Envy-inducing Outdoor Flooring Ideas
Decking, tiling or a mix of contrasting textures – the materials you lay underfoot can bring fresh appeal to your outside space
From the smallest city roof terrace to the most rambling garden, gorgeous flooring can make the most of your outside space. Varying the levels and textures is a great trick to add the illusion of depth and distance, while the material you choose sets a key mood that can be carried through in garden furniture, planting and other features. Check out these examples of well-used outdoor flooring to get your design juices flowing.
Raise your game
Bringing parts of your garden up to a slightly higher level creates variety and interest. This space has a restful feel due to the coexisting planes, each with a different texture, from decking to lawn to paving.
Bringing parts of your garden up to a slightly higher level creates variety and interest. This space has a restful feel due to the coexisting planes, each with a different texture, from decking to lawn to paving.
Add comfort to a roof terrace
A rooftop terrace is a great escape for city dwellers. Make it as comfortable and homely as possible with decking: it’s easy to maintain and adds a touch of rustic charm amid the slate and brick skyline. Cushions in weatherproof fabrics are the perfect finishing touch.
A rooftop terrace is a great escape for city dwellers. Make it as comfortable and homely as possible with decking: it’s easy to maintain and adds a touch of rustic charm amid the slate and brick skyline. Cushions in weatherproof fabrics are the perfect finishing touch.
Go for large-format tiles
Big, bold and beautifully generous tiles make any space feel expansive – and your outside area is no exception. These large tiles work well with the plastered walls for a chic, simple space, adorned with a few tailored planters.
Get creative with metallic planters
Big, bold and beautifully generous tiles make any space feel expansive – and your outside area is no exception. These large tiles work well with the plastered walls for a chic, simple space, adorned with a few tailored planters.
Get creative with metallic planters
Wow with wood
I love how the owners of this garden have used wooden flooring in the same way as they might inside the house. What better way to show that your outside space is an extension of your home? The expanse is broken up with raised beds and inset ponds.
Boards like these would need to be fitted by a garden design expert and treated for the elements.
I love how the owners of this garden have used wooden flooring in the same way as they might inside the house. What better way to show that your outside space is an extension of your home? The expanse is broken up with raised beds and inset ponds.
Boards like these would need to be fitted by a garden design expert and treated for the elements.
Fake a lawn
This central London rooftop space could feel cold and office-like if it weren’t for the run of emerald green faux grass. We all know it’s fake, but that’s not the point. It simply adds a soft hint of the natural world.
Artificial grass comes in lots of shades and qualities, so you can go as realistic or vividly fake as you like.
Discover everything you need to know about artificial grass with this expert guide
This central London rooftop space could feel cold and office-like if it weren’t for the run of emerald green faux grass. We all know it’s fake, but that’s not the point. It simply adds a soft hint of the natural world.
Artificial grass comes in lots of shades and qualities, so you can go as realistic or vividly fake as you like.
Discover everything you need to know about artificial grass with this expert guide
Set the tone
State grey tiles herald the mood for this contemporary space, which is followed through in steely seating and grey planters and window frames. The wood cladding is a nice addition, and leads the eye to the next rooftop level.
State grey tiles herald the mood for this contemporary space, which is followed through in steely seating and grey planters and window frames. The wood cladding is a nice addition, and leads the eye to the next rooftop level.
Repeat horizontal lines
This standard-sized city garden uses straight lines to bring different elements together – and makes it feel larger in the process. Rectangular paving sets a grid-system base, while the fencing adds complementary horizontal lines. Square planters keep the theme, then rounded topiary creates a contrast. Simple and effective.
This standard-sized city garden uses straight lines to bring different elements together – and makes it feel larger in the process. Rectangular paving sets a grid-system base, while the fencing adds complementary horizontal lines. Square planters keep the theme, then rounded topiary creates a contrast. Simple and effective.
Make a seamless surface
If you have bifold doors onto your outside space, the whole idea is to have a flow between inside and out. So emphasise that with the same flooring in both areas.
If you’re renovating or refitting a kitchen, it makes economic sense to stock up on more floor tiles (suitable for outdoor use) and tell the tilers to just keep going.
If you have bifold doors onto your outside space, the whole idea is to have a flow between inside and out. So emphasise that with the same flooring in both areas.
If you’re renovating or refitting a kitchen, it makes economic sense to stock up on more floor tiles (suitable for outdoor use) and tell the tilers to just keep going.
Define several zones
Even in a small, grass-free space, you can zone areas by laying different shapes. Here, two stone circles in contrasting sizes mark out a seating area and a central hang-out/play zone, while raised decking heralds the lounging spot. Serpentine planting and decoration reinforce the shapes in this creative but compact back yard.
TELL US…
Have you laid new paving, turf or tiles in your garden? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Even in a small, grass-free space, you can zone areas by laying different shapes. Here, two stone circles in contrasting sizes mark out a seating area and a central hang-out/play zone, while raised decking heralds the lounging spot. Serpentine planting and decoration reinforce the shapes in this creative but compact back yard.
TELL US…
Have you laid new paving, turf or tiles in your garden? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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A skinny side return or basement space can sometimes feel uninspired and suffer from a lack of light. Add brilliance in the shape of Moorish tiles – and take the run up a wall, too, to create the feeling the space extends that bit further. This tiny terrace will feel exotic even in deepest winter.