Let’s start with an obvious choice: grass. It’s completely dog safe, has good drainage, and can customize to whatever size you want.
Artificial grass has the advantage of not bleaching from dog pee, and the drainage is still good. However, the surface temperature can be 20F higher than real grass in full sun.
It’s got good drainage, it’s easy to clean, and won’t hold smells like artificial grass. You could use it in any outdoor space, providing you’ve got somewhere to hose the water.
Mulch can be a good option for a dog potty because it’s super absorbent, meaning it’s easy to dispose of the soiled material. However, some products used to make mulch can be toxic to dogs, so be on the lookout.
Hopefully, you should now have an idea of the best material for a dog potty area. Regardless of what you use, be prepared to spend some time getting your dog used to its new potty area!