If you have an ugly concrete area in your outside space that has no real purpose, why not transform it into a green oasis by installing a synthetic lawn?  Fake grass is low maintenance, looks great all year round, and could allow you and your family to get more out of your garden.  It's pretty straightforward to install an artificial lawn directly onto a concrete base.  Here are some top tips on how to do it.

What you'll need

• sufficient artificial grass to cover the area
• yard brush
• a craft knife
• levelling compound (available from DIY stores or builders' merchants)
• a trowel
• outdoor seaming tape (usually supplied with your artificial grass or available from good DIY stores)
• a garden rake

How to do it

1. Artificial grass is supplied on rolls, just like carpet.  Work out the area of the concrete base to be covered by multiplying its length by its width, including a few extra centimetres all around to allow for trimming.  
2. Now prepare the concrete by sweeping it clear of any debris and dust with a yard brush.  The surface will have to be level and reasonably smooth before you can put the grass carpet onto it so that it is comfortable and even underfoot.  The easiest way to do this is by spreading a self-levelling compound across the surface.  Make up the compound as per the manufacturer's directions; this will probably entail simply mixing the powder with water.  Pour the liquid compound onto the centre of the concrete area, and use a trowel to spread it out into a flat, even layer that covers the concrete completely.  
3. Allow the compound to dry completely overnight.  
4. When the self-levelling compound has dried, roll out your artificial grass to cover the area.  Leave the grass to settle for a few hours so that any creases or wrinkles drop out naturally.  
5. Now use a craft knife to trip off any excess from around the edges of your artificial grass.  
6. If there are any joins to be made in the grass, make them using outdoor seaming tape.  Lay the tape sticky side up underneath the two pieces of grass that require seaming.  Press the grass down firmly onto the tape to form a join, making sure that both edges meet.  
7. Now you'll need to finish off the installation by applying the sand infill that will be supplied with your artificial grass.  To do this, just sprinkle the sand evenly across the grass, taking care not to overfill.  
8. Finish off the job by gently raking over the artificial grass to help the sand settle and to lift up any flattened areas of pile.  Note that you might need to put more sand down in a week or so, as the first layer will probably settle or become compacted with use.

In conclusion

It's a straightforward job to cover up an unsightly area of boring concrete in your garden by creating an artificial lawn.  Finish off the effect with bright flowers in attractive planters and perhaps add some garden furniture.