How to Get an Indoor-Outdoor Living Space

Looking to create a cool indoor-outdoor living space? At the Aylesbury Tile Centre – the place to come for trade and home tiles in Aylesbury – we’ve been helping customers get this seamless look all summer long.

Alongside creating a stylish new patio area for dining and relaxing, using indoor-outdoor tiles are a brilliant way to open interiors so they feel airier and more spacious. Here’s everything you need to know about creating an inviting indoor-outdoor space.

What is an indoor-outdoor living space?

An indoor-outdoor living space is where a floor covering – usually tiles – from an internal room are extended to form an outdoor patio or dining area. They are super fashionable right now and add desirable additional space.

Popular ways to achieve an indoor-outdoor space is to extend a kitchen, conservatory or living room into an elegant, tiled patio or deck. Indoor-outdoor living spaces are also a big hit with hotels and restaurants, with indoor seating areas blending into pretty paved areas and courtyards.

What are the benefits of creating an indoor-outdoor tiled space?

Since the onset of the pandemic, for many of us our homes have become our living space, workspace, and our sanctuaries – inspiring us to look at them with fresh eyes.

One of the key benefits of an indoor-outdoor space is that it expands our living area. By creating a patio – just as stylish and comfy as our lounge – we add valuable extra square footage for chilling and socialising.

Having a beautifully co-ordinated outdoor space also takes al fresco dining up a notch. As well as chic surroundings to enjoy barbecues and summer soirees, it makes popping in and out to grab things (nibbles, anyone?) easier.

Plus, extra details, such as soft seating, outdoor rugs and festoon lighting gives us a holiday-at-home vibe – bring on the cocktails!

Integrating an indoor room with outside is also a great way to feel closer to nature. A space to sit and drink in the garden is the perfect spot for unwinding.

Do you need bi-fold or sliding patio doors for an indoor-outdoor living space?

Having bi-folds and sliding patio doors are ideal as they create a vast pocket of open space to outside. Although expensive, if you are planning an indoor-outdoor space from scratch, then installing bi-folds is the best option. It may also be possible to design the layout so that the interior floor sits flush with the patio for a seamless look.

If you aren’t blessed with bi-folds, don’t worry, it is still possible to get up close to your garden. If you have a single back door or French doors, using the same variety of tiles inside and out will visually unify the space.

Opting for lighter colour tiles, such as light grey or pale natural stone tiles will reflect light making the space feel bigger.

What are the best tiles to use for an indoor-outdoor living space?

Outdoor porcelain tiles are perfect for creating indoor-outdoor living spaces for several reasons, including:

• Durability – They are extremely resilient and will stay looking fresh, even under harsh UK weather conditions.
• Slip-resistant – They’re slip-resistant, so can be used in places where they’ll get rained on outside or splashed inside (under the kitchen sink is a prime spot).
• Styles for miles – Exterior porcelain tiles come in a multitude of designs and finishes. These include wood effect porcelain tiles – giving you the appearance of a real wood floor inside and out – and stone effect pavers, which are indistinguishable from natural stone.

They also come in a variety of vibrant patterns, including Victorian outdoor tiles with traditional designs, and outdoor tiles with bold geometric and retro patterns for a vintage touch.

Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles?

There is little difference between indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles. An indoor porcelain tile may have a slimmer profile (10mm) as it encounters less wear and tear. While outdoor porcelain tiles are typically 20mm thickness increasing their strength.

Do outdoor tiles for the garden need sealing?

Generally outdoor porcelain tiles don’t require sealing however they are still liable to collect dirt over time. To keep them looking pristine, sealing after installation can be done with a good quality porcelain sealer. As seasoned tile suppliers and installers, we supply and recommend Rocatex-Porcelain Sealer which provides robust protection against dirt, mould and stains.

What patterns can indoor-outdoor tiles be laid in?

With so much choice, it’s easy to express your personal style through your tiles. Pavers laid in a repeatable or random pattern have a traditional, timeless appeal. For an up-to-the-minute look why not lay an indoor-outdoor floor with a 90-degree herringbone or basketweave pattern? Check out our wood effect porcelain tiles for inspiration.