Create a Seamless Transition with These Indoor/Outdoor Room Ideas

Image: Aequa Cirrus 8 x 32 Outdoor Wood-Look Porcelain Patio Tile with R11 Anti-Slip Finish from Arizona Tile

If you live in a warm climate that experiences mild to moderate temperature change throughout the year, you may want to create a functional indoor/outdoor space. Not only is this a nice addition to any home, but especially so if you entertain guests or really delight being in the fresh air.

If this sounds like something you enjoy, then designing your space with the correct tile will bring you happiness for years to come. Proper indoor/outdoor tile needs to be durable enough to withstand a variety of weather conditions, be made to stand the test of time, and add value to the home overall.

Indoor/Outdoor Tile

Not all tile is created alike so planning accordingly is necessary. Fortunately, there is tile that can be used either inside, outside, or in both places. If you are planning to design an indoor/outdoor area, you may choose to run them in succession or opt for separate designs.

Image: Pietra Italia Grey 24 x 48 Outdoor Patio Porcelain Tile with R11 Anti-Slip Finish from Arizona Tile

For a tile that looks seamless both indoors and outdoors: Pietra Italia will look stunning inside, outside, or in both places as its soft pattern emulates limestone while being relatively easy to maintain. Whatever your design preferences, here are some things to know.

Material

Material is paramount because using the wrong material outdoors can prematurely wear a product and potentially be a safety hazard if it is exposed to other elements, such as getting wet – either from rain or from being near a pool. When looking at tile, porcelain is a wonderful option.  It is the most durable flooring and facing material available and is color permanent abrasion resistant, and cannot be torn or gouged. Not only does porcelain add beauty to any indoor or outdoor space, it does so while being virtually maintenance-free. Simply wipe the tile down with a damp sponge or with soapless detergent to maintain its luster.

Size

Size matters. Small tile makes for an intricate, possibly busy, appearance in a space, indoor or outdoor, while large format porcelain tile provides a more expansive look. Maybe opt for large format tile on most of the floor except for a small focal area or to use as a detail or accent up the wall. Unless, of course, the smaller tile is the look you desire throughout. Check out our helpful guide for what to know about installing large format tile.

Image: Unica Desert 24 x 48 Large-Format Outdoor Patio Porcelain Tile with R11 Anti-Slip Finish from Arizona Tile

All tile, large format or small, will have grout lines, and there is simply no way to avoid that. The smaller the tile, the more grout lines you will have, and the more grout lines you have, the more dips and grooves that can collect dust and dirt. Any change in surface will make cleaning more time consuming. Maintenance is an incredibly important factor to add into any design because you want to use the proper tile material and tile size that will benefit your needs, not exhaust and overwhelm you. The Unica Series is a stunning large format tile that was created to look like a blend of natural elements: some sedimentary stone features and some marble features. What it gives you is a stunning porcelain without the care of natural stone.

Finish

When installing a new floor, of course you will want it to be a safe surface. When considering flooring for outdoors, this becomes extra important because various weather conditions can make for a slick ground. Fortunately, the option to add an Anti-Slip finish will complete the project so it is safe for all, young and old alike. To be certified as R11 Anti-Slip Finish, tile must pass internationally recognized testing.. To achieve this specialized Anti-Slip finish, the tile surface is modified during production so that the surface is rougher, though not affecting the aesthetics. The rough finish is achieved by adding a specific mineral, Corundum, into the glazing mix which crystalizes at the same temperature as the other substances involved so that the raw materials blend perfectly.

The Anthea Series is a wonderful display of how flawless it is to add the R11 Anti-Slip Finish and also an excellent indoor/outdoor option as it contains PROTECT® technology, which makes it easy to sanitize and eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria. PROTECT® surfaces have been crafted with Microban® which helps fight the growth of degrading bacteria on the surface of the tile for its expected lifetime. The result is a surface that stays cleaner and fresher in between regular maintenance. It is also inherently more durable and unalterable by climate conditions.

Flow

Deciding to run the same tile from inside to outside or stopping at the entrance and creating a new design opposite the door is entirely up to preference.

Image: Aequa Cirrus 8 x 32 Outdoor Porcelain Tile with R11 Anti-Slip Finish (Outside) & Aequa Cirrus 8 x 32 (Inside) from Arizona Tile

When running tile from the inside, out, and designing it to have a consistent flow, the space will appear to enhance in size. Being able to run the same tile throughout will give you a complete, thoughtful design layout, like what we see with the Aequa porcelain tile. The Aequa Series comes in five color varieties to emulate the look of wood. As a bonus, porcelain is virtually maintenance-free, durable for high-traffic areas, and designed for indoor and outdoor use. Porcelain is going to be a big hit when designing your indoor/outdoor room. You can use the standard finish inside and the R11 Anti-Slip Finish in your outdoor space, tying it all together seamlessly.

Style

Without a doubt, your design style will be first and foremost in any project.

Image: Konkrete Bianco 24 x 48 Outdoor Patio Porcelain Tile with R11 Anti-Slip Finish from Arizona Tile

Concrete is often used as a visible surface either inside or outside of a home. Sometimes used as a kitchen countertop, sometimes as a patio floor, and sometimes around a pool. However, using porcelain tile instead of concrete adds more versatility, design appeal, easier maintenance, and is more practical overall. The Konkrete Series offers four color options that mimic concrete while offering a modern appeal.

In addition to this modern look, the Reside USA series is inspired by the rich textures of commercial textiles while offering a simplistic, modern appeal that works great in industrial and commercial settings.

Style and Design

Regardless of what your style and design preferences are, Arizona Tile has products you will love. Browse through and learn about the products we offer then stop in at any Arizona Tile store or visit our virtual slab yard to see all the beautiful options we offer. Also, to aid in the design process, we offer a wonderful feature, our Just Imagine Tile Visualizer, where you can select your favorite tile,  as well as quartz and stone slabs, to get a sense of what they’ll look like in your very own space. Run into any questions: reach out to us!