Trend Watch: Blending Indoors & Outdoors

Open plan kitchens, glazed extensions and lots and lots of patios, terraces and paved gardens means that our outside spaces are increasingly being blended with our busy indoor spaces. It’s an exterior design trend that has snowballed this past few years and one that’s definitely caught our eye, so it’s perhaps about time that we dedicated an edition of Trend Watch to it. So, read on for some clever ways of streamlining indoor and outdoor areas!

On-Trend Simplicity

The trend for natural-neutral interior schemes is going to be with us for a very long time, thank goodness! We all love a bright splash of colour here and there, or perhaps a swathe of bonkers wallpaper in the downstairs bathroom, but to create an on-trend scheme that’s going to last a good few years, neutral is the big ‘go-to’. This kitchen-living-dining-outdoor scheme illustrates that point perfectly, with a straight run of our Hardblue White Porcelain Slabs throughout. Introducing natural textures, greenery and of course, the dark frames of the glazing all adds to the drama of this look …

Looking Outwards

Minimise the transition between indoors and outdoors by choosing large areas of perfectly plain glazing to maximise the view of the garden and scenery beyond. This would be a very uplifting view, whatever the weather! Naturally, tiles such as our Country Nut Wood Effect Porcelain  planks which replicate hardwood, can be used both indoors and outdoors. They’re a great choice for a low-maintenance outdoor terrace too, as they’re extremely hardwearing with a matt finish and excellent anti-slip properties.

Bright White Angles

We can’t help thinking that this terrace design, using our Ohio Outdoor Silver Grey Outdoor Porcelain Slabs is the perfect pairing with a crisp, contemporary white kitchen (perhaps something similar to the Porter White kitchen from Second Nature Collection). For an on-trend indoor-outdoor link, note ideas such as the straight lines of the built-in bench terrace seating and fire-pit – reminiscent of a kitchen island.

The Perfect View

Outdoor furniture is an increasingly important feature within an indoor-outdoor scheme. Don’t forget that top-quality pieces are designed to be weatherproof, and of course, such glamorous sets become part of the view from both indoors and out. These pieces are from the beautiful B+B Italia Hybrid Outdoor Sofa Collection from Chaplins. Get the sleek indoor-outdoor look with our Icarus Grey Porcelain slabs.

On-Point Inspiration

This is really an inspirational idea, as you may have to hop onto a waiting list for this wonderful Savannah garden set from Danetti. The design reinforces our suggestions of blending indoors and out, with lovely simple lines and practical features. For further ‘get the look’ inspiration, try our Basilea outdoor slabs, and if you’re admiring those split-face wall tiles, take a look at our Oyster Split Face Mosaics too!

Indoor-Outdoor-Angles

This coffee table is everything a sturdy, practical piece of furniture should be. Not only is it just right for indoor and outdoor use, it has a concrete resin top surface which will shrug away spills, glass-rings and finger-prints. Which is exactly what a multi-purpose table should do. From Rust Collection, alongside their outdoor seating too. And for matching concrete-style outdoor tiles, try our Nexus slabs.

Seriously Stylish Seating

Choose furniture that is strong, sturdy and stylish enough to use both indoors and out (but remember that not everything is completely weatherproof, so make sure it’s easy to manoeuvre). From left; Maram armchair and footstool with woven cotton back and seat, from Sweetpea & Willow;  Lightweight Grey Rattan Rocking Chair, perfect for terrace or dining room, from Von Haus; The striking Swara Graden Chair Set together with a matching glass-topped table, from a selection at Made.com.

Bringing The Outdoors Indoors

If you’ve got outdoor views, make the absolute most of them, for a bang-on-trend kitchen space that also provides room for dining, relaxing, storage and most importantly, masses of preparation surfaces. Remember, there doesn’t have to be masses of outdoor space to blur the lines between outside and in –  just the sheer fact that greenery and sky can be seen fulfils the indoor-outdoor criteria. This fabulous kitchen is from the Naturally Modern Collection by Schmidt; with stone-effect work surfaces and Rocca Grey and Sencha cabinets, which have integrated planters built within the island’s central section.

Room-Sized

Treating your garden-terrace as an outdoor room is a practical and interesting way of blending outdoors and in. Tall perimeter garden walls or fences emphasise the feeling of an outdoor ‘room’ and it works particularly well as the ‘destination’ at the end of the garden pathway. Possibly the perfect link between kitchen and garden! These lovely example uses our Kashmir Natura Outdoor Porcelain Slab Tiles, designed to replicate white granite.

The Perfect Blend

Keep the epitome of indoor-outdoor living at its perfect point with an outdoor rug; yes, we absolutely love all our tiles and slabs immensely, but sometimes it can’t be denied that it’s nice to have a touch of comfort underfoot on the terrace. This is the Sydney Outdoor Rug in Gold & Cream from Cuckooland. You can create a similar look to what is shown here with our Beton Soft Mid Outdoor slabs!

Beautifully Blended

The use of our Icarus Grey Porcelain Outdoor Slabs in this particular setting has to be one of the best blends of indoors and out that we have spotted! The whole concept of creating both an outdoor and indoor ‘living space’ with similarly styled furniture in both areas is hugely impressive, with the same tiles used throughout .

Sunshine Shading

OK, we’re ending this Trend Watch on a practical note…remember that as wonderful as it is to have a light-filled conservatory/dining/kitchen space, there are times when it will actually get too hot and you’ll need some shade. So, think about discreet blinds which can be raised until needed, without detracting from the view. Try BiFold ClickFit pleated blinds from Blinds2Go, which are made to measure and sit against each glazed unit for discreet shade and privacy.

As always, we would love to see your latest projects, especially garden transformations and renovations that look to extend interior looks to outdoor areas! Hit us up on twitter @TileMountainUKFacebook or tag us on Instagram with your pics!

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

Best Outdoor Slab Tiles For Summer

Customer Tile Style Profile: Carly’s Home Ideas

In The Garden: The Hottest Looks for Summer 2020!