If it’s going to be another ‘Indian summer’ this year, then it’s really worth getting your outdoor spaces into shape so they can be fully finished, looking useable and inviting, ready to be enjoyed for the whole season. If you’re struggling for a bit of inspiration when it comes to freshening up your exteriors and outdoor styling then read on as we bring you a veritable smorgasbord of outdoor looks that are guaranteed to last…
Indian Summer Style
A small patterned, tiled outdoor space (the tiles we’ve shown here are suitable for outdoor use as the matt finish provides an element of ‘grip’) looks gloriously colourful and inviting. We’re thinking of balcony floors, small garden spaces, or a tiled central panel with borders of natural-stone-style slabs or turf (shhhh … even fake turf could work in that kind of scenario!). This type of tile is a great way of introducing a permanent splash colour into your outside space, particularly if there’s an expanse of patio doors and the garden is seen all year round. Here are three of our favourites; from left, Skyros in Delft Blue; Multicoloured Andalucia in 24 different patterns, supplied in boxes containing 14 random selections; Encaustic-style Brighton Blue which as well as looking completely at home on a sunny patio would, of course, also suit a traditional bathroom or hall.
Town House Inspiration
Terraced town houses and semi-detached homes often have long, narrow gardens, with the accompanying issues of how to deal with a long stretch of outdoor space. We think that this layout is one of the best solutions, including paved space, a green patch, easy-to-look-after raised beds, and permanent benches too. Of course, a project like this may have to be approached a step at a time, but it’s a winning solution as far as we’re concerned! These are our Granito Grey outdoor porcelain granite-look slabs, also available in Black, which looks particularly striking when teamed with light grout-lines and painted blockwork structural features.
Outdoor Summer Seating
If you’re lucky enough to have this view when stepping outside, we would very much like to see some of your pics! If this is serving as inspiration though, then you can’t get much more creative than a slatted roof for shade, timber panels for coolness and practicality, and some smooth, pale slabs to emphasise the spacious, luxurious look. For similar tiles from our range, check out Nexus, which is a porcelain design replicating natural stone, in a large 600mm x 600mm format. The wonderful outdoor furniture is the famous modular Saparella outdoor design, by Ligne Roset.
Lodge Lounge Set from Bridgman | Wooden Boules Set from Annabel James | Rive Droite Bistro Set from Garden Trading
Summer Diversions
Once your garden is set up for the summer, thoughts turn to lawn games, seating arrangements and colour scheming. Here are some ideas which we thought would be fun to share …. From left; The Lodge Lounge Set from Bridgman; This is a delightful Wooden Boules Set from Annabel James; an almost-retro styled timber garden set, which reminds us of some of the now super-trendy Ercol and Stag designs of the 1960s and 70s. And finally, on the right, this little bistro set in bright yellow will definitely add a summer vibe to the garden; it’s the Rive Droite Bistro Set in Dandelion, from Garden Trading.
Simple Summer Styling
Maybe bright colours don’t quite hit the spot for your styling choices…so how about keeping it low-key and subtle with natural materials and accessories? Weatherboarding looks chic, and clever DIY-ers can either make their own cladding or get the paint pots out for existing summer houses, sheds and storage bins. Simple greenery, grasses and ever-green shrubs keep the look consistent all year round, not just for the summer. These gorgeous pots are a set of four Dipped Rim Planters from Cox & Cox. Similar stone-look slabs from our collection are Granito, which have excellent anti-slip properties.
Quirky Aqua and Grey
Step up the subtle colours a little and go for soft aqua for outdoor garden walls, plus soft grey and stained wood for the dining set – this is the Nerja five-piece table and chair set from the George at Home range by Asda. Softer colours are a great bridge between neon brights and naturals. In this particular case, we think that some of our Icon porcelain outdoor slabs that are designed to look exactly like natural weathered timber planks would be the perfect finishing touch for this combination.
Meadow Fire Globe by Red Candy | Lisbon Collection at Sainsbury’s | Black & Copper Firepit by VonHaus
Some Final Touches
Once the hard work of landscaping, laying slabs and setting paths in place is done, the fun bit can happen. As ever, we love suggesting final touches for your finished projects, and here are three favourites for this week: From left; the Meadow Fire Globe from Red Candy is a fabulous idea, and after all that hard work on creating the perfect outside space, prolongs it’s use well into nippy spring and autumn evenings. For a smaller budget, just add some bright tableware, such as the lovely bright options from the cheerful Lisbon collection at Sainsbury’s. Final suggestion for a luxurious outdoor look is the stunning Black & Copper Firepit from VonHaus. As always when outdoor fires, barbecues, candles and other outdoor heaters are in use, make safety your priority and always heed all the safety advice!
Don’t forget…we’re always very keen to see pics of your projects, so hit us up @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram with your outdoor tiling project photos and you could receive a £20 instagram voucher should we use your pics on our website!
You might also enjoy these posts on the Tile Mountain blog…
https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/blog/best-adhesive-and-grout-for-outdoor-tiles/
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Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.