For many buyers, particularly those relocating or purchasing a holiday home here in Spain, the outdoor space is quite often a deciding factor. A tidy, considered garden helps buyers imagine their lifestyle before they even step inside, and it quietly reassures them that the property has been well cared for.

Below is a practical guide to getting your garden presentable, making smart choices about planting, and adding something memorable that can help your home stand out in a competitive market.

Examples of great outdoor spaces

Here are some stunning gardens in homes we currently have for sale in the Guadalhorce Valley.

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First Impressions Start Outdoors

Much like eating out at a restaurant, the first “bite” is with your eyes.

Buyers form an opinion within seconds of arriving. An overgrown or poorly maintained garden can plant doubts straight away, even if the inside of the property is spotless.

Simple steps make a big difference

1. Trim hedges, trees, and boundary planting
2. Remove weeds and clear fallen leaves
3. Jet-wash terraces, paths, and driveways
4. Repair loose tiles, broken fencing, or cracked planters
5. Paint supporting/boundary walls - especially if they're peeling or looking tired

A clean, orderly garden suggests the same level of care has been given to the rest of the home. It reduces the mental “to-do list” for buyers and helps them feel confident about making an offer.

Flowers or Low-Maintenance? Choosing the Right Balance

One of the most common questions sellers ask is whether to fill the garden with colourful plants or keep things simple.

View this Country House For Sale in Monda

A Flower-Filled Garden

Pros:

• Looks attractive in photographs and viewings
• Adds warmth and seasonal appeal
• Works well for smaller gardens, patios, and courtyards

Cons:

• Requires regular watering and upkeep
• Can look tired if not perfectly maintained
• If the house is not sold before the following season, seasonal plants will have to be removed and replaced

If you choose flowers, keep the palette controlled and avoid overcrowding. Fresh mulch and healthy plants matter more than variety.

View this Villa For Sale in Monda

A Low-Maintenance Garden

Pros:

• Appeals to buyers who want an easy lifestyle
• Ideal for holiday homes and rental potential
• Stays looking neat with minimal effort

Cons:

• Can feel flat if not thoughtfully designed
• Gravel beds, Mediterranean shrubs, olive or citrus trees, and defined planting zones offer structure without ongoing work. Many buyers actively prefer this approach in warmer climates.
• Best approach: a hybrid. One or two focal planting areas combined with clean, low-maintenance surfaces often provides the widest appeal.
• Make It Memorable: Add One Thoughtful Feature

In busy property markets such as ours here on the Costa Del Sol, memorability matters. A single well-chosen feature can help your home stand out and be remembered long after a viewing.

This doesn’t need to be expensive. Here are some recommendations:

• A built-in seating area or shaded pergola
• An outdoor shower near a pool or terrace
• Subtle garden lighting for evening use
• A small water feature or sculptural element
• A practical storage solution that blends into the garden

These details signal intention. They show that the garden wasn’t an afterthought, but a space designed to be used and enjoyed.

A Practical but Memorable Upgrade: FlexiBorder Garden Edging

One way to make your garden stand out, without adding maintenance or complexity, is by installing a clean, well-defined edging system such as FlexiBorder.

FlexiBorder is a flexible garden edging made from recycled rubber, designed to create neat, flowing borders around lawns, paths, gravel areas, and planting beds. It’s subtle, practical, and instantly gives a garden a more finished and intentional appearance.

Why FlexiBorder works so well in a garden:

• Creates a clear definition between lawns, gravel, planting areas, and paths
• Flexible design allows smooth curves and straight runs, ideal for Mediterranean-style gardens
• Low maintenance – won’t rot, crack, or need repainting
• Weather-resistant and suitable for hot climates
• Made from recycled tyres, which appeals to environmentally conscious buyers
• Quick to install, meaning it’s a simple upgrade with immediate visual impact
• Child-friendly (if a child falls on this rubber border, it will, of course, be a lot safer than landing on a rocky border that is often used for borders here!)
• Lawnmower friendly - you can mow straight up to these borders without the need to go around after with a strimmer.

This kind of improvement fits perfectly into the idea of making a property more memorable through thoughtful choices. It’s useful, discreet, and reinforces the impression that the current owner has taken good care of the home, both inside and out.

Where to buy FlexiBorder:

UK: https://www.flexiborder.co.uk/

Spain: Amazon.es

Why Putting Effort into your Garden Builds Buyer Trust

Think of a restaurant: when you visit the toilet, and it’s spotless, you instinctively trust that the kitchen is clean too. A garden works the same way. When buyers see a well-maintained outdoor space, they subconsciously assume the roof, plumbing, electrics, and structure have received similar care.

A neglected garden, on the other hand, can "plant" unnecessary doubts, even if they’re unfounded.

Time to don the gardening gloves!

Getting your garden ready for sale doesn’t mean turning it into a showpiece. It means presenting it as clean, usable, and thoughtfully maintained. In Spain, where outdoor living is a major part of daily life, this can significantly improve both saleability and perceived value.

A tidy layout, sensible planting, and one distinctive feature can help buyers connect emotionally with your home and feel confident that it has been well-maintained from day one.