What Are The Best Porch Tiles Ideas?

Amanda Samuel

January 12, 2016

There's always a mad dash to get interior projects completed before the 25th December, whether it's renovating your bathroom or painting the third bedroom for your festive guests to enjoy; often though, as the cold weather sets in, the exterior of the home is forgotten. Creating a tiled entrance can instantly refresh the appearance of your entire property and make your home more appealing as winter sets in. First impressions do count.

If you don't have a Victorian home or simply prefer a more contemporary aesthetic then inspiration can be quite difficult to find, especially for those with a modern property. We've compiled our favourite tiles that can be used outdoors and how to dress them so you can have a new front porch this Christmas without breaking the budget.

The Imitation Game

Blending nature with nature can create a soft welcoming appearance to your home but natural stone can be expensive. Thanks to innovative technology most stone-effect porcelain tiles now offer an almost perfect imitation, including the variation, of the natural product. Along with very little maintenance, porcelain tiles should last just as long as their counterpart as they are stain and frost resistant. Stormstone™ Black replicates Basalt, a hardy igneous rock with deep black tones. This modern colourway is perfect with a neutral painted faç ade and some evergreen foliage. With its R11 anti-slip rating you won't be worried about coming up the driveway when it snows this Christmas!

Baked Earth

If you have an older property such as a converted barn or a country cottage then terracotta is a great option. Literally translated from Italian as ‘ baked earth' this natural material can come in many different hues from shades of yellow through to pink so it can suit any property; our favourite is the dark taupe of Calatrava Vulcano. The intense shading of terracotta looks amazing when offset with bold colours and simple planting; coordinate your door colour to your Wisteria and you'll create an instant haven come summer. Just remember to seal your terracotta with the Topps Tiles Unpolished Protector to keep it waterproof.

Brick It

For a traditional red brick house a different coloured, and often square, tile can often look harsh and unappealing so a great way to complement your home is to carry the brick through to your entranceway. If you don't want the hassle of laying bricks, making sure they're the right height and even, choose Hartley™, a brick-effect porcelain tile. Available in Old Red, Grey, White and Sand there are plenty of colours to suit your individual property. Dress your brick tile with some structural planting and pots to keep the look fresh all year round, mini box hedges or bay trees add a classic twist.

Now all you need is some outdoor lights (you can't go wrong with berry-shaped bulbs in classic white) and a decorative foliage wreath for the front door and you're all set for those important guests to arrive!