Cheapest option for garden

[ColaOlaLa]

I have just sorted out my garden but there is an area that is just a mess at the moment, I’m not planning on living here forever but I would still like it to look nice in the mean time so what would be the best and cheapest option for that? Patio? Decking or fake grass? Can’t have real grass as it’s under a huge tree that never gets any sun

If you're doing the work yourself, I would think patio? If not probably gravel!
For a wee bit more investment, you could plant things that provide ground cover in shade. Cost of plants vs patio would depend on the size of the area though I guess? Also how quickly you want the area covered - can you wait for plants to multiply and spread?

No I definitely wouldn’t be doing it myself as I wouldn’t know where to begin, I wouldn’t really like to plant anything as I have young children so they would probably just step all over it. I hadn’t thought of gravel that might be a good idea

We were told Gravel= World's Biggest Cat Litter Tray

There's an image !

gravel still needs to be weeded. hard on the feet and with children hard to fall on and fun to throw at one another. killer on lawnmower if part of the lawn needs tending.
temporary, under a tree, i'd suggest bark mulch.

If it's in a lawn try a shade tolerant grass around the tree?

It gets no sun at all I doubt anything would grow tbh, I will avoid gravel then as we have a cat 🤦‍♀️