Indoor-outdoor design: focus on materials and techniques

A tasteful flow from inside to outside can be created by using similar materials across both areas. Examples of outdoor materials that blend well with indoor flooring include hardy stone-effect tiles and authentic wood-look decking boards, such as Millboard. These materials mimic their natural counterparts but perform better across both areas in terms of maintenance, staining and slippage. The result is a harmonious marriage of natural inspiration and outdoor practicality.

Traditionally, the doorway has marked the division between indoor and outdoor flooring. A simple yet effective trick is to extend one type of flooring beyond this boundary. If limestone slabs are used for a patio or outdoor dining area, continuing the floor about a metre indoors will create a covered area that physically merges the indoor environment with the outdoor space.

A floor’s character is defined by its colour, pattern and texture. Choosing one of these elements to reference across an indoor/outdoor design can really help to bring those spaces together. For example, if a kitchen has a wooden floor with boards laid parallel to the door frame, continuing this pattern outside with decking boards will create the desired ‘integrated’ effect, helping to blur the boundaries between garden and home.