10 Best Patio Floor Tiles PLUS Top 15 Designer Approved Ideas

As part of your outdoor living area, your patio adds excellent value to your property. Your choice of patio floor tiles makes your outdoor living spaces unique and truly your own.

You can find numerous types of tiles in the market. Making a final choice can be difficult. Asking for guidance from a professional landscape designer makes it easier to select the right tiles for your patio.

To arrive at the right decision, you should first know what you’re looking for. Here’s a comprehensive guide on selecting the best floor tiles for patios.

I. A Roundup of Best Patio Floor Tiles

1. Outdoor Wood Patio Floor Tiles

You can’t deny the beauty of wood floors. Wood can be used outdoors, from raised decking to parquet tiles. Keep things simple with naturally beautiful wood patio floors. Transform your patio into an inviting outdoor oasis with wood flooring.

Consider the wood type and how it is treated when using hardwood outdoors. Outdoor wood tiles are dense. They’re usually made from acacia, ipe, mahogany, teak, and hardwoods from Brazil and Asia. Hardwood for outdoor use can be treated with coats of polyurethane or some other kind of finish.

2. Interlocking Outdoor Patio Deck Tiles

Deck tiles are made from different types of wood, recycled plastics, and other materials. Use outdoor patio deck tiles to cover decks or other outdoor surfaces, upgrade the appearance, and extend their longevity.

Interlocking Outdoor Patio Deck Tiles are squares made of wood or composite planking attached to backing strips that often come with interlocking edges. The kind typically used is weather-resistant wood such as redwood or cedar.

DIY enthusiasts will love the interlocking deck tiles. Because the tiles interlock easily, you don’t need to pay for professional installation. No special skills are needed to install them yourself. Set them down on any flat or even semi-flat surface, interlock them, and they’re good to go.

3. Ceramic Tile for Outdoor Patio

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Ceramic tile is made from natural clay, water, and sand. These materials are molded to form tiles. They’re then baked in a kiln to take out most of the moisture. While ceramic tile is known for its natural red terracotta finish, it may be glazed to create different surface colors or designs.

Since they’re made from many different colors and patterns, ceramic tiles continue to be popular for outdoor use. But they’re not as strong as other outdoor tile materials. Ceramic tiles are more suitable for light-use patios, covered patios, or patios that don’t see many extreme weather changes. And not all ceramic tiles are the same. Some types are weaker or stronger than others, so make sure you pick a durable option.

Also, be sure to use outdoor ceramic tiles that are unglazed to prevent a slippery surface. And it’s best to pick out glazed ceramics with patterns on the surface if you like a decorative finish.

4. Non-Slip Patio Stone Tiles

Want an eye-catching patio? Then a stone tile is a wonderful option for you as no two stone tiles look exactly the same. Its popular appeal lies in the uniqueness of each stone. If you want to be surrounded by the beauty of nature, there are many stone tile options to choose from. Sandstone, granite, limestone, soapstone and slate tiles are some of your stone tile options.

5. Square Porcelain Patio Paver Tiles

Porcelain tile is made from clay and other natural materials that are mixed and fired in a furnace. It has a lower moisture content and is less likely to crack due to freezing. Porcelain is usually left unglazed.

Outdoor porcelain pavers are like indoor porcelain tiles, but thicker. And so they are more durable. For unmatched performance and superior density, consider porcelain pavers. They’re perfect for outdoor use. As an alternative to concrete and natural stone products, these have been installed in some of the harshest environments.

6. Outdoor Spanish Patio Floor Tile

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Spanish tiles refer to a wide range of tiles, varying from traditional Spanish and Mexican designs to modern designs. These are made from clay and other ceramics. The appeal of Spanish lies in their distinct feature: they are handmade. Many regions of Spain like Valencia, Andalucia, and Mallorca, have distinct styles. You see an explosion of colors and patterns that show an old world charm. There are dazzling starbursts, flowers, and geometric patterns recalling baroque churches’ designs in Spain and Mexico.

7. Saltillo Floor Tile for Back Patio

Are you considering a Mediterranean, Spanish, Mexican, Ranch or Rustic home style? If yes, then you should check out Saltillo floor tiles. Saltillo tiles are rough-edged terracotta tiles. Its name comes from the Mexican city of Saltillo, where genuine Saltillo tiles are handmade. Being handmade, they have the look of an imperfect tile.

One of the most durable clay in the world, Saltillo tiles are often used in warm climates. They provide a unique, warm look. You see them mostly in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The variations in color are typical in natural clay tiles.

8. Modern Style Travertine Patio Floor Tile

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Travertine is a classic patio tile. This stone tile is a type of limestone, formed by a process that gives the stone its unique and beautiful look. While its distinct appearance provides timeless appeal, travertine’s monochromatic shades work well with modern homes. Typical colors are a mix of whites, greys, charcoals and blues.

9. Dark Grey Outdoor Patio Floor Tile

One of the neutral colors, gray is considered a safe color choice. Whatever kind of tile you use, a gray color tile conveys quiet elegance and stability that has a calming effect. If you’re going for a formal and imposing look, consider dark gray. To soften the look, you can add light gray as contrast to your dark gray tile for outdoor patio.

10. Solar Powered Interlocking Floor Tile for Patio

Let there be light in your patio floors. Solar-powered interlocking patio floor tiles lets you enjoy the benefits of deck flooring with the added bonus of accent lighting. Made of wood plastic composite material, they’re perfect for homeowners who entertain guests regularly. These are functional floors for your patio, with the solar-powered LED lights having a motion sensor directly built into each tile. The LED lights charge during daytime and automatically light up during night time.

II. What Makes a Good Outdoor Patio Floor Tile?

1. Weather Withstanding First

What’s the weather like where you live? You should always look for outdoor tiles that can handle your specific weather requirements.

Buy tiles made from dense material. Porous tiles will absorb water and crumble as water freezes.

If your area happens to have regular freeze/thaw cycles, you’ll need a dense tile that can stand up to extreme temperature changes. If you live in a place that’s hot and sunny, you’d want to choose a light-colored tile that won’t get as hot under the sun as a dark one.

2. Slip Resistance Second

3. Consider Light Exposure

How much sunlight does your patio get? This has an impact on what tile you should choose. Areas getting a lot of direct sunlight call for darker tiles. On the other hand, shady areas could use light colored material. This helps optimize the natural light in your outdoor space.

4. Think About Strength

Outdoor tiles like those for your patio floors need to be strong enough to withstand temperature extremes and weather conditions year-round. Just how strong they need to be would depend on who will use the patio and how often the patio is used. A patio for a laidback retired couple and one for an active family will use different tiles. Some tile materials are very sturdy and can withstand lots of abuse. In contrast, others are more fragile and prone to damage or breakage.

5. Blend Style in with Your Patio

6. Keep Cleaning in Mind

Outdoor tiles gather all kinds of dirt and grime. Cleaning them can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if they’re not properly maintained. Since tiles need to be cleaned regularly, choose ones that are easy to maintain and clean.

III. Top 15 Designer Approved Patio Floor Tile Ideas

With the availability of different materials, it’s easier than ever to make your home unique and stylish. Your choice of patio floor tiles design should give you a one-of-a-kind look for your outdoor space.

Find inspiration in these designer-approved patio tile ideas:

1. Natural Stone Paver

Natural stone pavers include bluestone, flagstone, granite, limestone, and travertine. These natural materials come in different colors and have characteristics unique to them. They have that earthy look combined with a luxurious and textured look.

Give your outdoor space a natural charm with the understated symmetry plus rugged lines that natural stone pavers offer. You can find these pavers in various shapes, sizes, and textures. There are irregular flagstone pavers that lend an interesting character and generate visual interest.

These landscape materials came from actual rocks. Each piece carries a distinct appearance, with unique colors and textures dictated by Mother Nature.

2. Gorgeous Wood Look

No one can resist the look and feel of wood tiles. Wood makes you instantly think of home, its warmth, and all the good memories it brings.

But real hardwood floor tiles are not a great option for outdoor use. It’s a good thing that there are now tiles that mimic the appearance and texture of wood. These wood-like tiles are made to look and feel like different kinds of wood grain. Oak, cherry, and driftwood are some of the popular options available in the market.

3. Spanish Charm

Pull Spanish elements into your outdoor living area for a warm, inviting place. Traditional Spanish and Mexican designs use beautiful earthy colors like warm yellows, reds, and blues that highlight their old-world charm. Spanish tiles are very effective as patio floors and garden pathways.

4. Square Porcelain

You can’t go wrong with porcelain tiles for your patio. Porcelain is a dense, durable form of ceramic. The best choice for outdoor tiles would be textured, matte tiles in porcelain. Without the gloss, you don’t need to worry much about slipping. Square porcelain patio tiles in neutral colors would make its surroundings, like green grass, stand out. But if you want the porcelain tiles themselves to catch attention, use a bold color instead.

5. Rustic Travertine Accent

Enhance your outdoor space by adding travertine accent tiles to achieve a rustic style for your patio. Travertine is made of limestone, and it’s a popular choice for tile flooring. It’s a stylish material that features a natural, textured look with the warm, relaxing colors of brown, ivory, or cream. This color palette blends well with any style.

6. Uncommon Beauty

Patio tiles don’t have to be monochromatic and boring. Neutral colors are too commonplace. Tiles come in many colors and styles, so why don’t you mix and match them to uncover their uncommon beauty?

When mixing different tile colors, you need them to fit a harmonious color scheme. Create a color palette that makes sense. Different shades of the same color, colors next to each other on the color wheel, or colors opposite each other on the color wheel.

7. Tile Laid over Grass

Outdoor patio tiles can be easily installed over grass and dirt. Use them as a permanent, temporary, or portable outdoor floor to create safe walkways. What can be more natural-looking than stone tiles laid over grass?

8. Simple Chic

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Going for the simple, chic contemporary look? Then you should check out large format tiles. Large-format tiles measure 16″ x 16″ or larger. They’re a great solution when you’re going for a contemporary look that features continuity in design. With more coverage per tile than the traditionally-sized tile, they’re often used to make a smaller space appear bigger.

9. Wood Look Flooring

Thanks to technological breakthroughs, manufacturers can now imitate the look of wood without using actual wood itself. So you get the wonderful benefits of wood without its usual drawbacks.

Each textured wood look comes with its distinct style and character depending on the type of wood it’s supposed to look like.

10. Warm and Vintage

Who doesn’t appreciate the traditional elegance of wood tiles? Now homeowners can have both the warm and vintage look of wood and the durability and flexibility of porcelain tile for outdoor patios. Tiles with the appearance of wood but made of other materials like porcelain are less expensive and an excellent waterproof alternative to hardwood tiles. This makes it easy to get a unified look throughout your property. Now you can have real wooden floors inside your home and wood-like tiles in your outdoor spaces.

11. Over-sized Tile

Oversized tiles make your space appear bigger than they are, especially if you pick a light color. These tiles make your spaces look more open and less busy too. If you appreciate the bare, stark Brutalist style, then you’ll like using oversized tiles. The simple, unadorned look of oversized patio floor tiles fits a minimalist style.

12. Colored Slate

Slate is a hard natural stone and is great for outdoor use because its uneven surfaces provide excellent slip resistance. While it may be a dense material, slate is easily scratched and should be sealed to avoid staining. Slate is usually grey in color, but depending on its origin and mineral content, it also comes in various colors. Brighten up your outdoor space with colorful slate tiles.

13. Mexican Style Inspired

Add warmth and cozy ambiance to your outdoor space with Mexican style floor tiles. Thinking of a breathtaking Hacienda-style or Spanish Colonial-style patio? Make your patio a sight to behold using patterned Mexican tiles handcrafted by artisans. There are plenty of patio tile designs to choose from that will make your space truly your own.

14. Dark Gray Elegance

Yellow and gray are Pantone’s colors of the year. Ride the trend with your elegant gray patio floors. As a neutral color, gray is a versatile color choice for your outdoor space as it highlights the architecture of your home. It also allows the vibrant colors of your plants to pop. Gray floors set the tone for a cool, modern home. Natural dark gray stone floors look elegant. And when used with another color, dark gray patio floors are the perfect backdrop for any kind of bold look.

15. Mix and Match Style

Inject a bit of fun into your home by mixing and matching design styles. Create a strong visual impact by combining different colors or materials to define different areas of your outdoor space. Try pairing patterned tiles with plain color ones, or use small and large tiles. Why not play with different patterns using the same color combination?

Conclusion

There are many great outdoor floor tiles and designs to choose from. Most of it comes down to your location, personal preference, and, of course, your budget. Buy the highest quality materials that you can afford. Expensive patio tiles won’t necessarily outlast moderately priced tile. Generally, you get what you pay for.