Ultimate Combinations: For Indoors & Out

Nowadays, the division between indoors and outdoors can be blurred, so that interiors and exteriors are visually and physically connected. We’re talking about kitchens with tiling that continues through to a terrace, or perhaps where a patterned outdoor tile is referenced in other rooms in the house. If every single room in the house had a completely different scheme the result could be chaotic – combining similar ideas throughout the whole house creates a cohesive and streamlined look. Here, in the second instalment of our regular Ultimate Combinations feature, we take a closer look at how you can achieve a continuous aesthetic from indoor to outdoor areas of your home…

Brighton Rocks!

This is our Brighton Blue encaustic-style porcelain floor tiles, and could be teamed with the Hanoi Star tiles you see at the top of this article… these have a matt finish and will continue an indoors-outdoors theme very well indeed. Current interior trends include using a dash of colour or pattern to emphasise a theme that runs through a home, and these tiles will work on several levels – here they’re linking back to the blue patterns of Hanoi Star, but with a more traditional appeal.

Perfect Patterns

Our Skyros Delft Blue wall and floor tiles would make a stylish statement in a bathroom – and would work as another great combination with Hanoi Star exterior tiles. We’re also imagining these tiles used in a utility or kitchen – and even if the rest of the schemes were plain and simple, Skyros (which also comes in Grey) is a way of linking indoors and out, with pattern and/or colour.

Streamlined Marble Style

Vast expanses of marble floors may be a dream (if you’re looking at real marble!) but choosing our Palatina Marble Style White Glossy porcelain tiles creates the same look at an affordable price point; currently at just £13.99 per sq m. These are suitable for both walls and floor and come in a two square sizes; 600mm x 600mm and 450mm x 450mm, as well as 316mm x 600mm for walls only. A great choice for the ultimate combination of traditional and contemporary – a classic floor look can contrast beautifully with contemporary furnishings in an ultra-modern room. And for the ultimate combination of an indoor and outdoor look, there is a matching outdoor slab, Marble Slab.

Things Could Be Marble-ous! 

Link indoors and outdoors with these Calcatta Marble Stone Slab porcelain tiles, which look exactly like genuine marble with beautifully detailed marbling pattern; they also have excellent anti-slip properties, so can confidently be used in an outdoor pool or terrace setting. Outdoor and indoor marble flooring must be an ultimate combination, surely! The fabulous thing about marble look porcelain tiles is that they can be styled up or down – to look fabulously elegant and luxurious, or can equally be a sophisticated hint of good taste in a more relaxed setting.

It’s Black & White

Black and white schemes are a winning combination, allowing the beauty of the materials used to shine, perhaps contrasting with natural textures and finishes, or pops of bright colour. Bring the ‘ultimate combination’ concept into your home with a very simple look – white kitchen, black floor tiles, such as our Matt Black Lounge porcelain tiles. They work admirably with white outdoor porcelain tiles – such as our Granite White Outdoor Slabs.

Black & Black

but if you want to combine black indoor tiles with black exterior slabs, may we point you in the direction of our Lava Marble Stone Outdoor Slabs.  Such a great combination with minimalist greenery and simple outdoor furniture. The smooth, sleek looks of outdoor tiles are a neat pairing with sculptural plants – just read up on how to care, prune and water them! A sheltered but sunny spot is usually just fine, avoid too much shade, or move pots and planters around every now and then so they all get an equal amount of sunshine …

Aged Outdoor Looks

Aged and distressed timber is hugely on-trend, and is appearing as kitchen cabinets, work surfaces, flooring, and even wallpaper. If you’ve got any distressed timber features in your interiors and want to continue the theme outdoors, take a look at our Wood-look Icon Grey outdoor porcelain slab tiles. Rather a good idea as a follow-on from indoor timber styles, and it can soften a harsh and shiny scheme too. And it lessens the pressure to have everything immaculate and pristine, we rather like this relaxed, distressed look. Icon plank tiles measure 1200mm x 296mm, perfect for an ‘aged decking’ look. If you’ve used these in your garden, do send us some pics!

Black for Indoors

We’ve mentioned dark grey and black outdoor tiles a few times, so thought we should also point out these beautiful Sparkle Black Split Face Mosaic interior tiles, which are made from natural stone and have a naturally-occurring sparkling appearance. These are naturally perfect for a bathroom, (but not in shower room or wet room as they are porous), continuing a black and/or grey theme already appearing elsewhere in your home. Such a strong colour can be used in a large space for a massive impact, or consider adding a small amount – perhaps just a panel behind the bath, for example. Still a standout way of linking interior and exterior textures.

Outdoor Carpet Style

Combine indoor styling with outdoor practicalities by designing a rug-effect look for your outdoor terrace. These are our Concretia Grey Outdoor Decor tiles, arranged in a four-square pattern – which is also a great way of dividing up an outdoor space into specific areas. These are also available in Black and White, and the range includes 12 different patterns. Such a perfect way of introducing pattern outdoors, and an extremely clever way of combining pattern indoors and out.

And Some Finishing Touches…

A few bright ideas to add texture, colour and eccentricity to your indoor and outdoor schemes. From left; This is the Leaves Ceramic Plant Pot from Hurn & Hurn – a spot of bright colour to cheer up any scheme; This fun planter is the Bird Feet Planter in brushed iron from Red Candy – adding a playful look to the corner of a terrace; This Rainbow Print yellow-patterned planter is made from fibre clay, is frost proof and hand painted – and there are other colours available, from Rose & Grey.

Don’t forget … we love to see your pics of your projects, so do send us your photos of schemes that include striking combinations. Hit us up on Twitter @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram with your project photos!

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

Best of Both Worlds: Outdoor to Indoor Tile Guide

How to Use Tiles to Bring the Outdoors In

Which Tiles Should You Use In A Conservatory?