Ditch the Tiles and Artificial Grass: Why a Green Outdoor Space is Smarter and More Beautiful

Late February. The days are getting longer, the sun is gaining strength, and before you know it, it’ll be warm enough to sit outside again. Two weeks ago, you read tips here for balconies and terraces, but if you’re lucky enough to have a full garden, now is the perfect time to take a closer look at your outdoor space.

Everyone knows these gardens. Fully paved, with a few gray gravel strips on the sides and maybe a plastic palm tree as a ‘green accent’. Once designed to be ‘low-maintenance’ and ‘sleek’, but now looking more like a private version of a gas station parking lot.
And the irony? That tiled garden isn’t as maintenance-free as you might think. Weeds push through the cracks, in summer your patio turns into a scorching hotplate, and after a heavy rain shower, the whole place is flooded.

There’s a better alternative. A garden that not only looks better but is also more comfortable to sit in, retains less heat, and can even help reduce the mosquito problem.
No, I’m not talking about a jungle that requires a machete to navigate. I mean a smart, green outdoor space that works with you, not against you.

Why a paved garden is actually more hassle

Many people opt for a paved garden, thinking it requires less maintenance. No mowing, no raking leaves—just a quick pressure wash a couple of times a year, and done. In theory, it sounds great. In reality, that’s often just wishful thinking.

First, the weeds. They don’t just grow in grass—they happily push their way up between your tiles. And without a bit of greenery to keep slugs and beetles busy, they’ll find their way into your home.
Then there are those glorious summer days. A garden made entirely of stone absorbs and radiates heat, turning your outdoor space into something that feels less like Marbella and more like the Sahara by July.
And when it finally rains? There’s nowhere for the water to go, leaving you with puddles that just sit there.

If you really want a low-maintenance garden, let nature work for you instead of against you.

More greenery = fewer mosquitoes, not more

A common argument against more greenery is that “it attracts insects.” And that’s true. But here’s the interesting part: more biodiversity actually means fewer mosquitoes.

How does that work? Mosquitoes thrive in dull, paved gardens where stagnant water lingers. In a diverse, green garden, you have natural predators like dragonflies, birds, and spiders that feed on mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes.
Plants like lavender, lemon verbena, and rosemary naturally repel mosquitoes with their scent. Instead of relying on chemical mosquito candles, just let a few lavender bushes do the work for you.

And yes, you might have a few more spiders in your garden. But let’s be honest—spiders do nothing but provide free pest control for you.

Green is cooler and more comfortable

Concrete patios and fully paved gardens absorb sunlight all day and release the heat in the evening. This means your outdoor space can still feel like an oven long after the sun has set.

Plants and grass release moisture, which literally cools the air. Sitting under a tree or a pergola covered in climbing plants is always a few degrees cooler than on a fully paved patio.
Want to take it a step further? Use light-colored gravel paths and natural materials that retain less heat. That way, you keep your outdoor space comfortable—without relying on overworked air conditioners and fans.

A green garden requires less maintenance than you think

Here comes the biggest misconception: that a garden full of plants requires a lot of maintenance. Not if you do it smartly. A well-designed garden with ground covers, shrubs, and perennial plants actually requires less work than a garden filled with pots and neatly trimmed borders that constantly need pruning.

Ground covers like thyme or creeping bugleweed prevent weeds from growing and don’t need mowing. A tree or large shrub requires far less maintenance than fifteen individual pots filled with wilted bedding plants that can’t handle the heat. And if you choose plants suited to the climate—like olive trees, lavender, or agave—you’ll barely need to water them.

So no, a green garden doesn’t mean you’ll be out there every week with pruning shears in hand. In fact, once established, nature does most of the work for you.

How do you get started?

Want to transform your garden but don’t know where to start? Start small.
Replace a few tiles with greenery and see how it affects the temperature and atmosphere. Plant some lavender to keep mosquitoes away—you’ll notice the difference. Consider a pergola with climbing plants for shade instead of a patio that becomes unbearable after 2 PM.

Want to go all in? Rip out the paving, add grass or decorative gravel, and choose perennial plants that thrive in the Spanish climate. In just a few months, your garden will transform from a gray parking lot into a comfortable, livable outdoor space.

Final thought: smart, practical, and comfortable

Not just along the coast, but also further inland in Spain, beautifully designed gardens are becoming more common—blending smart climate adaptation with aesthetics. A great example is the work of landscape architect Ivaro Sampedro, who integrates natural elements and native plants to create stylish and sustainable outdoor spaces. Read more about his work here.

Long story short: greener living isn’t some idealistic, eco-warrior fantasy—it just makes sense. A green outdoor space is cooler, more comfortable, requires less maintenance than you might think, and turns your garden into a place you actually want to spend time in.

So, would you rather keep sweating between your concrete slabs, or choose a green outdoor space that works for you instead of against you?