Whether you’re planning a garden room, pool house, or indoor-outdoor entertainment space, choosing the right tiles is crucial for creating a beautiful, durable space that works year-round.

Multi-functional spaces need multi-functional tiles. Buildings that focus on indoor-outdoor living, might look for products that are waterproof, frost-resistant, slip-resistant, and suitable for underfloor heating systems. From intricate mosaic features to contemporary large-format slabs, the right tiles can seamlessly connect your unique garden room requirements and style with the strength and durability needed for British weather conditions.

We’ve partnered with Jo Gilhooly from The Tile Portfolio – an independent Northamptonshire-based company specialising in designer Spanish and Italian wall and floor tiles. We’ve worked with Jo’s company for years and our clients consistently love the style of the products, while we appreciate the exceptional quality and professional advice.

Jo and her sister Rachel hand-pick tile collections that work beautifully on their own or together as part of a cohesive design scheme, offering complete tile packages with carefully curated portfolios of porcelain and ceramic tiles.

When planning a project with A Room In The Garden, we typically recommend the Docklands tiles collection due to their contemporary industrial look and high slip-resistant rating. The 600mm x 600mm size is ideal for bathrooms and shower enclosures, while being fully compatible with underfloor heating systems. The collection also offers 900mm x 900mm and 1200mm x 600mm formats. For patios and continuous indoor-outdoor spaces, the larger scale slats are perfect for achieving that seamless transition and minimising grout lines.

For high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor settings, porcelain tiles are your best bet. These are fired at higher temperatures, making them denser, scratch-resistant, and hardwearing. For decorative applications, ceramic tiles work well as they’re lighter, more cost-effective, and easier to cut, making them ideal for accent walls and low-traffic zones.

The safety aspect of tiles is crucial. A Ramp Test determines slip resistance ratings with an R-value between 9 (dry areas only) and 13 (commercial wet zones). For barefoot areas like wetrooms, steam rooms or around pools, the DIN 51097 method uses a simpler scale:

• A: Dry barefoot areas (domestic use)
• B: Pool surrounds and showers
• C: Commercial pools and gym showers

The Tile Portfolio offers a comprehensive guide at: https://www.thetileportfolio.co.uk/tile-slip-ratings/

See the full project here

Current Trends: Warm, earthy tones like taupe and sand are popular with clients looking for a serene, minimalist look, but marbles remain timeless. There’s been a shift towards utilising outside spaces more effectively, leading to durable porcelain tiles growing in popularity for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.

Design Tips: Choose two tones from the same tile collection for a simple, stylish look. Wood-effect tiles pair well with almost anything for floors, or match a wall tile’s colour to a neutral floor tile.

Budget-Friendly Options: Tile prices increase with size, so opt for the next size down if budget is tight. Choose hardwearing porcelain for floors and ceramic tiles for walls as a smart compromise.

At A Room In The Garden we love supporting other independent businesses and highlighting their dedication to exceptional quality and customer service. After years of partnership, we proudly continue to work with The Tile Portfolio because they share our commitment to delivering outstanding service. Since every project is different, we offer clients a unique and thoughtful approach to achieving a cohesive design scheme that will truly transform their space.

Ready to explore options for your project? Contact us to discuss how we can bring your vision to life with expert design guidance and professional installation across the UK.