman built on bright green grass but we are just used to it now!