If having an adequate space outside, a house becomes complete only when it has a proper indoor and outdoor space. The latter could be your swimming pool lounge area, patio, garden, parking or even the entrance driveway connecting the lobby of the house.
Oddly, it has often been observed that several homeowners forget to upgrade or revamp the house’s outdoor area. This phenomenon is peculiar, as the outdoor space is vital for creating the ambience of the home. However, one of the simplest ways to ramp up the outdoors is to install tiles. If you know the basic types of tiles and know your surroundings and what will go the best with them, you can easily make that space look pleasant.
The most common material used for the outdoor area has been natural stone. Fortunately, with technological advancements, multiple options are out there in the market, from which you can choose your perfect tile. Laying pretty and high-quality outdoor tiles is always a good idea, as besides enhancing the attractiveness, they also increase the functionality of the space for routine use. Let’s have a quick look at some of the tips to find your best outdoor tile.
- Choose Specific Outdoor Tiles
It is important to note that your outdoor tiling should not be just the average tile. Rather, it should be capable of withstanding heavy weather changes, ranging from hot, cold, and rain to snow and extreme humidity. While the extremity of the weather will depend on where you live, you should, in general, consider whether the tiles would be able to bear these weather conditions.
Another major and often overlooked factor is the heavy foot traffic. Obviously, as the outdoors see more movement of people and vehicles, picking sturdy tiles becomes crucial. An excellent example of outdoor-specific tiles is the parking tiles and pavers range. These are strong and aesthetically appealing at the same instance, and you can find them here and here.
- Grip – Not Slippery Tiles
Depending on the area, you need to install tiles that are high on grip factor. For instance, if you are looking to install tiles near the swimming pool, you should go for those having a higher grip factor to avoid accidents. On a similar line, such anti-slip tiles make a perfect match for places recording high rainfall, snow, or water blockage around the area.
This kind of tile, designed by experts, has the right finish, polish, and anti-slip properties. By prioritising prevention over cure, these easy-to-maintain tiles stop any mishaps from happening.
- Style Of The Space
‘Know thyself’ is crucial regarding your outer space before giving it a makeover. Study the place entirely, and read about its space and surroundings to make an easy choice when it comes to getting the tiles. For instance, if it is an outdoor kitchen and you want to go for a monochrome theme, you can choose from the latest Inspire Art collection or the Zenith series. These tiles are available in multiple colours, sizes, and designs to go with your space.
If the home style is countryside, you can go for tiles that bring the rustic feeling to your garden or the mosaic tiles that create an artistic effect. If it is the modern style, you can go for the super glossy finish and glazed vitrified ones, which give durability and an understatement at the same time. Overall, choosing a tile as per your taste is easy if you are aware of what you are looking for.
- Colour Scheme
There’s so much that you can do with the colour scheme of your outdoors. The outdoor living area can be as chic and statement-making as the house’s interiors. Whether you are opting for colour scheme coordination or contrast, your home is going to stand out. Depending on what you envision for the space, it can be a simple combination of primary colours or different ones.
One of the most popular ways for pavement is to match the pavement tiles with the accent tiles. Alternatively, you can go completely black if the accent tiles are white. The colours most widely used for outdoor areas are grey, brown, and white, which generally provide a more subdued look.
- The Best Material For Outdoor Tiles
And the last for the best! The material of the tile is probably the most essential factor while considering a makeover of the outdoor area. In tiles, there are a plethora of options you can choose from. Be it porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, or travertine tiles; the list is quite expansive. However, as mentioned earlier, you should use only the outdoor-specific tiles as the material has to be strong enough.
If the idea of material and look sounds confusing, you can go for visualisation. A great way to do that is to try the TriaLook feature of Orientbell Tiles. It allows you to upload a picture of your desired space and select a tile to view how it would look on this surface. Such visualisations help you narrow down your search and give an idea of how to choose the best outdoor tiles.
Bonus Tip: Expert Advice
In giving your outdoor area a makeover, it is crucial to understand the style of the space, the area covered, budget, colour scheme, and other such factors before zeroing down on one. While the above-mentioned tips are extremely helpful, the whole process can often be overwhelming. Fortunately, several tile experts are out there, including the ones at Orientbell Tiles. They are well-equipped to answer most of your queries, which will make your search for the right outdoor tiles much easier!
Author Bio:
Isha Tandon has worked within the architecture and interior design industry as a flooring consultant expert – specializing in tiles, stones, and terrazzo. She has worked with Orientbell Limited, a leading tile manufacturer in India, as a product development manager in the design team and has recently joined the marketing team as their digital content expert. Her experience comes in handy in understanding the audience as she creates value-driven functional & informational content for the readers. She creates lifestyle pieces that focus on interior design products, trends, and processes. She loves to travel to historic places with rich architecture.