Thinking about it, it might be better to have a lawned area covering maybe 50% of the front. Would still be parking for maybe 3 or 4 cars. Pretty much the only time we need parking for more than just our’s, plus an occasional visitor is one Saturday in January. Even then, there’s shitloads of on-road parking outside for you cnuts. 
We have a lawn mower. His name is Matea, he lives three doors down.
astroturf
Can’t see you getting all the money back when it’s time to sell,but my guess is it would make it much easier to sell.
I’ve never owned a property so the above could be nonsense
Yeah, that did cross my mind. We had it in the back garden in the first gaff we had in Norfuk. Still needs maintaining tho. Hoovering rather than mowing.
FWVLIW we never went with it. Couldn’t really get a straight idea of how well it lasted - people that had it were inevitably misty eyed and determined to get everyone else doing the same thing; people that hated it didn’t actually have it…
Artificial grass is an environmental disaster.
It should be banned!
There is some sense in doing something, say up to the edge of the front door.
Maybe lawn and a robot or simply refresh with new gravel on the rest.
For 20K Me and Stu will do it,
with bitumen underlay.
Had the patio resin bonded about 5 years ago. It looks very nice, if maintained.
Main gripes
Its porous, muck and debris decay and sink into the gravel.
Weeds pop up regularly, pulling them frequently leaves the roots behind only to appear again.
An algi magnet.
Power washing required twice a year to keep its looks.
Small patches if not laid and compacted well will lift, leaving tiny potholes.
Will stain very easily, especially tree sap requiring treatment yearly.
As I said looks very nice, if maintained.
Wouldn’t that be a warranty issue? They all seem to offer a 10 year warranty.
I’m wary of any porous bonded surface. Great while its new, but once enough dirt gets locked inside, it’s an impenetrable planter for weeds.
Yeah, reckon the first quote was high, got 3 more coming, so fingers crossed they’ll be lower.
The guy today was keen to get me to visit some jobs he’d not long finished. I agreed but said I also wanted to see one done at least 5 years ago….
…He replied that he’s only been doing it for 2 
It would be a warranty issue, if they are still in business .
Pollinator garden
Paving/Grass grid like below might be an option for the car-parking areas.
Personally I would look at block paving. lets the rain through, can easily be repaired if you get a bit of sag where vehicles are compacting it and just needs a bit of yearly maintenance. Should be similar in cost i suspect.
Yeah, getting some block paving quotes too, and you’re right, the guy today who wanted £25k for the resin, quoted £23.5k for block paving.
Well worth going through all of your options. Resin is typically laid at 20-25mm thickness, so the substrate is very important.
Patterned concrete done properly looks nice and lasts.
