A guide to inside-out design, where we explore the benefits of matching your kitchen floor to your patio with porcelain tiles.
More and more of our customers are opting for an inside-out living design as we have seen inside-outside tiles become a staple of contemporary home design because they create a look of unmatched cohesion. Plus, they are highly practical when it comes to maintenance and daily wear-and-tear. For homeowners seeking a seamless flow between their kitchen and garden, matching your kitchen floor and patio tiles is the way.
Below, we will explore the magic behind why indoor-outdoor design works so well, and we’ll explore some TilePortfolio favourites when it comes to porcelain tiles for inside-out design projects.
We hope you will come away understanding how indoor outdoor tiling works – and maybe also with the perfect tile for your next project!
Using the same porcelain tile inside and outside your home creates a feeling of seamlessness and flow. It really allows your space to breathe and relax in its open expansiveness. But that’s not all:
Reduces visual clutter
Matches contemporary architectural trends
Extends your living space
Enhances property value
Porcelain material
Design range
Although indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles look the same on the surface, they are manufactured differently. Below we will explore the differences.
Indoor porcelain tiles
– Smooth matt or natural finishes for comfort and easy cleaning
– Ideal for kitchens and open-plan living spaces
– Typically 9-10mm thickness
Outdoor porcelain patio tiles
– Textured, slip-resistant surface in an R11 A+B+C rating
– Designed for weather exposure
— Thicker design: usually 20mm to withstand the weather and loads, but with the same beautiful surface design as the indoor tile!
Our top tip when choosing indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles: using the same size tile inside and out and in neutral colours such as beige, taupes, greiges and greys and soft natural tones works best for seamless transitions. Finally, always use a complementary grout colour to enhance the sense of seamlessness across your space. The right shade can make grout lines almost invisible to the eye!
Below, we will highlight a trio of TilePortfolio favourites.
Stride Arena – industrial, contemporary
Stride is the go-to for creating that clean, industrial look that has come to define inside-out living. Stride’s design of gorgeous fissures and salting effortlessly mimics concrete and has won over many of our customers.
Our advice for using Stride inside and outside is to co-ordinate the 800x800mm matt inside tile with the 2cm thick antislip porcelain tile outside. You can view Stride 2cm porcelain tiles here.
Ethos Shore – a light tile with a wonderful stone effect
For something lighter, Ethos is a brilliant choice. This stone-look tile comes in several size options making it super versatile (300 x 600, 600 x 600, 800 x 800, 1200 x 600 and 1200 x 1200). The off-white tone of Shore brings a calm, commanding presence and will imbue your indoor and outdoor space with both subtly and charm.
And Cloud is also a popular choice which can add a sense of warmth with its mottled stone look in warm greys and taupes. Our advice for maximising Ethos inside and outside is to co-ordinate the 2cm outdoor paving slab (in many different sizes to choose from!) with the 9mm matt internal tile. You can view the outdoor slab tiles here.
Blend Mouse – a warm toned cement-resin tile
Blend draws upon cool minimalism. This cement-resin tile plays with colour in a refined way. As well as the earthy tones of Blend Mouse, the collection includes Twine, Matchstick, Dove and Peat all of which feature a co-ordinating 2cm thick antislip tile for outdoor use giving you plenty of options for indoor-outdoor design with this elegant tile. Additionally, all the colours (except Peat) feature 1200 x 1200mm tiles for inside in Matt finish, and outside in Antislip finish, so you really can go large format with this collection. You can view the Blend 2cm tile collection here.
The TilePortfolio indoor-outdoor tiles come in a huge range of sizes. Starting with a 600 x 600mm all the way to large format slabs.
Large Format
More tile, less grout. 800 x 800mm, 1m x 1m, 1200 x 600mm or 1200 x 1200mm slabs are gloriously large in format and mean less overall grout lines. They are perfect for creating a seamless, uninterrupted flow.
Budget-friendly options
On the other hand, a 600 x 600mm tile size can be easy-to-install and more cost effective than large format tiles.
Q: What tiles are best for matching kitchen and patio floors?
A: Porcelain tiles are the best choice because they are durable, easily maintained, and available in a range of matching indoor and outdoor finishes. Fortunately, we offer a whole gamut of options!
Q: Can porcelain tiles withstand UK weather?
A: Yes, while they are a popular choice in the Mediterranean, outdoor porcelain tiles are frost-resistant and are also designed to withstand UK weather conditions!
Q: Are outdoor porcelain patio tiles slip-resistant?
A: Yes, our outdoor porcelain tiles are manufactured differently to the indoor variety with textured, slip-resistant surfaces for additional safety and an R11 A+B+C rating.
For those desiring inside-out living, matching your kitchen floors and patio areas with complimentary porcelain tiles is both a stylish and practical solution. With durable performance, low maintenance, and a range of matching finishes available, inside-out design just makes sense. If this blog – and some of the tiles it has explored – has inspired you to choose an inside-out design, start browsing our collections now, feel free to order samples or visit us and see how we can make that dream happen!
Click the images to head straight to these tiles on our website. Working on a project? We’d love to help! Get in touch and let us start searching for beautiful tiles with you!
If you would like to know more, please get in touch...
The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
