How to Use Tiles in the Garden

Given that this week is National Gardening Week, our thoughts naturally turned to our outside spaces. You may be keen on sprucing up your garden and with that, you may be considering replacing warped decking or creating a few areas in your garden to make the most of the summer season. Did you know that porcelain or stone tiles can provide the perfect base for your outside areas? Not only do they look great and are easy to maintain, they are also more likely to be able to withstand the extremes in temperatures we receive in the United Kingdom.

In the meantime, you might be wondering how you can use tiles to spruce up your garden this summer. Here are just a few!

Zoning Areas

If you have a larger garden, you may want to zone certain areas for specific activities. Consider an area for dining with a table and chairs or taking advantage of a sunny afternoon spot with a garden bench or loungers. There might be a little morning sun-trap perfect for a bistro table for your morning cuppa, or a spot right near a turfed area where you’d like to be able to comfortably watch the kids play. Using tiles in these areas will allow you create separate zones around your garden depending upon their use.

The beauty of tiles is in the vast array of colours, sizes and finishes they are available in, allowing you to create a personalised and unique look. You can use similar tiles in certain spaces or complimentary styles for each zone. Depending upon your own needs and activities, you can maximise your garden for whatever you want to use it for and add some creative landscaping for the perfect finishing touch.

Inside-Out

Many tiles sit comfortably both inside and outside the home, so using the same flooring from any inside space that leads to the outside is a great way to pull these areas together and make the entire space appear bigger and more cohesive. A conservatory is a great spot for adding tiles and then continuing them to an outside patio. Or if you have a kitchen-diner that opens out to the garden, consider using a porcelain or stone tile to unify both areas so when folding, bi-fold or sliding doors are open, the outside area joins with the inside for a stylish finish.

Low-Maintenance Gardens

Dunsen Floor Tiles

If you are not keen on gardening, then opting for a fully tiled garden is another great way of achieving a contemporary look. Again, you can consider zoning certain areas or creating pathways with contrasting tiles in different colours or styles. Consider adding integrated seating to your design along with things like solar lighting and water features. Dress the areas with creative planters which will require much less maintenance than a lawn and include areas for things like hardy plants or trees to add height and an organic texture.

Of course, not all tiles are created equal. You can’t simply use any tile outdoors as you would inside as the tiles will be subject to more wear and tear as well as things like cold, rain, sleet, scorching sun, mud and damp. Utilising tiles that are made for the outdoors is absolutely paramount as is choosing the right adhesive and grout. For more information on using tiles outside, check out our post discussing which tiles are best suited for outside areas and be sure to check out our line of outdoor tiles whilst you’re at it!