Written by Marybeth Welty & Milena Morales of Sustainable Lifestyle Solutions,
as part of our Organizers Blogging Collab
Spring/summer season is back and we are happy to start using our outdoor spaces at home again! So, it’s time to organize your patio, garden or balcony and make them fit your style and personality. There are a lot of different possibilities in terms of decoration, colors, furniture, materials, and lighting for outdoor spaces! Read more about this on our previous blog Maximize your outdoor space
If you think your outdoor spaces need a fresh air change or a renovation, this blog may help you! On this occasion, we want to talk about flooring! Check out these steps and flooring ideas to make your outdoor areas look fabulous this summer 😊.
First, let's define the style we are looking for! How to decide which style suits us best? Consider the tips below to choose the floor that best suits your space…
Styles: The style of our home has a lot to do when choosing the exterior floor. The choice must be consistent with the design, the dimensions and the connection with other areas.
Materials: The alternatives in materials are huge, from materials that offer a modern, elegant, vintage, rustic or whatever style that you want to create. Keep reading to learn more about them!
Colors: There is a wide variety of flooring colors that complement the exterior design of your home. When it comes to exterior floors, the finishes and colors have no limit.
Sizes: Size is very important, especially when the spaces are small. It is worth examining the size of the elements for the exterior floor and opting for the one that best suits our needs and personal tastes.
Prices: There are as many options as prices in the market. They are definitely for all budgets, compare prices of materials and cost of installation.
Types of outdoor flooring
The following are the most common types of floors that you can place on your outdoor spaces:
Tiles
They are generally the most used for exteriors due to their versatility, ease of maintenance and cleaning, and their resistance to temperature changes. In the market, you can find a wide variety of colors, sizes and patterns.
Natural stone
Natural stone flooring is ideal for placing in the garden or backyard patio! They complement the style by providing a high decorative level and do not require high maintenance. They are also very resistant to temperature changes.
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly material, this is an excellent option, because it is natural and it will last for a long time in your garden.
Natural wood
Wood is a very aesthetic and comfortable alternative. It is less resistant than other materials and requires more frequent maintenance to protect it from damage from sunlight and rainwater.
PVC floors
PVC floors for exteriors try to simulate wood, it is made with plastic polymers which it does not need high maintenance. They’re also fire-resistant and less expensive. One of our favorite types of outdoor flooring is from IKEA! Their simple decking tiles snap together so easily and don't have to be adhered to the ground. They are perfect for renters!
Concrete
Concrete is one of the most used when we are looking for a more modern and resistant style. It is easy and cheap to install and maintenance is very simple as well as cleaning. Currently, we can find a wide variety of colors that we can apply so as not to use the typical gray color.
Bricks
Brick flooring offers a classic look and is versatile, durable, looks great, requires little maintenance, and is slip-resistant.
Exterior Floor Paint
Surface floors such as wood, concrete or tiles can be painted with special paints for high-traffic exterior floors. This is the new DIY trend to renovate your floors that will cheer up your outdoor space with a little time and budget.
Grass
You can give some color and natural style to your backyard or outdoor areas by using grass. Depending on the characteristics of your space you can choose between natural or artificial grass. The biggest differences between them is the maintenance: Natural grass requires more hours of care to keep it looking its best, on the other hand, artificial requires minimal maintenance.
Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs can really define your space and create the feel of a comfortable living environment outside. They're also easy to roll up, relocate, or store away if rain comes. If you have particularly wet weather, consider something that is light, easy to move, and not fabric. Something that is either wood or woven plastic where water can drop down underneath is best.
The most environmentally friendly option? Try your best to find rugs made of recycled plastics like the one here from Crate and Barrel which is made of recycled plastic bottles.
Marybeth Welty helps women create calm and healthy homes and lives. With over 12 years of experience in organizing, interior design, sustainable building, and mindful living, Marybeth is passionate about improving your mental health, your work, your relationships, and supporting the life of your dreams by starting with where you live, your home. You can book a free meeting with her at https://sustainablelifestylesolutions.com/20-min-free and connect with her on Instagram at @this_sustainable_lifestyle.
Melanie McConnell is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Mello Spaces. She helps busy professionals and parents get the organized home of their dreams. Check out her website www.mellospaces.com and follow her on Instagram: @mellospaces
Florena Davies is a Professional Organizer and Owner of Organize by Flo. She uses her experience as a wife and mother of 2 to create real life organizational systems and changes for work and home that allow our 2 worlds to co-exist and 'Flo" together. Check out her website at https://www.organizebyflo.com/ and on instagram @organizebyflo.