Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces is one of the top trends in home and garden design right now, and for good reason. With the undeniable health and wellness benefits of being in nature, creating seamless transitions between your home and garden allows you to optimise these advantages while maximising your property’s space.
Look to break down these visual boundaries with large sliding doors, continuous floors of indoor outdoor tiles and flowing colour palettes to visually link these spaces. Whether you’re creating a seamless transition from your living room to your patio or designing a chic indoor-outdoor kitchen, these clever design decisions will make all the difference.
So if you’re looking to upgrade the flow of your home, read our guide below to explore our favourite indoor outdoor tile ideas to transform your garden.
Charterhouse Bianco Antique-effect Porcelain
What is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Tiles?
When choosing tiles for both spaces, it’s important to understand the key difference between indoor and outdoor tiles to know why we wouldn’t recommend using indoor tiles outside. Outdoor tiles come in a thicker format, being specifically designed to withstand the elements, making them more durable and frost-resistant. They also feature a higher rating of slip-resistance to ensure safety in wet conditions.
Indoor tiles, on the other hand, don’t require the same thickness or such high texture and tend to prioritise comfort with smoother surfaces. However, many tiles such as our thicker natural stone flagstones, are versatile enough to be used in both settings, creating an easy, cohesive look throughout your home.
Dijon Natural Limestone Paving
Indoor outdoor patio ideas
Let’s take a look at the top indoor outdoor flooring ideas from sleek and contemporary to rustic farmhouse styles, focusing on the various materials, formats, and design styles available.
Natural Stone Indoor Outdoor Tiles
Natural stone tiles are a timeless choice for indoor-outdoor spaces, offering unmatched beauty and durability. Here are two popular options:
- Sandstone: With its warm, earthy tones and natural texture, sandstone is perfect for creating a rustic, organic feel. It’s highly textured, naturally riven surface makes them ideal for patios, pathways, and living areas, blending seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Limestone: Limestone’s soft, neutral palette and elegant finish make it a versatile choice for both modern and traditional designs. Its impressive durability makes it suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor terraces.
- Slate: Go dark and dramatic with anthracite slate tiles that creating the perfect backdrop for vibrant planting and stylish furniture to truly shine. The versatility of these large flagstones makes them the natural choice to achieve an authentic, natural aesthetic in any setting from sleek, modern properties to rustic, barn conversions.
Umbrian Grey Brushed Sandstone
Porcelain Indoor Outdoor Tiles
Porcelain tiles are an ever-popular option for indoor outdoor patio ideas, thanks to their durability, low maintenance, and wide range of realistic material-effect designs. Lighter colours such as beige or grey porcelain tiles, in particular, are a top choice for indoor outdoor floor tiles due to their understated presence and aesthetic versatility that beautifully suit a range of settings.
Along with their visual benefits, porcelain tiles particularly hailed for their simple maintenance and impressive durability. Their non-porous surface makes them easy to clean and resilient against staining, while being resistant to wear and weather, making them perfect for indoor-outdoor use.
Rock Slate Grigio Indoor and Outdoor Tiles
Patterned Indoor Outdoor Tiles
Who says floor tiles for indoor and outdoor use have to be plain? Patterned tiles add a touch of unique personality and creative flair to your open kitchen or living spaces, that is sure to turn heads. Many decorative porcelain tiles are suitable for outdoor use, provided they’re installed on a fully cured concrete base and have an appropriate slip rating.
From bold star designs to more subtle Mediterranean-inspired motifs, patterned tiles can create a stunning feature in an outdoor kitchen, as well as patios and pathways. If in doubt, we recommend always checking with your retailer or supplier to ensure the tiles you choose are suitable for outdoor use.
Indoor Outdoor Living Space Ideas
Creating a flow between your indoor living spaces and outdoor patio is one of the most rewarding ways to enhance your home. By using the cohesive tiles, you can design functional and stylish areas that feel connected, all year round.
Indoor Outdoor Dining Area
An indoor-outdoor dining area is perfect for entertaining or enjoying family meals al fresco. Start by choosing durable, easy-to-clean tiles like porcelain or natural stone that can withstand spills and weather. Extend your indoor dining space onto a patio or terrace using large-format tiles for a sleek look.
Add a retractable awning or pergola to make the space usable into the spring and autumn months. Pair with weather-resistant furniture and ambient fairy lights or lanterns to create a welcoming atmosphere, whether it’s summer barbecue season or a cozy autumn dinner.
Indoor Outdoor Lounge Space
Extend your indoor lounge area out into your patio with comfortable outdoor sofas, throws, and cushions, and even cosy fire pit, transforming unused areas of your garden into a cosy spot that you’ll enjoy using all year-round.
Choose decor and furnishings that complement your interior to create a well-flowing transition. For example, if your living room features neutral tones, opt for beige indoor outdoor tiles that will complement both areas while remaining warm and cosy.
Rock Slate Grigio Porcelain Slabs
Indoor Outdoor Kitchens Ideas
An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate entertaining space, blending indoor-outdoor cooking and dining experience that feels as luxurious as an alfresco holiday dinner. For those who love outdoor cooking, a dedicated barbecue or pizza oven area can elevate an unused corner or nook of your garden, while extending your existing indoor kitchen features.
A pergola is a smart addition to such a space, not only providing shade and shelter, which is an important consideration in our unreliable British weather, but also offering the opportunity to hang lighting for ambience and functionality. This setup not only enhances your outdoor tile kitchen but also makes it an enjoyable space well into the evening.
Use durable, weather-resistant tiles with a high slip rating, like porcelain paving or natural stone flooring, to ensure safety and longevity in this high-use area. Porcelain tiles in particular are an excellent choice for use in an outdoor tile kitchen, as they are particularly easy to clean and are tougher against stains.
Shop Indoor Outdoor Tiles with Stone Superstore
We’re passionate about helping you create beautiful, functional spaces in your home with premium tiles and seamless service. We offer a wide range of indoor-outdoor tiles, from natural stone to porcelain options, in styles to suit every taste. Plus, with free samples and expert advice, we’re here to make your tile-buying experience reliable and stress-free.
Looking for further home and garden inspiration? Explore our garden design ideas or discover our case studies to see how our customers’ dream homes have come to life.
