Garden and terrace in tourist accommodation: how to maintain them, how much reservations increase, and common mistakes

Having a garden or terrace can increase your bookings by up to 25%, but it can also cost money and cause headaches if not managed properly. I'll tell you what furniture to put, how much it costs to maintain, and the mistakes I always see.

Outdoor spaces are one of the most searched filters on Airbnb and Booking since 2020. A decent terrace with two chairs and a table already sets you apart. A well-maintained garden with a barbecue can be the reason guests choose you over the neighbor.

But it's also where owners spend the most money. Furniture that gets destroyed in one season, dead plants, pests, neighbors tired of barbecue smoke... Let's go step by step.

How much do reservations increase with a garden or terrace

There's no magic number, but the data I see from owners I work with goes like this:

Outdoor space	Average reservation increase	Average price increase per night
Small balcony (France or similar)	5-8%	3-5€
Terrace of 6-10 m² with table	10-15%	8-15€
Large terrace (more than 15 m²) with chill zone	15-20%	15-25€
Private garden with lawn	20-25%	20-40€
Garden with pool	30-50%	40-80€

In coastal and rural areas, the impact is greater. In the city, a decent terrace is almost mandatory beyond a certain price point.

Important: having "terrace" as a filter on Airbnb is not enough. If you upload a photo of an empty, sad terrace, it doesn't convert. It must be furnished, clean, and inviting.

What furniture to put (and which to avoid)

The classic mistake: buying cheap outdoor furniture at a big box store thinking they'll last. They don't. One season and to the trash.

What works

• Aluminum or steel with outdoor treatment. More expensive upfront, but lasts 5-7 years. A decent table and two chairs cost around 200-350€.
• Quality resin wicker (not the 50€ ones). Withstands sun and rain, doesn't peel.
• Teak or treated acacia wood. Beautiful and durable, but requires oiling once a year.
• Cushions with washable, water-repellent covers. Essential. Cheap ones absorb moisture and smell.

What avoids problems

• Cheap plastic: yellows in the sun in 6 months.
• Untreated wrought iron: rust and stains on the floor.
• Cheap umbrellas: break with the first serious gust of wind.
• Hanging hammocks: stolen or broken.

A tip: for the first year, buy less but better. One table, two good chairs, and a couple of decent cushions. If it works, expand.

How much does it cost to maintain an outdoor space

It varies a lot by type, but here are real numbers:

Concept	Approximate annual cost
Lawn maintenance (garden 50 m²)	600-1,200€
Pruning and plant cleaning (2 visits per year)	150-300€
Replacing cushions and textiles	100-200€
Replacing outdoor tableware (dishes, glasses)	50-100€
Barbecue maintenance	30-80€
Mosquito and pest treatment	100-250€

In total, a small garden with a terrace can cost you around 1,000-2,000€ annually in maintenance. But if it increases your bookings by 20% and the price by 15€/night, you'll recover it in a few weeks of the season.

Barbecue: yes or no?

Barbecues are one of those things that seem like a great idea until you get the first neighbor complaint or find the grill broken.

Pros

• Differentiates your listing. Many guests look for it.
• Allows you to increase the price in summer.
• Extra point in reviews if it's of good quality.

Cons

• Smoke: main problem with neighbors. If you live in a community, check the statutes first.
• Cleaning: no one leaves it as they found it. Expect 15-30 extra minutes of cleaning.
• Maintenance: grills, gas, briquettes...
• Fire risk in rural areas.

My recommendation: if you have a garden in a rural area or a detached house, yes. If you're in an apartment with a terrace in a community, better an electric grill or none at all. Save yourself conflicts. If you want to delve deeper into this topic, check out how to avoid neighbor conflicts over tourist rentals.

Plants: which ones tolerate and which don't

Plants bring life to the space but can also be a money sink if chosen poorly. Quick summary:

Plants that tolerate (low watering, sun, and neglect)

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Aloe Vera
• Dwarf olive tree
• Cacti and succulents
• Bougainvillea (if you have space)
• Oleander (be careful if children or pets are around, it's toxic)

Plants that don't tolerate in tourist settings

• Hydrangeas: need constant watering.
• Orchids: too delicate.
• Natural grass in pots: dries out in 3 days.
• Any indoor plant placed outside.

A drip irrigation system with a timer costs between 60-150€ and saves you many problems. I consider it essential if you don't live nearby.

Exterior lighting: the detail that multiplies reviews

A well-lit terrace at night completely changes the experience. And it's cheap:

• Outdoor LED string lights: 20-40€, last for years.
• Solar wall lights: 15-30€ each, no installation needed.
• LED candles in lanterns: add a nice touch, 30€ for the set.

Night photos with the illuminated terrace sell a lot. Don't forget to include them when taking photos of your listing. If you haven't invested in professional photography, this is another reason to do so.

Common mistakes I always see

1. Buying cheap furniture thinking it's just for guests. Guests use it more and worse than you. Buy quality.
2. Not protecting furniture in winter. A 30€ cover can extend the life of the set by 3 years.
3. Placing plants that need daily watering. Unless you have someone to water daily, they die and look bad.
4. Not planning for shade. A sunny terrace at 3 PM in July is useless. A good awning, pergola, or umbrella.
5. Ignoring mosquitoes. A mosquito in July can ruin your review. Install screens, citronella candles, whatever.
6. Not reviewing community regulations. Many communities prohibit barbecues, smoking, hanging laundry, or installing awnings without permission. Better to check first than fight later.
7. Not including the outdoor space in the welcome manual. Explain how to use the barbecue, where the cushions are, what to do if it rains... It saves messages. More details in the welcome manual.

How to showcase it in the listing

If you have a terrace or garden and don't feature it in your photos, you're leaving money on the table. Some tips:

• Main photo or second photo: always include the exterior. It's what sets you apart.
• Sunset photo with warm lighting.
• Photo with the table set, a bottle of wine, two glasses. Sell the experience.
• If you have views, take a photo from the terrace looking out.
• In the title: "with terrace", "private garden", "barbecue"... Words guests search for.

How Autoregistro fits in

While you're deciding whether to put sun loungers or a hanging chair on the terrace, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your guests are registered with SES Hospedajes.

Autoregistro solves this for €1 per month per property (less than a coffee). Guests fill out an online form before arrival, and the data is sent automatically to SES. You do nothing. No paperwork, no login on weird platforms, no stress.

This allows you to focus on what truly increases your bookings: taking care of the terrace, checking the plants, and taking beautiful sunset photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge more for having a terrace or garden?

Yes, and you should. A decent terrace justifies increasing the nightly rate by between 8 and 25€. A private garden, much more. Compare prices with similar properties without outdoor space in your area and adjust.

Do I need permission to use the barbecue always?

It depends on your community and local regulations. In many apartment communities, charcoal or gas barbecues are prohibited on terraces. In rural areas, there are restrictions in summer due to fire risk. Check beforehand and state it clearly in the manual.

How much should I budget to furnish a terrace from scratch?

For a 6-10 m² terrace with a table, chairs, cushions, an umbrella, and some lighting, budget around 600-1,200€ for reasonable quality. For mid-high range furniture, up to 2,000€. You'll recover it in a season.

Is it profitable to install natural grass or is artificial better?

It depends. Natural grass is more beautiful and adds more, but requires maintenance (watering, mowing, fertilizing) costing 600-1,200€/year. Artificial costs 25-40€/m² installed, lasts 8-10 years, and requires almost no maintenance. For tourist rentals, artificial usually makes more sense.

Do I need to declare the outdoor space in any registry?

There's no specific registry for gardens, but when applying for a tourist license, you must indicate the total area and characteristics of the property, including the outdoor space if it's private use. If you have a pool, there are additional regulations, check out pool in tourist accommodation.