Want to get rid of lawn - what to put down instead?

[whereisthesunshine]

I want to give my back garden an overhaul. It's laid to lawn at the moment, which doesn't work for me as I feel all I do is cut crass. It's not in a good state and gets quite soggy and looks untidy. There is also a veg patch which I use, and I would like some more solid flooring (for want of a better term) around it for easier and cleaner access.

What is the easiest way to get rid of the lawn? What should I put down. Would weed sheeting and gravel work? My aim is to create something which is easy to maintain.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

My (rented) garden has weed sheeting and gravel...the problem is that weeds come thru here and there and have to be pulled back bending work or sprayed. It is not - no maintenance - ...i preferred mowing every couple of weeks !

Thank you, cestlavie. I don't need it to be no maintenance, am happy to do some work. It wouldn't be the whole garden either, just a wide strip around the veg patch. Lawn around here doesn't do too well as it's shady and wet. Most neighbours have paving slabs in theirs but I don't have the budget for it.

Gravel will be the cheapest option, decking, paving or artificial grass are all quite expensive.