Indoor-outdoor living spaces are becoming the norm in modern homes. This clever design blurs the lines between your inside and outside spaces, creating an artistic flow. With the right flooring, you won't be able to tell where one space starts and another ends. How do you get this right? Read on for expert tips from us at Wayne Tile. 

The Benefits of Tile in Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces

Indoor-outdoor spaces have a way of tricking the eye into believing the area looks larger than it is. This can be a useful design trick if you have a more intimate home space. Here's why tiles are ideal for creating this type of space: 

  • Ultra-durable: Tiles can withstand pretty much any weather and foot traffic. 

  • Weather-resistant: Tiles are fantastic at handling rain, UV rays, and temperature changes. Tiles don't absorb water and won't fade in the sun. 

  • Good looking: Tiles, especially large-format ones, can create flow between indoors and outdoors. Unlike other flooring options, you can find matching indoor-outdoor tiles. 

  • Low-maintenance: Tiles are very easy to clean and stand the test of time. 

  • Versatile: Tiles are available in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures. There are even tiles that look like natural stone, terrazzo, wood, slate, concrete, and terra-cotta. 

You'll find a whole host of indoor and outdoor tiles you can blend to create a cohesive space. Wood-look tiles are great for connecting living rooms to deck areas, while stone-look tiles can work well between kitchens and patios. You can choose nonslip tiles for outdoors so they're less slick when they get wet. 

Tile Materials Suited for Exterior Use 

The good news is that there are many indoor-outdoor tiles to choose from. The bad news is that you'll have too much choice. At Wayne Tile, we offer: 

  • Porcelain: As an impermeable ceramic tile fired at a higher temperature, porcelain tile is extremely durable and water resistant. 

  • Natural stone: Slate, granite, and limestone are stunning and long lasting. Some natural stones, such as marble and cobblestone, are suitable for the outdoors. 

  • Quarry: This tile is especially suited for freeze/thaw outdoor spaces. 

  • Cement: This tile offers sheer durability and customization. 

Choose thicker, more durable tiles for outdoor spaces. Not all tiles are suited to the changing weather. For example, limestone and travertine only work in temperate climates. 

Design Tips for Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transitions

Designing an indoor-outdoor space is a chance to get creative. Here are some tips: 

  • Use complementary colors: Use the same or similar colors to ensure continuity between indoors and outdoors. 

  • Choose size and layout carefully: Use identical floor tiles to blur the lines between both spaces and make them seem more connected. Larger porcelain slabs are good for this as they have fewer distracting grout lines. 

  • Consider grout: Place your expansion joint every 8 to 12 feet to allow for temperature and humidity fluctuations outdoors. 

  • Get creative: Use decorative elements, such as glass tiles or borders, to add interest. 

  • Add lighting: Transform the space with the right lights to make it feel inviting. 

Choose a professional installation to ensure both spaces connect at the right level and flow well. 

Improve Your Indoor-Outdoor Living Experience With Wayne Tile

At Wayne Tile, we offer durable, versatile, and beautiful tiles for indoor-outdoor living spaces. Explore our diverse array of options and visit our showroom or website to discover the perfect tile solutions for your home. Our experts at Wayne Tile Company can help you select the right edge profile for the room, purpose, and type of tile you want. Browse our full product catalog or visit your nearest showroom to explore them in person.