If you want less lawn to mow, replace a section according to how you actually use it. Keep turf where children, dogs or games need a durable open surface. A planted ground cover can make sense in a quieter area or along an awkward edge, but most will not take the same repeated foot traffic as a lawn.
Match the cover to the ground
Start by checking sun, moisture and how quickly you want the area covered. Liriope has grasslike foliage, but types differ. The original article singles out Liriope spicata as an aggressive spreader; decide whether you can contain it before using it near other beds. Dwarf mondo grass forms small, dark-green clumps and tends to spread more slowly. A planting of either will look different from a mown lawn and may need weeding as it fills in.
Creeping thyme is worth considering where conditions suit it, though it may take time and a fair number of plants to cover a large area. The article also mentions mazus for low, carpetlike growth in a moist spot. Check the light needs of the variety you find rather than assuming every mazus will thrive in deep shade. If the soil remains dry beneath trees, the same plant may behave quite differently there. Shade garden ideas may help with that part of the yard.
Think about how far it will spread
Golden creeping Jenny offers chartreuse foliage and can spread quickly. That makes it useful for covering ground, but it also means watching the edges; check whether it is appropriate in your area before planting it. Golden carpet sedum is another low-growing option for a sunny, well-drained spot. It may tolerate dry conditions once established, but it still needs care while it takes root. For more about sedums, see Creeping Sedums are Survivors.
Ground cover does not have to replace the whole yard. Begin with the section that is hardest to mow or least useful as lawn, and keep a clear edge between it and the grass you want to retain. Our post Lawns Can Be Easier is worth a look if the better answer is to keep some turf and change how you care for it.
