8 Awesome Lawn Mowing Designs You Should Try

Lawn mowing doesn't always have to be a chore—try making it fun by creating lawn mowing designs! Whether you're in a competition with your neighbor or just want to try something new, here are eight awesome lawn mowing designs to try this season.

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Checkerboard
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Checkerboard

Be the envy of the neighborhood with a checkerboard lawn. According to Scotts, “Start by mowing parallel to a straight sidewalk or driveway. To keep mowing straight, look at least 10 feet in front of you while you mow, rather than at the ground right in front of the mower. When you come to the end of a row, lift the mower deck as you turn, then mow in the opposite direction next to your previous pass. To create a checkerboard, mow the lawn a second time at 90 degrees to your first mowing. Finish by mowing a strip around the edges of the lawn.” Here’s a video, if you need a visual.

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Soft Waves

This soft wave design was created with a large commercial lawn mower by Scag Power Equipment. When they get to the edge, they make a 180-degree turn and go back, slightly overlapping the last pass. No need for perfectly straight lines.

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Crisscross
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Crisscross Pattern

A classic crisscross pattern will make you feel like you’re at a baseball park. The effect is created by light that reflects off the blades of grass—blades bent toward you look dark, while blades bent in the opposite direction look lighter. Professionals make the pattern more pronounced by going over the grass blades with a weighted lawn roller, rolling them in the same direction they were mowed.

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Circles
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Concentric Circles

When it comes to lawn mowing designs, circles are an easy and efficient way to mow because it cuts down on all the 180-degree turns you do if you mow lines. Start at the edge and go in circles until you get to the middle of your lawn, or, mow a ring around a tree and keep mowing larger circles until you run out of lawn!

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Zig-Zags
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Zig-Zags

To create a zig-zag pattern on your lawn, start at the edge and make the pattern going in one direction. Then make a 180-degree turn and follow the pattern going back. The reflection of the light will help make the pattern more pronounced.

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Varying Lines

This lawn mowing design from Scag Power Equipment shows varying lines, which are made more pronounced by the grass clippings left behind. Grass clippings left behind help add nutrients back into the soil which will benefit your grass. Learn why mowing height is so important for the health of your lawn.

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Ripples
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Ripples

It looks like someone dropped a pebble in a pond of grass and the ripples have spread outward! Start at one end and make a large curve, then turn 180-degrees and follow the path back to the other side. Stop believing these 10 lawn care myths.

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Circles and Lines

If you have features in your lawn, try making a circle around them. Then use straight lines for the rest of the yard like this mower did. Follow these tips to rid your turf of crabgrass.

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.