Indoor Outdoor Tiles - giving you space to live

There are two distinct ways that you can use indoor-outdoor tiles to create a stunning design.

Actually, this method only appears to use the same tiles inside and out. The indoor tiles, while having the same colour and style, will be thinner than the outdoor tiles and may have a slightly different texture for practical reasons. We've explained elsewhere why you shouldn't lay indoor tiles outside (and vice versa). However, if exact matching appeals, it is possible to find tile colours and styles with indoor and outdoor options.

Using exactly the same flooring inside and out will certainly trick the eye and make your interior space feel bigger, but it doesn’t offer much of a creative outlet. The second option is to use tiles with colours, tones or designs similar enough to make your interior and exterior spaces flow, but with enough difference to add character. By changing up the tiles slightly, you will create distinction that maintains a freshness in each area.

Connecting spaces with the same colour allows you to be creative in other ways. This is particularly the case with outdoor flooring. Try spacing out the tiles, filling the gaps with pebbles to break up the design. Or leave planting pockets to soften the look with lush leaves. And don’t stop at the paving. Match the look of the garden to your chosen interior decor and create a stunning seamless transition between your living spaces. You can choose the same colour scheme for furniture to unite the spaces. And take a look at our cladding, for wall coverings that can be used indoors and out. And don't forget the vital addition of drainage, especially if you have a stepless exit to the garden. You don't want rain running into the house. A patio with a slot drain means you have discreet drainage that doesn't detract from the overall look of your paving. Giving your garden an "outdoor living room" feel will encourage you to spend more time relaxing outside in the warmer months and therefore make your garden more functional for the family. From the indoors, having a unified design during winter months means you can sit inside and still feel as though you are enjoying the great outdoors.

Plank paving, because of its narrow width and length, allows you to play with shape in a completely different way from more conventional sizes of paving slab. By the edge of planted beds, stagger slabs to create an interesting geometrical outline in contrast to softer planting. Frame different areas of contrasting materials and mitre the corners for a crisp finish. Or create a relaxed feel with small planting pockets that won’t get in the way but provide a softer feel to a pathway. Plank paving is also a great way to blend paving with plants in a way that creates a natural-feeling mix of the two. Check out Rae Wilkinson's 2015 show garden for a great example.

While you can create indoor-outdoor designs with natural stone (Jura limestone is, for example, a very popular indoor flooring and outdoor paving), there are a number of reasons why porcelain tiles might suit you better. * Popular indoors, they also offer an enormous range of outdoor tile colours, giving you more scope to find the right match for your indoor tiling. * Natural stone weathers. If you want to match an interior, stone will very likely need sealing—definitely if it is sawn paving. This is because you'll want to prevent it from weathering as much as possible, so that it continues to match your interior tiling as closely as possible in the years to come * With the greater use of your space—drinks and food being carried out from the kitchen, dirt tracked in from the outside—porcelain's low porosity is an advantage. It means that the tiles don’t absorb much water, minimising the risk of staining and making them easier to clean. * Porcelain tiles are incredibly durable. They are very resistant to scratches, scuffs and stains. This makes them perfect for high-traffic areas. * Porcelain cleans up easily. Most of the time there is no need for harsh chemicals. To clean, a jet wash or just a good sweep and some clean water are enough to return them to their just-laid good looks, matching your interiors. * As much as we love sunshine, it can cause the colour of some natural stone to fade. Porcelain tiles are fade-resistant, so will continue to match your interior tiles.

The indoor/outdoor trend has captivated designers with its ability to extend rooms beyond their walls, create uniform designs and allow homeowners to enjoy their transitional space year-round. For another option, check out this indoor outdoor design in composite decking. Now that you know how to style this trend in your home and the benefits of using porcelain tiles why not explore our range now and transform your space. Shop our range of porcelain tiles. Updated: August 2025