Indoor-Outdoor Looks for Summer

As the weather continues to improve, it seems we are all heading to the garden centres in the hope of perking up our exterior surroundings with some instant colour and greenery. Don’t forget, it’s National Gardening Week 26 April – 02 May, and there’s plenty of inspiration and advice available on the RHS website – have a look for events, gardening tips, and find out what’s going on in your neighbourhood, garden-wise. If you’re suitably inspired to get in on the green-fingered action then read on as here’s our pick of our outdoor slabs and tiles to help with your garden and landscaping plans…

Blues & Greens

These Bluenorte Outdoor Slab porcelain tiles look like natural smooth stone – with a very subtle blue tint, which is a great choice for a contemporary garden design. The contrast of Bluenorte against precise white walls, horizontal-slat timber fence panels and lots of bold green planting is striking – just the thing for a modern garden with minimal upkeep. Minimal that is, as far as the tiles are concerned; just make sure you choose well as far as the planting is concerned (maybe take another look at the RHS website for advice if you’re not so green-fingered!).

<a href="https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/p/dunsen-grey-anti-slip-floor-tile.html"><strong>Dunsen Grey Floor</strong></a> | <a href="https://www.tilemountain.co.uk"><strong>Tile Mountain</strong></a>

Dunsen Grey Floor | Tile Mountain

Big Space, Big Tiles

Emphasise the outdoor floor space by using our Dunsen Grey Anti-Slip Floor tiles, which measure in at a magnificent 800mm x 800mm, and which can also be used indoors for a fabulous seamless blended walk-through between terrace and kitchen-dining-living space. The larger the format, the fewer grout lines are visible, which all adds to the seamless look. And you don’t have to go mad with colour either – natural greenery, timber fence panels, white rendered walls and grey-black framed glazing keeps the overall scheme low-key but still interesting (and you can always add some bright cushions or even an outdoor rug for a splash of colour).

Heat & Eat

Bring the indoors outdoors with the rather brilliant Heat & Grill dual-function outdoor heater and barbecue, from Chesney’s. It cleverly combines an eco-friendly wood-burning outdoor stove with a spacious grill surface, so you can use either, both, or one after the other. Perfect for our erratic weather patterns! You may not need the heater just yet, but if we’re still socially distancing and entertaining outdoors come the end of the summer, it might be a wise investment buy! Oh, and for similar rectangular outdoor slabs, take a look at our Pietra anthracite Outdoor Slab Tiles.

The Limestone Look

Our Rocastone Grey Outdoor Slab Tiles are made from porcelain, but have the appearance of limestone – but of course, they won’t need to be sealed to keep their practical good looks. There’s also a matching indoor Rocastone Grey Stone Effect Porcelain floor tile, so the look can continue from inside to out and vice-versa.

Sitting Pretty

Of course, having sorted out your kitchen/conservatory and the outdoor surfaces, it’s going to be time to think about garden furniture. Well, this spring and summer it’s going to be the early birds that have successfully kitted out their entertaining areas – we’re hearing lots of reports of outdoor furniture being sold out! Fingers crossed stocks will be replenished quickly! But in the meantime, put this gorgeous Austin Dining Set, from Dobbies, which has a matching fire-pit, on your wish-list!

Natural Effects

Let the indoors and outdoors blend together with a choice of porcelain planks, such as our Vertige Wood Effect Beige outdoor slabs that are a very accurate replication of engineered hardwood. But of course, without the necessary upkeep that goes hand in hand with timber decking! These tiles are 20mm thick and also come in a grey colourway. As ever, there’s plenty of installation advice here and if you need specific information or have a question, our technical team can be contacted by phone or chat via our contact page or, and here’s a radical suggestion, why not pop into one of our showrooms in Stoke, Stockport or Birmingham?

Lounging Around

If you’re thinking about outdoor furniture, the Versa Sofa Set from Kettler in powder-coated aluminium is rust-proof and can be left outdoors during the winter with no chance of deterioration. And for small spaces, such as a balcony perhaps, the two lounge chairs can be stowed away under the sofa. All cushions are included in the set – but they’re not weatherproof and will need to be stored indoors. Just the job for a bright splash of colour.

Three Good Ideas

From left; The Eden Toucan Cushion in cotton, with embroidered toucan, from Walton. Centre; Our Hardblue Grey Decor porcelain outdoor slab, for an all-over patterned patio or perhaps for a decorative middle panel for a ‘rug’ effect. Right; The Eden Flamingo Cushion with embroidered motif, also from Walton.

Lighting Up Time

Solar, such as Outdoor Garden Lanterns from a great selection at Lights4fun, are a good little investment buy, as they can be left outdoors and just do their thing throughout the summer, without having to clean out melted wax or burnt-out tealights!

Green Themes

Go green with beautiful outdoor high-performance fabrics by Designer Serena Dugan at The Fabric Collective. The main seat cushions here are Bahia in Ivy, with Capretto Grasshopper Midnight square scatter cushions.

And Finally…

It’s not just all about the back of the house, the front garden is important as well, especially if you want to up the ante as far as ‘kerb appeal’ goes. So, a beautiful front path and doorstep is a must if you’re revamping. Try our Victoria Red Black Chequer Mosaic porcelain sheets, each measures 291mm x 291mm, Victoria also comes in plain Black and White, and Black/White chequer. Don’t forget, we would love to see your pics of your front and back garden projects!

Will you be jazzing up your outdoor spaces in readiness for summer? If so then we’d love to see your photos! share your pics with us over on Twitter tagging @TileMountainUK or on Instagram!

You might also enjoy these posts on the Tile Mountain blog…

Trend Watch: It’s All About The Outdoors!

Three Things To Consider When Choosing Outdoor Tiles

Ultimate Combinations: Bold and Understated Outdoor Designs