Help! I need some inspiration!

I have a section in my garden that is very dry, with little sun due to large conifer trees growing in our neighbours garden. We are putting patio slabs under neath the wooden structure, but don’t want to patio this corner! Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to use this grass area, that will make it a practical, useful area? We had thought that maybe a shingle/chipping would be best, but it costs too much...we have a small budget, as we have a large garden to fill! Thank you!