Outdoor Flooring Trends For A Refreshed And Upgraded Oasis

The idea of refreshing your outdoor space to become your own little oasis is exciting, to say the least. There are so many ways to turn your yard into a relaxing haven, whether you go the pool route or choose a cozy firepit area. And depending on how you envision your space, you may need to incorporate outdoor flooring of some kind. While you have many options to choose from, we want to bring you some of the hottest trends, perfect for a refreshed and upgraded vibe. To do this, we've interviewed leading industry experts who have given us exclusive info and recommendations for outdoor flooring.

Brad Holley, owner of Undesign, says many people envision their outdoor oasis in an organic modern aesthetic – one of today's leading design trends. He explains, "This overall style is exemplified through the use of natural (or natural-looking) materials, but they're typically applied in a linear and orderly way. Think of rich wood elements, stone, and heavy injections of greenery." For flooring, this means choosing either wood or wood lookalikes that are imperfect in some way, whether left raw and rough, or altered to look uneven and asymmetric. Whether you go for composite decking tiles, wood-look tiles, or porcelain paving slabs designed to mimic the look of natural materials, our experts give us the scoop on it all.

Concrete is a popular outdoor flooring material due to its general durability, longevity, and wallet-friendly cost. However, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing or exciting since it's just a giant gray slab. Fortunately, Holley has the perfect solution that allows you to benefit from concrete's advantages while staying in line with the organic modern aesthetic: making it appear like natural stone. One way to accomplish this is with imitation grout lines. Holley tells us: "You can do this by adding a neutral or earth-tone color to the mix, adding a rock-salt finish to the surface (which gives it a porous look), and once it has cured, you can then use a concrete saw (set to a very shallow cutting depth) and cut a linear scoring pattern into the concrete which imitates the look of large format tiles." Plus, this can prevent concrete cracks from standing out as they will likely follow the scored lines and blend in with the design.

Imitation grout lines can also be known as decorative cuts and can be made in any pattern you'd like to fit your outdoor design aesthetic. If you're going the DIY route, you'll want to ensure the saw blade you use to cut the lines is around 10 mm and that the lines don't go deeper than 10 to 15 mm. Once you finish creating the pattern in the concrete, you'll want to fill the lines with grout.

Tile is a common material many people choose for their outdoor flooring. Similar to concrete, it is durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance – ideal qualities for a surface that is exposed to the elements. There are different types of tiles you can use for your outdoor patio, but wood-like ones are a game-changer when it comes to creating a serene and nature-inspired oasis. Wood on its own is susceptible to wear and damage from temperature fluctuations, but many people like its appearance. With wood-like tiles, you get the warm and inviting texture without the drawbacks.

If wood tiles are your jam, Holley explains that there are a few things to note to ensure you get the most authentic-looking products on the market. He says, "The thing that makes some wood-look tiles more convincing than others has everything to do with the concept of 'variation', or how much the color, pattern, and texture differs from one piece of tile to the next." 

Using the variation scale, also referred to as the "V" scale, you can identify the products with the most variation, those that typically hold a V3 or V4 rating. Holley adds, "And when you install tiles rated at V3 (and especially at V4), it actually becomes difficult to find two identical tiles when you're walking through a finished space." To make your wood tile flooring look even more convincing, choose tiles that come in lengths over 48 inches. And so you don't have to weed through manufacturers creating lower-quality tiles, Holley recommends starting your search with Crossville Studios, MSI Surfaces, Emser Tile, Arizona Tile, or DalTile.

When creating outdoor spaces, it's a fun idea to mix up different flooring materials to enhance visual interest. One way to accomplish this is to use artificial turf to create walkways or borders within entertainment areas. It creates a nice visual contrast against your flooring option , whether that be tile, stone, or concrete. 

Holley tells us that artificial turf absolutely fits into the organic modern trend that's taking over landscaping projects everywhere. He speaks highly of its advantages, revealing, "Because the organic modern trend features so much greenery, oftentimes, my clients are asking for generous applications of high-quality and extremely convincing synthetic turf ground covering because it offers the benefits of staying green all year long with little-to-no maintenance needed. Plus, it's affordable. "It's one of the lowest cost ground covering systems you'll find on the market," he notes.

Holley does caution, however, that synthetic turf can get extremely hot in extreme temperatures, making it unpleasant to the touch. To mitigate this, homeowners can install a sprinkler system to periodically cool it off or simply use a garden hose to wet it down every so often. Ultimately, this is a great flooring material for eco-friendly consumers who want to use less water in their landscaping while keeping things low-maintenance and looking fresh year-round.

According to two of our experts, Holley and Alan Dewberry, the owner of Tile Factory Direct, porcelain paving slabs are the most popular outdoor flooring choice on the market today. Holley explains, "Because porcelain is made with such a fine, dense clay mixture, and because it's fired at a much higher heat than ordinary ceramic tiles, porcelain products possess a unique hardness and durability that most other flooring/decking materials simply cannot match." Dewberry agrees with the durability and hardness of porcelain paving slabs, adding, "Unlike natural materials, porcelain is non-porous, so it resists moisture, stains, mold, and even freeze-thaw cycles in extreme regions of the country." 

If that wasn't enough to sell you on this flooring material, porcelain is sold in a wide range of finishes and designs. Some feature non-slip surfaces perfect for areas that get wet (think pool decking) and other textures and dimensions that mimic natural stone and wood. The good thing about porcelain paving slabs is that their versatility can fit a variety of preferences. For a more sophisticated look, consider paving a patio with black slabs and spacing them slightly over a greenspace to allow the grass to show around the perimeter of each one. If wood better fits your idea of an outdoor oasis, grab some lighter-colored wood-imitation slabs to create a durable and hardy deck. Or, think outside the box and create a pattern with different-sized pavers for your patio or pool deck, such as herringbone, crosshatch, or diamond grid, to increase visual interest.

Many popular trends in outdoor flooring involve utilizing materials that stand up to the elements without sacrificing a more natural appearance. Composite decking tiles fit in both categories. "These tiles are made of a mixture of wood fibers and high-quality recycled plastics or polymers, which provide the look of wood without requiring so much maintenance," Holley explains.

Composite decking tiles won't lose their shape or hardness, nor will they serve as a snack for bugs, giving them a huge leg up when compared to regular wood. You also won't miss out on the color and texture variety you'd find with wood flooring, as these tiles come in many different hues and grain patterns. One advantage over other types of wood-imitation options is that installation is incredibly DIY-friendly. Each tile interlocks with the surrounding tiles and can be placed directly on an underlying surface without much preparation or adhesive necessary. This makes them easily customizable as well.

While there are many pros to using composite decking tiles, it's important to note a few of their caveats. "Even though quite durable, these materials might still expand or contract slightly due to variation in temperature, and they could probably retain a lot of heat such that you find them hot in direct sunlight," Holley warns. Furthermore, you may have to shell out a bit more upfront than with other materials, especially wood.

Sintered stone and high-performance concrete tiles are two more options engineered to imitate natural stone, putting both of them into the organic modern trend. Dewberry speaks to their popularity, saying, "These stone surfaces are non-porous and very strong because they are meant to form under high temperature and pressure to create sintered stones. This procedure lets them attain the extravagance of marble, travertine, or slate without staining or weathering risks." 

These materials are particularly attractive for their wide range of features, including being fireproof, eco-friendly, anti-slip, and easy to clean (simply use a mild or pH-neutral soap, warm water, and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to clean the surface). You can purchase them in a variety of finishes, patterns, and colors to fit your outdoor decor. For example, if your outdoor oasis looks more beachy and resort-like, consider tiles in a sand-colored hue with a slight texture. Or, if you're going for an industrial, minimalist look, opt for classic gray, sleek-surfaced tiles.

You should note that sintered stone and high-performance concrete tiles are a good choice for anyone with a bit extra to spend on their outdoor flooring, perhaps those looking to create an elegant and high-end dining or outdoor cooking space. They're also not DIY-friendly, so there will be a higher up-front cost due to labor. "[O]ne will also need professionals to install them to create proper drainage and structural integrity," Dewberry explains.

Last but not least on this list are decorative stair kickers, also known as decorative stair risers. Stair kickers are the part that faces outward toward you as you climb a staircase and are typically either left bare or designed to blend in with the rest of the stairs. One fun way to add some color and pattern to any staircase in your outdoor oasis is to decorate the stair kickers instead of the entire staircase. 

Camilla Masi, interior designer at Otto Tiles & Design, tells us that authentic Moroccan bejmat and zellige tiles are a popular choice for stair kickers these days as they add a bit of playfulness. She says, "The rich, saturated color and high-gloss enamel glaze of these clay tiles creates a striking contrast to the rustic texture of natural stone pavers, adding depth and character to an exterior space." Suffice it to say, this is definitely not an outdated tile trend that you have to worry about going away anytime soon.

One huge bonus to going with decorative kickers is that you can easily update your stairs even after they're in place. And while tiles give you plenty of colors, patterns, and textures, you don't have to stop there. You can also use paint, wood off-cuts, and decorative metals. Simply apply the decorative piece to each stair riser depending on the chosen material and application instructions.